Van Staal's have arrived

[Mr. Sandman]

Heck, if the object is to keep cost down...why use a rod and reel at all? Use a hand line and a rock for weight like the scupping fleet from New Bedford! It is not about cost...it is about F U N.

why? that is simple....

why drive a BMW when a Hundai will do the same thing? BECAUSE IT WORKS BETTER AND YOU GET MORE ENJOYMENT FROM USING IT. There is a great feeling of enjoyment when using a precision made machine.

IMO this is what is GREAT about our sport...you can fish it with entry level gear and enjoy it forever or for the more serious anglers can fish it with fancier gear to enhance their thrill.

This is what Xmas and Bdays are for...ask for one for Xmas and see what it is all about.


I let (good) friends use some of my better stuff from time to time. I love watching their facial expressions when a good fisherman who has been fishing for quite some time and is "happy" with his 15 year old trusty penn he got on sale at wallmart gets a test spin on a $1000 surf rod and reel with a custom plug on the end. The typical phases "Oh my God... or Jesus!" the feel of this thing is amazing!!" Just like you would say getting into a new BMW...

Its all about fun not money!

Also it depends what you are into...if you fish the beach half a doz times a season...a VS might not be for you....on the other hand if you fish the beach half a doz times a week, you will appriciate the quality of a high performance reel.

Do the new ones still have the round knob handle? I never liked the feel of the metal round knob...