VS Questions

[titan]

Pete, I have a few VS questions and thought you would be the best source to ask.

1) How much does a 150 and 200 spare spool cost? I didn't see them listed on the site. I imagine there was a price bump to these as well this year. When you buy a spare spool, do you get some sort of protective VS bag for the spool as well?

2) How much 15 or 17 lb. mono do you think I could get onto a 150? The VS brochure says 340 yards of 12 lb. mono. I am thinking of getting an extra spool for my 150 and loading it with mono, rather than Suffix braid which I am using now on the spool that came with the reel.

3) I've noticed that each VS that comes out of the case seems to have a little different feel. What is your preference, the tight, geary feeling reel or the slightly smoother VS that turns with a little less resistance? Do they both end up feeling the same after break-in?

[Pete_G]

The spools are $170 for the VS150, and $185 for the VS200. The spools do not come with a case or bag.

I'd guess approximately 250 yards of 15# and a little less for the 17#. Craig Cantelmo will be on shortly to respond on why the reels feel different from one to the next and may have more accurate numbers on the mono as well.

[craigc]

Titan,

Thanks for the inquiry on the VS150 and your questions concerning the uniqueness of each reel.

To answer your first question about the spools, yes, they did have a price increase in line with the rest of the VS product line. As much as we did not want to raise prices it became necessary due to the dramatic increases in raw materials such as 6061-T6 Aluminum and Titanium.

You are not alone when people mention that when they pick up two different reels in a shop one may feel more geary then another. There's two reasons for this, one is that each reel is unique in that it's hand assembled. However, since each part is machined to exacting tolerances it really comes down to how the reel is positioned on the shelf and where the lubrication is sitting and how much is covering the face of the gear.

I would argue that each one of the reels will feel identical after the first use once the lubrication has covered all of the moving parts completely.

The Saltwater Edge is one of our Premeir Van Staal Dealers and are very knowledgable about the product line. However, if you ever need more detailed information please feel free to contact me anytime on my Cell: 631-365-7983.

[titan]

Thanks for the reply Craig! It was nice meeting you at Striper Surf day in Old Saybrook a few weeks ago. I was the guy who dropped off an old 100 that had been lubricated with Quantum hot sauce a few years back. I really enjoyed that story you told of that nearly tragic wipe out that Rob of SWE took in the surf. Funny as hell! Braid all wrapped around his legs and all!