Van Staal's have arrived - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Pete_G · 09-07-2004, 02:18 PM

We've got all sizes and most colors including a few fly reels.

Pete
The Saltwater Edge
(401) 842-0062

tlapinski · 09-07-2004, 02:21 PM

what are the new prices?

Pete_G · 09-07-2004, 02:33 PM

VS100: $569
VS150: $589
VS200: $619
VS250: $649
VS300: $679

silver is no longer an additional charge

riverrat2 · 09-07-2004, 03:28 PM

I don't understan spending 600$ for one reeel. That is about 6 or 7 704s. I know a 704 isnt a vs, but it will last almost as long for only 1/6th the price. And the new vs don't even have a lifetime warranty, thats ridiculous.

BernOC · 09-07-2004, 03:59 PM

It always amuses me that people have to try to ridicule or justify themselves for not having a van staal. You could also fish with a tica or tsunami fishing rod for under a $100 and anyone who has a custom lami must be just as crazy

Nebe · 09-07-2004, 04:14 PM

I dont own one but to me a VS is the best reel out there. I have a704 thats 20 years old adn its still working great, but it takes a lot of work to keep it clean and running smooth. I religoiusly maintain my 704's but on several occasions this season alone I lost some monster bass because my reel failed me. This is why I'm planning on getting a VS 200..... dependability.

spence · 09-07-2004, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eben
This is why I'm planning on getting a VS 200..... dependability.

Eben just wants one because the 704 doesn't look as good with the colors in the wrap on his new rod

-spence

Goose · 09-07-2004, 04:41 PM

BigFish · 09-07-2004, 05:12 PM

No additional charge for the silver model????

Oh, sign me up for 3 then!

Someday I might get one.....sure would like to try one!

Raider Ronnie · 09-07-2004, 05:54 PM

What about the AWESOME pliers they make?
Ronnie

BigFish · 09-07-2004, 06:02 PM

Got em'!

And they are fabulous!

Navy Chief · 09-07-2004, 06:06 PM

I caught an 52 pound Salmon on a $23 Pfluegar fly reel. Why should I spend $300 on a fancy one.

For spinning I'm a big 704 fan also. Love them. Now if I was Bill Gates, I'd buy a VS.

Surely Bassey · 09-07-2004, 06:32 PM

I own a VS200 and a 150 as well as the <matching, if that is the right word> Penn spinning reels. Van Staal is a much smoother reel in terms of cranking as well as drag.
But I will be the first to say that the price difference between a VS200 and a Penn 704, relative to how smooth they are, is NOT linear.

Mr. Sandman · 09-07-2004, 06:43 PM

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...

striper134 · 09-07-2004, 07:25 PM

Well, as Pete said we do have them in stock. I figured go ahead and put them on the site so you out of staters could save a little on the not taxing of non-RI residents and shipping. "Have At It" people!

VS Reels Available Online Here

maddog2020 · 09-07-2004, 07:43 PM

For a mere $600 you can own the "best" spinning reel on the market. Approximately 4 times the cost of a 706Z. Now you CAN'T do that with any other item out there ..... LOL.

I was into mountain biking a lot over ten yrs ago. You could spend $600 for a decent bike w/ Shimano XT, OR you could have gone the route of a titanium bike w/ front shock & titanium hardware for around $3600. That was a factor of 6 times the cost to own the "best" MTB.

If you have the $, why not enjoy it.

I love a good meal and it doesn't matter to me if we spend $140 for dinner for three as long as the food is good! I can enjoy eating fried clams off of paper plates at the beach for $45 to feed three just as well. There are times we go get some nice cold cuts and make subs for $20.

All I can say is my daughter is gonna have a lot of nice junk to sell off at a yardsale for $1 when her ol' Dad keels.

My wife is ready to grab all my gear now and sell it for $0.25 ! :P

I am no gear snob. I do appreciate a nice balanced outfit. It helps if you catch something on the end of the line though.

PurpelNoon · 09-07-2004, 07:57 PM

Thats why I'm going to put a little sticker stating the price on all the wonderful items that I paid too much for, so when I do croak, someone will know not to let my VS go for $10. LOL

By the way, will a VS with black finish have more corrosion resistance than a silver, or a gold for that matter?

Mike P · 09-07-2004, 08:25 PM

Not here, too, for the VS wars

Surely Bassey · 09-07-2004, 08:34 PM

Good point about the stickers.
I had quite a collection of Aurora slot cars when I was young. A few years ago after her garage sale my mom told me she got 50 cents each for the cars but she had to give the track away. Heck, I think I paid $5 each for the cars in 1968...

PurpelNoon · 09-07-2004, 08:38 PM

All kidding aside, my father was a fisherman and had grand plans to fish more when he retired. Unfortunately, he became chronically ill and was not able to continue fishing.

He has left me with lots of "old" tackle and what was really interesting is that he had a habit of writing the date and price on items he purchased. I have unopened Atom plugs from the 70s for example stating he paid $.73 for them. Nice!

Sorry to get off topic.

basswipe · 09-07-2004, 08:39 PM

Wish I had the cash for a VS and a custom Lami.Ain't gonna happen though.Reality says gotta pay the rent and bills.For most of us owning a VS&Lami is a pipe dream.

For now the Spheros and Tica will have to do

.

Nebe · 09-07-2004, 08:43 PM

Ticas are great rods basswipe.... thats all I used last year. shure Lami's are nice but your paying for the lifetime warranty... believe it or not I believe that the 8 foot Tica is a direct ripoff of a G-Loomis.your paying less because your only getting a one year warranty and its made in china...

PurpelNoon · 09-07-2004, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by basswipe
Wish I had the cash for a VS and a custom Lami.Ain't gonna happen though.Reality says gotta pay the rent and bills.For most of us owning a VS&Lami is a pipe dream.

For now the Spheros and Tica will have to do .

I hear you! I just remind myself that people did catch big fish when the high-end equipment was not invented yet. This is not to say that it is not a pleasure to fish with fine equipment.

A saying comes to mind "All the talent in the world cannot match persistence".

In other words, the person who fishes frequently and smartly will reign supreme.

Again, sorry if this thread is headed in the wrong direction.

Codfather4 · 09-07-2004, 09:20 PM

Just look at all the people who back in the day use catch big fish after big fish with the Penn Squidder. And look how much that costs

basswipe · 09-07-2004, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eben
Ticas are great rods basswipe.... thats all I used last year. shure Lami's are nice but your paying for the lifetime warranty... believe it or not I believe that the 8 foot Tica is a direct ripoff of a G-Loomis.your paying less because your only getting a one year warranty and its made in china...

I love my Tica rod.Can't beat it for the price.The Shimano Spheros is absolutely fabulous.But to fish with a really high end setup would be nice.

Joe · 09-07-2004, 10:14 PM

I'm getting one...but I'm keeping the same old wife...

Crafty Angler · 09-08-2004, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by maddog2020

All I can say is my daughter is gonna have a lot of nice junk to sell off at a yardsale for $1 when her ol' Dad keels.
My wife is ready to grab all my gear now and sell it for $0.25 !

Geez, I hope Chris and Maddy haven't lost my phone number....

Check your mail soon, Maddog - I found a copy of that item for ya and I'll be in touch - it's been a helluva summer here on Fantasy Island

.......

Me? A VS? Sure, it'll happen if not soon - but I'm not gonna miss a mortgage payment to get one either.

I'm real curious to see the new and improved VS

Flaptail · 09-08-2004, 04:51 AM

I dunno. Maybe I am cheap ( Bassmaster would agree with that) I can't see spending that kind of money for a reel. Especially one with questionable history of company survivability. Repairs are way too expensive as well. I think it's one of those hype things where if you don't have one you feel somehow inadequate or beneath the contemplation of other fisherman, you know, like having one lashed to your rod picks you out as a surf star and anyone who see's you with that VS automatically will think you are the balls in the surf fishing community. As for the pliers thats another thing as well. I have a pair of needlenose pliers that have been on my surf belt for nye on ten years, I paid 2.99 for them at Ocean State Job Lot. Once every couple of weeks they get a shot of WD-40, they have never failed to do what they are supposed to do and if I lost them I wouldn't take a serious cash flow hit just a little sentimental hit would be all as I have become attached to the rust coated little guy thinking of the thousands of bass bluefish, Albies, Bonito they have help unhook. Functionality wise there are reels for way less money that do just as good a job and that is a fact. If you can afford one and it will make you feel somehow more secure in your fishing appearence then by all means get one. I have used VS reels and to me they just ain't worth the sticker price. Just my two cents, you may fire at will.

Crafty Angler · 09-08-2004, 05:21 AM

I hear ya, Flap - I still love my Penns, as long as you give them some minor - repeat minor - attention, they're pretty reliable in my experience.

After getting the chromed 704 from Habs I got reintroduced to an old favorite - and I'm a big believer in the KISS principle.

The new VS is on my list (although I've got a few other items that are gonna have to come first) but I'm looking at it for function not status - and I'll have to admit I haven't spent a lot of time with one either.

For me the bottom line is if it ain't $600 good it's pretty freakin' unlikely I'm gonna cough that kinda cash so it looks good on the roof of my Jeep.

Geeezuz, I must be gettin' thrifty in my old age -

tlapinski · 09-08-2004, 06:46 AM

VS is the best surf specific spinning reel on the market. if you don't think so, then don't buy one and don't give someone crap because they own one. no one should have to justify to anyone (well except maybe to their wife) why they fish with what they do. grow up and take the VS bashing to SOL with all the other crap!