What's New with Shimano Vanford A Spinning Reel?

Are you shopping for a new spinning reel? If so, you've probably searched the internet for "the best spinning reel on the market" or "best spinning reel for under $300," or maybe you already have a brand or two in mind for where to look. If either is true, you've probably stumbled upon the Shimano Vanford online or in your favorite tackle shop over the years. And there's a reason for that: the Shimano Vanford has been one of the most popular spinning reels on the market due to its lightweight construction and durable performance, which is powered by Shimano's advanced technology. Not only that, but it comes at a price point well below its overall performance, making it enticing to professional anglers, guides, and hardcore weekend warriors who want the most of their hard-earned money.

While perusing the internet, you may notice a Shimano Vanford A and a Vanford FA. What's this about? Believe it or not, there was a typo during the release of the redesigned Vanford. This typo led many vendors and users to believe that the new reel would be labeled as the Vanford FA when, in reality, the correct name is the Shimano Vanford A Spinning Reel. So when searching for the latest 2024 release, Shimano Vanford, know you'll be looking for the Vanford A with the Vanford FA being the same reel.

For 2024, the Shimano Vanford A has been redesigned and reintroduced to continue its advancement as one of the most popular spinning reels on the market. But what does this redesign mean? And what has changed?

What's made the Vanford so popular is over a decade of engineering and design, with a lineage that anglers can trace back to the beloved Shimano Stradic spinning reels. The Vanford A is part of Shimano's MagnumLite lineup, which includes reels such as the Shimano Sustain, Twin Power XD, and Exsence. These reels are categorized in light startup rotation and overall lightweight design. The Vanford A features Shimano's lightweight Ci4+ carbon body, ensuring rigidity while reducing size and weight. While internally, the MGL Rotor powers the Vanford. With 48% less rotational inertia than a traditional rotor, the MGL Rotor offers precision and balance for lighter rotations and increased sensitivity.

What's New?

InfinityDrive: The spool shaft now runs through the pinion gear, which is supported by a new low-friction bushing to decrease resistance and reduce rotational torque. Couple this with Micromodule Gear II, the state-of-the-art gear-tooth surface along the cold-forged aluminum drive gear and pinion gear; with this technology, you will experience smoother winding torque, giving you more power and control while fighting your next catch.

DuraCross: Constructed to provide a durable drag system that lasts a lifetime. DuraCross utilizes revolutionary drag washers comprised of a unique woven carbon fiber pattern to offer the smoothness of felt washers but the durability of carbon washers, making them 10x more durable and reliable. Ensuring you have a drag that never slips and can withstand powerful surges from fish, no matter the size of the reel.

AntiTwist Fin: Adding this flexible polymer fin enhances line management along the bail arm roller. This fin maintains line tension underneath the arm roller, preventing the line from falling off the bottom of the spool. For example, when working a dropshot along the bottom, you'll tend to have some slack in your line, specifically along the bail arm roller, as you shake, hop, or drag your bait. The Anti-Twist Fin ensures that when you set the hook, that small amount of slack line is guided directly into the arm roller for a proper hookset, avoiding hiccups.

The improvements to the Vanford A provide you with the performance you expect from Shimano at the same great price point as the previous model. It is available in six sizes, from 500 to 5000, and retails for $249-$259.

Overall, the Shimano Vanford A continues to carry the legacy of its predecessors as a workhorse designed to perform as a lightweight, low-startup, fast-stopping reel. This performance allows you to excel at your favorite finesse techniques, whether skipping a wacky worm around docks, pinging a minnow for suspended bass on forward-facing sonar, or dragging a tube on the Great Lakes. The Vanford A is built for it all and, most importantly, to last.

To learn more about the nitty-gritty details, check out this in-depth breakdown by JP DeRose: 2024 Shimano Vanford A Walkthrough and Specs.

Check out the Shimano Vanford A today at Fishing Online!

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