new addition
 

Just picked up a new addition to the fishing arsenal!! Van Staal 275. should make for some excitement casting to the SBFTs off Ptown this summer. :cool:

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/o...lb33fyxj/2.jpg
http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/o...lb33fyxj/3.jpg

Re: new addition
 

I got a 200 VS. Any idea on what the max drag strength is on the 275? Also, which rod will you be matching it up with and will you be popping or jigging with it?

Also, on a side note the one thing that I don't like about my VS 200 is that you have to feed the line back on with your finger. I am waiting for the day a freight train BFT hits just as I am feeding the line back on.
:eek:


Peter

Re: new addition
 

Supposedly the 275 can run upwards of 20lbs of drag. ive got a 6'6" 15-50 e-glass rod from fishermans outfitters thatim gonna run it on. i was wondering about getting the line back on the roller, it should make for some interesting times! most likely ill be working surface baits, as i havent tried jiggin yet, but who knows. it will probably wind up doing it all.

Chris

Re: new addition
 

manual bail reals imo are not good for heavy jigging due to the line jumping off the roller... but i dont have zebco's i have penn 706's. as for putting the line back on the roller just lift the rod tip to pull line off the spool and finger it back on while dropping the rod tip... i grew up pier fishing for smoker king macs. and ive caught 60 # sea donkeys ( amberjack ) on my 706 with 20 # test ( it sucked i thought i was gonna die before it gave up )

Re: new addition
 

I bought a VS when they first came out around late '99.

It's one of my least favorite reels as far as comfort and smoothness. I can say this positive.............It looks and works the same as the day I got it. Absolute no rust, nicks wear or tear. Drag is bombproof.

I did loose the nut that holds the line roller once but luckily it fell in the boat. I put locktite on it and no problems since. I believe mine is the vs 200.

Another downside is no tackle shop can work on it, only the factory.

Re: new addition
 

OK, Boyz & Girlz....
I have fished manual pick-up for the last 38 years!! :eek: (Yeah, I'm gettin' old)
One of the Rumer 401's that I fish with is 40+ years old..
:eek: :eek:..
I have caught more big Snook (30lb.+) and Cobia (65lb.+)
on these old manual pick-up reels. I have deep jigged and
sight casted with them as well.
The Van Staal might be a well constructed reel, but it
is full time anti-reverse, which is NO GOOD on a manual
pick-up reel... [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]
You have to be able to back the handle up to be able to
pick the line off the roller then cast and pick-up with your
fore finger then reel in..
I also have old Penn 706's which are great for surf casting.
The RU's I have are mounted on custom built 8ft Sage Rods.
I will put them up against any Van Staal!!!!
Just my 2 cents worth..
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...4/RU401002.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...4/RU401001.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...4/RU401005.jpg

See ya, Ken