those look like fine
 

jewlery, something the boys from new bedford wear on chains :D

i used to be a VS basher. i thought things like "why would anyone pay that for a reel?" "i never had any problems with my penns not handling fish!" but, then i did start to fall a little short with my "cheapo" penns. if you are looking to do to a reel, what the VS is designed for, then it is worth it. it isn't a status symbol, but an appreciation of the quality and capability of a well crafted fishing tool. will using a VS make you outfish others? probably not. but it will allow you to do some things that are unthinkable with other reels. just my reasoning.....

Sounds like these reels are pretty durable.

I wonder how much maintenance they need?

I would imagine that it wouldn't be too high maintenance with the simplicity of it's design...

as with all of my reels, i rinse them off with slowly running water after each use. that is about all they need. you do have to send them in for a yearly service, about $36, which keeps the warantee up to date. the service includes drag washers, full breakdown and cleaning, and a few other things i can't remember off hand. well worth the effort. i figure i used to spend a good $35 per year on the penns between grease, washers, etc..

The "reel maintenance thing" should help a few of us to save some $ this year...

:smash:

BM,

Mind if I clean up and haul away some of that junk for you?:rolleyes:

sure, i got more but they be on rods if You can believe that:eek:
every think has a place and time.
can never have to many reels or rods

I have had issues with the price and probably wouldn't do it myself (that's 2 Calcuttas!) but if I were a spin fisherman, I would seriously consider it. Steve McKenna has been using those since year one and he's had a bunch since I first met him (hence the Tim C nickname of Stevie Van Stall). I also know how he fishes and a lot of other reels wouldn't stand up to it for long.

If you can afford to swing it, consider it. If you can't, carry a spare bailless Z with you. I always carry a spare Calcutta or MagE with me too.

Hey VSRick - what ever happened to that rumored VS Conventional - need a field tester wink-wink nudge-nudge :D ?

Your friendly neighborhood fishing website owner / operator :btu:

John every reel I buy now is VS
You get what You pay for and I kill gear:smash:

a VS conventional would be a wonderful thing!:D

I was never much a spinning advocate myself...

I may consider a Calcutta, or other performance conventional this season.

I do like the ABU reels though...

Im sure If VS made a conv reel it would Be smooth.
I wonder if they would balance the spool (hint)

I hope that VS does eventually produce conventional!

I'm sure that it would be an extremely smooth reel.

Imagine a conventional reel with an extemely balanced spool that is literally suspended by miniature superconductor magnets...

Something like that could revolutionize the long cast!...

I'm also guilty of being a VS basher. Its ok to dishout $600 for a shot gun that gets used two weeks in the fall....verse a $450 on a reel fished atleast 6 months of the year."if you fish" then there are those who have VS's just to support their reputation or just because they can afford it. I currently don't own one yet, if you take your passion seriously and fish alot in the surf , not on the edge, then I think its a wise investment.

Im not into the stat thing, I blow up stuff and B sick of it.
thats why I use them things.

Some thoughts on savings some pennies if you want a VS:

You might want to consider getting a used first-generation VS reel. I see them popping up for around $300+ or so.

Then send 'em to the factory for an annual servicing (unless this has already been done) for an extra $40.

OK, before this thing turns into a complete waste of time.....

Anyone else have any experience with these long cast reels?

At the moment the peanut gallery has responeded told us that it doesnt like to get dunked and is easy to fix.

Is it worth the $$ or is there a better mousetrap?

Mike-

They cast great. They fight great.

They don't like to be dunked - the drags get awful sticky after a few splashes.

They are a good value for the money - if you don't plan on dunking them.

One thing I found when disassembling them ... the rotor (and most of the body) is made of plastic, some of it very thin in certain places. Easy to crack. This is NOT an issue when fishing...just when you're trying to take apart the reel to clean it.

I like the reel's performance, I just wish it could be made dunk-worthy.

-WW

Mike whats wrong with the naut 7500,worked ok for me last yr and it likes to swim.And mikecc has for 130 now.:D

MIlo, didnt know Nautil was one of those long spool setups.

I know its not as long as the one your talkin about but its not that bad

A few observations:

Spinning-reel casting distance is largely a function of large spool diameter coupled with small line diameter. VSs have comparativlely wide spools (compared to other reels of equal overall size) and so can allow good distance with fine-diameter line (e.g., 14# Fireline). Similarly, the old Penn 706 has a very wide spool and could be considered a distance-spinning reel. The Daiwa Emblems have huge spools and are probably the best as long as distance is the PRIMARY consideration. I have and use all of these. "Course if you really want to cast to the horizon, you'd wanna look at one of those Alvey thingies--the widest spool of all--which I haven't tried, but look like fun! Hope that's in some ways helpful.....:) --OJ

well dont you know you cant compare guns and reels....SHEESH! two totally different things...;)

...OldJohn, the line diameter I agree with, but I personally think it's the spool's height, not diameter that increases distance. The diameter increases the line volume, but the height of the spool makes it easier to allow the line to come off. Actually with a large diameter and not enough line, your killing your distance.

IMO-

...the line has less resistance with a longer spool as opposed to a wider one.

Bloo, I agree with your theory.

The tall boys always go down faster than those little 7oz mini cans.

Must be less friction.:smash: :happy:

Hey Tattoo,

I have both reels (Emblem and VS reels) and used it with my favorite Lami. 1322. If you are just looking to get maximum distance with a spinning reel – You should get the Emblem hands down because it is designed for distance casting - but I do caution you with this… The Emblems are NOT a fighting machine like the VS 250 / or 300 and if by any chance it gets dunked… Guess what? Party is over! The Emblem drags are very temperamental and the first thing to go. It will be destroyed in no time (it happened to mine) and IMHO, it lacks the required torque (due to design and high speed ratio) to subdue a quality fish!

Now, I have several VS and I am content with it! The 250 or 300 are great casting machines if you do the following. Use thin braid, fill line to the spool’s rim, before casting - turn the handle until spool is extended out of the cup, make sure to use ample topshot/shocker and you are good to go! With those simple adjustments, you will be amazed how far you can cast! The beauty of it all… You have a distance casting machine with enough muscle to control big fish! And the best part of it all… It’s okay to dunk it!

With this in mind, I will tell you a related story, my friend Arra and I were at the canal… He’s using his conventional and I had my 250 and his Sig. 1322 series rod. We are side to side casting major distance and culling fish. One point there were fish past the ¾ of the canal… I punched a cast with all I’ve got and it got Ron’s attention. He said… “Wow, that’s some cast Al… and is that my rod?” I said… “Absolutely Ron… I love the rod and I also did some minor adjustments to the outfit.” ;)

Hope this helps.

“Crazy” Alberto

Tattoo: I've got three Daiwa Emblems X5000T's. They cast a mile - farther than any other reel I've used. However, they have no IAR and that's a huge problem for me especially when throwin' jigs. The damn reel handle/cranks bang back against the shaft very badly. Causes problems in the long run ( about 25 hours worth of this banging and that's it - Repair job). I also would be very hesitant to get it soaked - a little to fragile for too much abuse.

check yopur pm's jenn:af:

ink-man, do me a favor. either buy another vs and throw braid on it or buy one of longer casting conventional reels, such as a 6500mag or penn 525. you buy one of those other reels and i'll see you on this board bashing it in 2 months or less of fishing. we know how we punnish our tackle where we fish. and, if the wind is honking in your teeth, why aren't you casting at your feet!

vs was working on a prototype conventional reel before the new owners took it over. not sure where that stands. if you think a vs spinner is expensive, wait for that conventional!