VS200 or VSB250???

[BJohnny]

I'm looking to get a Van Staal reel and have been considering a VS200 or VSB200. I mainly fish from a boat/surf so I want this reel to be able to do both. My buddy at work has been saying he likes the VSB for surf and is good @ night. However he also has the VS and said it wouldn't be good on the boat , more of a pain in the neck, plus I may cut my finger with braided line.

I mainly use bailed reels so I'm not so familiar with the none bailed VS. I have tried my buddies and have no problems casting with it. What would be the better choice for an dual reel for surf & boat. I would use it for fluke,stripers,& ect....

Thanks
John

[Tunacell]

Hey Johnny, I'm surprised no one saw this thread
I personally have no experience with the VSB series. I bought my 200 back when bailess was the only option. Like you I had never used a bailess reel before, and was a bit aprehensive. However, I got the hang of it no time and now I wouldn't fish anything but bailess, from the surf that is.

You may be able to use a bailess 200 from a boat depending on the application. If you are going to be live lining or drifting eels with an open bail and finger on the line, you may find bailess to be a little difficult. I don't think it would be impossible (I intend to try it next weekend), it just may be a little more doing than with a bail. If you are NOT live lining and chucking artificials instead, the bailless reel should be no issue at all.

Either way, the 200 size is awesome, it's highly versitile and you shouldn't be dissapointed.

[cchobot]

This is a great thread and question. I own the VS200 and love the bailess. You get used to it VERY quickly so don't let that be a hangup. The VSBs bail is manual so you'll be flipping it over anyway. I think the only way I'd consider the bail would be if I was live lining or something like that, but my lack of experience in that area means thats just a guess. In the end I think you'll get used to whatever you choose, make it work, and be happy with it. I'd be curious to hear from someone who has and actively fishes BOTH a bailed and bail-less VS.

Maybe another reason I like the no-bail version is because I fell on a reel awhile back and bent the bail (not a VS mind you but a 704).

The more I talk and listen to my reasons the more trivial the reasons seem... Maybe I really do have a good reason for liking the bail-less version but can't quite put my finger on it (pun intended)

Just a question but does anyone find there's a difference between controlling the consistency of how your braid goes on the spool between versions? I like the bail-less because I feel like I'm better at getting that first loop on there tighter and reducing birds nests

[Elpaca19]

I just have to say I have a brand spanking new VS200 (just made) in Silver that is on a UPS truck out for delivery as I type this. I can not tell you how excited I am for this new reel.

I do have to say I owe it all to this fourm which turned me onto this reel and provided so much information that swayed me to buy it. Thanks all.

[cchobot]

There would be no forums here w/o the patronage of our customers... A special "thank-you" to all who contribute through their posts AND purchases.

[Elpaca19]

I got the new VS200S yesterday and man is it nice. The reeling action seems a bit stiff but from what I have read here that is normal for new reels. Is that true?

Anyway I need to go get some 20 lb mono for it today. Man I can't wait to cast this for the first time.