I’ve fished all the stradics and the 20 vanford. Is it worth it to buy a newer vanford? Any noticeable differences? I mainly fish saltwater and spillway stripers. So I’m throwing jigs all day long with the occasional topwater. 

On 4/15/2025 at 10:29 AM, Papa molly said:

I’ve fished all the stradics and the 20 vanford. Is it worth it to buy a newer vanford? Any noticeable differences? I mainly fish saltwater and spillway stripers. So I’m throwing jigs all day long with the occasional topwater. 

I have one and I've been very happy with it. I can't compare the fishing experience with past models in detail but the new one certainly seemed had the same feel as the old one side by side in store. Most reviews I've seen have echoed this: don't lose sleep if you need to replace your old model, but don't rush out to upgrade. 

Of course all Shimano worm drive reels from Stradic-up are the previous Stella design re-made in lower-cost MOC; e.g., '20 Vanford is '18 Stella series.  

The only change in '22 Stella is slightly increased spool pitch, which tells me the just-previous series was over-designed and Shimano felt they could push the design a little harder.