I'm going to be buying a new Van Stall but can't decide between a 200 and 250. It's mostly for plugging with a 10'6 mojo - 2-6. I've been told that the 200 is plenty of reel and the 250 is just too heavy for this app.

I have never fished either so I was hoping for some feedback from someone who has.

Kind of up to you. Is the 250 lighter than your current reel? For that size (10.5') rod, I'd prefer the 250. Not for the capacity, but for the reel to balance out the outfit. but that's just my opinion.
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I've had both.

I prefer the 250 over the 200.

I have mine on an 11 ft lami, balances it right out.

The weights they list online are not accurate.

I would bring the rod with you and see what feels better to you.

You might also gain distance with the 200 cause of the smaller spool design and lowrider guides on the mojo.

Either way you'll be pumped.

It makes it tough to fish with anything else once you get a VS.

Enjoy!
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200 on an AllStar 1265 balances out nicely for me. Haven't felt undergunned yet. Distance to reelseat will affect balance.

I Would normally say 250 But with the mojo with the low rider guides you maybe better off with the 200 it will cast better.
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So if the heavier 250 only provides the advantage of balance and the 200 has just about the same drag and capacity, would it make sense to add a weighted rod but to make up the difference in weight, if the 200 is a little light?

I would think the weight would be better off being further from the balance point? Especially for working on the top.

250

I love my 200 and have never felt undergunned with it yet. I will be picking up a 250 or 275 soon for my 11' rod. The 200 doesnt balance very well but is perfectly usable.

Same drag in both. I have 150, 200, and 275. Love them all. 200 you will never be undergunned. And with braid capacity is a non issue. Where are you going to be fishing ? I use the 275 when I need higher retrieve rate, at the canal and in the boat for blue fin tuna.

Steve

you can for sure use either

for me, it would be a 250

love my 200. sold 250 and 275.

Same drag in both. I have 150, 200, and 275. Love them all. 200 you will never be undergunned. And with braid capacity is a non issue. Where are you going to be fishing ? I use the 275 when I need higher retrieve rate, at the canal and in the boat for blue fin tuna.

Steve

I hear you on the retrieve rate in the ditch. I live less than a mile and fish it hard. I'm still fishing conventional in the canal and don't have an issue getting back up over the edge with that. I think the retrieve rate on the 200 will not be an issue. If I fish this rig in the canal at all, it would be plugging at daybreak.

This rig will be mostly for fishing heavy plugs in areas with boulders, fast water, close to deep water. Like Cuddy, for example.

I keep hearing that the 250 beats the crap out of the forearm working plugs.

If you're choosing between the two, get the 250. its the same gear casing as the 200 but with a bigger spool. The spool is bigger and line sitting on it will be less convex in shape, giving better casting distance due to less friction when coming off the spool during casting. I wish i got the 250 for better casting distance but i am happy with my vs200 on my 10' mojo.

if you're looking for lightweight reels, a vs isnt your best option, cuz ITS ALL METAL. get something else if you're going to be exclusively fishing the canal and looking for light weight. most canal rats aren't pedaling VS's around, cuz there are better options for casting to the middle of the ditch.

That said, chris is right, Its hard to fish something else once you've fished with the vs because of the smooth action, the simplistic design, ruggedness, and overall tightness of the reel. I love mine, and I would totally kill someone for it. jk..... but really:devil2:

This is what I think and it works for me, 10' & 11' rods VS250
9' VS200

Just go to where you can try both on you rod, karma will tell you which way to go.

This is what I think and it works for me, 10' & 11' rods VS250
9' VS200

agreed...

Whatever feels right to you.People talk about balance but that's bull.Lighter the better as long as your not undergunned.I have the 150,200,250,and 275 and usually use the 250 in the canal.I just got the stella 8000 for casting plugs in the ditch this year,you can never have too many reels.

This is what I think and it works for me, 10' & 11' rods VS250
9' VS200


X3

Trying to work a topwater plug it that whipping current with a reel with a small retrieve is not the best idea. Especially if the plug sinks.
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I have both and the 200 is lighter and better on my shoulder at the end of the season.

250

250...do it

I like the 250, but mainly for the fact that I'll chase tuna sometimes, and the extra line capacity means that I can use the same reel for both species.

I've never felt sore from plugging with it, generally paired on a GSB 1201M. Balances well on my setup.

Only little Tuna,

Had multiple 70" fish on them this past year... but I wouldn't use it for giants, that's for sure!
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I have the 200 on that exact rod. Fished it hard last year in the Canal and everywhere else from Hull to the canal. I was also considering a 250 when I grabbed the 200. I have no complaints at all with the 200 on that rod, but I never tried a 250 on it, so I can't compare the two. I don't think you can really go wrong with either.

Had multiple 70" fish on them this past year... but I wouldn't use it for giants, that's for sure!
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Just curious, how long did it take to get the 70's boatside ?

Have a buddy, who has that Mojo with the 200. Loves it. I own a 250, use it on everything 10' or greater. Either should be good. The 250 may give you a little more versatility on the heavier end, as rods go, but the 200 could be OK on a 9'6" rod.

I swap reels around frequently, as I have way more rods than VS reels. If that is the combo your going to be using mostly, the 200 should be fine.

Just curious, how long did it take to get the 70's boatside ?

I think it all depends on the fish? The one I got this year (69") was hook up to lip gaff in twenty minutes- put the screws to it and came in quick. Definitely seems like an aberration, but have the timestamps on the photos to prove it. The other ones caught on 250's were about an hour and a half, give or take...

But nonetheless, can only keep tuna < 59" anyway, which the 250 can handle... But those early CCB fish this year? I'm going to feel undergunned going out there with one, I can tell you that... Stand up seems much more appropriate

I have the 200 on that exact rod. Fished it hard last year in the Canal and everywhere else from Hull to the canal. I was also considering a 250 when I grabbed the 200. I have no complaints at all with the 200 on that rod, but I never tried a 250 on it, so I can't compare the two. I don't think you can really go wrong with either.

All the feed back is much appreciated!! I went with the 200, only because (don't tell my wife -anybody need a deck built or anything????:devil2:) I plan to pick up a 250 over the winter and pair it with mojo 3-8 oz rod. Then I should be good for all occasions.

I bought a 3" rubber rod butt and filled it with enough split shots to balance out the rod. It now sits level with a 2.5oz plug tied on. It's a little bottom heavy when the plugs in the water which seems to make working the rod a lot easier. I can adjust the amount of weight to balance for the lightest plug up to to the 8oz jigs I sometimes toss in the ditch.

Thanks again for all of the feed back.

That's why I took the vs275 and made it my canal jigging reel and went with a stand up 50 wide tiagra for the tuna , no sense giving them a near death experience when you plan to release them anyway.
I have a funny feeling the 50 may be inadequate soon, Christ this fishing sh$t gets expensive fast.
I may go back to bad women and booze, it's cheaper.