Van Stahl spinning reels

[WishFish]

Are Van Stahl reels any good, or just expensive?
How is the customer service? Are parts available easily?
I know about the other brands, just wondering about Van Stahl spinning reels.

[alti804]

At that price it should come with an onsite customer service rep 24-7 and should never break but if if does it should fix it self.

[CaptLeo]

I never used one but personally I would rather use a Shimano stella or even a Shimano baitrunner for the money. But price/name brand/and quality are the three factors affecting consumers now a days. Most companies have real balls charging what they do on merchandise ...and its freakon sickening how much the markup the product really has compared to how much it cost to produce.

[hudiefloats]

I own quite a few reels , and my Van Stahls are without question the most durable reels I own. In 6 years , Ive had to do nothing more than rinse off with fresh water.
No , they are not as smooth as a Stella , or most other reels for that matter. However , if you are looking for a reel that can make the transition from boat to beach and deal with everything from sand to salt water , IMO there is no better reel.

[saltyric]

I just picked up a VS200 for the surf....The stella is smoother from cranking stand point, but the VS Drag is silky smooth.....It's
also bullet proof (not to mention water proof).....Awesome reel.....I will eventually pick up another for the boat.

[Art Vrola]

Do any of us need a VS? Probably not, but, gotta tell ya, it is a nice reel for the surf. I mostly plug with a 9' custom rod and a VS150 left handed. The nice thing about my situation, being lefty, is that the left-handed VS is truly a left handed reel, not just switching the handle. than means that even when you spool the line, you have to do it in reverse. It probably is over-priced, and again probably not needed, but my two daughters gave me one, as a gift, a few years ago, which "forced me" to match it with a custom rod, and I can plug through two tides and not tire.

[Prop Blast]

Depends on what you're looking for: how you fish and what you're willing to put up with.

The reels are relatively heavy and take a while to "break in" to the point where they are smooth. I have a buddy with two and I've used them a couple of times. At first they were very tight, but after a month or so of heavy use, they "smoothed" out. I was told by the guys at Bill Jackson's in St Pete that they're built to such tight tolerances, they just have to fit into place through use.

If you wade fish the flats, they're probably too heavy. If you surf fish, there is probably no better reel, as they're completely sealed -- no way for salt, sand and crud to get in. I just took apart and cleaned my Dad's Penn 7500SS that he uses for occasional surf fishing in Mass. He said it was, "getting rough". Boy, those things aren't sealed (took a little time, but it's working fine again. )

If you take pride in owning high quality products and don't mind sending it back to Van Staal for annual servicing -- go for it. Since you're in Maderia Beach, go visit the guys at Bill Jackson's in St. Pete. They have several on hand. Talk to Mike in the Fishing Dept, he's most familar with them.

PB

[spooled up]

For surf fishing, yes worth the money.

For anything else, no.

There are much smoother options with much better drag and features for that price. It's just that no other reel can take a beating like a van staal. And by saying this I mean so far as actually reeling under water in the salt. Obviously boat fishing doesn't take such a beating.

[Andyberg]

My father always told me you'll never regret buying the best. For surf fishing, the Van Staal is unbeatable. I fish it hard, often swimming from rock to rock, with the reel more or less submerged, with absolutely no intrusion. I've been through about 40 reels before my Van Staal, and they can't hold up.

Also, the drag is silk. Worth every dime in my estimation.

[redseacraft]

I have owned a 150 since they came out. The reel looks as good as the day I took it out of the box. At the time i "only" paid about $450.00. This reel will be handed down to my son and his son. Can you say that about a $500 shimano?

I have caught 2lb spanish mackeral up to 100+lb tarpon and everything inbetween.

Oh yeah, i've never once had it serviced. I just rinse with soapy water, dry and wipe it with an oily rag. Twice a year I lube the roller bearing and drag.

[WishFish]

redseacraft - 10/27/2008 11:09 AM

I have owned a 150 since they came out. ...I have caught 2lb spanish mackeral up to 100+lb tarpon and everything inbetween.

Thanks folks. My crew buys me a gift each Christmas (no kidding) I want to ask for a VS this year, but I don’t want to be a laughing stock for the next of year. Bill Jackson is way over priced. I have seen the spinning reels in Bass Pro Shop. What I am thinking is new VSB 250. Isn’t it too risky to pay $900 for a new product? I read the evaluation of 150 series above. My general use is minimum 50# line. What is heaviest use number series? Where to go to buy, for better prices than BPS?
Thanks again.

[Prop Blast]

WishFish - 10/27/2008 5:15 PM

Thanks folks. My crew buys me a gift each Christmas (no kidding) I want to ask for a VS this year, but I don’t want to be a laughing stock for the next of year. Bill Jackson is way over priced. .....
Thanks again.

Not sure where you get that Bill Jackson's is overpriced? Top Shelf products are pretty much price protected by the manufacturer.

Since you're not going to use it for surf fishing, not worth the money. But if you expect your crew to buy it for you -- that's between you and them...

PB

[CaptLeo]

Aren't Van Stahl reels made over seas now and not in the U.S.?

[scubasteven]

Yep!

[redseacraft]

Nothing wrong with buying one used. Ebay always has a few for sale. $500ish should buy one with box and papers.

[skipperwahoo]

I have two reels and two kinds of reels only! VAN STAHL inshore and ALUTECNOS offshore.. throw the penns,shimanos, away.. For low end torque,durabilty, anticorrosion qualities, and minimal maintenance you cant beat them... i have 4 70 vs penns in my office as paper weights.. there is no comparison... good analogy would you rather have a corvette or a ferrari..in 10 years from know a 2009 corvette is worth nothing a 2009 ferrari will hold its value !! gentlemen its all about curb appeal too!! show up with a van stahl and you will command instant respect!!

[On The Edge 1]

Never owned one (way to much money for the average joe) silly priced.

I dont know about anyone else but i dont buy gear to impress anyone or to demand their respect.. I just use mine to catch fish. Anyone that fishes with me, that demands my respect because his gear is worth more then mine is gonna get more shit then respect..

Respect is earned not purchased..

[CaptGorges]

Not talking about reels, just the brand, but the owner of a boat I run got me a pair of $200 Van Stahl pliers for my birthday (he has the top dollar ones), my favorite feature is the cord that holds them to the sheath...But I always keep my $20 Manley's in the little back pocket of my PFGs when I am running my boat if tells you anything...

Long story short, yes, price often indicates quality, which is why I would rather have one pair of Costas than 10 pairs of Sea Strikers, but some things are a little over the top. And Van Stahls surely do not cut wire like those Manleys, but they dont rust and are lightweight. Again, I know nothing about the reels except that they are expensive and look cool.

[saltyric]

Right on with the Costas!!!!!!

[Prop Blast]

skipperwahoo - 10/30/2008 5:30 AM

...gentlemen its all about curb appeal too!! show up with a van stahl and you will command instant respect!!

I guess those "exclusive" van stahl's are more impressive than van staals ... instant respect? I think not.

PB