Van Staal VR series review- Are the spinning reels worth the money?

Van Staal VR Reels are the latest evolution of Van Staal spinning reels. They are fully sealed, with a lightweight 6061 aluminum construction and a powerful waterproof drag system. They come from the factory with a bail and a bail-less conversion kit, so you can fish them, however, you like (excludes VR50).

Technical Specifications Chart

Quick Features Overview on Van Staal VR Reel:

– Fully machined 6061 aluminum body
– Fully sealed body and spool design
– Solid titanium spool shaft
– Stainless steel spiral-bevel gear system
– Includes bail-less kit (not on 50 sizes)

Note: The Van Staal VR50 will not come with a kit to convert to bail-less.

Van Staal VR Specs:

– Color: Black or silver
– Gear Ratio: 4.8:1 or 6.3:1
– Reel Handle Position: Right
– Anti-reverse Feature: Instant Anti-Reverse
– Drag Material: Carbon Fiber
– Drag Type: Front Drag
– Reel Spool Material: Aluminum

 Fully sealed Van Staal VR spinning reel review 2024

Check The Review

The Van Staal VR Series is fully sealed and fully submersible, like its proven predecessor, the X-Series. They are forged and machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, with a solid stainless steel center shaft and titanium nitride coating. Here are other unique features-

Waterproof Sealed Drag 

These reels have a powerful, waterproof drag system with Micro Click tuning accuracy and a lightweight design due to the cutouts in the body, rotor, and spool. Another innovation with the VR-Series is the easy conversion from a bailed reel (packaged this way) to a bail-less reel, using the tool, parts, and instructions included.

Lightweight Design

The Van Staal VR is often chosen by fishermen who want all the features of the VSX, with the option to switch between a bailed reel and bail-less. They’ve also been popular with surf casters looking to save a few ounces and build the lightest rig possible, as most models are even lighter than the already light VSX bailed reels.

Versatile reel

This is the Van Staal VR saltwater spinning reel, and what’s so special about this reel? First of all, it’s super small, super lightweight, and with structured aluminum, this reel is really lightweight. And with all the modern rods out there and all the braids, the thinner braids, and guys fishing with 10, 15, 20-pound braid, you could just do so much with this reel, and I don’t care where you are in the country. It’s just a super versatile reel, and you can throw it on a bunch of different lightweight rods and just have a blast.

Check Price On Amazon

Latest Price of New Van Staal Reel

I mean, you can do anything from fluking and porgy fishing all the way up to, you know, football tuna with this thing if you’re in the right spot in the right conditions, so it’s just a really versatile reel that’s super lightweight, and if you’re fishing all day, you won’t get tired.

Fastest gear ratio

It has 13 ball bearings in it, and unlike all other Van Staal’s, this reel actually got a faster gear ratio of six points three to one because, you know, the guys are advanced, so I knew that this was gonna be more of an inshore reel rather than a beach reel, but you can certainly use this from the beach.

Set this reel filled up with like nano filled and threw that down in Florida from the beaches down there something like that just a lot of things you can do with this reel and again it’s fully sealed, so there’s the manual bail you don’t have to worry about any sort of corrosion that kind of stuff let me just keep this thing clean it’s gonna treat you really well.

Just to let you know how thin the body is on this Van Staal VR50, you know, it’s like the width of your finger. But if you look at the bigger models, they are significantly thicker and heavier.

Saltwater Compatible

This reel’s really in a class of its own there’s not very much that can compete with it where that compares to it, and you can look at stuff like Shimano twin power and Shimano Stella and Daiwa Saltiga reels, and those types of saltwater reels but they’re not fully sealed like this thing, this thing you can actually dunk underwater you don’t worry about all that stuff.

And plenty of drag, so it’s just overbuilt, but light, it’s just a really cool reel from, you know, the same guy who created the original Van Staal. So it’s really well made, so I highly recommend the Van Staal VR.

---

Van Staal VR model specifications:

Model Number:	Bearings:	Gear Ratio:	Line Per Handle Turn:	Weight oz:	Mono Line Capacity:	Braid Line Capacity:	Max Drag:
Van Staal VR150	13	4.8:1	34″ | 86cm	17	285/0.35	440/30	35lb | 15.8kg
Van Staal VR175	13	4.8:1	38″ | 96cm	17.5	340/0.35	530/30	40lb | 18.1kg
Van Staal VR200	13	4.8:1	40″ | 102cm	18	380/0.35	500/40	40lb | 18.1kg
Van Staal VR50	14	6.3:1	37″ | 94cm	9	200/0.30	360/20	25lb | 11.3kg
Van Staal VR50B	14	6.3:1	37″ | 94cm	9	200/0.30	360/20	25lb | 11.3kg
Van Staal VR125	13	4.8:1	32″ | 80cm	16.6	200/0.30	400/20	35lb | 15.8kg

Van Staal VR Video:

Van Staal VR Series Spinning Reels at ICAST 2015

Watch this video

More Reviews On Van Staal Reels

My Personal Opinion About Van Staal VR Fishing Reel

A must-have for the surf

This reel is bullet proof to water and that is one of the most sought after features in a reel when surf fishing. Reels get dunked when you aren’t noticing and this waterproof reel is definitely worth the investment. Great reel if you want something that can withstand a few dunks (not purposely). Used on multiple trips and still feels brand new.

I love this reel!

First Van Staal VR and I’m not disappointed. Perfect for my uses. I pair it up with with a 10’6 St croix. Balance is great. Could see it being good on a 9′ as well. Great reel for surf fishing! Can tear down and service yourself witch I love. Gets you in touch with your gear and leaves you worry free.

Light as a feather

I caught a couple of schoolies with it, and it performed well. The drag was loud, unlike the bigger VR versions. Light as a feather, I could cast with it all day. I paired my Van Staal VR 50 with my Tsunami Airwave elite. The new versions come with a manual pickup kit conversion too.

Invincible!

Just holding this reel, you can feel the quality and sturdiness of the reel. It feels impervious to basically anything. The only downside is that it is definitely “gritty.” It’s not nearly as smooth as a Shimano, but that’s not the point of this reel. It’s a high performance tank that can brute force whatever you hook into, but has a sense of refinement in its qualities. Highly recommended!

Super Smooth!

Absolutely impressed with this reel. I’ve only used in the Chesapeake for stripers up to 36 inches. Smooth drag and line stacking is good. Everything you would expect from Van Staal.

Durable- Still new 4 years later!

I was skeptical when I got this reel because of all the hype, boy was I wrong. It’s my go to reel for everything now, I use it for lakes, ponds, surf fishing and deep sea fishing. While it may not be as smooth as a Shimano or Diawa, I haven’t screwed it up by dropping it in the surf or getting dunked in the waves while standing in the surf fishing. I have destroyed the others doing that.

It just happens when you fish. I’m not willing to try that with a Stella or Saltiga for twice the price. Still feels brand new 4 years later, no failures.

Van Staal VR Frequently Asked Questions:

Does the van Staal vr200 have a reversible handle?

No, it does not.

Are the Van Staal VR Series reels made in the USA?

No, none of the Van Staal reels are made in the USA.

What version is the closest to a 4000-size type reel?

Generally, the 125 would be the most comparable.

What size Van Staal VR should I get for redfish, snook, and jack Crevalle?

VR125, but any size would serve you well.

Does the Van Staal VR come in a right-hand crank?

This reel is only available in a left-hand crank.

Is the Van Staal VR Series salt water prof?

Yes, the Van Staal VR Series is fully sealed reels.

What is the main gear made of?

Stainless steel.

Where are the Van Staal VR reels made?

These reels are made in China of Forged and machined from 6061-T6 Aluminum.

Final Thoughts

Van Staal VR Spinning Reels are the latest innovation from Van Staal reels, the leader in sealed spinning reels. It’s been crazy popular, and it’s just gonna continue to be that way all through the year and on to the future, it holds plenty of test braid, and again, you can just do so much with this reel. Van Staal VR waterproof reel is definitely worth the money.