I have a question about two rod pairings.
1.) Megabass levante spinning rod in “shakey head” model. MB rates it as a 7’ medium light, lure 1/8-1/2oz, 5-16# line. 

2.) U-call Midnight spinning rod 7’3” medium (732). Rated 1/8-3/4oz, 8-16# line. 
 

Mainly fish for LMB, SMB, and spots. 
Think the MB rod will be used for more finesse lures - Neds, dropshot, skipping wacky rigs, smallish minnows, 3/16 (and lower) skip gap/bass union jig heads for Texas rig crawl. 

Just ordered the midnight spinning rod so haven’t felt weight of it or action in person. I’m thinking get a reel from the Shimano “power” line of reels. Either the stradic or twin power. To throw bigger dropshot, mini max bladed jig, large minnow (sakamata shad, biwaa scorptail). 

 

Reels in question: 

Shimano Vanford 2500HG (currently have on MB rod)

Shimano JDM Stradic C2500s, or C2000SHG (I know this is geared more to light weight rods.. I do have an old finwick silver hawk 6’6” UL that could use a new reel)

Shimano JDM 24 Twin Power C3000mhg (?) or do you suggest a different size reel for the U-call midnight reel. 

is my thought process right to have vanford on MB rod and get a twin power for the U-call 732?

 

TIA

TTT

Also like the fact that the twinpower is salt water capable. 

You can (I do) use any of the Shimano worm-drive series, Stradic to Stella in salt.  

They all have the common features that make them salt-worthy.  Vanford has a frame pinch that some have complained about - the stem is shorter and knee closer to the rotor.  

 

I have a C3000MHG Twin Power, C2000 in Vanquish and Stradic, 4000 and 5000 in Stradic strictly salt.  

If you're going with a medium frame, C3000MHG would be my choice.  

You can still fit 2500 spools, shallow spools for finesse braid.  Deeper spool for mono.  Stock 1215 spool is perfect for inshore braid.  

If you want one reel to cover finesse to salt beast, that's it.  

This is my C3000MHG wearing C3000S Vanquish spool for PE#0.6 finesse braid.  

I vacation at the beach once a year. So would be nice to have a reel that can perform inshore/surf fishing when needed. 
 

Already own the vanford and it’s on my levante shakey head rod. First ever $$ reel and I love it. Smooth, good drag and casting ability. Thinking about stepping up a bit this next go around. I’m interested in the short spool reels but don’t have any experience when it comes to them and spooling them. I’ve always filled half the spool with cheap mono then 10-15# braid - to leader.  Reason I brought up the stradic models above is digitaka has a sale on them. Not sure exactly how I’d use them. 
 

I’ll need to pick up a new reel for the U-call midnight spinning rod (specs above). Guess I’ll need to wait til the rod is delivered to get a feel for it and see how heavy it is. But I’d like a new jdm twin power on it! Your @bulldog1935TP reel looks sick!

19 hours ago, TNriverRAT said:

I vacation at the beach once a year. So would be nice to have a reel that can perform inshore/surf fishing when needed. 
 

Already own the vanford and it’s on my levante shakey head rod. First ever $$ reel and I love it. Smooth, good drag and casting ability. Thinking about stepping up a bit this next go around. I’m interested in the short spool reels but don’t have any experience when it comes to them and spooling them. I’ve always filled half the spool with cheap mono then 10-15# braid - to leader.  Reason I brought up the stradic models above is digitaka has a sale on them. Not sure exactly how I’d use them. 
 

I’ll need to pick up a new reel for the U-call midnight spinning rod (specs above). Guess I’ll need to wait til the rod is delivered to get a feel for it and see how heavy it is. But I’d like a new jdm twin power on it! Your @bulldog1935TP reel looks sick!

 

 

A 2500/3000 stradic is my default now.  They are so smooth and durable.  I’m sure a twin power would be fantastic, but for $135 I’m not sure how you don’t pick up the 2500 stradic that’s on sale.  I’m considering buying one right now.  

I picked up a Stradic FM this year and it is amazing. Super smooth with a very smooth drag and rock solid when you crank. 

 

Some people said the FL was better because in the early run of these reels there was handle play and some tolerance issues but those problems must be long gone because my 1000 size is rock solid. 

The only difference between '18 Stella series and '22 Stella series Shimano worm drives is a slight increase in spool pitch across all 3 frames.  

This says Shimano was so confident the '18 series was over-designed, they pushed it a little harder with a slightly longer spindle.  

The increased spool pitch should also give slightly increased cast distance.  

3 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

 

A 2500/3000 stradic is my default now.  They are so smooth and durable.  I’m sure a twin power would be fantastic, but for $135 I’m not sure how you don’t pick up the 2500 stradic that’s on sale.  I’m considering buying one right now.  

Who has them for that price? 

2 hours ago, Hulkster said:

I picked up a Stradic FM this year and it is amazing. Super smooth with a very smooth drag and rock solid when you crank. 

 

Some people said the FL was better because in the early run of these reels there was handle play and some tolerance issues but those problems must be long gone because my 1000 size is rock solid. 

I guess I agree with your numbers as those are the most useful for me too. 
FL 3000

FM 2500

Vanford 2500 SS 5.3:1 I bought this one from Japan. 
 

I sold my Saragosa 5k 6k and 8k

I really wish I’d have kept the 6k though.. amazing reels if you have a true need and I just didn’t anymore. They have incredible drag clicks, drags, gears 😁

I'd go with a 2500 Vanford on the Levante and a 3000 (Stradic or Twin Power) on the U-Call since it seems like more of a standard medium or maybe even a medium heavy with the lure rating going up to 3/4oz. That's an interesting reel seat on the U-Call...haven't seen these rods before and a Twin Power seems like it would do nicely, but a 3000 Stradic can also do well and look pretty good on a black rod like that:

(this is also previous gen Stradic and not the current gen)

So where does the jdm shimano 2500s perform best? How do you spool a shallow reel without backing? Talking stradic and twin power.  I’m guessing finesse lures with .191-.209 mm diameter braid. Then the twinpower C3000mhg is a do it all reel? Finesse and power fishing (keitech swimbaits, mini-max bladed jig). 

12 minutes ago, Brian11719 said:

I'd go with a 2500 Vanford on the Levante and a 3000 (Stradic or Twin Power) on the U-Call since it seems like more of a standard medium or maybe even a medium heavy with the lure rating going up to 3/4oz. That's an interesting reel seat on the U-Call...haven't seen these rods before and a Twin Power seems like it would do nicely, but a 3000 Stradic can also do well and look pretty good on a black rod like that:

(this is also previous gen Stradic and not the current gen)

I appreciate your advice and leaning towards exactly what you’re saying. Vanford for strictly finesse fishing on the levante and a 3000 reel for the U-call rod. I’ve never seen one in person but pulled the trigger while on sale during Labor Day weekend. The reel seat is interesting. Should come in early this week. Excited for it, but do need to order a reel for it soon as possible. 

55 minutes ago, Brian11719 said:

I'd go with a 2500 Vanford on the Levante and a 3000 (Stradic or Twin Power) on the U-Call since it seems like more of a standard medium or maybe even a medium heavy with the lure rating going up to 3/4oz. That's an interesting reel seat on the U-Call...haven't seen these rods before and a Twin Power seems like it would do nicely, but a 3000 Stradic can also do well and look pretty good on a black rod like that:

(this is also previous gen Stradic and not the current gen)

Not to be a critic but the spool looks under filled…

Tom

12 minutes ago, WRB-2.0 said:

Not to be a critic but the spool looks under filled…

Tom

Total agreement here, Tom.

6 hours ago, F14A-B said:

Who has them for that price? 

I guess I agree with your numbers as those are the most useful for me too. 
FL 3000

FM 2500

Vanford 2500 SS 5.3:1 I bought this one from Japan. 
 

I sold my Saragosa 5k 6k and 8k

I really wish I’d have kept the 6k though.. amazing reels if you have a true need and I just didn’t anymore. They have incredible drag clicks, drags, gears 😁

Digitaka

The ABU Swiss mfd Cardinal rear drag was one of the most reliable spinning reels made. Daiwa TD SS 1300 & 1600 rear drag spinning reels changed long casting with the longer spool spinning reel use today. Daiwa TD SS reels are bullet proof is looking for durably, no long in production.

Tom

On 9/7/2025 at 9:12 AM, casts_by_fly said:

 

 

A 2500/3000 stradic is my default now.  They are so smooth and durable.  I’m sure a twin power would be fantastic, but for $135 I’m not sure how you don’t pick up the 2500 stradic that’s on sale.  I’m considering buying one right now.  

 

Where is a stradic on sale for $135?

^ Digitaka

Any reel can fish SW for a short period of time, so long as you maintain it.  Rinse gently with cool water, higher pressure and warm water breaks down the salt deposits and works them farther into the reel.  Beware of sand, it can damage a reel quickly if it gets in the right places.

Vanford will do fine in SW, so long as you arent chasing monster fish.  

The MB is a great rod.  Its more power finesse IMO, but it can handle strolling smaller baits well.  

Ive never heard of U Call before.  Looks nice, and from the component I would bet U call was trying to make the build as light as possible.

For MLs I usually like a mid or slow speed 2500 and the shorter handles.  I feel I have a better connection with the shorter handle and I knob over the T paddle on 3000.

For slightly heavier finesse rod, for neko, shakey head, wacky rig, and unweighted T rigs, I like a higher geared 3000, especially if your using braid.  I like the longer handle and faster retrieve on the 3000.  That speed will come into play when using senkos or flukes or anything that gets bit often on slack line, as you can take up the slack faster.  The larger dia spool on the 3000 would work better if you plan on using fluro.

The Vanford 2500H matches perfectly with the MB shakey head.  The other rod is slightly longer, so using the heavier reel, whether it's a Stradic or TwP, it should balance better.

Honestly you cant go wrong.

 

7 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Any reel can fish SW for a short period of time, so long as you maintain it. 

Agreed - I used my old Mitchell when we vacationed on Cape Cod, and just making sure it was rinsed after every trip kept it in good condition for 20+ years. This was also the reel I used for bass and panfish on lakes, and trout on streams - only had the one reel for my first 10 years of fishing.

7 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Agreed - I used my old Mitchell when we vacationed on Cape Cod, and just making sure it was rinsed after every trip kept it in good condition for 20+ years. This was also the reel I used for bass and panfish on lakes, and trout on streams - only had the one reel for my first 10 years of fishing.

Yep.  If you dunk it or drop it in the sand, as long as you avoid running it full of sand and deep clean when you get home, you shouldn't have issues.  Prolonged use can wear bearings out and felt drag stacks as well with heavy use.  Both are easy to replace.