I have been kicking around caring the Van Staal Reels. What are the most popular sizes & Color, which you guys seem to use?

150 in black

250 Black is probably the best all-round.

-WW

250 Black is probably the best all-round

I got a couple new surf reels for this year, if they dont make Im buying some VS250 (black of course)

Are these the $600 a piece reels, that with $35 a year mandatory maintenance for the warranty is around $1000 over 10years.
:yak:

Mike: 250 black. Also, you might want to check out the Daiwa Saltiga Z4500 if you're going into the high $ market

I checked out the Daiwa Saltiga reels at the trade show in SC on the first day. By the third day not one of them was working.
Each reel (3) had the same problem with its top rotor assembly. They each bound up. Now I do not know if they were proto type reels but there is no way that I can that chance. I asked the rep and he was absolutely no help

Hokey smokes! This is not good news. I was hoping to get me hands on one at the MSBA show.

Originally posted by fishsmith
Are these the $600 a piece reels, that with $35 a year mandatory maintenance for the warranty is around $1000 over 10years.
:yak:
ahhh they make a service kit

Originally posted by fishsmith
Are these the $600 a piece reels, that with $35 a year mandatory maintenance for the warranty is around $1000 over 10years.
:yak:

I suppose you could look at it that way.

But...if you're sending your reels to your local tackle shop to be cleaned once a year, you're usually shelling out $15-$20 just for the cleaning (and not knowing what that "cleaning" might entail). If you have parts to replace (drag washers come to mind) that might be another $5-$10. So, that's $20-$30 you'd already be paying to get your average reel cleaned at the shop.

The piece of mind that you get sending the reel directly to the manufacturer to have them address any issues - that's worth $35/year to me alone.

Just my $0.02.

-WW

Originally posted by JPowers
Hokey smokes! This is not good news. I was hoping to get me hands on one at the MSBA show.

The first day I say them I thought they were one of the nicest reels I have seen. So I talked the wife into going back to the booth and ordering them and that’s when :smash:

How much is the service kit? $350 :D

If I had the dough, I'd probably spend it, but for amount of time I use a spinning reel, a Penn 5500ss will be the nicest reel that sits on my rod (and that'll be an upgrade from the 4400 thats on there now.)

jpowers should tell everyone how his VS 250 is his back up reel to his nautil...:eek: (this is not a joke)...:eek:

Methinks the service kit is $79. I think it includes enough material for three servicings.

-WW

JJ18 is correct in that observation. :p It's true. That black 250 only sees the light of day ( or the dark of night) when and if the Nautil fails. The Nautils haven't failed yet. :)

JP also uses his brandy new XRA 1261 as the back-up rod for that $$ yuppy reel....:p :p :p

Yikes! I gotta start hidin' out a little better. :D Saltheart built that rod and unfortunately I haven't done it justice yet with a good workout. This year though, for sure.

Mike what hours you got this weekend? I need some reels :) ,

and to keep you talking so you can't get your work done :D :smash:

Sat 7AM-3PM
Sun 7AM-1PM

150 and 250, I will probably be going over to the dark side for light stuff. A 150 lefty in black is in my future, hopefully this summer. I'll give you plenty of advance notice Mike when I am ready to order it,probably June-ish.

I have the 200 and 250. Here's what they equate to:

VS 300=Luxor/Crack 300
VS 250=Penn 706
VS 200=Penn 704
VS 150=Penn 710
VS 100=Penn 712

I'd say the 300 and 100 would probably get the least amount of play from Cape and Canal guys.

Oh a Van Stall thread :D

I have nothing to say, just wanted to post on this and make it longer. carry on.......

I like reel threads too:rolleyes:
I gotta get a gold reel

I like reel threads too

Ah, he's got ESP when it comes to VS threads;)

Originally posted by Krispy
Ah, he's got ESP when it comes to VS threads;)

I have a red light on my computer that flashes when there's a reel thread.

I'm glad to see that I'm in the company of J Powers. I thought I was the only guy that uses a VS for a Nautil back up. Maybe it'll change over the year, but that's how it is. Someday I hope to be a hero like BM and get some gold ones. Sissy;)

if you can afford them and fish alot,have piece of mind when you do the ride and walk the walk then vs is the reel.just got a 150 which i hope to fish soon.following there customer service posts vs is great and this past year their sales have been up to close to 80%.ask iron mike what brought in the tuna.

Originally posted by Fishaddict
JP also uses his brandy new XRA 1261 as the back-up rod for that $$ yuppy reel....:p :p :p

jp doesn't fish that rod much because the tip actually bends more than 2 inches when hes winching in a fish, unlike his 1209...:p

:D True. I like a pool cue with guides attached.

ask iron mike what brought in the tuna. wrong Mike, that was StriperMike (http://www.stripermike.com) ... Buit right idea, yes it was a VS used to bring an 80# tuna in from the beach. Granted it wasn't a Giany in the Ditch but who's counting...

Hmmm one VS or ........

I'll take one VS.:D

OK you got me :D I would take one that shade as well..:cool:

how you justify one of them to the wife!!!:D

Mr. Macey it is a Stradic. It was easy I got a small bonus from work. So I got the 3 reels in the pic. She got a much bigger bonus so I told her to get herself something nice. :) :happy:

mrs says go get her these things!!!:D stop playing with reels she really wants these!!!

a pocket book! 700.00:smash:

700 clams for a see thru pocket book :smash:

600.00 to 800.00 on a fishing reel are you guys ALLRIGHT!!!! :smash:

I want a VS!!! I'm envious of those who have them...
OK - I've said it...I feel better now :D
It is a lot of money.....but so what? Surfcasting is a cheap hobby. No boat to park, no boat gas to buy.
Many of the best active fishermen I've come across swear by them.
When you couple a VS with a good synthetic line, or a new-generation mono (like Yo-Zuri Hybrid) you really got some stopping power.
Guys can now throw thirty and fourty pound test (and up) with spinning. And if they hook into the fish of lifetime, they don't have to worry about losing the fish due the historical shortcomings of spinning.
I like my Penn, but I've felt how the drag comes off and I'm aware of how much maintainance it requires when I fish hard.

Tattoo at least You know where the nadle is spossed to Be on reels:D
mmmmmm silver

Purty reel alright.

we need some of them on the front of the sand sled
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Don't get me started Dave. I like those nekkid gay reels. :laughs:

I'm still slummin' with black. Besides, I hear bright colored reels spook fish ;)

Mike I thought they attracted bloofish.

I got pics of slip using my VS:D
to be honest O look at the reel as a work horse.
the last thing i need is a rotator cup coming off In the bay while I got a 22 bass on:smash:
my nautil is held together with super glue:D
no digs , Buy what You can afford, when I get reel death I replace with VS when I can get the doe up.
Im digging the silver reel.
wonder if they come in pink for U wee wee:D :smash: :D

how you justify one of them to the wife!!!

Easy, I dont have to. They day that she has to justify buying something she wants or the day I have to is the day we go into counseling. Lot's of people get caught up on money. Money means nothing, it's just a way to get what you want. Iwould rather be dirt poor, healthy and happy....than wealthy any day of the week.

Anybody can find happy by trying to find happiness. I can say that most of the people in the present generation are thinking that true happiness comes from acquiring possession or material wealth etc. In the materialistic society, it is not correct to say that we can find true happiness by obtaining car, money status.

The possession of wealth or money itself isn't happiness. By cultivating positive belief and positive mental states, and prying Almighty in the good environment, one can find happiness. In my view people miss their share of happiness not because they never found it, but because they did not dream to find it. Hence, one can find find happiness by trying to find happiness. Wish you all striper-bass members for finding true happiness in their life.
something about driving down the highway though with my big truck and boat attached still brings a smile too my face.


:D

True happiness is being able to live 5 minutes away from your favorite fishing haunt.

The rest of us malcontents have to drive a few hours...each way.

:D :smash:

his wife wasnt allowed in the first floor apartment he rented!! those are some serious hooks in the front center!! just look at the smile on him!!!!!!:D

:smash: :eek:

True happiness is being able to live 5 minutes away from your favorite fishing haunt.

You mean less than two miles right???? :D :D :D

well Put tattoo but can I see with some money if I like it:D

Oh Ya I busted Slip. He is a closet VS reel lover

Poor , happy and healthy is definitely better than rich and unhappy. Rich , happy and healthy doesn't sound too bad either! :)

Originally posted by Tattoo
You mean less than two miles right???? :D :D :D

Mike, rub it in why don't you? :crying: :wall: