Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

I realize I’m the exception to the general consensus . I’m quirky that way
I am now all Shimano reels And Loomis and St Croix rods.
Didn’t happen over night.
I’ve got years in my selection and past couple years selling off and upgrading different ( albeit good ) equipment to get exactly the arsenal I now have.

They all have their purpose.
Some set ups are excellent for this . Others excell at that .
Some are pretty good at a lot of different things.
A couple of these rods may get upgraded in next year or so . St Croix Premiers. I can’t get myself to love them.
But this will only happen When my extended family discovers I’m not an ATM. But that’s another story.

Not saying my preference is better than anyone else’s. Just my choice is all

Seems some manufacturers develop a fan base.

I have friends who swear by Lews and others are big Diawa guys.
I sold a lot of my stuff to these guys. And this wasn’t junk .
Darned good stuff

I just had a desire to build my ultimate collection around these manufacturers.

Any others follow brand loyalty ?
I’d like to hear your thoughts.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I'm a Shimano guy when it comes to spinning reels and I really like the Ambassadeurs for casting. I've got way more spinning reels than casting reels. I've owned lots of different brands over the years, but any more if I'm gonna buy a new reel, it's gonna be a spinning reel and it's gonna be a Shimano.
Rods, I buy St. Croix. I usually try to stay under 200 dollars, so premiers and I like their trout series rods.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Glad to hear you like the premiers.
I’ve got 2. They just don’t blow my hair back.
Usually the back seater gets to use these. Chances are it’s the best rod he’s ever used.
Now the legend tournament. The entry level Legend. That’s a good rod. First time I used mine I just knew it was special for what I was using it for. ( deep vertical jigging with jigging raps ) and is also a heck of a good hair jig rod.
I’ve heard about the victory series .
Get past the advertising rhetoric and it sounds like a go between premier and a legend tournament.
I’ll probably end up with one before seasons over.
Anyone use this rod ?
Appreciate some input before I chose a path

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

You had me going there, Ben. At first glance I thought this was a Rand Paul thing…
I have a few St Croix rods, some Fenwick and Lew’s, plus a selection of others in my 25 or more setups (I haven’t counted them in a while). Many you would consider junk, but I cater to the people I take fishing. I take some folks that I suspect may drop it over the side, so they may get a Daiwa or a Quantum combo so they don’t have to follow it in. I lost a few decent combos a few years back when my Son and his girlfriend (now Wife) flipped my canoe and learned that fishing equipment doesn’t float (she married him, anyway). I even have an old Ugly Stik in case the Grandson wants to go after something BIG.

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

Funny you should mention those brands Ben. Just splurged and ordered the new Shimano Vanford 4000 to go on one of my St. Croix rods. Think we talked about this awhile back how similiar we might be. But then again, being and older guy, might have imagined that. Anyway, looking forward to a new go-to rig for the coming season.

SALMON ADDICT Loc: Snohomish county Washington

Primarily Shimano rods(decent and affordable) but have added a few Lamiglas rods to my collection. Haven't locked into a particular brand or reels yet,probably 6 different brands 50-150$ includes Penn Squall level wind ,Flueger spincast and just now starting to get into baitcast so experimenting with cheaper reels for now.

MuskyHunter Loc: Torrington, CT

I am like you. All of my rods are St. Croix rods. Over the years, I sold most of my Premiers, which are very good rods and upgraded them to even better rods. As to reels, all of my spinning reels are Shimano and all of my casting reels are Ambassadeurs (some of which are getting pretty old).

I have standardized my casting reels now to narrow frame 4600 reels and have supertuned them all. I have seven of these. Six of these are the same model. The last hold out is because my wife likes her so much.

I have five Shimano spinning reels, all the same model.

My absolute favorite rod is my Legend Tournament musky rod. This is paired with the narrow frame Ambassadeur reel and is the lightest rod and reel combination for musky fishing I have ever held. That's a big deal because it can be quite tiring hefting heavy equipment all day.

hacksaw Loc: Pasadena, Texas

Ben, I like to use Quantum size 10 spinning reels for Crappie and I like Shimano Sedona 4000 for saltwater. They aren’t expensive but they suit my needs.
Hack 🇺🇸🍺🍺

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

I’ve been eyeballing the Vanford.
Replaced the Stradic , which in my opinion was the best mid priced reel they ever made.
They discontinued the Symmetry which for $100 reel was fantastic.
Replaced this with the Nasci. Decent reel but I gifted this to my brother.
My low end spinning reel now is an Ultegra. Good ,I’d say pretty good but if I get a Vanford , this one is out of the rotation.
2500 size.
Let me know how that Vanford works out for you.

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

Will let you know after I get it. Was looking for a reel to use probably with straight 10-12 lb. fluor with no braid backing. I have been fishing the Stradic for the past 4 years with 6-8lb test and have done reallly well with fish up to 7-9 lbs. The primary lake I fish has a lot of weeds and I have lost big fish because of the 6lb test. So something new for the coming year. Everything I have read about the Vanford seems to fit the bill. Was a toss up between the 3000 and 4000 model. Still debating a new St. Croix rod to go with it. Maybe a med/lt as most of the fish i get are on Senkos. Your thoughts?

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

If it were me , I’d go with the 3000. It has same frame as 2500 but with bigger spool capacity.
The 4000 has a bigger frame.
It would require a heavier rod to balance out properly.
That is unless you are just after a much beefier outfit.