Distance Setups
 

Boys and girls, I'm looking for some input on some of those long cast reels out on the market. You know the Daiwa Emblem and such. How do they stand up to abuse, etc etc etc. ?

Plan on strapping one of these things to an Arra 1322 for distance in certain areas.

So lets here the good, bad, and ugly....

personally i think they are ugly! try a VS300 with braid if you want distance!

I'm GOOD.......your the BAD & the UGLY!! :D


...I don't own an Emblem, but have always found my Daiwa's easy to maintain, and VERY durable. . . a value for the $$.

MilkMan, I cant reel with that hand!!!!

Where's those guys that can cast across the canal????

the only bad thing i've heard/read is that they don't like to be dunked...

Mike-

Daiwa Emblem-X 5500A would be perfect for the XSRA 132-2.

I think that's the reel that Ron Arra uses.

JJ is right - they don't like to be dunked but they are a sweet reel for distance.

-Ben

No conventional me bub? What does Iron Skillet use - VS Right? You a southpaw?

Hey Boss,

Some days when the wind is in your face and you need to launch that plug right over the begining of the reef conventionals are more trouble than they are worth.

Mr. Money bags fishes VS. He bought 4 on Saturday.....makes a total of (5) 300's now....plus who knows what else. I'll have to take a picture of them all one day.

Signed,

the OTHER hand

P.S. There are no fish on the reef so dont even bother trying.

:D

Yeh - I'm building a rod for my wife - spinning (just in case :D )

What's the current tag on them VS badboys?...

yeah them vs 300 silvers how much ?

The black and gold are both $579 for the VS 300. Silvers cost extra, I hear.

ouch !!!! Thanks Mike !

Are these reels all that they are said to be?...

Just got my silver 250 lefty , so I will let you know in 9 months if the silver catches more fish or not.:smash:

YES!!!! a word of warning: once you fish one you will not go back to your old reels!

FIVE?!?! :eek:

You should see the IRON MANS VS 400 LOOKS like it belongs on CJ for a winch.............

Mike I gut one of them reels, I aint dunked it but it has green crap on the gold parts. I got the reel on a 1204 its ok.
U will like the 250, it can stop a mack truck.
Oh Ya , Ya killin Me

I fish the Canal with a long distance casting guy. I've watched him keep pace with the master himself - Ron Arra. I fished with some of the other long distance guys as well. These guys are easily hitting the 100 yard mark or beyond. They all seem to have one thing in common... Ron Arra 11' 6" conventionals with the newell 225 or 229. Most of them spool berkley big game 20 or 25lb test clear mono. This year will be my fourth fishing with these guys. I am still an apprentice. I use the abu 7000 with level wind. I tend to fall, on average, 20 yards shy of their casts. Most of us are throwing the 3 1/2 ounce gibbs or yozuri lures. Hope that helps with your quest for distance.

You should see Slip throw with a spinner:eek:

I dont doubt their quality...but for 600 smack a roos.....well there are a LOT of things I could do with that cash! (like go fishing...instead of working to pay for it!!) to rich for my blood!

as for distance...yeah I suppose theres a time and place....but for the most part(and I think a lot of people would agree) its highly overrated

Jenn,

..the "STELLA" by Shimano averages around $600 too...:hs:

...but these reels GUARANTEE fish in the fine print. :smash:

yepper!....or you can spend 150-200 for something (well I consider ) decent, take a four day weekend fishing my favorite place and still have $$left to pay a bill or two!!;)

when yer always broke...you have to make priorities.....and I would rather be able to fish than to have a $1000 set up I couldnt use...:rolleyes:

...sounds more like a status symbol than anything else..:confused:

:smash: (5) of them ?? OVERKILL......NO?? :smash:

.....you mean he wouldn't have landed that 50 on something else??...


...to each his own.

its not how much you paid for your toys....its HOW YOU USE THEM that counts!!!:eek: ;)

...I know how to use my toy(s)...

:topic:

:humpty: :smokin: :heybaby: :doh:

http://www.vanstaal.com/images/Spinn...300_FS_400.gif


....I'm not doubting their performance.....its just with a recent dirt purchase...I'll be doing this for a long time....
:rolleyes:

Bloo,

Some people collect cars, other lures...this guys collects VS's. :smash:

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: