We've got all sizes and most colors including a few fly reels.

:D


Pete
The Saltwater Edge
(401) 842-0062

what are the new prices?

VS100: $569
VS150: $589
VS200: $619
VS250: $649
VS300: $679


silver is no longer an additional charge

I don't understan spending 600$ for one reeel. That is about 6 or 7 704s. I know a 704 isnt a vs, but it will last almost as long for only 1/6th the price. And the new vs don't even have a lifetime warranty, thats ridiculous.

It always amuses me that people have to try to ridicule or justify themselves for not having a van staal. You could also fish with a tica or tsunami fishing rod for under a $100 and anyone who has a custom lami must be just as crazy :rolleyes:

I dont own one but to me a VS is the best reel out there. I have a704 thats 20 years old adn its still working great, but it takes a lot of work to keep it clean and running smooth. I religoiusly maintain my 704's but on several occasions this season alone I lost some monster bass because my reel failed me. This is why I'm planning on getting a VS 200..... dependability.

Originally posted by Eben
This is why I'm planning on getting a VS 200..... dependability.
Eben just wants one because the 704 doesn't look as good with the colors in the wrap on his new rod :bshake:

-spence

:D:D:D

:confused: No additional charge for the silver model????:eek: Oh, sign me up for 3 then!:smash:

Someday I might get one.....sure would like to try one!;)

What about the AWESOME pliers they make?
Ronnie

Got em'! :btu: And they are fabulous!:happy:

I caught an 52 pound Salmon on a $23 Pfluegar fly reel. Why should I spend $300 on a fancy one.

For spinning I'm a big 704 fan also. Love them. Now if I was Bill Gates, I'd buy a VS.

I own a VS200 and a 150 as well as the <matching, if that is the right word> Penn spinning reels. Van Staal is a much smoother reel in terms of cranking as well as drag.
But I will be the first to say that the price difference between a VS200 and a Penn 704, relative to how smooth they are, is NOT linear.

Heck, if the object is to keep cost down...why use a rod and reel at all? Use a hand line and a rock for weight like the scupping fleet from New Bedford! It is not about cost...it is about F U N.

why? that is simple....

why drive a BMW when a Hundai will do the same thing? BECAUSE IT WORKS BETTER AND YOU GET MORE ENJOYMENT FROM USING IT. There is a great feeling of enjoyment when using a precision made machine.

IMO this is what is GREAT about our sport...you can fish it with entry level gear and enjoy it forever or for the more serious anglers can fish it with fancier gear to enhance their thrill.

This is what Xmas and Bdays are for...ask for one for Xmas and see what it is all about.


I let (good) friends use some of my better stuff from time to time. I love watching their facial expressions when a good fisherman who has been fishing for quite some time and is "happy" with his 15 year old trusty penn he got on sale at wallmart gets a test spin on a $1000 surf rod and reel with a custom plug on the end. The typical phases "Oh my God... or Jesus!" the feel of this thing is amazing!!" Just like you would say getting into a new BMW...

Its all about fun not money!

Also it depends what you are into...if you fish the beach half a doz times a season...a VS might not be for you....on the other hand if you fish the beach half a doz times a week, you will appriciate the quality of a high performance reel.

Do the new ones still have the round knob handle? I never liked the feel of the metal round knob...

Well, as Pete said we do have them in stock. I figured go ahead and put them on the site so you out of staters could save a little on the not taxing of non-RI residents and shipping. "Have At It" people!

VS Reels Available Online Here (http://www.saltwateredge.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=VS)

:bgi:

For a mere $600 you can own the "best" spinning reel on the market. Approximately 4 times the cost of a 706Z. Now you CAN'T do that with any other item out there ..... LOL.

I was into mountain biking a lot over ten yrs ago. You could spend $600 for a decent bike w/ Shimano XT, OR you could have gone the route of a titanium bike w/ front shock & titanium hardware for around $3600. That was a factor of 6 times the cost to own the "best" MTB.

If you have the $, why not enjoy it. :) I love a good meal and it doesn't matter to me if we spend $140 for dinner for three as long as the food is good! I can enjoy eating fried clams off of paper plates at the beach for $45 to feed three just as well. There are times we go get some nice cold cuts and make subs for $20. :D

All I can say is my daughter is gonna have a lot of nice junk to sell off at a yardsale for $1 when her ol' Dad keels. ;)
My wife is ready to grab all my gear now and sell it for $0.25 ! :P

I am no gear snob. I do appreciate a nice balanced outfit. It helps if you catch something on the end of the line though. :D

Thats why I'm going to put a little sticker stating the price on all the wonderful items that I paid too much for, so when I do croak, someone will know not to let my VS go for $10. LOL

By the way, will a VS with black finish have more corrosion resistance than a silver, or a gold for that matter?

Not here, too, for the VS wars :wall: :hs:

Good point about the stickers.
I had quite a collection of Aurora slot cars when I was young. A few years ago after her garage sale my mom told me she got 50 cents each for the cars but she had to give the track away. Heck, I think I paid $5 each for the cars in 1968...

All kidding aside, my father was a fisherman and had grand plans to fish more when he retired. Unfortunately, he became chronically ill and was not able to continue fishing.

He has left me with lots of "old" tackle and what was really interesting is that he had a habit of writing the date and price on items he purchased. I have unopened Atom plugs from the 70s for example stating he paid $.73 for them. Nice!

Sorry to get off topic.

Wish I had the cash for a VS and a custom Lami.Ain't gonna happen though.Reality says gotta pay the rent and bills.For most of us owning a VS&Lami is a pipe dream.

For now the Spheros and Tica will have to do:( .

Ticas are great rods basswipe.... thats all I used last year. shure Lami's are nice but your paying for the lifetime warranty... believe it or not I believe that the 8 foot Tica is a direct ripoff of a G-Loomis.your paying less because your only getting a one year warranty and its made in china...

Originally posted by basswipe
Wish I had the cash for a VS and a custom Lami.Ain't gonna happen though.Reality says gotta pay the rent and bills.For most of us owning a VS&Lami is a pipe dream.

For now the Spheros and Tica will have to do:( .

I hear you! I just remind myself that people did catch big fish when the high-end equipment was not invented yet. This is not to say that it is not a pleasure to fish with fine equipment.

A saying comes to mind "All the talent in the world cannot match persistence".

In other words, the person who fishes frequently and smartly will reign supreme.

Again, sorry if this thread is headed in the wrong direction. :o

Just look at all the people who back in the day use catch big fish after big fish with the Penn Squidder. And look how much that costs:rolleyes:

Originally posted by Eben
Ticas are great rods basswipe.... thats all I used last year. shure Lami's are nice but your paying for the lifetime warranty... believe it or not I believe that the 8 foot Tica is a direct ripoff of a G-Loomis.your paying less because your only getting a one year warranty and its made in china...

I love my Tica rod.Can't beat it for the price.The Shimano Spheros is absolutely fabulous.But to fish with a really high end setup would be nice.

I'm getting one...but I'm keeping the same old wife...
:laughs: :laughs:

Originally posted by maddog2020

All I can say is my daughter is gonna have a lot of nice junk to sell off at a yardsale for $1 when her ol' Dad keels. ;)
My wife is ready to grab all my gear now and sell it for $0.25 ! :p


Geez, I hope Chris and Maddy haven't lost my phone number....:hihi:

Check your mail soon, Maddog - I found a copy of that item for ya and I'll be in touch - it's been a helluva summer here on Fantasy Island :rolleyes:.......

Me? A VS? Sure, it'll happen if not soon - but I'm not gonna miss a mortgage payment to get one either.

I'm real curious to see the new and improved VS :smokin:

I dunno. Maybe I am cheap ( Bassmaster would agree with that) I can't see spending that kind of money for a reel. Especially one with questionable history of company survivability. Repairs are way too expensive as well. I think it's one of those hype things where if you don't have one you feel somehow inadequate or beneath the contemplation of other fisherman, you know, like having one lashed to your rod picks you out as a surf star and anyone who see's you with that VS automatically will think you are the balls in the surf fishing community. As for the pliers thats another thing as well. I have a pair of needlenose pliers that have been on my surf belt for nye on ten years, I paid 2.99 for them at Ocean State Job Lot. Once every couple of weeks they get a shot of WD-40, they have never failed to do what they are supposed to do and if I lost them I wouldn't take a serious cash flow hit just a little sentimental hit would be all as I have become attached to the rust coated little guy thinking of the thousands of bass bluefish, Albies, Bonito they have help unhook. Functionality wise there are reels for way less money that do just as good a job and that is a fact. If you can afford one and it will make you feel somehow more secure in your fishing appearence then by all means get one. I have used VS reels and to me they just ain't worth the sticker price. Just my two cents, you may fire at will.:cool:

I hear ya, Flap - I still love my Penns, as long as you give them some minor - repeat minor - attention, they're pretty reliable in my experience.

After getting the chromed 704 from Habs I got reintroduced to an old favorite - and I'm a big believer in the KISS principle.

The new VS is on my list (although I've got a few other items that are gonna have to come first) but I'm looking at it for function not status - and I'll have to admit I haven't spent a lot of time with one either.

For me the bottom line is if it ain't $600 good it's pretty freakin' unlikely I'm gonna cough that kinda cash so it looks good on the roof of my Jeep.

Geeezuz, I must be gettin' thrifty in my old age -

VS is the best surf specific spinning reel on the market. if you don't think so, then don't buy one and don't give someone crap because they own one. no one should have to justify to anyone (well except maybe to their wife) why they fish with what they do. grow up and take the VS bashing to SOL with all the other crap!

:huh::confused::huh:

You know, lately these threads are getting out of hand. It's like the Habs needlefish..." not worth the money" too expensive" "overrated". Now it's the Van Staal's. If ya don't like the price DON"T BUY EM. But don't criticize the guys that do. It's their money. Peace.

To each their own.

If you got the money to blow, and buying a VS doesn't prevent you from hitting the poorhouse, more power to you.

I'm happy with my Penn9500SS....

the only reason I'm getting one is for the awesome drag system on them...I'm not out to impress anyone, i just want the best gear i can get that wont let me down when I have the fish of a lifetime at the end of my line... Honestly, if I hooked into a 50 this season i probably would have lost it due to drag failure on my penn.... i dont trust penns anymore.:smash:

better get one soon, cuz when the baby grows up, you'll be broke buying him/her stuff

Ah Toby, I knew after I posted you would get pissed although it's not why I posted it. Chill man, I got my opinion and you got yours. I say what I say and really don't care what anyone thinks, probably why my blood pressure is so low all the time. Nice and calm. Nice volley!:claps: :zup:

Originally posted by Eben
the only reason I'm getting one is for the awesome drag system on them...I'm not out to impress anyone, i just want the best gear i can get that wont let me down when I have the fish of a lifetime at the end of my line... Honestly, if I hooked into a 50 this season i probably would have lost it due to drag failure on my penn.... i dont trust penns anymore.:smash:


how did ur drag fail?? The Ht100 drag on the penns is the best out there,i know guys that change out there vs drags an put the ht's in.did it lock up.I usually apply a little oil an wipe of well when i get in the water.u can't lock them up then.they also make a new drag locking nut with a little rubber washer to keep some salts an stuff out that helps. When i get in the water i usually pop em out an clean em before next trip only takes a minute or two.

Just remember nothing is bullet proof... Like everything else all reel's require maintenance whether or not it's a simple spray with fresh water or a full out disassembly. I'll get me a 150 or 200 once the reviews are in for atleast 2 years.. I'm not going to throw any money on anything that Zebco had their hands on.

little comedy now...
THIS IS A JOKE!!! all names and idea's are fictional (not real)

Tokama, why use titatium we have perfectly good white metal from the discontinued K-mart line of Z-bail reels.

Jerry, do you think if we just dipped them in enamel paint people would know the difference.

Jody, Instead of engraving VS can't we just follow the pattern and put plastic stickers on?

Rick, What if we made all the drag washers out of plastic,, that would make it totally water resistant.

Young, Graphite frame.

Ed, Graphite spool.

Thomas, after 2 years in the select market place we can sell off the remaining 2 million reels at Wal-mart locations for $69.99.


Just a little fun,


fictional
adj 1: related to or involving literary fiction; "clever fictional
devices"; "a fictional treatment of the train robbery"
[ant: nonfictional]
2: formed or conceived by the imagination; "a fabricated excuse
for his absence"; "a fancied wrong"; "a fictional
character"; "used fictitious names"; "a made-up story"
[syn: fabricated, fancied, fictitious, invented, made-up]

Originally posted by leptar
I'm not going to throw any money on anything that Zebco had their hands on.
I believe the reels just shipped are made entirely from old parts, they aren't really new in that sense.

-spence

NIB yes it locked up on me on 2 occasions. i never knew about the oil trick until toby told me a few weeks ago, so that could have been the trouble. I fish with a tight drag and it doesnt leave much room for error.... who knows it could have been my fault..:huh: I will say that i always have to adjust the drag if it gets wet or if it gets foggy as the washers expand with moisture...

maybe i'll rent a vs for a week and see if i lke it:hihi:

Eben, given the new baby I'd just wait until you're really going to be fishing more frequently to get one...

Like 2010 :behead:

-spence

:mad:

I thought I saw Eben the other night on some riocks in Narragansett

Was he being chased by 4 meddling kids and a great dane in a green van?

Reben, Relp! :spidey:

-spence

whats a vs ? why it 600 ? does it come in many colors ? does it make you any better with the ladies ? will it help you perform better ?

I fish way less than I did when we didn't have a child. ;)

Babies are marvelous things - they scare me w/ the wobble head until their necks get strong and can hold themselves up. Next thing you know they start walking .......... then running.......... then giving you lip because they don't know why you won't buy them a Game Boy because every one else on the bus has one?! :P LMAO - my daughter is just 7 now and I got a lot of white hairs already because of her.

Enjoy your child when they are small - they grow up FAST !

Eben

What is the oil trick?

Originally posted by piemma
I thought I saw Eben the other night on some riocks in Narragansett

shhhh! you wouldnt believe all the sympathy plugs i'm getting from guys who think i cant fish....;)

I'll be out tonight for a few hours around dusk:humpty:

Originally posted by Springtides
Eben

What is the oil trick?

if you dab a bit of oil on the main shaft where the drag washers make contact, the shaft will stay slippery while fishing.. you'll hve to tighten down your drag a few more turns than usual, but what will happen is your washers will glide around the shaft much easier and smoother than without the oil...

Two points...

I own a VS, I am the furthest thing from a Yuppie or even rich enough to own one... but.... at the time I felt it was a good investment, 2.5 solid seasons later it hasnt failed yet... it's been dropped and soaked in ways that used to render my 704 useless until cleaned... I just dust off and keep fishing.... maybe I could get away with a nautil or a greased Penn, but I have confidence in my reel, which is very important to me...

Also, stop giving Eben plugs... give em to me instead I just started my first semester of Piling it Higher and Deeper... :smash: WTF am I still doing in schoool, I'm looking at freshmen that are too young looking to even be cute (not all of them mind you:D )

Oh well

E.. I'll bout 9-930, if still out call my cell...

You are too a yuppie...

Now I suppose I will swim WITH the fishes when we fish

I have a love hate relationship with Van Staal. There is no equal when it comes to spinning reels. What I don't like is the fact that owning one is more like leasing one, considering if you don't pay the yearly service fee, you void your warranty. I don't fish very hard, but through routine use, I've developed routine problems and if I didn't pay that yearly service fee, I would be up the proverbial creek.

Originally posted by Flaptail
I dunno. Maybe I am cheap ( Bassmaster would agree with that) I can't see spending that kind of money for a reel. Especially one with questionable history of company survivability. Repairs are way too expensive as well. I think it's one of those hype things where if you don't have one you feel somehow inadequate or beneath the contemplation of other fisherman, you know, like having one lashed to your rod picks you out as a surf star and anyone who see's you with that VS automatically will think you are the balls in the surf fishing community. As for the pliers thats another thing as well. I have a pair of needlenose pliers that have been on my surf belt for nye on ten years, I paid 2.99 for them at Ocean State Job Lot. Once every couple of weeks they get a shot of WD-40, they have never failed to do what they are supposed to do and if I lost them I wouldn't take a serious cash flow hit just a little sentimental hit would be all as I have become attached to the rust coated little guy thinking of the thousands of bass bluefish, Albies, Bonito they have help unhook. Functionality wise there are reels for way less money that do just as good a job and that is a fact. If you can afford one and it will make you feel somehow more secure in your fishing appearence then by all means get one. I have used VS reels and to me they just ain't worth the sticker price. Just my two cents, you may fire at will.:cool:
Your the cheapest sob I know. if those reels where 70 bucks You would have 50 of them just like Your K mart 1$ lures You Buy.
Go lay down

I'm a real strong believer in using the right tools for the right job.

Unless you've ever had to fish a reel under the harsh immersive conditions that make the Van Staal reels SHINE, you'll never appreciate the features that many have been willing to pay extra $$$ for. Fish on a rockpile? VS. Going wetsuiting on sand or rocks? VS. Are you a born klutz and drop your reels in the suds from time to time? VS. Do you not want to bother maintaining your reels yourself during the year? VS.

As far as the $100+ price increase goes, it's my understanding that much of this is going into the pockets of retailers, which is fine as far as I'm concerned. The low gross margin has been one of the impediments to dealers stocking the product.

Originally posted by Eben
if you dab a bit of oil on the main shaft where the drag washers make contact, the shaft will stay slippery while fishing.. you'll hve to tighten down your drag a few more turns than usual, but what will happen is your washers will glide around the shaft much easier and smoother than without the oil...

I wouldn't do it like that u'll end up wit too much oil on ur drag washers an u'll never get em tight.some will spray a shot of wd-40 on them which is lighter an mostly evaporates with time.I like the way i do it just a drop of oil work it into the fiber disks an wipe off good with a paper towel.If u own a vs or not u have to maintain ur drags especially when u get it wet.if not ur just askin for trouble In my truck I always have extra washers and the very important C clip. an parts like a handle an stuff like that in case something happens u gotta be prepared I also have a pretty good selection of rod tips an glue. Saved the day for myself an a few of my buds more than a few times.I'm a clutz i constantly fall an break stuff. I used to be a pretty good athlete I wonder what happened to that guy..

yes that sounds right about the wd-40...
on a side note, i snuck out and fished for 2 hours at dusk today... on one of my casts the bail wire snapd. this left me with one piece of the bail just dangling in the breeze:smash: i guess its time to order part 69... the old bail-less conversion kit, or get some sort of reel that has no bail:hihi:

:smash: :wall: :whackin: :fishslap: :yak5:

:rolleyes:

Hey Frank Jr, I mean BASSMASTER! iT'S Wal-Mart not K-Mart and they cost two and three dollars respectively not one dollar get the facts straight. And if you think they suck why did you Ho me at Nauset for one the other night? And who caught fish all night at the Race on the same one you ho'd from me last fall why you were picking your nose going fishless right aside of me? YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!

I still think VS Reels are a hyped out rip off. So there ! Put that in yer pipe and smoke it!:D :laughs: :laughs: :laughs:

Paul...
Yeah.. I'm a yuppie all right...
Watch that step... :D
It's a doozie...

Originally posted by Eben
i guess its time to order part 69... the old bail-less conversion kit, or get some sort of reel that has no bail:hihi: if you need one for the weekend, i can bring one down for you. i have a couple laying around somewhere.

Eben:
I don't own a 704 that has a bail. I think the conversion kit is $5. Well worth the money

I nominate Uncle Crafty's post as best post in this thread. Complete with Silver Van Staal helmets and Van Staal pointy sticks. :D :laughs:

This is America, fish whatever reel you like. Drive whatever car you want. And you can do your thing whenever or wherever you like. Just please remember to pick up your trash. :)

Ed

I often fish a Calcutta 400 - one of the pricier conventionals but not in the same league pricewise as a TE or a VS for spinning. IF I could afford one I would probably get a VS for serious spinning. UNtil then, probably sometime around 2019, I'll be sticking with my sub $200 reels and for spinning, I might trick out a few 706 Penns (I have some ideas in mind :hihi: ).

BUT we all have our spending "things". We all probably spend more on fishing stuff than we really need and we all complain we still don't have enough. I do know some sharpies that were fishing VS since they first camw out and they swore by them then and they swear by them now. And status has nothing to do with it. Being able to get consistently dunked and banged around with lots of drag screamers in between is why they like them.

Anyone want to get into the 706ZX Reconditioning Biz :D ??

Oh yeh, Hey Flap - I guess most people don't use conventionals up your way (at least levelwind ones) because getting sand in the worm, etc. You can also fish lighter lines and use smaller reels. The sharpies getting away with 5500SS reals and the like up there could be undergunned down in RI/Block/LI. Structure (read obstacles) is different and IMO requires an upgrade in gear. Tuned up 6500 Abus is really the bottom on conventional gear and it goes up with the occasional squidder, Abu 7000s, Calcuttas, 965/975 and on the spinners, 704/6, 6500SS is usually the baseline.

Anyone want to get into the 706ZX Reconditioning Biz ??

YES!!! Talk to me baby, I'm thinking of starting a reel repair shop, might as well fix tackle.

No John, we use 'em. Lately though the mid priced spinning reels have been of such good quality and rugged enough to handle most situations and plug sizes that a conventional reel and rod has taken a back seat. As a matter of fact on my way home today I am stopping at a local shop to pick up a new Cabo conventional with level wind to replace the old Quantum IR420CX for which I cannot get parts for (Specifically the handle assm.) I gave me a good nine years though but I beat the living crap outa it.:D

i don't see any metion of newells. Now THERE are some conventional reels. Gotta know how to cast a conventional but they will stop a Bus

Newells rock...
but I prefer my squidder :smash:

Paul, box is mt

Originally posted by Flaptail
No John, we use 'em. Lately though the mid priced spinning reels have been of such good quality and rugged enough to handle most situations and plug sizes that a conventional reel and rod has taken a back seat. As a matter of fact on my way home today I am stopping at a local shop to pick up a new Cabo conventional with level wind to replace the old Quantum IR420CX for which I cannot get parts for (Specifically the handle assm.) I gave me a good nine years though but I beat the living crap outa it.:D

Hmmmm, how much you want for my 420 Iron? That was actually a very nice, no hassle real - other than ZERO parts availability... I gave up after a couple weeks calling shops for a pawl cap.



Fishpart - we'll talk :D

Anybody look:eyes: :eyes: :eyes: at the Daiwa Saltiga's yet?

I have two and love them so far.................:happy: :happy: :happy: they are actually less (if you know where to look) than the new VS reels.