New Van Staal Reels

[Circlehook]

Has anyone seen one of the new VM series reels? Starting at $399?

Just curious.

[tattoobob]

Yes they seem pretty nice, I want to buy one for kayak fishing

[Mike P]

Right now, there's only one size in the series--the 150. I saw one at Red Top. It appears to be a good reel, and better than anything else in its price range. It has a sealed body and sealed drag. The only drawback is that it has an automatic bail, and no rotor bake, but, the gears are very tight so the handle shouldn't spin very much, if at all, on the cast.

I would buy one in a heartbeat over the $650 new Penn Torque of similar size.

[O.D. Mike]

Anyone have any pics? Can't seem to find any.....

[tattoobob]

Here you go Mike

Van Staal: No Limitations. Official Site of the World's Toughest Tackle.

[chefchris401]

I got to play with one at swe that they had as a demo.

The reel is sweet, feels like all their other stuff.

They should be offering the bailless set up by spring.

I think it's probably more water tight than their saying. I want to put one to the test.

At 399 it's a great deal.

I think the demo is still there too.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[basswipe]

I'm also curious about this reel.This falls into the doable price range for me.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by chefchris401

I got to play with one at swe that they had as a demo.

The reel is sweet, feels like all their other stuff.

They should be offering the bailless set up by spring.

I think it's probably more water tight than their saying. I want to put one to the test.

At 399 it's a great deal.

I think the demo is still there too.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I've seen the production model at Red Top, and someone posted pictures of it partially disassembled on SOL.

The drag and body are completely sealed. If you look closely at the VS website, they don't even represent their top end reels as being "waterproof". Neither does Zee Baas.

[tattoobob]

When I last talked to Craig he told me that they would be out two weeks before Christmas. I wanted to buy one for my son I guess he will have to wait for his birthday in march now

[luds]

I'm interested in this reel but looking at how scratched and banged up my vs reels become in no time it's hard not to think of getting a used higher end vs at nearly the same price as a better option.

[JohnnyD]

I'd buy that reel in a second... if it came in a bail-less version.

[O.D. Mike]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

I'd buy that reel in a second... if it came in a bail-less version.

That's what i was waiting for Johnny D's review!

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by O.D. Mike

That's what i was waiting for Johnny D's review!

Like Luds said, might as well buy a used VS150. The more I fish, the more I hate bails... especially at the ditch with a heavy jig, the rod loaded perfectly and then.... *SNAP*

[mfm22]

Bailless will be available by spring

[pbadad]

Too bad the bail system wasn't copied off the VSB 150. Flawless operation IMHO.

[zimmy]

I was gonna ask if it wouldn't be better to buy a used vs150, but I was beat to it.

[JohnnySaxatilis]

ya im not exactly sure what the company is trying to accomplish here making a reel thats half the price. subconciously this makes me think its half as durable and half as reliable.

But the obvious reason is ppl r tight on money and this is an economic solution to the 800+ dollar category. Again like other people have said, why not just buy a used 150 thats been time tested tough. strange move for the company methinks, but i dont have a buisness degree and i dont know enough about the thing. sweet another research project.....

[Super Googan]

The new reel is over 23oz ! Way to heavy, a good 10oz more than a VS150. I just picked up a used VS 150 for $460 without a scratch on it