that response by Flaptail stirs many emotions in me. sure, any one can have an opinion, but to insult someone based purely on the reel they fish with, i do not agree with. sure, some people buy VS's for the "status" they see in the reel, but not all. i have tried every spinning reel out there and the VS fits my needs the best. that is why i fish with them.
to say "did the reel make you any better of an angler?", if you really think about it, makes you look just as stupid as someone that owns a VS. if a reel does not affect one's ablity, then why don't we all fish with a soda can wrapped in fishing line?
now don't get me wrong, purely owning a VS does not make you a better fisherman. you still have to know what you are doing. for me, the VS allows me to do what i want, how i want, and be that much more successful.
if you still think a penn would be just as good and survive some of the places i fish, i invite you to join me in may on the CT river.
oh yeah, i do drive an SUV too.
