New lure reel

[welshtroutfisher]

Normally use a baitcaster for lure fishing, but this time around I'm looking for a fixed spool reel in the 2500 size and can't decide between two, either-
*Penn slammer 2500
*Shimano vanford 2500

I'm leaning more towards a vanford, but would the penn be a better choice and for what reasons (not the cost)

It will be paired with a century graphex 10-40g lure rod..

 

[groundswell]

I would personally go up a size, it is a meaty rod after all

 

[Plaicehunter]

Normally use a baitcaster for lure fishing, but this time around I'm looking for a fixed spool reel in the 2500 size and can't decide between two, either-
*Penn slammer 2500
*Shimano vanford 2500

I'm leaning more towards a vanford, but would the penn be a better choice and for what reasons (not the cost)

It will be paired with a century graphex 10-40g lure rod..

I have a Graphex and think it is best suited to a 4000 or 3000 reel. The Slammer is a much heavier reel for its size. If the reel is going to get dunked, I wouldn't recommend the Vanford, but otherwise it is smoother and much more refined than the Penn. I would get a Vanford 4000 unless you are doing lots of deep wading in the surf. I have both reels incidentally.

 

[welshtroutfisher]

Iv spent some time this afternoon having a look at both, and I think ill be going for the slammer.

I'll be wading at some point so the reel will probably get a dunk in honesty

 

[groundswell]

2500 size has been known for wind knots unless underfilled

 

[Beach]

Iv spent some time this afternoon having a look at both, and I think ill be going for the slammer.

I'll be wading at some point so the reel will probably get a dunk in honesty

Just make sure you wash the gear in fresh water, then oil the reels.

 

[Topwater]

The Vanford seems to be very popular but mine was returned within weeks with gear grinding issuesThankfully I was eventually refunded but not without a long wait and to be honest it's put me even further off Shimano - since the 80s I've been a big fan of them and some of my older reels are still running well despite plenty of hard use, but I'm not alone in noticing a distinct rise in price point for given level of quality. They have loads of marketing buzz words and anachronisms but I just don't think they are as good as they used to be in the mid sized spinning ranges I use most.

'Wind knots' ( really loops of slack) miraculously disappear if you close the bail by hand and keep your line tight....

 

[ROCK ROVER]

Step up a size 1st
I was looking at the slammer v vanford
Opted for the slammer because of the ipx rating
My mate lent me his vanford and to be honest it felt cheap and a decent bass would destroy it
Ok it might be smoother but I'd rather have the water seal of the penn

 

[Slendersunfish]

Vanford ! Great reel.

 

[goose]

I've had both in 2500 , at first the vanford felt better being lighter and smoother from the off but the more I used the Penn the more I liked it as it loosened up and I started to prefer the extra weight in my hand it felt far more robust and the vanford started to feel flimsy so I sold it on and will buy another slammer. Use mine with spiderwire stealth smooth 0.9 mm with a short leader of seagur ace hard 19lb bs and love it.

 

[ROCK ROVER]

Totally agree Goose

 

[goose]

Totally agree Goose

I'm actually thinking about buying another and getting a light bass rod or having a carp rod blank built up to go with it bait fishing for bream and bass.

 

[welshtroutfisher]

Decided after some research im going for a slammer 2500. I'm expecting it to get dunked at some point while wading, so the ip rating gives me that extra piece of mind. Thanks to all that gave some input and helped the decision making

 

[ROCK ROVER]

Good choice
I did alot of research on the slammer v vanford v stradic
Ok the slammer was the less smoother and heaviest but I know my reel will get dunked alot and fir that reason I chose it because of the ipx6 water seal rating new sealed drag system metal side plates 8+1 bearings
I was lucky enough to use my mates vanford ok it was very light but felt very cheap and I had thus feeling if I hooked into a decent bass it wouldn't cope
The slammer gets grief about line lay mine was perfect straight out of the box
Also like the 2 big knobs that come with the reel

 

[Topwater]

The 3500 Slammer is an ideal size imo, 2500 a bit small for my liking

 

[welshtroutfisher]

I tried both the 2500 and 3500 on the rod, and the 2500 felt better to me. I didnt want to go too big, but if in the future I feel its too small I will upsize, but for now it's only for 20-30g lures

 

[OldGreyDog]

Many, perhaps most, would go for the slightly more refined feeling, and lighter weight, Vanford.
Personally I use Penn Slammers. They are a little heavier but they will shrug off dunkings and resist salt water corrosion better. The 2500 size is great for an 8’ to 9’ or thereabouts 7-35g rated lure rod, but don’t overfill the spool on the small Penn reels as a jerky cast is more likely to result in a wind knot. Keep the line level 2-3mm below the lip of the spool and it will be trouble free.

 

[goose]

The 3500 Slammer is an ideal size imo, 2500 a bit small for my liking

What rod and weight lures are you using ? Used my 2500hs on 9ft6in rod and would happily use it on longer rods and it easily holds three hundred metres of line.

 

[OldGreyDog]

For what its worth I mostly use a 2500 slammer and my favourite rod which I use most of the time is 8’-6” (Tailwalk HiTide ssd 7-35g). I have a couple of other rods I sometimes use with a 3500 slammer if i’m on open sea beaches and its blowing a hoolie.

 

[Topwater]

What rod and weight lures are you using ? Used my 2500hs on 9ft6in rod and would happily use it on longer rods and it easily holds three hundred metres of line.

Rods from 8'2" to 10'6" lures from 11g to 48g. For me its not about the capacity of the spool but turns of line on the spool per metre and the actual retrieve rate per turn of the handle Over the decades I have developed a preferred set up, not saying its right for all, just that it feels right for me.