I have fished with a Van Staal--- very impressed!
I have not fished with a conventional yet (hoping to start sometime this season).

I know the Van Stall is a very strong reel and has one of the best drag systems for spinning reels. But, conventional reels are praised for the same feature: strength and good drag system.

So, my question is: (Keeping the VS waterproof feature aside) how does the VS drag system compare to the drag system of conventional reels? Side by side, which has the superior drag system?

PS

Forgive the misspelling in the title; the forum software does not permit editing of the title once the topics is posted. :-(

The Avet drag just because of its sheer size is better than the VS drag and will be smoother on longer/faster runs.

not all conventional reels have great drag systems. Abu garcia reels are pretty crappy if you ask me.


Avets on the other hand will stop a tug boat..

What's the application? Could make the question a moot one...

-spence

Shimano Calcutta Conquest 400 (JDM) also has a larger than normal drag in it.

But they're aiming at the GT/Dogtooth market in Japan with their Calcuttas.

And with Terry Nugent, we proved that a Penn Slammer 560 can stop a 100lb tuna. :hihi:
Oh no! Chinese made reel! Such poop!

For the most part conventionals offer more stopping power but for most applications a spinning reel is fine and it will get the job done.

Not all convench drags are equal,It seem's most who buy Abu's all mod them.Avets are known for there great drag & not to mention Accurate reels have drags on both side of the spool which applies evenly displaced drag.

I think it's apples to oranges there both too
(Spinn/Convench)different spool placement systems,line retrievement & braking.

VS,StCroix,Fin-Nor & Shimano have thier own individualized pro's ect.WPD,dartium washsers,wider washers they all are on the right track & prolly have the best drag systems for spinning.

Tried again to fish a high end heavy spinning outfit this year (ZB25/SSU120MH, built with titanium guides to minimize weight). The drop off in sensitivity when compared to a conventional outfit (400TE/1205) is shocking. If you want to fish large plugs well, and enjoy doing it......then unless distance, retrieve speed, or water immersion are your primary concerns, conventional tackle is worth mastering. The drags on any decent reel can be tweaked to handle any bass you are likely to hook.

you cant compare the two and both have their uses.

I love my avets and abus, but I wouldnt swim 200yds to a rock with them then expect them to function with the side plates full of water.

Youre asking an apples to oranges question.

Thank you all for your feedback.

First I agree that a VS and Conventional reel have their specific application. In fact, over time, I may just own both. But, the particular application or type of fishing that I do is casting big plugs and chunk bait/sea worms on ff rigs from the surf.

I do not so swimming to distant rocks or go skishing (sp?), so the water tight drag feature of VS (all thought a great feature) is not critical for me. As I get older, the "Fearless Factor" decreases. (But, there was a time...as the story goes.)

I did not know that Abus had such weak drags.
The only thing about the Avets is that they do not have a level wind; but, with some practice, I guess I can master laying down the line evenly on the spool.

For casting big plugs and bait rigs from the surf on a 10ft rod, what Avet models would you recommend?

Thank you again.

SX

If you're comfortable with a conventional and are throwing big plugs and bait from the sand, I'd consider a tricked out Abu over an Avet.

Check out http://www.hatterasoutfitters.com/

-spence

look into a levelwind abu for plugs etc instead of the avet. Yeah the avet will make more drag out of the box and even more if you tinker with the bellville(sp) configuration but you dont need it.

Go with the abu and if you have any drag issues just upgrade the drags. With the avet its not just the no level wind you have to get used to... Youve got to get used to the lever drag as well..


while plugging then hooking a fish:

abu= patting your head and rubbing your belly

avet = patting your head, rubbing your belly, on rollerskates chewing gum.

look into a levelwind abu for plugs etc instead of the avet. Yeah the avet will make more drag out of the box and even more if you tinker with the bellville(sp) configuration but you dont need it.

And not reccomended.
You start flexing the frame when you get way up. :shocked:

All the new Abus have great drags with the factory carbontex drag washers.

Abu 6500 is a great surf reel with a smooth drag. The 7000 has a better drag but is a little big in the surf in my opinion. The Shimano 400 B is THE best REEL for the surf according to #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& however.

steve, Rosepointbass, likwid, ThrowingTimber, spence, numbskull, 5/0, Nebe, and chunk...THANK YOU again for the insightful information.

You really helped me make an informed decision.
A long story short, I picked up an Abu Garcia7000IC3 because...

1. Level-wind
2. Carbon Matrix Drag system
2. Large handle and knob
3. large capacity (17lb test/325 yrds)
4. The two break systems that allow tuning of the reel speed during casting.
5. I can customize or modify it with upgrade kits (as required)--- to be candid, I will use it as is for a while to learn it first and then look into "super-charging it"

And lastly, because at $100.00 (i.e. $150.00 - $50.00 BassPro Shop gift certificate) out of pocket for my first conventional reel, it was a great value.

I spooled up with some mono and did some small casts in a thickly settled district (I made sure my 2 oz sinker did not exceed 35 mph)...and reel feels AWESOME! I cannot wait until I hit the surf.
To be honest, I feel like I just converted to the dark side.

Tight lines.

-Fish360

Good choice. Enjoy the learning curve. Get a stainless crochet needle and load up with a good braid - you are good to go!
One bit of advice, you are not casting a spinning reel- stay smooooth and you will be amazed at the ease of casting.

I tried for two years to learn a convench but it wasn't worth it. I'll still use one for bait or jigs, but never for eels or plugs.

I do love my Calcutta 400 TE. On an All-Star 1088 it's so light and so strong...

-spence