Van Staal Plug Bag- FYI

[In The Surf]

Originally Posted by luds48

If you're talking about this bag I disagree. There is much mess velcro on these bags from what I've seen. I had one in my hands last weekend.


http://surfcasting-rhodeisland.com/m...tegory_Code=LB

Do you use them?

As posted this was addressed for the SRI bags. Don't know where you looked at them but Joe brought this up and told the owner that this needed to be improved for him to carry the bags and for serious surfcasters to consider them.

Yes I have one, got it late last year so I can't give a full review as of it but I will say it offers the best bang for the buck out there. Far better than Canyon or BW for about the same $.

[riverrat2]

I had the large BW bag for 3 seasons. For 40 bucks it did its job. The only complaint was the stupid mesh pocket on the side. I got 3 plugs so tangled in that one night I almost donated the whole back to the bottom of the ocean. After that I went home and cut the hole mesh thing off. It was a solid bag for the money but I got a small aquaskinz bag at the end of the season and thats all I use now. There is no need to bring more than 5 plugs out to fish with you. Most of the time the plugs don't get touched anyways.

[Pete_G]

The next trick with Velcro is does it last? Just having a lot isn't enough, does it still hold shut with the same grip later in the year?

Good velcro can last decades. Bad velcro struggles to go more then a season.

[NIB]

Velcro..It's amzing stuff. I wonder how I was ever able to fish without it..
Kinda like Cell Phones..
I don't mean fishing with cell phones.
I mean 20 yrs ago I managed fine without em..
Now it never leaves my side..
I used to use one of them army type bags with the buckle strap.
Then i had my girlfriend sew a starp on one of my canyon bags..

[luds]

Originally Posted by riverrat2

I had the large BW bag for 3 seasons. For 40 bucks it did its job. The only complaint was the stupid mesh pocket on the side. I got 3 plugs so tangled in that one night I almost donated the whole back to the bottom of the ocean. After that I went home and cut the hole mesh thing off. It was a solid bag for the money but I got a small aquaskinz bag at the end of the season and thats all I use now. There is no need to bring more than 5 plugs out to fish with you. Most of the time the plugs don't get touched anyways.

I agree that you only need a few plugs at a time but I get alot of enjoyment from having more than a few with me. For instance if I catch 5 fish on 5 casts with a pencil I might switch to a spook to see if I can get them on that. Then I follow it up with a danny or maybe a popper. Also need room for the finnish swimmers, darter, and needles I needed before it got light out. That's more than 5 already.

[BassNuts]

SB101.jpg

Canyon SB-101...third season with it and everything is fine...$59.00 too (found mine on sale for $45)

[In The Surf]

Originally Posted by luds48

If you're talking about this bag I disagree. There is much mess velcro on these bags from what I've seen. I had one in my hands last weekend.


http://surfcasting-rhodeisland.com/m...tegory_Code=LB

BTW after you open the link if you click on "click here for additional image" you get a good view of the velcro closure.

[Clogston29]

Originally Posted by luds48

I was considering giving the new Van Staal double row bag a shot because it seems to have lighter tubes than the skinz bag. The tubes look less durable but I think that's too be expected with the decrease in weight.

Anyway, I called to inquire about the cost of replacing the tubes and it's $63 and change.

WTF. I've never complained about the price of my VS reels and won't but 63 bucks for some plastic inserts. C'mon.

Figured I give you guys a heads up before purchasing one.

Score another one for the Skinz single row. That's all I'll be using.

the bag that your girl carries cost you alot more than that
what does skinz want for an extra set of tubes?

[luds]

Originally Posted by In The Surf

BTW after you open the link if you click on "click here for additional image" you get a good view of the velcro closure.

I know it is being picky but the velcro should go to the top of the bag. if you put oversize plugs that stick out of the tube you can barely attach the velcro.

[luds]

Originally Posted by Clogston29

the bag that your girl carries cost you alot more than that
what does skinz want for an extra set of tubes?

you should see the new bag. not sure about aquaskinz tubes but hopefully not as much.

[Finaddict]

Yeah, those look like pretty short plugs, Dave, have you fished big plugs in your bag last season?

[luds]

Originally Posted by Finaddict

Yeah, those look like pretty short plugs, Dave, have you fished big plugs in your bag last season?

the plugs in the precision pack pic are large but if you want to put mulitiple plugs in a bag without getting to tangeled you have to hang them like the aqua skinz bag below.

We're over anylizing. The precision pack is good for the price. The Aquaskinz bag is better. Time to step away from the computer.

[DZ]

I have used plastic shampoo bottles as plug tubes for years - very light in weight and they last a few seasons. You'll always have new ones available (as long as you keep washing your hair). I cut the tops off and poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage. I'll post a few photos tonight.

DZ

[luds]

Originally Posted by DZ

I have used plastic shampoo bottles as plug tubes for years - very light in weight and they last a few seasons. You'll always have new ones available (as long as you keep washing your hair). I cut the tops off and poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage. I'll post a few photos tonight.

DZ

cool....thanks

[chris L]

I have a ton of shampoo bottles that work great for plug bags . If anyone wants some let me know .

[In The Surf]

Originally Posted by luds48

I know it is being picky but the velcro should go to the top of the bag. if you put oversize plugs that stick out of the tube you can barely attach the velcro.

I hear ya Mike.

Though it's hard to tell from the photo where the velcro ends is the top of the front pocket (additional pocket) for leaders and stuff. It has a long flap and that area of velcro is double wide to give additinal clearance and the ability to close higher if necessary. It can handle most of what we would carry but once you get to plugs 9" or greater they'll stick out of most any bag. What I do at that point with whatever bag I'm using is put them in the end tube towards my back so the plug protrudes but the flap can close flush. The bags with the inner flaps are nice in those instances.

No Andy I didn't use it with any large plugs in it last year.

Like Tony I have bags by VS, Aquaskinz, Canyon, Plano and the Ocean Shield Precision Pak.

For the money it appears to be a winner.

And yes we are over analyzing this.

[luds]

Originally Posted by chris L

I have a ton of shampoo bottles that work great for plug bags . If anyone wants some let me know .

If you're trying to make an Adam Sandler referance that's just sick.

[Rock Hopper]

It seems companies can't stop copying the AquaSkinz designs and features

Precision Pak is another of those companies that went around and asked which bags, what features etc. and they were told AquaSkinz...... So they took a lot of the features and put them into production.

AquaSkinz took a mule and made it into a stallion and now everyone just rides our coat tails. Remember there is nothing like the original. Plus, they will be changing there designs due to the many similarities to the AquaSkinz bags. This comes from a trusted and knowledgable source.

Another important note, AquaSkinz will be much more competitive going forward. We have negotiated hard and have new agreements in place with much better pricing and the same quality you have come to expect. These will benefit the consumer in the end. Look for the changes this coming season.

Thanks as always for your support, we look forward to seeing many of you during the upcoming shows.

Kadir

[bart]

are the dry tops still gonna tear at the seams after minimal use?

[Rock Hopper]

Bart,

Like anything else if proper precautions, care & directions aren't taken, things will break or fail. Gaskets & seals tearing or ripping isn't that uncommon, it happens in every brand and on all types of materials; whether they are latex or neoprene.

These types of jackets being somewhat new to the fishing industry make the occurences seem as though they are more than they actually are. Plus many of the users are still learning the proper ways to put on and take off the jackets without causing damage. I've said this before, we have a very low rate of return due to these issues compared to the industry standards.

If you want to avoid any damage, read the instructions found on the jackets themselves or go the AquaSkinz web site, there are instructions there as well.

Regards!

Kadir

[bart]

we've heard this song and dance before. people don't know how to take them on and off, no one reads the label, you can't treat a porsche like a chevy, blah blah blah

the fact is a $200+ product shouldn't fail after minimal use.

[zimmy]

Originally Posted by Rock Hopper

It seems companies can't stop copying the AquaSkinz designs and features


Kadir

It is that thing about the greatest form of flattery is imitation. I got one of you're medium bags this past season and I know why it is being copied; it is basically perfect.

[Rock Hopper]

Bart,

You are right, it has become a repetitive statement but it is true! Just like a high end rod rated to throw 2 oz's breaking 6 inches from the tip, while the caster throws 5, that is also attributed to manufacturing right? Just one example and yes, this has been said countless times too! There is a reason why manufacturers provide these important pieces of information. It is up to us to follow them or risk the consequences.

Zimmy, thanks for the compliment! I wish they would stop flattering us though and come up with their own idea's.

[luds]

Originally Posted by bart

we've heard this song and dance before. people don't know how to take them on and off, no one reads the label, you can't treat a porsche like a chevy, blah blah blah

the fact is a $200+ product shouldn't fail after minimal use.

I had basically the same negative feeling about AquaSkinz and a product that had failed but chose to contact them before just complaining about it on-line. I can understand why you think that a $200+ jacket shouldn't have any problems but think you would be surprised at the service you would receive if you took the time to send them an e-mail.

Basically they did everything I could have asked for and contacted me shortly after I received my items back to make sure I was happy with everything.

If you look at other dry tops, they all have similar problems. I look at them like waders. Even though they are expensive they are somewhat prone to failure at some point.

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by DZ

I have used plastic shampoo bottles as plug tubes for years - very light in weight and they last a few seasons. You'll always have new ones available (as long as you keep washing your hair). I cut the tops off and poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage. I'll post a few photos tonight.

DZ

And if you gget the bottles with the short necks, cut the bottom of the bottle off and trim the cap down. You get your drain hole, a small narrowing at the bottom of the "tube", and fairly resistant to breaking. Now that I'm thinking about it, one of those skinnier but wide ones might be perfect for needles

Originally Posted by bart

we've heard this song and dance before. people don't know how to take them on and off, no one reads the label, you can't treat a porsche like a chevy, blah blah blah

the fact is a $200+ product shouldn't fail after minimal use.

I agree and disagree. I can go out with almost every $200 reel and get it to fail enough when fished hard in the salt. I have 3 years (3.5?) fishing my Hurricane and probably wore 150 times and the only problems with it have been self induced. Yeh, I'm going to retape a couple things and maybe destinkafy it but it has been solid. And my body type can, err, stress fabric we'll just say . My EVO 2 has 1.5 years on it and it is still OK, no tears. But I take it off my skinny frame like as if it were delicate silk, I don't wear my watch, and I'm just easy with it. I have seen people semi trash drytops by ripping them on & off and I see people more often than not rough on all of these tops (Simms, Skinz, whatever) and none of them are going to last under this AND be sealable that I've seen.

Now I have seen some problems, like on the early gen gloves ripping (mine did) and I had to get some new ones (and I was being a delicate little flower oke: ). But like many things, Generation 1 devices are rarely perfect and get better as they are tweaked. One thing I think most will agree on is that Aquaskinz does continually improve on their product.

Yeh, Skinz is a sponsor on S-B but I'm making this statement on what I've done and what I've seen, not because who is a sponsor or not. My Hurricane is one of my top 5 favorite fishing products, the Evo may or may not make the top 10 (unless I'm waqding deep).

[cheferson]

Originally Posted by bart

we've heard this song and dance before. people don't know how to take them on and off, no one reads the label, you can't treat a porsche like a chevy, blah blah blah

the fact is a $200+ product shouldn't fail after minimal use.

Simms top held up way better, less $$$ too

[bart]

Luds- i have heard different stories from people about "feedback" they've received from Aquaskinz when complaining about the product. not worth the hassle to me. i'm glad it worked out for you though....

BTW, i know how to put my top on and take it off. it was rinsed religiously after being used as well. still, after 3 trips the seams came undone and the top started to fray. 200 dollar waders don't fall apart in a matter of days....