Guys I want to buy cheaper spinning reel for my travel rod my budget is limited to $300 and I see so many good things about Vanford. But it is very hard to find honest review because everyone love what they have. Also I want to buy 3000 size and most likely lower gear ratio, Any suggestion about Vanford or other reels? And I am SHIMANO guy

The rod is :

G-Loomise ESCAPE 84-3 Model

7' Length

1/4oz-5/8oz Lure

10-17lb line

eta:  I see you only want Shimano reels.    Maybe a Stradic in 3000 size

I don't fish Shimano, but the Quantum Vapor is nice. Find them on that bidding site for about a third of your budget.

I have the vanford 3000 and the daiwa procyon lt 2500.  I prefer the daiwa but both are great. It's cheaper too - somewhere between $120-$150 usually.  I am looking at the Tatula myself.

That is little hard for me to get Daiwa, Since I never had Daiwa, And all the user said after awhile Daiwa will be loose. Actually I like the color of Daiwa Fuego, The color matches my rod but I really scared because of reviews.

34 minutes ago, ATA said:

That is little hard for me to get Daiwa, Since I never had Daiwa, And all the user said after awhile Daiwa will be loose. Actually I like the color of Daiwa Fuego, The color matches my rod but I really scared because of reviews.

All the users?  I haven't experienced that or found that in my research.  My vanford actually makes some noise sometimes on retrieve and I have only had it a couple of years.  Still functions well though but odd.

 

That being said, good luck with your search.   So many options out there....I do not fish for anything over 5lbs and fish mostly in smaller lakes so I haven't tested out all my gear to the fullest.  Hopefully no issues down the road.

Youre going to have to get a Daiwa if you want a lower gear ratio.  The other option is to get a JDM Shimano.  

Fuegos are great reels.  Ive beat the hell out of mine and it just keeps running.  IMO Fuego was the best 100$ USDM finesse reel for years.  So far Miravel looks like it may take that spot and thats what I would recommend for a budget option.  

If youre concerned about long term performance, just get an FL.  Theyre solid reels and the line management is excellent.

Evaluate by IPT in lieu of gear ratio.

Vanford doesn’t offer lower gear ratio for the 3000 w/IPT of 37”.

The 2000 is same ratio w/ IPT of 32”.

Tom

I've had my Diawa Fuego 2500 reel for over 2 years, it saw everyday use for about 1 1/2 years. Still as good as new.

I own both Daiwa and shimano spinning reels. Cheap to expensive.

You wont go wrong with either one. 

The Vanford is a good reel for the price. Shimano reels seem to remain tight and smooth with age.

Daiwa's have a tendency to loosen up a little with age. Unless you are using a straight retrieve lure, you probably won't notice it.

 

Since you like shimano's, stick with the Vanford or get a JDM equivalent like the Complex XR or Soare XR.

Cheaper and budget of $300 doesn’t equate to me. 

3 hours ago, Cbump said:

Cheaper and budget of $300 doesn’t equate to me. 

usually the high end reels $700 so if we go 300 it means lower half price. 

I recently bought a Diawa Tatula and it's by far the smoothest spinning reel I've used.  I use it 2-4 times a week for 3 months and it hasn't changed.  The drag is very smooth also.

Stradic 3000

 

 

Any of the BPS spinning reels in 3000 size would work.

If you go JDM, you can buy whatever you want - maybe even upgrade to Vanquish.  

Compare this list to the five (5) SHG and XG models imported to USM.  

12 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

If you go JDM, you can buy whatever you want - maybe even upgrade to Vanquish.  

Compare this list to the five (5) SHG and XG models imported to USM.  

I can tell you first hand that the new Vanquish went up in price, 54,100 yen (around $400). The Vanquish would be a good choice though. 

 

My other thought would be Daiwa Certate. It's seems to be built like tank. I only held it in hand but it was smooth and appeared to be made to take a beating which is what I would look for in a travel reel. 

I'd get an Essence XR....

 

https://www.digitaka.com/item/5/4/1/4969363046161

Go with the Vanford. I have the 1000 size and my only complaint is the uncomfortable reel stem. I had to adjust how I grip my rod to make fishing it comfortable. Before 1 finger in front of the stem. With the Vanford 2 fingers in front of the stem.

 

Larger Shimano spinning reels I do not have this issue.

 

The reel is crazy light and smooth.

Shimano Stradic 2500 or 3000 from Digitaka that's a super nice reel, it's not made of plastic.

 

18 hours ago, Bigassbass said:

Shimano Stradic 2500 or 3000 from Digitaka that's a super nice reel, it's not made of plastic.

 

I like this reel!   https://www.digitaka.com/item/5/4/1/4969363040145

$156.93   USD

23 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

I like this reel!   https://www.digitaka.com/item/5/4/1/4969363040145

$156.93   USD

I bought this reel because of you road warrior it's super nice!  I am getting a Miravel for mothers day.

Guys I went with Cardiff for now and try to see how it is for now, Thanks for all the advice.

If an anti reverse switch is important to you make sure the reel has one.  Shimano reels for the most part do not have them any more.  Tatula LT does, and is a great quality reel.  

Looks good with cork on NRX+