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Augs · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:11 pm Post subject: Opinions on Van Staal Reels

Hello folks, I am contemplating acquiring one of these fine reels in light of the fact that I can manage to destroy most any reel I put my hands on. I am intending to use a 20-30 lb braid set up, and a two rod quiver. One surf, one offshore... Have any of you had experience with any of the Van Staals? also, if you are wondering why I would prefer a VS over a stella or twinspin, it is mainly the waterproof drag system. I just wouldn't want my mucho expensive reel to decay from the inside out after one long week down PINS

Thanks and I look forward to hearing your replies
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robul · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Posts: 2677

I have a stella and I absolutely love it.. But it does not come to the beach with me.. I take my saharas and spheros with me to the beach.. they are only 80 bucks a piece and I could buy 10 of them before I paid for a stella or van stall. I havnt personally used a van stall Im sure they are sweet but I dont know if it would compare to the stella when it comes to drag, wieght , and smoothness..

topdog15 · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:27 pm Post subject:

business must be good, huh Augs?
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Drake · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:36 pm Post subject: V - S

I dont own one and cant imagine spending that kind of money on a reel. I am certain the divorce lawyer would be much more expensive....

But I have used one and it was the shizzle.

shorty · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 6:49 pm Post subject:

i would be afraid to get a peace of sand near it.

nb&twil · Horse Mullet Joined: 15 Mar 2009 Posts: 100

crhfish · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 9:14 am Post subject:

They are a very tough reel. Completely sealed and solid. Most of the older ones were bailess and you would cast and then manually put the line back on the line pickup. I was told this made the reel quieter when fishing for bonefish.

Hard to get used to this at first, but after a while I got used to it somewhat fishing with a guide over one weekend. The lack of a bail also made for less to go wrong and break on the reel. They make them with bails now but I think they are all still manual bail. This means you have to flip the bail back over after you cast.

To me for trout fishing the lack of an automatic bail would just drive me crazy in some situations. Especially trying to start a quick retrieve over shallow grass.

Silver_King · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 11:02 am Post subject:

Ive said it pleanty times and will say it again...

At least with a cheaper reel it wont hurt so much if it gets stolen, lost, goes overboard, run over, peed on, etc...

This daiwa you dont need to worry about sand either Wink

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beto6059 · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 7:14 am Post subject:

Go to http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/ and do a search on VS and you can read what the stripper fisherman say about VS.
Think about a bait caster, Avet Magged, and you get better distance.
Just the opinion of a senior citizen.
Good Luck

topdog15 · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 7:26 am Post subject:

ltorna1 · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 3240

IslandMike · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 12:16 pm Post subject:

Van Staals are some sexy reels. I feel the same way about them as I do about Simms waders.........If I had the money to throw around, I probably would.
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Tyler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865

They may be great boat reels but for the surf they don't cast as far as a lot of other reels due to their spool design.

Augs · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 6:02 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the info and tips. Truth is I just want one bad-supple bum reel that can handle almost every kind of fishing I do. I am tired of having to baby reels, and spending time with broken crappy reels due to sand, bait, fish blood, my blood, that crap that gets on your hands when you eat cheetos... yall get my drift... I need to be able to splash the grime off of the reel with whatever cheap beer I am drinking at the time and keep fishing. Most uses will be surfcasting, nearshore topwaters, jetty livebait and topwaters, and if I like it enough, offshore tuna trips...

The stellas are SMOOOOTH, and i like that, I just don't want to run down PINS with 10.00 gear or an expensive reel that is a princess.
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ltorna1 · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 3240

awesome avatar Augs.
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