Yet another Van Staal Question

[Sluggoslinger]

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?

[nightprowler]

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.

[t.orlando]

Originally Posted by Sluggoslinger

What do you think?

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.

[Sluggoslinger]

Originally Posted by t.orlando

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.

[Flaptail]

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.

[Bronko]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

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.

[Sluggoslinger]

Originally Posted by Bronko

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.

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...

[fishpoopoo]

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

[Bronko]

Originally Posted by Bassturbed

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

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

[eelman]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

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.

[Nebe]

Flap for president !

[GattaFish]

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,,,,,,

[Sluggoslinger]

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

[Ake G]

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!!!

[fishpoopoo]

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

[ChiefLinesider]

Originally Posted by Bassturbed

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

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.

[fishpoopoo]

Originally Posted by ChiefLinesider

Thats a bold statement that I dont agree with.

The overall durability of the reel is what was appealing to me.

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

ever scratch that body on a rock?

[fishpoopoo]

Originally Posted by ChiefLinesider

You pay for the simplicity & reliability of a VS in my opinion.

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.

[Sluggoslinger]

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...

[Bronko]

Originally Posted by Sluggoslinger

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...

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

[Sluggoslinger]

Originally Posted by Bronko

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

[Water Treater]

I fish from a boat all summer long and hit the surf in the fall (Montauk and outer Cape Cod). I suggest you buy a Van Staal Model 150-N for boat and sheltered water (i.e. bay) fishing and purchase a Van Staal Model 200-N for surf fishing. This past summer on Ebay I purchased a near-new Van Staal Model 200-N reel, with (brand new) spare spool, for $ 325.00 plus shipping. You don't need to pay
$ 700.00 for any fishing reel.

I took my wife surf fishing for the first time about 8 years ago (Cahoon Hollow in Wellfleet, Mass.) and gave her an 8 foot rod with a Van Staal Model 100-N reel to use. It took her fewer than four casts to learn to use the manual bail pickupand she had never before cast a lure.

Ten years ago I switched to Van Staal spinning reels because of (1)manual bail pick-up (no more lost plugs when the bail suddenly closes in the middle of a cast) (2) lighter weight (I converted all my Penn 6500 and 7500 reels to manual bail but then discovered the reels were still too heavy for 10 foot graphite surf rods) , and (3) Van Staal reels are goof-proof. They can be dropped in soft sand and, with a simple rinsing in the surf, fully recover.

Buy a Van Staal reel. Other spinning reels are either too heavy, have limited line capacity, are not available with manual bail pick-up, or cannot survive falling over in soft sand or being submerged for extended periods of time. If you want a goof-proof reel, buy a Van Staal.

[Finaddict]

I enjoy my Penn 704 for all these years, it's still working ... but, over the past season, I have come to fall in a lot ... not sure why but always seem to lose my balance and the 704 has to be broken down and rinsed off and then regreased ...

... so I myself have made the plunge into the world of VS, mainly because of durability, if I have to use the butt of my rod as a wading stick, and the reel goes under ... or I fall in like I have done several times this season, or seem to wade out too far in an effort to get extra distance, I don't want to worry about my reel.

AS for the manual bail, it's the preferred method of fishing, if I could convert all of my spinning reels to manual - whether they are Penn, Diawa, Shimano, etc. etc. I would. It take a little practice and then becomes second nature. The only way to go.

[piemma]

I own a VS 250. That being said I never use it on the boat. if you are on the boat 85% of the time. Buy 3 Shimano 400s and put the extra $100 in your pocket.

[chuckg]

I think the expectation of paying $40-$50/year for servicing is somewhat bogus since they advertise the reels as having a somewhat indestructible nature. I have a 200 and one year tried to explain that due to a rotator surgery I didn't fish the reel once. they basically said too bad, but you still have to send it or then they get you on the re-registering fee again, plus the yearly mauntenance charge. get a 704, take off the bail, drill holes in the rotor for flushability and save $500 bucks toward your kid's college.

[Pete_G]

The irony of ANY Van Staal bashing thread that ever comes up is that it always seems to sell even more Van Staals.

I'll also never admit that my reels are "status symbols". I'm out there mostly at night or so far offshore you'll never know what I'm fishing anyways.

There's many spots that if I'm wading knee deep waves will be submerging the reel constantly as I fish. Or when I go to change a plug when I'm deep wading I just dump the reel in the water. No attempting to suspend the reel in the air while I change up or put a new eel on. On the rocks I only worry about my guides when I put my rod down. The reel just scrapes along the rocks, it doesn't matter.

They get the job done for the way I fish, year after year. That's all I care about when it comes to a fishing reel.

[ChiefLinesider]

Mixed responses as usual. If this were a thread on whether or not to purchase reel X, satisfied owners of other reels would suggest not buying reel X based on their experiences. And happy owners of reel X would say, buy their reel. If there is a large following with the reel in question or a widespread desire from people to own that reel it's probably wise to listen.

No reel is flawless. They all break. And no reel is a good investment. Rocks/fish/Saltwater habitually expose any defect a reel manufacturer has overlooked. This is true with most every fishing related product I can think of.........


Everyone has different expectations of what they want from a reel. With price being the deciding factor for most.

[fishpoopoo]

Originally Posted by ChiefLinesider

No reel is flawless. They all break. .

Yes, I suppose that is true. But truth be told, I have had fewer mechanical problems with my Penn 706z's and Fin-Nor Ahab 16's (both packed with grease), both of which have been subjected to the same level of wet/immersed fishing that my Van Staals have.

If you are going to pay $700 for a reel, and then plunk down $35-$50 a year to have it serviced, it SHOULD be flawless.

Van Staal's should be held to a higher standard, and I think the company could do a better job of improving the value proposition.

My pet peeves about the reel:

1) Fix the goddamn drag

2) Fix the line winding problem (belly in the spool)

3) Redesign the drag knob. It's too hard to manipulate in colder weather and the edges contribute to line tangles. A lot of Montauk guys get around this by filing the edges down, but it looks fugly.

4) Put the counterweight back inside ... I can't tell you how many times the line has gotten stuck at the base of the exterior counterweight on the newer models (easy fix with epoxy, but should I futz around with a reel I just paid $700 for).

5) There should be a more durable finish that is scratch resistant. All my VS's look like $hit. Because they are anodized, they can't be refinished. So VS should really think about powder coating or some other heavy duty scratch resistant finish.

[Mike P]

I don't think the lind winding issue is a biggie. It's never caused me any knotting problems, even with a very soft braid like Whiplash.

Fixing it means making the gearing more complex, equalling more failure potential, IMO.

[fishpoopoo]

Originally Posted by Mike P

I don't think the lind winding issue is a biggie. It's never caused me any knotting problems, even with a very soft braid like Whiplash.

Fixing it means making the gearing more complex, equalling more failure potential, IMO.

A $700 reel should be PERFECT.