Shimano Vanquish Spinning Reel Review

Before hitting the water, we spooled our 2500SHG Shimano Vanquish with an 8 lb braided mainline tied to a 10 lb fluorocarbon leader. Exhibiting an ultra-slow oscillation through the Infinity Loop technology, resulting in a tightly wound and organized line lay around the spool. After spooling, we noted that the machined long stroke spool on the 2500 size has plenty of room to accommodate a 10-12lb braid as the mainline if desired.

We tested the Vanquish by targeting bass in Coastal California lakes with a variety of finesse techniques. One of our reviewers praised the performance of the drag after catching a pile of spotted bass. Handing out 9lbs of max drag the DuraCross drag system delivers a consistent and smooth pressure throughout the fight.

Another noteworthy point, the 2500 Vanquish weighs in at 5.8 ounces and is balanced with the G-Free Body technology to make it feel even lighter. When every ounce matters and precision is a must, we found that the Vanquish delivers high levels of sensitivity and control that can increase precision and effectiveness with finesse tactics.

The Shimano Vanquish spinning reel feels extremely solid in hand, with no spool wobble or damage throughout the test period. The core of the reel is solidified with Shimano’s HAGANE gear technology and MGL rotor, so there’s no surprise it feels impressively smooth and durable. We reported no negative issues after our short testing period of a couple of months, and suspect it will be a long-lasting high performer.

“You get what you pay for” is often heard when buyers are contemplating a substantial purchase, and anglers are definitely paying a lot to get a Shimano Vanquish in their hands. The name of the reel even sounds expensive, almost hinting at what it's going to do with the money in your bank account, and the $529.99 asking price may deter a lot of anglers due to budget restrictions.

On the bright side, the Vanquish is lower in price compared to other top-tier Shimano reels like the Exsence B ($649.99), and the Stella FK ($864.99). However, looking at lightweight comparable reels from other brands, like the Daiwa Luvias ST (5.3oz in the 2500 size), there is a bit of price jump ($449.99). When looking at the value of the Vanquish, the price tag left a little more to be desired considering the added cost, but those who can afford to splurge are sure to enjoy the smooth performance and increased technical performance.

Providing ample amounts of versatility specifically with light-line tactics, we gave the Shimano Vanquish spinning reel a high utility rating based on the finesse category that it is intended to be in. The Vanquish provides plenty of line capacity to cover any type of finesse bass fishing tactic. During our testing period we primarily tied on shakey heads, Neko rigs, drop shots, and some small paddle tail swimbaits on light jigheads to test the reel’s range on a variety of tactics. We were pleased with its castability and impressed with how easily it handled all things finesse.

In conclusion, the Shimano Vanquish is a premium ultra-lightweight spinning reel that delivers precision control and a buttery-smooth drag system. It’s the perfect reel for today’s tournament bass angler that needs a well balanced and lightweight spinning reel to fish with forward-facing sonar and finesse tactics. Although budget-conscious anglers can purchase some excellent high-performance options for much less, the Shimano Vanquish is a perfect match for bass anglers who demand the very best gear.