The Van Staal VR50, weighing in at just 8.9 ounces, should be available in tackle shops by the time you read this. The reel has undergone extensive field testing, and been pushed to the limit on species like tuna, sharks and large tarpon. It should easily handle any light tackle, inshore fishing situation you encounter here or wherever your fishing travel takes you.
The reel is completely sealed and is fully machined out of 6061-T6 aluminum. It features a patented waterproof, sealed drag system that provides a beefy 25 pounds of drag, hardened stainless steel main gear and pinion, and the main shaft is constructed of 17-4ph stainless steel. Its 6.3:1 gear ratio delivers 37 inches per turn of the handle. Line capacity is listed as 360 yards of 20-pound braid.
The manual bail throw system was designed for maximum efficiency, and features a double bail spring that ensures the bail will never snap closed. The design also provides maximum distance between the bail wire and your knuckles, a nice feature if you have ever had your fingers whacked repeatedly by your reel’s bail.
Capt. Craig Cantelmo, Field Sales Manager for Van Staal, has been field testing the reel for the better part of a year. Matching it up to a Loomis EX6 8-foot rod, he created an outfit that he found ideal for covering a wide range of inshore fishing situations. Suggested retail is $489.00.
