A review is not a review until you’ve actually…used the gear. One year seems like the appropriate testing period for this pair of reels. The Stella and Vanquish sits atop Shimano’s lineup of spinners, and they are almost polar opposites in terms of design philosophy. Daiwa’s flagship Exist is also considered in this video.
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Shimano Vanquish (3000MHG) – https://amzn.to/3w32uH5
Shimano Stella (JDM 3000MHG) – https://amzn.to/3UupIPH
Fluke Summer Flounder specific tackle –
Gulp Jerk Shad 6″ – https://amzn.to/3Kv15wc
https://amzn.to/41kccPc
Gulp 4″ Grub – https://amzn.to/418hU6g
Jig Head – Gamakatsu Round 1/4oz 3/0 – https://amzn.to/3Kzg2wX
Braid – YGK Upgrade x8 22lb (#1) – https://amzn.to/4ayNTlc
Leader – Sunline Sniper 12lb – https://ebay.us/Equ3nr
https://amzn.to/3Uxhtk7
Hook Remover – https://www.unhookum.com/order_direct.html
Budget Combo –
Rod – Tatula XT 73M – https://tackletrap.com/products/daiwa-tatula-xt-spinning-rods?variant=44511347015974
Reel – Shimano Ultegra 2500 – https://ebay.us/ZerwgN
https://amzn.to/43rLvKg
Mid Tier Combo –
Rod – Shimano Zodias 76M – https://ebay.us/JBZb4o
Reel – Shimano Vanford 3000 – https://ebay.us/hCdmS3
High End Combos –
Rod – Daiwa Steez AGS 76MML – https://tackletrap.com/products/daiwa-steez-ags-spinng-rods?_pos=1&_sid=7e87530d2&_ss=r
Reel – Shimano Stella 3000MHG (JDM Model, no US warranty) – https://ebay.us/tmMX7o
Longer 2 piece rod – Daiwa Labrax AGS, 90ML – https://ebay.us/bP0g8b
86ML – https://ebay.us/QZTOBa
above contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
#shimanostella #shimanovanquish #reelreview
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I love it. I wish my wife would let me get it. I am happy with my Abu Garcia Veritas. Your technique is incredible
What handle/handle is that? Dont the 3000 models for the Vanquish come in a paddle knob
I have used my Daiwa 19 Certate in the surf for the last three years with zero issues so far. Never has it been serviced, either. I just got the 2024 Certate. Hopefully, this one will be jusy as durable.
How does it compare to the new certate if you've gotten the chance to fish with it?
Thanks for the review, this was very informative. I’ve been trying to decide on whether to get the Vanquish or new Twin Power (in 5000 sizes) to handle bigger species in Florida. Not over slot fish, but more of the river sized species between 20-30” (snook/reds). It will be my medium-heavy setup. Do you think the 5000 Vanquish will hold up to these fish or should I go Twin Power? Thanks in advance.
What model vanquish do you have? I do mostly pier and bank fishing for pomps, flounder, sheeps, reds here in Texas using 10-15 lb line. Which vanquish model is a good fit?
Vanquish for the win. Kinda lame its jdm only, but it's my new goto reel. I have all the previous 3 generations of Exist and the Stella FK, FJ. Yup i spent way too much money on gears.
Hey @3:25 you can really hear the Stella when you’re reeling in. My Stella is also loud just like this too. I wonder why that is? It used to be very quiet. However the overall performance of my Stella has not changed, it has just gotten loud. I’ve had people clean my reel and inspect it and they have all said it looks great and nothing too concerning so I’m not sure why it’s so loud? What are your thoughts? Thanks 🙏
Love those heavy hooksets. I can also attest to the smooth drag of the vanquish, its a great reel and punches way above its weight.
The best review I've seen so far. I had similar feelings right after buying the Vanquish, but as soon as I caught the first asp, I changed my mind. Now I'm eagerly awaiting the delivery of the new Twin Power. I didn't go for the Stella, as it seems to me that the Twin Power can handle the job. Nevertheless, I'm still tempted to get the Stella and the new Certate – but I need to get a reel to pair with my ultra ligth rod so it seems that I will end up with another vanquish but smaller size
Out of my Stella fk, and twin power fd I too gravitate towards my vanquish. Tight lines!
my exist sf 2500 good so far only fish in salt.. no magseal … i catch bass and bonefish with it and cuda and bonito ect…
I cant justify buying another reel since I own
the 2500-h 23 Airity, 4000xg 2020 & 2500s Vanquish.
The reels are solid but the Vanquish is just something else. So I share the same sentiment
I do hate the look of the vanquish but I use it the most out of all my high end shimano!
I love me Stella fk and just got my Twinpower FE. I don’t need another reel.
Couldn’t disagree more about your opinion on the daiwas been using various mag seal models since they came out. Use predominantly in saltwater never had a problem ever .
What kills it for me is the weight, the 2500xh exist weighs 5.8oz and the Stella 2500hg weighs 7.4oz. That’s definitely a noticeable difference fishing for a few hours.
Great review!! Have 2 stellas and 100% agree on the new duracross drag, very noticeable when hooked on a fish 👍🏼
Out of the places a Vanquish is released outside of Japan – New Zealand (no hate just lucky to have it)!! I just hope Shimano Australia introduces it to the Australian Market in the near future!!
Just baught a soare xr s80ul+ and i have a vanford to match it since its a very light rod but i was looking to get a higher end reel. The stella if abit much for me so i was thinking either a vanquish or an airity in 2500 size. Depending on how it feels though i might also look into a certate or twinpower to balance the rod
I met a fisherman who used to fish a Stella 22 FK, He showed me the vanquish 23 1000ssspg and said its better to fish with than a stella, I laughed at him. Ive heard time and time again that once you buy a vanquish you buy the next one. After watching several reviews and looking at Daiwa Arities and Exists, I purchased a 1000 vanquish. I am using it more than my stella FK22. I am super happy with it. Ugly reel compared to the Stella and Exist but It is by far the most functional spinning reel on the market. Hopefully the next Stella will put in all the good things as they did in the vanquish. Ive heard the new exist is coming out soon but I still believe currently the Vanquish is king. Will do the job better than an Exist for almost half the price…
The Stella 22FK I find is smoother and more durable than the Vanquish. The Stella can be slightly better for High speed retrievals. Shimano use surface treatment on the gears in the Stella. But the Vanquish is the more functional and better for BFS. That winding startup inertia, slow oscillation really makes a massive difference when finesse fishing. Really Does cast further than an Exist and Stella too
Many people are having problems with Daiwa magseal as they are removing it from certain places like the roller bearings to make their reels lighter and smoother. (Also selling it for the same price or more) Positive side MQ body is more water proof and you don’t have to handle small screws. Down side is even if you have the socket tool that you need to buy to open the MQ body, you cant buy Magseal from anywhere ,you have to send it to Daiwa. Using other magfluid lubricants or grease will void your Daiwa warranty but also doesn’t work as well. So off to Daiwas terrible service department. Also Daiwa lied with the new Airity ST and SF. The 1000 SF is a size 500 reel body with a size 1000 spool to make the Airity 10g lighter than the Vanquish 1000. The Vanquish is a true 1000 in spool and body and handles bigger fish than the Airity. I really think Shimano are slightly ahead of Daiwa and miles ahead with their pricing and servicing of their reels. That being said Daiwa can make a comeback in future.
Here in Australia Shimano give us the crumbs… They really need to Bring the Vanquish to USA and Australia…
If you want the Reel for Finesse Fishing you will be very very impressed by the Vanquish.
Been waiting for this review since the vanquish video drop last year. Awesome. I do notice ur vanquish handle is different from the stock model, I been trying to look for replacement handle for the vanquish 3000 model for the longest time. Not a fan of the T shape handle
Thanks for the Fantastic video! I l am enjoying the Stella and the Vanquish for the very reasons you mentioned in this review but I still love my Exist! I do also have to mention that only you would say that a Stargazer is your favorite 😂
100% love the feel of the stella. i also use the vanquish more on lighter rod setups. i feel for some reason the shorter design of the certates and exist actually balances some rods a bit better. they are all insanely good reels for sure, can't go wrong. comes down to personal preferences at this point. btw the c2000s vanquish is very fun for UL setups
18:00 i have nothing good to say about daiwa and saltwater either
i had a ballistic go bad on me from saltwater very fast and when i sent it in under the warranty they just oiled it up and sent it back which it went into the trash not much later
Thanks for the after season review! Just something about a vanquish. One of the only reels I actually purchased a spare spool for.
As a certate owner, I unfortunately have to agree that the mag seal just doesn't work in the salt. The mag seal within the roller bearing (or where a roller bearing would go, gets destroyed every month or so of heavier weekend warrior trips. This has me looking at the shimano options.
I have a Stella SW. And picked up a 23 Vanquish 3000 while traveling Korea. Paired with a 23Dialuna. Thats what I use as my seabass and halibut reel here in the San Diego area inshore.
Got a Labrax AGS coming, and was gonna pick up a Certate to pair with it. Figured they are perfect match together. Targeting the same species.
But now your review has me rethinking the Certate. Hmmm
Great review as always. I bought the Vanquish in 4000 size for my sea bass (striper in the US) fishing in the UK and it quickly became the reel I use most. A bit light for my 9'6ft rods but sits great on 9ft rod. Roger I just got the new Shimano 24 Twin Power c3000xg love it too. It would be interesting to see your review of it one day.
I love my certate more than my exist
Not too much a fan of shimano in the smaller sizes
Love the insight and compare! Already have 2 Stella’s don’t make me want another reel
