For years I've fished the beaches without having to get "wet" to do it. However, the last few years I've fished a few spots that require suiting up tight and getting into water of waist to chest deep with the occasional rollers. There is no way to keep my reel dry in these conditions. I've been using a Shimano Stradic and, believe me, it doesn't like to get dunked. I have to completely open the reel up and clean it after every trip.

So, short of spending $650 on a Van Staal 150, can anyone recommend a reel that doesn't mind getting a good "bath" now and then?

Thanks for any advice!

my opinion, you either pay the piper or do the maintenance.
My nautil gets wet and I just rinse it off but they aren't made anymore i think.
My Saltiga does well but sand can cause trouble from what I hear.
Stella is even more of a boat reel I guess
Van Stall or Zbass if you can deal with them.

Penn 704/706.

Still gotta break it down but with the simplicity of parts but this is an easy task.

How much is your time worth? Yes 704 or 706 well take a dunking, but they then require you to really spend some time between sessions on maintenance. VS costs more, but are as bullet proof as is now available.
For me, I found that the time and yes even the cost of replacing parts on a regular basis was not worth the it. I bit the bullet and got a VS. Do not regret it for a second.

Im gonna have to seccond the penn 704 stupid simple, to break down mine goes swimming all of the time. Doesnt get washed out all of the time tho:angel:

:devil:VS is the only one that will take the abuse. I wish there was a conventional that would stand up to dunking and sand.

I have 3 704zs that I abuse the heck outa, service them once a year. under water in sand over water, no complaints...

7500 Nautil ,, the grey one .. fished it 4 yrs. now .. wet every trip out ,, never took it apart.. spray it down with wd 40 after every use when possible . I've considered these reels throw aways but kinda amazed at the abuse they take ..

for all the complaining I hear about penns, I gotta say they take abuse. mine don't get dunked on every outing, but they get completely soaked by waves on pretty much every outing, all I do is rinse them with fresh water and then spray them with that penn anti-corrosive stuff that they sell. I have a slammer and a 6500ss

VS is the way to go. Even though it is an upfront investment, over the life time of the reel vs. time/parts/other reels that will be purchased, it is well worth it.

704Z converted to manual pickup or 706Z right out of the box. Fished both for a lot of years till I got a VS and they were great. A little cleaning of the drag washers and you should be all set. Carry an extra dog spring.

Thanks for the responses! I guess I'll just have to (gulp) bite the bullet and get the VS. Maybe my wife won't notice the drop in the checking account :)

First year fishing the VS and the first time you fish a spot that requires you to spend an extended period of time in the water you will realize it was worth every penny. Dunk it to walk, dunk it to change plugs and if you get any sand in it dunk it some more.