I agree with Mac. I put my VS250 through absolute hell. I use the rod as a wading staff and the VS is underwater half the time. I have fallen on it. I fish impossible places on th Narragansett shore. Wade out to submerged bars, fish Deep Hole, Carpenters, Napatree and a ton of other places. Other than one problem which was a faulty seal that VS put in during the maintenance in Dec of last year, I have had ZERO problems.
I have fished penn 704s and 706s for 30 years and they are good reels. Almost bullet proof. But I have had problems with them like everyone else that fishes in the surf 100+ night s a year. Bail springs broke (until I converted the 704 to bailess) dog springs broke. Drag washers froze unless you cleaned them every couple of trips. Drop it in the sand and you are screwed. Got to take it apart.
That being said, I think it comes down to what you can afford or what you feel comfortable spending. After 40+ years in the surf I felt I wanted to fish with a VS. To each his or hers own. JMO
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