I've finally decided to stop messing around and pull the trigger on buying a Van Staal.:humpty: This will be the primary reel for a 1201m which I am currently having built. I know alot of you guys have this blank and I just wanted to hear a few opinions as to what size VS you like best wih it.
Thanks in advance.:wave:

250 - no Need to settle yourself short with the 200 - sized right for large bass

i use both a 250 and a 200 on it. both are comfortable. i think it comes down to personal preference. the 200 is alittle more versatile IMO and can work well on a 9' rod or a lighter 10', like the 1201L. The 250 kind of goes the other way and works well on an 11' or heavier 10'. I usually use the 250 on my glass 10'.

i'd lean towards making the decision based on versatility, unless your only planning on using it on the 1201m.

i use both a 250 and a 200 on it. both are comfortable. i think it comes down to personal preference. the 200 is alittle more versatile IMO and can work well on a 9' rod or a lighter 10', like the 1201L. The 250 kind of goes the other way and works well on an 11' or heavier 10'. I usually use the 250 on my glass 10'.

i'd lean towards making the decision based on versatility, unless your only planning on using it on the 1201m.

Exactly. I use the VS200 on my 1201M and it is great. I will also throw it on any of my 9 footers and it is just as good. I think the versatility of the 200 is tough to beat. (although the 250 and 275 are incredible reels in their own right).

i use both a 250 and a 200 on it. both are comfortable. i think it comes down to personal preference. the 200 is alittle more versatile IMO and can work well on a 9' rod or a lighter 10', like the 1201L. The 250 kind of goes the other way and works well on an 11' or heavier 10'. I usually use the 250 on my glass 10'.

i'd lean towards making the decision based on versatility, unless your only planning on using it on the 1201m.

So you dont feel that you've really been under-gunned while using the 200 on the 1201m as far as line capacity goes?

So you dont feel that you've really been under-gunned while using the 200 on the 1201m as far as line capacity goes?
The 200 still holds quite a bit of line, and so many people fish braid which is practically limitless.

I use an older 250 on my 1201m.

-spence

Comes down to personal preference. Since I spent many years with a Crack 300 on an 11' Lami glass rod, I feel more comfortable with a 250 on my 1201M. I'm sure had I been used to a lighter setup I might have opted for the 200. For me, my 200 goes on my 9' ARRA.

Most fishermen would never need more than 150 yards on a reel,especially from the surf. The line capacity on the VS far exceeds the amount you will realistically use. Get the 250 for that setup,but if you wish to switch it around on smaller sticks get the 200.

So you dont feel that you've really been under-gunned while using the 200 on the 1201m as far as line capacity goes?

If 300 yards of 20# Fireline, with mono backing, isn't enough, I don't know what to tell you, except I hope you have a Federal tuna permit if you land what you're worried might spool ya ;)

The 200 is the same size as a Penn 704 and it actually holds a bit more line, and I've landed several bass over 40# on my 704. Using 20# mono. The VS 200 will hold 250+ yards of 20# mono. The only way you'd ever get spooled, even in current, is if you foul hook one.

Keep in mind that McReynolds caught the world record on an even smaller 710.

i started w/ a 200 on my 1201 but switched to a 250 & like it much better.

i use a 1201 m w/ 4" cut off the butt

a 200 pairs up very nice with this

I fish a 200 on my 1201 m spooled w/ 20# mono.If a bass can spool me,she can have it,don't want it back.I'd die of anxity before I could get it all back.:laughs:anyways I switch back and forth w/ a 9' so I grabbed a 200 otherwise I would of went w/ the 250 just a better fitted size for that rod.

I think people spend too much time worrying about this. My original VS was a 250. When I was looking for a second one, I bought into the "versatility" argument and purchased a 200 for all of the reasons people have cited here. You know what? In a dark room, I can't tell you the difference between the two reels, and the only way I can tell the difference at a glance is that my 250 has the original black line roller, and the 200 has the titanium one. Tell the difference on a rod in the dark? Nope. If I had it to do all over again, I would have bought the 150 and not the 200, especially now that I use braid for 90% of my fishing.

If you can tell a half ounce difference in weight, and a 1/4" difference in spool diameter in the dark, my hat's off to ya :cheers:

I use the 200 on both the 1201M and the 1201L...for me, it's plenty big enough.

Lots of good responses . thanks guys.

I use a 250 on my 1201m, perfect fit and balances nice, but I am sure a 200 would work to, I just like my 200 on a 9 foot rod

i use a 1201 m w/ 4" cut off the butt

a 200 pairs up very nice with this

5" cut off here.
250 balances nice too...

Pat, 250 is a perfect match.

Pat take the rod with you and try each before you buy.
But don't make your decision based on line cap. only .
Good Luck and Good Fishin!!!

5" cut off here.
Sounds more like an excuse, is that what you told her when you came up short? :)

-spence

I'd make a joke about what your wife said, but thats beneath me.

if you fish braid 200 if mono 250

I'd make a joke about what your wife said, but thats beneath me.
At least it wasn't She that was beneath you. And I'd know because she rarely, and I mean rarely laughs.

-spence

Make sure you color coordinate your reel and rod wraps, it greatly increases your odds at catching a cow

Make sure you color coordinate your reel and rod wraps, it greatly increases your odds at catching a cow

This is a big purchase, just want to make sure I get the right thing the first time....:fishslap:

Don't laught, I had a 1201L wrapped in sliver and blue to match an Abu Chrome Rocket and Back Country mono. It looked wicked cool.

Sold the rod to Nebe for 20% profit :smokin:

-spence

Make sure you color coordinate your reel and rod wraps, it greatly increases your odds at catching a cow

I thought I was the only one that knew about that

250 would be the perfect size for sure.

This is a big purchase, just want to make sure I get the right thing the first time....:fishslap:

I think like I said above the 250 is the perfect match, you can use it on 9, 10, and 11 foot rods

I think like I said above the 250 is the perfect match, you can use it on 9, 10, and 11 foot rods


I'd say the same of the 200...

The 200 is the optimum size for that rod.

Well guys, I thank you all once again. Today I picked up a brand spankin new VS200 from Rivers End. This is a milestone for someone who has been a die-hard Penn user. I just hope it turns out to be all they say it is.....

Congratulations Pat. Best of luck. You are the future of the sport. Great that young guys are gearing up. You are a good kid. I mean young man.

Good luck with it, now all you have to do is wait till spring

Pat the way and amount you fish it was a no brainer. :smash:
Good Luck with it!!

Pat congratulations. The 200 we handle what ever comes your way. If you want a 108M next, the 200 is a great fit. Now only if that 1201m blank would only come in!!