Can't wait to hit the lottery so I can get one!!!!

What Sea Danges said.

I just drop the rod tip from 12 O'clock to 9 o'clock and count to 5. Never had a problem hooking fish with live eels using this method. I use a 10 foot rod. I think that you need to wait a little longer with a shorter rod just because of the physics involved.

I fish a VS 250 but before I got it I used converted 704s. I agree that you do need to look down at the roller on the 704s as the geometry of the roller is slightly different. I never need to look down with the VS and I fish exclusivly in the dark. It just becomes second nature to put the line on the roller.

right hand retrieve ?
 

Does anyone know if or when they are going to make these with right hand retrieve, or, if they make any model with right hand retrieve ?

I have seen the VS250, Right hand retrieve, on Ebay so they must have made them.

"Have" is the proper tense. I don't think they're making them anymore. There was talk about doing away with the "lefty" right hand retrieve reels a ways back so I doubt they're going to offer the bailed reel in that configuration, but you never know.

Unless a shop somewhere is sitting on one from way back ebay is the only option for a bailess "lefty".

I recently got a VS250B for my B-Day from the wife and when they sent it to her the first time they sent the "lefty" version so she had to return it so I know of at least one shop that probably has one in stock. PM me if you want the name of the shop (not a sponsor here).

i'v been fishing bail less for 5 yrs. and never had a problem w/ line twist or wind knots the little i do use a bail i always have to look down to make sure my line is fine. vs is doing what they have to so they can appeal to everyone (left handed,right handed,fly fisher,bail,nobail) i perfur bail less and never had a situation that made me want one.as for as drifting an ell at the breachways i'v never been hit on the drift.

The Van Staal web site still lists the left hand reels .

I was thinking more about freespooling in the current...

Held one of these today, very light, bail isn't automatic, you must close it manually, doesn't snap shut when you crank, nice skirt on the spool, knob and handle, is the biggest improvement, second would be the anti reverse feels tighter..
very smooth, and very light, think it weighed meybe 12 ounces tops, with a full spool of braid.
I think they will sell a ton of these... hope they put that knob and handle on the other ones, for you guys that buy 'em.

You'll get more "sand lock-up" on the skirted spool than on the internal spool because of the amount of surface between the spool & the rotor.IMO looks like a better boat reel than a surf reel.

Unless you jam at least an 1/8" diameter rock in there I wouldn't worry about it. Sand won't phase it, there's plenty of room. It's designed to rinse down easily just like the original.

ok,hard to tell from the photos.A buddy was telling me about a guy testing the 150 on an Arra 1204,said it was nice match on the 10'er.What's your opinion?

What's the weight?

-spence

3/4 to 2 1/2 oz.

No, of the reel silly :usd:

-spence

vs bailed
 

I've been using a vs 300 bailess since 1995 or there about. Been thru all the problems and uprades and gave the 3 or 4 different owners of the company alot of input. I was apprenhensive about the bailess thing at first but quickly addapted to it. My personal feeling is if you need a bail you don't need to fish a vs. The vs is made to go in the water and the only thing a bail can do is get in the way ( especially when you're using the stick for a walking pole or a pushing pole as you're swimming). On the other hand if it increases sales and makes the company more stable more power to them. A bailed vesion will last it's owner a life time, they do take an awful lot of abuse. All three of my 300's look like they get exactly what they are built for. and I want to see vs around for a long time to come. Before that reel I was down to taking spare parts with me when I went out especially if I was a ways from my vehicle. I don't think I even rinsed them of more than twice this year and fished them very hard all season in the water every night at one point or anothor, including last night, burrrrrrrrrrrr it was cold out there.

It might be a perfect match. I'm even using it on a 1205. The VSB150 weighs in at 16.9oz, and a bailess VS200 weighs 18oz so it makes sense that a bailed VS150 would feel "right" on a 10ft stick.

Those are the best looking Van Staals. Scratched, scuffed, and missing some anodizing. Maybe even a little white corrosion on the aluminum. :btu:

Oh sorry, the VSB100 15.5 OZ.
The VSB150 16.9 OZ.

I'll stick with the bailess, and await the alleged AVET spinning reels for 2006.

maybe someday ill be able to aford anything other than my 704z:)