Every fishing board has to have one. :devil:

Come on, let's hear your gripes - we can't let other sites take the lead on this hot topic.

Any woeful tales of oil-leaking reels, sideplates that fall off in the middle of a fight, drag knobs coming lose and falling into the water, or just general reel grumpiness? And huge warranty repair bills?

How 'bout some after "self-servicing" horror stories, like how ______ (a VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE member here) serviced his best buddy's gold VS150, and upon attempting to re-assemble the thing misaligned the doohickey thingy with the thingamabob and ended up destroying the reel (through no fault of his own?)?


Does anyone want to see what a .300 winchester magnum will do to a pair of VS pliers?

Van Staal reels suck and only wankers like Barfmaster fish with them. :laughs: :hihi:

Die You friggen plug Ho!!!!!!!!!!:p

Moi, a plug ho? :eek:

yeah You
wanna buy a vs reel:D

Not if it's a gold 150. :laughs: :hihi:

VS. i love 'em, i hate 'em, i love 'em! :wall: i don't see how anyone could cheat on their VS. :confused: i even love my black and gold 200!

:laughs: :love: :wall:

I hate em so much......... I wanna another one :D
Anyone got a spare VS I could Ho?
'hound

I'd buy one if they had a bail!! :eek:

call me oldschool;)

I sent in my VS 200 after last season and they noticed a ding on the side plate/housing(must'a happened when I hit the rocks at Watch Hill one night). The tech guy suggested I pay for a replacement side plate so it would not leak in the future (it was not leaking any oil at the time and I used it alot after Watch Hill). So I sprung for the plate and an extra spool and got it back before all the selling/moving rumors/truths. I used it for about a week when I noticed a leak begin at the new side-plate/housing and more than a usual amount of oil comming out of the shaft and contaminating the drag washers (which I had to clean after use). So I sent it to Oklahoma for yearly maint. and wonder if it's ever going to be a useable reel again :wall:

Hi Chumbucket. :wave:

Black V S 300 love it. Only reel I've owned to make it from april to nov. no problems here.:happy: :happy: :happy:

"argh" :wave:

That about sums up the VS experience. :laughs:

:gorez:

I'm down to 2 now.

R U selling them?

got a 150?

selling them eh''''''
inothing lasts with Me the way i fish.
it was funny when Mike and I was fishing them 8' crashing in front and my reel was binding up.
pulled 2 out that night, couldnt believe it.
I look good running to reel up line:D
show pic of your plyers.
the cutters on mine suck. im gonna take em to the water fed wheel and see if i can getem sharp

pliers ain't pretty.

Got my VS 200 back from Oklahoma a week-and-1/2 ago and it looked and felt good (no leaking). Been taking it to the suds to re-introduce it to some linesiders and everything seems up to snuff except the handle knob is still a little squeaky(guess I'll have to pack some grease in there). Even caught a NJ twinkie striper today and left the drag light to see if the drags got sticky...silky-smooth:btu: . They replaced the Center shaft (as an upgrade=no charge) and the new one looks like it's treated with Titanium Nitride(gold color). Maybe they should try that,or ceramic/cer-met on the line rollers that keep grooving(noticed a nice groove on mine starting). All-in-all it looks like they did a good job on mine. :)

Glad to hear it - especially on the shaft replacement. I got "shafted" last year when they replaced mine.

Waiting for mine to come back from servicing as well. :err:

WAITING FOR MINE TO COME BACK FROM SERVICE,WORKED GOOD NO REAL PROBLEMS.

Anyone know exactly how to get the side plate off an old 200? I'd like to get in there and check/change the oil. I've never had any problems with mine, but haven't sent it in in a few years - and don't really want to right now, but it seems tighter lately (maybe just too damn cold).
Anyway, I'm thinking one of those rubber strap wrenches, anyone done it?
Bill

That would make for a great how-to thread...

I tried but couldn't budge it(I guess I was holding the flyer). I think you have to hold the body of the reel(where the gears/crank handle is) and let the flyer turn as you unscrew the side-plate. Maybe someone that was successful can reply...:smash:

Not Bashing but I would need a new line of employment to be able to afford a VS! So I will stick with my 2 Nautil's and 3 Abu's!!
Still cost me less than one VS!!!




:D :rolleyes:

Originally posted by chumbucket
Maybe someone that was successful can reply...:smash:

i used a strap wrench. it took some work, but i was finally able to get it open. if you are not able to do it with the strap, and you really want to get inside, you can use channel lock pliers. i warn you, though, this WILL mark the reel. i ended up ordering the removable sideplate for $70. it is much easier that way.

I started this reply last night but the fire at the Canal Power Plant saved you from that one so I will start my re-rant now. Anyone who bought a VS was duped. Duped by slick advertising and the subliminal message that if you don't have one you are A) a loser, B) a poor excuse for a fisherman, C) a member of a lower class and shouldn't be even talked to on the beach D) not worthy C) an insignificant piece of whale dung floating aimlessly in the water, E) your income must be less than 100k a year and therefore you have no class whatsoever, F) you have no clue of the solid value in this reel. Well, I don't have one, never wanted one and always thought they were never ever worth the money. The technology in the design is outdated ( a cupped spool ?) there is a lot of machining but only to lessen the weight because if it was one piece it would weigh as much as a Penn 80lb class Senator. When it is very cold the oil turns to sludge and the reel turns roughly. This reel was aimed at yuppies and wannabees who hit the beach and want to look the part or send the message "hey look at me, I got a VS! And you should see my SUV!
Did this reel make you any better of an angler? No. If you were on a trip and needed parts could you go to the local tackle shop and get them or have the reel repaired? No. Hype my boys, all hype. The sooner they go down the better. Say what you want, I will match my take with anyone and I love my Penns, my Daiwas and my Shimano's. 90.00 bucks for a tune-up kit? PLEASE! 200.00 plus for a pair of pliers? P.T. Barnum said there is a sucker born every minute and he was right, the Van Stal Company proved it. Van Stal, Van Zebco and soon I hope, Van Gone. One thing is for sure they will become collectors items and the price will go up then and some clown will pay it, it's human nature only it's the weak side of human nature, the side that prevents us from evolving into a more intelligent species as living beings and as fisherman as well. They suck.:splat: :rocketem:

I am the batman

Originally posted by Flaptail
I started this reply last night but the fire at the Canal Power Plant saved you from that one so I will start my re-rant now. Anyone who bought a VS was duped. Duped by slick advertising and the subliminal message that if you don't have one you are A) a loser, B) a poor excuse for a fisherman, C) a member of a lower class and shouldn't be even talked to on the beach D) not worthy C) an insignificant piece of whale dung floating aimlessly in the water, E) your income must be less than 100k a year and therefore you have no class whatsoever, F) you have no clue of the solid value in this reel. Well, I don't have one, never wanted one and always thought they were never ever worth the money. The technology in the design is outdated ( a cupped spool ?) there is a lot of machining but only to lessen the weight because if it was one piece it would weigh as much as a Penn 80lb class Senator. When it is very cold the oil turns to sludge and the reel turns roughly. This reel was aimed at yuppies and wannabees who hit the beach and want to look the part or send the message "hey look at me, I got a VS! And you should see my SUV!
Did this reel make you any better of an angler? No. If you were on a trip and needed parts could you go to the local tackle shop and get them or have the reel repaired? No. Hype my boys, all hype. The sooner they go down the better. Say what you want, I will match my take with anyone and I love my Penns, my Daiwas and my Shimano's. 90.00 bucks for a tune-up kit? PLEASE! 200.00 plus for a pair of pliers? P.T. Barnum said there is a sucker born every minute and he was right, the Van Stal Company proved it. Van Stal, Van Zebco and soon I hope, Van Gone. One thing is for sure they will become collectors items and the price will go up then and some clown will pay it, it's human nature only it's the weak side of human nature, the side that prevents us from evolving into a more intelligent species as living beings and as fisherman as well. They suck.:splat: :rocketem:

I think this thread made Steve grumpy. :laughs: :hihi:

Gotta love his honesty though!!!

Its all personal preference! I have never tried one but it could be the best reel in the world and I still wouldnt buy one because its out of my price range!
At $500 they should come with a 50#+ guarantee!!!!

"I hate mine so much I want another one."

:laughs: :hihi:

I think Steve is being a little harsh, but he's entitled to his opinion.

Folks who fish on the wet rockpiles of Rhody, the Elizabeths, and Montauk have a slightly more charitable :hihi: opinion of the VS reel, but given the foibles everyone hears about, there's not much patience for a $500+ reel that fails.

that response by Flaptail stirs many emotions in me. sure, any one can have an opinion, but to insult someone based purely on the reel they fish with, i do not agree with. sure, some people buy VS's for the "status" they see in the reel, but not all. i have tried every spinning reel out there and the VS fits my needs the best. that is why i fish with them.

to say "did the reel make you any better of an angler?", if you really think about it, makes you look just as stupid as someone that owns a VS. if a reel does not affect one's ablity, then why don't we all fish with a soda can wrapped in fishing line?

now don't get me wrong, purely owning a VS does not make you a better fisherman. you still have to know what you are doing. for me, the VS allows me to do what i want, how i want, and be that much more successful.

if you still think a penn would be just as good and survive some of the places i fish, i invite you to join me in may on the CT river. :cheers:

oh yeah, i do drive an SUV too. :laughs:

Ahhhh, feel the :love:

mad love! http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/sex.gif

:tooth: :rotf3:

Toby, I agree, I own (1) VS thats it, and it was bought specifically b/c my penns didnt like getting soaked everynight.....
It's a personal choice, not status, and I'm broker than anyone here I wager.. I dont make Shiiiite... just a poor, fishing grad student... but I wanted a reel that held up, so far so good, no mobies this year but had my share of 20's... and it seemed fine... to each his own... DId you make the trek today?

'hound

I didnt see an " all of the above " . I thought he was talking about me until I found out it was about VS owners . I dont own one but if I see one unattended Ill steal it .

Originally posted by chris L
I dont own one but if I see one unattended Ill steal it .

Now that is the most intelligent thing I've heard all afternoon... :laughs::D

Originally posted by chris L
I dont own one but if I see one unattended Ill steal it .

good answer.:uhuh:

Christian's no dummy. :cool:

haha, didnt even see you posted that too haha.:D

If you decide (like I did) that you don't give a rat's arse about the warranty, and keep them turning yourself, all of the headaches go away. They're the same inside as a Luxor 300 and not much more complicated than a Penn series 700 Spinfisher, or a 380/390 series Mitchell, and much simpler than a Mitchell 302 and any Japanese reel.

You'd be surprised at the places you can find many of the components, like bearings, O-rings and seals.

They stiffen in cold weather---like any reel with heavy grease or 80 wt gear oil in them. You just go to a lighter oil in cold weather, like drivers had to do when I was a kid (remember single weight oils and changing from 30 or 40 weight to 20 weight every November?).

You can open one with a $10 Sears strap wrench--who needs a $90 self service kit. And the new ones open with a 22 mm open end wrench. So you ding up the paint a bit---so what---it gives the reel a little character. Looks like a fishing tool instead of an SUV. BTW, I've pulled out stuck F-150s with my Grand Cherokee :D :laughs:

Worst thing they ever did was go from a hardened stainless steel shaft to a titanium one, and a titanium roller. Fortunately, they did this after I bought mine ;):

DJ has spoken! :happy:

I am the batman

Batman has spoken! :laughs:

For stripers and the beach, I'm a Penn man.

For offshore, I'm a Fin Nor/Penn man.

VS, Penn, and the rest can't hold up to multiple BFT's in one day like Fin Nor reels can and keep going with just a hosing.

Ahab and Tycoons all the way. :D

Screw VS, I'll take REEL engineering. ;)

Man I remember getting into it pretty good a few years back with a guy named MikeP about the merits of a VS, to think he would actually own one :D :D :D :wave:

I got my 150 and 200 back from VS last week, it only cost me $55 beyond the standard service charge. Those Snoppy geniuses removed my Penn drag washers from the 200 and replaced them with Rullon (sp?) only cost me $3.50/washer and $2.50/SS washer, I could have replaced them myself with the 12 washers I have. Then there was that $18.50 handle stud?????? whatever that is.....

Going to Sears anyone need anything.....................

Hey! "Status" was the word I was looking for, like in status symbol! Thank you T. Lapinski! Oh by the way, I drive an SUV also. It's a 2001 ZR71 two door black s-10 blazer, you know, the high rider model, made for off road use and thats what I do with it. Now for the challenge of the CT River, I fished there for shad and bass before. Is the challenge getting through Holyoke safely to the river and having your car or "SUV" still there when you get back and if it is there, is the thing stripped down and on blocks cause someone stole the tires and ripped off the sound system and the airbags? I can see there is a challenge there and you definetly need a well built reel to survive that! Sorry but I couldn't resist. BTW, the "challenge" thing is sooooo.......whatever.

Now before you blow another gasket because you own a VS or a couple of VS's or maybe a herd of them, and you are offended there is a modicum of truth in what I am saying. You know, I have been at this fishing thing for the better part of 40 plus years now so I think I can comment on reels and tackle somewhat. I used to fish to make a living. I put myself through college catching bass for the market, I started doing that at 17. Paid cash for my first truck. A brandy ass new 3/4 ton chevy pick-up with a 350 4 barrel crb, stripped with 4 wheel drive and hit the beach. I have guided, worked charter boats, commercial codfished for years off shore and now spend the better part of 60 nights a season on the beach driving the sands of the outer Cape looking for Striped Bass. I have two Penn 704's that my Dad bought me in 1969. The drags are as smooth as they day I opened the boxes and they work like charms. Penn F-----d up the ss series reels in thier recent redesigns. But my older 750's and my older 650 ( which has recently been repainted because I wore the finish right off through years of 5 nights a week Striper fishing) still runs like a charm as well as do my Daiwa BG-30'S AND 20'S and my two Shimano Spheros and my old reliable Alcedo's. Proper care will let any reel perform well and you definetly do not have to spend a ton of dough to have a reel that performs well under the most adverse conditions. It's a myth.:wall:

Flap is a yuppie. :bshake:

ya right, i seen what you drive weewee.:D

Moi? :blush:

every thing sucks
vs are fag reels
buffy plugs for 25$:yak:
2 fish @28" :rolleyes:
and last but most least fishing clubs and the internet
lets rock:smash:

I use a 706 have for yrs. I'm in a fishin club I'm a dweeb.Thank U for ur support.

thank You nibula, what have You been up to any way?
I stirr the [pot] good no,,,,,,,,,
u been making any more plugs?

Uh-Oh, I must be a flappy yuppie.

I own a VS200
(gift from an old fishing friend)

I run a 23 Seacraft
(30 year old junker I restored myself)

Dodge Ram (is that o.k.)

I've never had anyone work on anything of mine - except a doctor, so I think I can handle a simple reel.

Ah, prejudice is a beautiful thing ain't it.

Sometimes I drink Bud:D

Thanks for the info.

Bill

anither Hi dollar vs fishing sinkercraftinfishinbubbahgrumpaholic
:)

Billybob must be a yuppie. :bshake:

Originally posted by fishweewee
Billybob must be a yuppie. :bshake:
your a yuppie now go away

:rolleyes:

Originally posted by Krispy
:rolleyes:
look You grumpy bastage :smash:

Originally posted by Krispy
:rolleyes:

I think Krispy is a grumpy yuppie. :bshake:

anyone can land a fish from the beach w/o any rocks for 10 miles around :rolleyes:
Its a wonder why anyone who fishes the Cape would buy a reel for more than $30 and more than 200 yds of line. Overkill

Originally posted by Krispy
anyone can land a fish from the beach w/o any rocks for 10 miles around :rolleyes:
Its a wonder why anyone who fishes the Cape would buy a reel for more than $30 and more than 200 yds of line. Overkill

Oooooh, fightin' words. Put up ya dukes BM! :laughs:

Mr. Krispy don't like Cape Cod.:uhuh:

HEY, THEY GOT ROCKS IN FALMOUTH. :hihi:

Anyway, I don't care I'm comfortable with my yuppuality.
So guess what.

I got a VS pliers (another gift), and when I sent my reel back cause they sold it with a stripped knob (that's a drag knob on the reel BM), they sent me a VS hat!

And I got a watch that tells me when it's high tide

And I got a Golden retriever

I used to have a Weber grill

So there.

I'm even wearing a necktie - right now.

Go ahead bash away, if it makes ya feel good.

I like CC, but its the difference between skydiving and jumping off a curb. One of em's a little more complicated

Dang, I was hoping you'd save that for a Montauk vs. CC thread. :laughs:

nah nah nah nah nah you dont have a babies arm holding an apple

i am couregeous cat

Bartender, I'll have what ChrisL's having...

im to :spam: out to fight right now krissy ,please save this for another time cause its a good one good for serious yelling and fighting:D

:)

This is gonna be a rough winter :doh:

3 finger tequilla .
Im courageous cat

Winter is for Wild Turkey shots. Yum, feeeeeel the burn......

a little Yukon Jack will get rid of the chill .

I am courageous cat

SoCo and 7-Up. Yum.

Two fingers of single barrel bourbon.

Originally posted by Flaptail
Hey! "Status" was the word I was looking for, like in status symbol! Thank you T. Lapinski! Oh by the way, I drive an SUV also. It's a 2001 ZR71 two door black s-10 blazer, you know, the high rider model, made for off road use and thats what I do with it. Now for the challenge of the CT River, I fished there for shad and bass before. Is the challenge getting through Holyoke safely to the river and having your car or "SUV" still there when you get back and if it is there, is the thing stripped down and on blocks cause someone stole the tires and ripped off the sound system and the airbags? I can see there is a challenge there and you definetly need a well built reel to survive that! Sorry but I couldn't resist. BTW, the "challenge" thing is sooooo.......whatever.


even a VS won't save you in holyoke! the area i am talking about is a bit further south. i know you have been at it a while fishing the sands of the cape. put brade on a 704 and make it do what you need it to do when the water in the river is running 8' over flood stage and you are hooked in to a 30# bass. now try to keep that fish away from the trees floating downriver that you are also dodging in the current because you are wading in the middle of the river, at night, up to the tops of your waders. oh yeah, keep that same fish from running right into the trees that are now under several feet of water near the shore because the river is so high. a penn WILL NOT do it. i have been there and proved it. i have a pile of green, black, and whatever 704's and 706's on my reel shelf that have to stay home now. i have nothing against you flaptail, i just strongly take offense to your comments. you may be right in your veiws for some people, but not all. you use the same logic as one that generalizes all blondes as dumb.

oh yeah, V8 dodge durango SLT. :D

DJ has spoken, again!

We're not worthy...

whats a reel have to do with a tree:confused:

Ah, T., that's not recreational fishing that's Seal Team Six stuff! I never meant to offend anyone although as usual, I did. I used to shad fish in May in Holyoke and climb over this twelve foot high wall, up and over. The first time I saw a real Atlantic Salmon in the wild was there swimming along side a school of shad. Caught quite a number of Stripers there too. Man dude that's a lot to contend with. If you want a relaxing night of Striper fishing call me and we will go out on the beach. The only menace we will have to contend with out there is Bassmaster. I hope you have good life insurance if it's as rough as you say out there. I sometimes fly out that way when I am taking one of my flying lessons. The instructor is cool and let's me go where I want. Sorry your offended, it wasn't aimed at everyone. Well, yeah it probably was as I was on a tear. Mouth in motion before brain in gear you see. I get this way when someone mentions Van Stal, like Curly in The Three Stooges when someone mentions Niagra Falls.:D

slowly i turned...... inch by inch.......

so whats a reel have to do with a tree:confused:

What r ya talking about? Tree? :confused:

I dunno, I may have to go start a hey Krispy and have a nice flame war. I got some new material i wanna try out:laughs:

Can I get in on this too?:musc: :wave:

?

-B

Originally posted by fishweewee
What r ya talking about? Tree? :confused:

read it again Ben, he's talking about trees floating downstream in the river and having to dodge them and having to steer the bass around submerged trees. not an easy feat to accomplish from a boat let alone while wading.

I caught a 40 foot high tree in the Sacramento River on my 1209 Saber at 7-10 mph... I was on the beach with 2/3rds of the rod and the rest ....

Did have a sturgeon on for a few minutes though :D

Oh, those TREES. Yes, those trees can be very hard on a reel, they fight good! :laughs:

Got Wood?

This is great. I recently got a VS, and after reading this and some similar threads, now I know what to expect when I take it fishing next spring...why don't I just go out there wearing a goddamn tutu, instead?

But thanks, bashers. You've inspired me to develop a product that should sell well enough to let me retire within the next couple years and fish and sail full-time.

What I'm designing is a Van Staal camo-kit, for the guy who wants to fish the surf in public without being labeled a pansy-boy or a dumb-ass yuppie because of his choice of reel.

The kit will clip on to your VS without requiring any modifications to the reel (thanks to all those convenient weight-saving slots and holes).

The basic kit disguises your reel as the appropriate-sized model in the Penn SS or 7 series. It will come with an owner's manual that includes handy phrases that demonstrate the genuine Penn fan's mix of exasperation and appreciation for clunky but reliable Ol' Betsy. Guaranteed effective: so realistic that even when the jetty is elbow-to-elbow, the guy next to you will never guess your dark secret. My target price point for this kit is in the $100 range. Good deal, no?

Of course, for those truly committed hardcores, it's gotta be the deluxe kit. Nothing less will do. This one will be guaranteed to make a VS look as if it's made of high-impact polystyrene (including the main and pinion gears) and came from Wal-mart strapped to one of those 16 foot rods. The kit includes a non-functional broken bail that won't interfere with operation of the reel. The manual contains instructions on faking a gear melt-down while landing a moderate-sized schoolie. The kit also features a long-lasting waterproof "Special Combo: $29.99" price sticker to attach in a prominent position near the reel seat. The deluxe kit should retail at $150-200.

Rich...I'm gonna be rich....wonder if I can just license the concept to Zebco and save myself a lot of development time?

Originally posted by davess23
This is great. I recently got a VS, and after reading this and some similar threads, now I know what to expect when I take it fishing next spring...why don't I just go out there wearing a goddamn tutu, instead?

But thanks, bashers. You've inspired me to develop a product that should sell well enough to let me retire within the next couple years and fish and sail full-time.

What I'm designing is a Van Staal camo-kit, for the guy who wants to fish the surf in public without being labeled a pansy-boy or a dumb-ass yuppie because of his choice of reel.

The kit will clip on to your VS without requiring any modifications to the reel (thanks to all those convenient weight-saving slots and holes).

The basic kit disguises your reel as the appropriate-sized model in the Penn SS or 7 series. It will come with an owner's manual that includes handy phrases that demonstrate the genuine Penn fan's mix of exasperation and appreciation for clunky but reliable Ol' Betsy. Guaranteed effective: so realistic that even when the jetty is elbow-to-elbow, the guy next to you will never know your dark secret. My target price point for this kit is in the $100 range. Good deal, no?

Of course, for those truly committed hardcores, it's gotta be the deluxe kit. Nothing less will do. This one will be guaranteed to make a VS look as if it's made of high-impact polystyrene (including the main and pinion gears) and came from Wal-mart strapped to one of those 16 foot rods. The kit includes a non-functional broken bail that won't interfere with operation of the reel. The manual contains instructions on faking a gear melt-down while landing a moderate-sized schoolie. The kit also features a long-lasting waterproof "Special Combo: $29.99" price sticker to attach in a prominent position near the reel seat. The deluxe kit should retail at $150-200.

Rich...I'm gonna be rich....wonder if I can just license the concept to Zebco and save myself a lot of development time?


"In-The-VS-Closet Kit?" :laughs: :wave: :rude:

Yeah but , tell us how You really feel

Of course, for those truly committed hardcores, it's gotta be the deluxe kit. Nothing less will do. This one will be guaranteed to make a VS look as if it's made of high-impact polystyrene (including the main and pinion gears) and came from Wal-mart strapped to one of those 16 foot rods. The kit includes a non-functional broken bail that won't interfere with operation of the reel. The manual contains instructions on faking a gear melt-down while landing a moderate-sized schoolie. The kit also features a long-lasting waterproof "Special Combo: $29.99" price sticker to attach in a prominent position near the reel seat. The deluxe kit should retail at $150-200.


Will it come with a Walmart FW Fishin hat? Will there be a pseudo graphite look? :laughs: