As the flagship model of the Magnum Light series, the "Vanquish" has always pursued lightness and sensitivity in winding. In 2026, Shimano introduces a limited edition Competition Edition (CE) model designed specifically for tournament anglers.
This special reel is tailored for experts who demand the sharpest sensitivity in bass, trout, and light saltwater fishing.
The Unwavering Vanquish Design
The "26 Vanquish CE" features a black body color, distinct from the 23 Vanquish. The plated parts are also set to darker tones, creating an overall cool and tight appearance. By intentionally avoiding accent colors and sticking to a calm monotone scheme, the design symbolizes the unwavering Vanquish philosophy—prioritizing direct operational feel over the mere exclusivity of a limited model.
The Ultimate "Winding Sensitivity"
The goal of the 26 Vanquish CE was to achieve overwhelming winding sensitivity and response that surpasses even the 23 Vanquish.
To overcome this challenge, Shimano's development team explored every possibility. The bold answer they arrived at was to strip away a portion of the waterproof performance to the extent that it does not affect actual fishing.
Specifically, the waterproof seal used on the handle axis in the 23 Vanquish has been removed, and some bearings have been changed from grease to oil. This has resulted in an approximately 25% reduction in rotational torque. It makes it easier to feel changes in water currents and the vibrations of lures, even allowing for lure manipulation that anticipates the exact moment a fish bites.
To compensate for the sacrificed waterproof performance, the handle axis has been exclusively designed for the 26 Vanquish CE to minimize the gap between the handle axis and the body.
At a dead-slow retrieve speed (one handle rotation in 3 seconds), the 26 Vanquish CE has about 25% lower rotational torque compared to the 23 Vanquish. Furthermore, at high-speed rotation (such as lure retrieval), the rotational torque is reduced by about 40%.
The improved response achieves startup and stopping with less force. Unhindered by initial winding weight or inertia, it refines the quality of adding the necessary action exactly when needed.
Pursuing the Ultimate in the 1000SSS Series
For the 1000 size, the goal was not to optimize line capacity, but to downsize in order to achieve a winding sensitivity that even the highly perfected C2000 size could not reach.
Armed with overwhelming winding sensitivity, the 1000SSS series is developed for anglers who differentiate lures by 0.1g increments and engage in millimeter-scale battles. It features cutting-edge specs aimed at area trout tournament anglers.
Dedicated Finesse Machines: C2500S Series
The C2500 and 2500 sizes are deployed for bass fishing.
Among them, the C2500SXG and 2500SHG have almost identical specs in line capacity and maximum retrieve length, but due to differences in the body and rotor, the C2500SXG is 15g lighter.
The C2500SXG excels in situations requiring delicate and highly precise approaches, making it ideal as a dedicated machine for finesse games like small topwater plugs and micro-hover strolling. The 2500SHG, on the other hand, covers all-around bass fishing.
Optimized COMPETITION Handle
The handle utilizes the lightweight and high-strength carbon fiber reinforced resin "CI4+", reducing the weight of the handle itself as well as the overall weight of the reel. This further enhances winding sensitivity and response.
In addition, the handle knobs are optimized for each size: a small, lightweight I-shaped knob matching delicate fishing for the 1000 size, and a thin, lightweight I-shaped knob with excellent grip for the C2000, C2500, and 2500 sizes.
5 Advanced Technologies Inherited from the 23 Vanquish
Beyond these enhancements, the basic performance inherits the proven technologies of the 23 Vanquish.
- Infinity Loop: An "ultra" dense winding mechanism that significantly slows down the spool's up-and-down movement, winding the line precisely and orderly. This drastically reduces line release resistance, providing a seamless casting feel and stable drag performance.
- Infinity Xross: The heart of the gear system. It expands the contact area of the gear teeth, distributing the load over a wider area. This improves gear durability without compromising the lightness, sensitivity, and operability that are Vanquish's greatest strengths.
- Infinity Drive: By reviewing the surface treatment and support structure of the main shaft, frictional resistance and rotational torque are reduced. It enables powerful winding that keeps you in control during fights with large fish.
- Dura Cross: The drag washers use a new reinforced material. New fibers are woven orthogonally to the conventional fiber direction, enhancing wear resistance while maintaining smooth and reliable drag performance.
- Anti Twist Fin: Built into the bail area close to the line roller, this part reduces line slack during fishing, preventing the line from falling below the spool or being wound while twisted. It suppresses unpleasant line troubles during casting, supporting a stress-free and comfortable game.
26 Vanquish CE Specifications
| Model | Gear Ratio | Practical Drag (kg) | Max Drag (kg) | Weight (g) | Line Capacity Nylon (lb-m) | Line Capacity PE (No.-m) | Max Retrieve (cm) | Handle Length (mm) | Bearings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000SSS | 5.1 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 140 | 2-100, 3-60 | 0.3-120, 0.4-90 | 64 | 40 | 11/1 |
| 1000SSSPG | 4.4 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 140 | 2-100, 3-60 | 0.3-120, 0.4-90 | 55 | 40 | 11/1 |
| C2000S | 5.1 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 145 | 3-125, 4-100, 5-75 | 0.6-150, 0.8-110, 1-80 | 69 | 40 | 11/1 |
| C2000SHG | 6.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 145 | 3-125, 4-100, 5-75 | 0.6-150, 0.8-110, 1-80 | 81 | 45 | 11/1 |
| C2500S | 5.1 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 150 | 5-110, 6-95, 8-70 | 0.6-200, 0.8-150, 1-120 | 70 | 45 | 11/1 |
| C2500SXG | 6.3 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 150 | 5-110, 6-95, 8-70 | 0.6-200, 0.8-150, 1-120 | 87 | 45 | 11/1 |
| 2500S | 5.1 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 165 | 5-110, 6-95, 8-70 | 0.6-200, 0.8-150, 1-120 | 75 | 50 | 11/1 |
| 2500SHG | 5.8 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 165 | 5-110, 6-95, 8-70 | 0.6-200, 0.8-150, 1-120 | 86 | 55 | 11/1 |
