Yet another Van Staal Question
 

Its probably already been asked but this might be my big present this year for christmas.

I guess I should start with how I fish... 85% boat 15% shore. In the summer when the fish are really there, I'll just drift fresh bait through the rips and it works like magic 75% of the time. In the spring, I use sluggo's, top water plugs and hopefully some habs needles if I can get my hands on some;) Rarely do I toss much over 2.5oz. For rods, i have a St Croix 8'MF but I want to have a three piece to keep in my car and take to hawaii with me in march. I might end up with a 7'6" St Croix as well for that. But I'll get a surf rod at some point.

So I'm trying to decide between the 150 and 200. I also can't decide weather I want a bail or not but I think if I go with a bail, I'm better off with a saltiga since its not really a van staal with the bail.

Does bailess become second nature? I would hate to spend $$$ and not like it...

What do you think?

i had no problem adjusting to the bailess, in fact, when i go back to a reel with a bail, it doesn't feel right. I always flipped my bail manually anyway. It did take some getting used to, but as far as casting and retrieving was concerned that only took me a night or 2 before i had the feel down. the biggest adjustment i had was figuring out the best way to fish the eels. i was used to flipping the bail and letting the fish run and then flipping the bail and letting the circle do its thing. when i went bailess it took me many dropped fish adjusting to how to do it with out a bail....i think i have it down now though.

I think if you only fish 15% from shore, you don't need a VS or Saltiga. Getting used to no bail is pretty easy. Own both VS200 and SaltigaZ4500, and primarily fish the Saltiga now. Only time the VS sees service is if I am getting really wet.

I know that I don't need one... I just want one really bad b/c to be honest, they look so cool. Trust me, I had a friend tell me all weekend that I was crazy for wanting the VS... needless to say, i'm still going to get one.

Your wasting (or your significant other is) your money. A VS from a boat is mispent money. Lots of other lower cost reels that will do the job just as well. But if you really want a VS than go for it but it ain't the reel best suited for the task.

First off we all know I would not own one and cannot ever justify the money for what you get and what it does. It's a hype created, and done very well, by the company (Quantum now)to get you to think you need to have the reel to be the best you can be. Hogwash, there are reels out there that will suffice with the same amount of care.

I have used the them, fished with them and was very happy to hand them back to the owner when done. Close to 700.00 for a reel to fish for Striped bass? I love bass as much if not more than the next guy but even the biggest bass can be caught on tackle that you can buy at Benny's or Wally world.

Flap,

Please refrain from posts like this. This is entirely to well thought out and reasonable.:)

You have now made me feel guilty because I think my wife and brother are getting me a VS200 for Christmas. :angel:

if you're not gonna dunk the reel there's no point in getting a VS.

No kidding... god, your trying to make fisherman sound like they only buy what is absolutely necessary... I mean we would never go out and buy a million plugs when we have a couple we stand by all the time.

I know what you are saying and maybe the saltiga is the way to go... F'it...

No problem here. It will get dunked. I am all surf... unless I am out on Keepereaper's boat. :lasso:

more action from boat I'd say get the shimano's they're nice reels. Take the extra dough and get a charter or something for your old man for fathers day.

unless you're going to dunk it and do all sorts of nasty things with the reel you dont really need a vs. But hey its your dough and you're welcome to do with it as you please :D

:claps: :claps: :claps:

Flap for president !

yep, now you're talking :hihi:

If you can afford a Mercedes, and want one, thgen you'd buy one. Why not get what you want in a fishing reel also. It's all in how much enjoyment you get out of the sport anyway I say, so why not use a reel that is smooth as silk and durable. Naturally alot of other brands and makes will do the job, it's a person's choice what he/she wants to fish with.

I just really enjoy using that piece of equipment. No on needs a Van Staal - hell, use a coke can and string if it that's what your are OK with. It's too late for me to be as good as most folks on this site; and don't believe the VS guarantees you landings, or makes you a better fisherman, and could care less about how it makes one look. It's just so much fun to use, and takes a beating. I feel the same way about my 706. I love using those two reels.

The price - friggin' ouch! Yeah it hurt and I wish there was a competitor that could keep the price in check. I believe someone would have stepped up by now if they felt they could make a go of it in the reel buisness. There's still hope. I've read about folks who are into cooking and dining. They buy special steak knives and what-not to enhance their experience. I'll take the knives from Job Lot, but I know where they are coming from :) (I feel bad for the guys who are into fishing and golf)

everyone who has one has it because they wanted it they new what it was all about I love mine and I would not give it up it's a machine not just a reel I had no problem adjusting to no bail I have a 300 and before that I used a Peen 706 for years I retired and bought the VS for myself it is by far the best surf reel to have :cool: :hihi:

First you should get the reel that matches your rod.... As far as getting used to a manual pick up. I got my first VS this year. I had never used it so I took it to a calm river on a nice evening and took a few whips with it,,,, Took about 30 mins to get used to it,,,,, The next night with new line I was whipping some HABS into a 25 knot wind in the dark,,,,, It truely was enjoyable to fish,,,, later in the fall it took its share of dunkings out on block,,,,,,, Best money I ever spent,,,,,,

That is the reason I want to get one. It is just such a cool piece of machinery.

I went from a 2 year old Quantum Cabo 60 (which performed OK and has a nice drag BUT does not handle braid well) and before that three Shimano Stradics...one dunking and they're GONE ...to a VS 250 this season.

3 HUGE things I noticed w/ the VS:

1) How well it handles Braid. Had maybe one small power pro wind knot since I made the switch!! (And I fish Spooks 70% of the time!)Lays it on perfectly so braid does'nt dig into itself. I don't need to pay constant attention to how braid's getting laid on the spool.

2) Much Improved casting distance. Probably a function of a larger diameter spool AND #1 above

3) My surf gear takes a beating.Dunked numerous times with no change/effect on performance.


I'm glad I got one. Reel is as advertised. And it is a pretty piece of engineering/design. Get the Silver!!!

Flap doesn't fish some of the spots a lot of VS owners do. :spin:

Thats a bold statement that I dont agree with.

The overall durability of the reel is what was appealing to me. It is inevitable though that my reel will get dunked at some point during the night. And the VS shines in this situation. I have owned many other reels in the past, and they just dont seem to hold up. I took great care with them. & bail would not close/drag clicker would stop working/would start to feel very rough during retrieve.

You pay for the simplicity & reliability of a VS in my opinion. No anti reverse buttons, Interchangeable left/right handle features, nothing, Its in my opinion what a reel should be, strictly business.

But if I was only fishing 15% shore. I wouldnt be looking at a VS. The abuse a reel gets on shore is not equal to what it gets on a boat. But to each his own. If you like them & have the money go for it. I like the size of the 200. Just use some common sense when chosing a reel size. Dont let someone else tell you what size you need. Chances are if you are buying a VS, if you think it through, youll know what you need. Compare the VS sizes to what you have used in the past, along with the retrieve rate.

On a sidenote: Reel ownership is always connected with customer service & maintenance. VS is easily contacted & seems to make sure your happy.

the overall durability of a VS is severely wanting in my opinion.

ever scratch that body on a rock?

That is laughable. Say that with some conviction after you've had a VS literally fall apart in your hands while you have a fish on. Happened to me on more than one occasion (VS 150B, VS 300G).

IMO the drag system needs to be improved. Herky jerky.

Also, have you taken a close look at the line-winding on your VS spool? See the belly? So much for reliability.

If you want simplicity and reliability, you can get a whole lot more bang for your buck with a Penn 706Z.

And the reel wars begin....


So if you do dunk your reel....Your still advising against buying a VS?

If you want the reel and you feel good about using it, you get a positive feeling when having it, bottom line if you can afford it then go for it, it's all about the joy of being out there and what makes you feel good. it is a piece of equipment I wouldn't fish with out. who cares what anyone opinions are

I went with a Saltiga for now, I couldn't say no to the price and now I have a GREAT reel with a bail.

Now in Feb I am going to make the decision between a ZeeBaas or the VS150...

Oh and compared to a penn z series, The VS is like a virgin, and the penn is a sloppy whore on payday

No, I did not say that.

I am saying that while the VS reel is amongst a handful of reels that are suited to a particular application (really wet fishing), it is far from perfect and has a number of features that need to be improved to justify a $700 initial investment.

We have these reel wars all the time. Is it worth it? Isn't it worth it?
Too much money? blaha blah blah...
I think we should all admit that a VS is a Surfcasting status symbol, even if that is just for yourself and your own enjoyment.
The high-end will always have a market because people like to think they have the best thing available. simple as that.
Bob's right, who cares if it is worth the money or whatever the hell we want to argue about, if you like it, go for it, it is what it is.

Get the VS 200. We'll be the pride of the Sugar Bowl in Southie.:laugha:

:happy: