MudRiverDan
05-03-2012, 08:34 AM
Some may have noticed that I have been flogging off a bit of my gear here and there in classifieds.
Main reason is to go towards a spin reel hopefully a Van Staal.
Just have a few queries and would like some opinions as I notice these reel are now being produced in China and will become more available here at a cheaper price.
1.) Made in China?.. I hear you say.. yes but from what I can gather from some US forums the build quality has improved, I am not sure about warranty though.
There does not seem to be any issues with quality, though a few in the US forums have said they are disappointed it has not dropped the price of the reels in store.
2.) These reels were designed in the US specifically for fisherman targeting large striper Bass, a fish similar in size to a Mulloway, so they definitely have the grunt for big Mulloway and Greenback Taylor.
3.) Submersible, sand resistant, low maintenance. I give my reels a hard time, drop in sand get knoked on rocks and most of all when I have to walk out on a bit of a bar to get a cast a rogue wave often sees me waist or even chest deep in water and foam frequently in a session, so submersable reel is for me.
4.)Alvey reels, why not? mainly because I don't like casting them off rocky ledges or precarious footings, or casting them at night time, just my personal choice, If I am going to be casting quick without worry of line falling off spool the wrong way while I gain footing then I want a spin reel.
Though I still like Alveys a lot (pretty good cast when you get it down) and no doubt will acquire one in the future some time.
5.) Price? Well I could do a lot worse paying big bucks for finesse gear that I only catch flathead on, or I could pay a bucket-load for a Stella and wreck it in the sand and surf, and not get the durability or salt resistance.
Hence I have sold off my Alphas r edition and a couple of G-loomis rods that I never get any good use from.
Questions are:
I am going to put one on a 15 foot graphite surf rod.
Most probably will go the VS 275 or the VS 250.
They both have a tonne of spool capacity and I think the VS 250 holds 600 yards of 50lb, so I can't see any great need to go to a 275 or 300, though there are size weight and retrieve differences.
Anyone know if there would be a benefit of going to the 275 or 300?
Benefit in casting or anything? I am unsure.
Other question is, and this may make or break my decision to buy, is the short length of the spool, they are deep and short.
Will this impede casting? or have little to no effect on braid?
Any ideas or opinions appreciated.
Cheers
Main reason is to go towards a spin reel hopefully a Van Staal.
Just have a few queries and would like some opinions as I notice these reel are now being produced in China and will become more available here at a cheaper price.
1.) Made in China?.. I hear you say.. yes but from what I can gather from some US forums the build quality has improved, I am not sure about warranty though.
There does not seem to be any issues with quality, though a few in the US forums have said they are disappointed it has not dropped the price of the reels in store.
2.) These reels were designed in the US specifically for fisherman targeting large striper Bass, a fish similar in size to a Mulloway, so they definitely have the grunt for big Mulloway and Greenback Taylor.
3.) Submersible, sand resistant, low maintenance. I give my reels a hard time, drop in sand get knoked on rocks and most of all when I have to walk out on a bit of a bar to get a cast a rogue wave often sees me waist or even chest deep in water and foam frequently in a session, so submersable reel is for me.
4.)Alvey reels, why not? mainly because I don't like casting them off rocky ledges or precarious footings, or casting them at night time, just my personal choice, If I am going to be casting quick without worry of line falling off spool the wrong way while I gain footing then I want a spin reel.
Though I still like Alveys a lot (pretty good cast when you get it down) and no doubt will acquire one in the future some time.
5.) Price? Well I could do a lot worse paying big bucks for finesse gear that I only catch flathead on, or I could pay a bucket-load for a Stella and wreck it in the sand and surf, and not get the durability or salt resistance.
Hence I have sold off my Alphas r edition and a couple of G-loomis rods that I never get any good use from.
Questions are:
I am going to put one on a 15 foot graphite surf rod.
Most probably will go the VS 275 or the VS 250.
They both have a tonne of spool capacity and I think the VS 250 holds 600 yards of 50lb, so I can't see any great need to go to a 275 or 300, though there are size weight and retrieve differences.
Anyone know if there would be a benefit of going to the 275 or 300?
Benefit in casting or anything? I am unsure.
Other question is, and this may make or break my decision to buy, is the short length of the spool, they are deep and short.
Will this impede casting? or have little to no effect on braid?
Any ideas or opinions appreciated.
Cheers