Tsunami SaltX II vs. Van Staal VR vs. Van Staal X2: The Ultimate Saltwater Reel Showdown

[@craigseverin668]

I do not have either of those reels, although I have wanted a Van Staal since they first came out. Van Staal likely has fewer seals because it has fewer places where water can seep in, such as the screws on the side of the body that the SaltX II has and the fitting so the reel handle can be switched to the other side on the SaltX II. Regarding the shaft - 416 stainless steel is known to be more corrosion-resistant than titanium. Whether the Van Staal has an aluminum bail, I cannot say, but it looks like stainless steel, which is what every spinning reel I have seen has. You could hold a magnet to it. Stainless steel is magnetic to hold a magnet, whereas aluminum magnetism is essentially imperceptible. Thanks for the video.

[@snipergene]

Can you test and compare the Visser reels as well? Very interested in seeing how Rob Koelewyn's latest design compares.

[@biviac1237]

New ones seem to be solid! But he won’t tell you he’s on v. 4/5…. Not right to his customer when you do it secretly imo

[@mbartolacc]

I chose the van staal 50 over the saltx 2. I had used a brand new Toadfish reel (which was about $150, definitely not a dirt cheap reel) this summer twice in the surf and after 2 uses (and proper rinsing after each use), its gears were corroded and grinding. Since I had bought it over a year ago, they refused any service/replacement on it (including my offer to pay for service). That is when I decided to invest in a good reel for surf fishing. After seeing your video now, I guess I made the correct decision in getting the van staal.

[@kevindeuschle3413]

My original Salt-x didn't last a season commercial spanish mackerel fishing. Picked up a couple shimano saragosa 4k's and fished them for three seasons, and after retiring from commercial fishing still use them for throwing big plugs and jigs around bridges and docks for big snook.

[@surfandstreamfisher5749]

the Saragosa would be my choice too. and i've owned 3 VS's, still own a VS150.

[@jonsmith398]

i have a 2003 van staal300 yearly service thats it best reel i ever bought great company

[@surfandstreamfisher5749]

IME as a surfcaster for 55 years in total, "most guys" (me included) does not need a reel like the VS or SaltX unless you fish with your reel underwater. there are reasonably priced reels that can handle splash and dunkins well.... and yes i have owned 3 VS's and still own a VS150.

[@PENDER910]

Ive had my gen 1 salt x 6000 for 3 years now fish it hard cobia and old drum here in nc paired with a thrasher 8106 🔥 combo love it i just spray my salt x off and she aint let me down yet

[@amirspd7492]

Good job 👍 ❤🎣

[@edwardbranch3520]

I have a vr50, 150 and 200. I also own theSaltX 2 3000 and 4000. The VR series is more geary. I guess I will find out how the SaltX 2 holds up.

[@tailwateroutfitters]

I would agree, the SaltX definitely feels noticeably smoother

[@cheyon22]

Gen 1 Salt x 6000 about 4 seasons dump in water, Lucas gear grease & oil still kicking butt . Guys the specs on the old salt x reels are greater than the new ones FYI

[@jayinla228]

How so?

[@pescabikeaventuras]

Podia ter comparado o som de arrasto meu amigo , review ótimo

[@jayinla228]

Is the saltx 2 made in black?

[@zacharyhiggins5632]

Would you pick the saltx 2 over the slammer iv dx? Really stumped on which to pick. I have the original saltx and love it! Great videos by the way

[@TopSecretAsiant]

Absolutely

[@tailwateroutfitters]

Yea I would as well. Penn’s really dropped the ball on new stuff in the past few years

[@zacharyhiggins5632]

@@tailwateroutfitters yall convinced me. Ordered through the site thanks for the help!

[@tailwateroutfitters]

Glad we could help man and thanks for the support! Gonna toss plenty of Tailwater stickers in your order 🤙🏼

[@LogansReelAdventures]

Just ordered the 3k Saltx2 been wading a lot lately and my penn clash is screaming

[@auggyboy284]

Where are both reels made?

[@tailwateroutfitters]

China, unfortunately

[@auggyboy284]

@@tailwateroutfitters I guess it comes down to that pay once, cry once mindset

[@fishwomanyvr]

any Penn reels you would suggest for salty beach fishing

[@pablojoaquinlopezabad6122]

ey there! The slammer is an excelent reel. Maybe will not las for life as van staal say but... is 10/10

[@pablojoaquinlopezabad6122]

I got the peen slammer 3 and Daiwa saltist, and slammer feels more strong and durable.

[@lighto999]

Nice review. Is the bail wire solid titanium? Or just coated? Thx. I had issues w/aluminum bending. So titanium might b better

[@aroshanrai5213]

Saltax II for me

[@kadigeerkens7625]

How does the VR and SaltX compare to something like a Shimano Twinpower?

[@tailwateroutfitters]

Twinpower SW is way smoother than both and is sealed incredibly well, but proably not as water tight as the staal. I would fish the twinpower over both from a boat

[@saltylawaia8958]

Spinfisher vii does the job with quarter of the price?

[@Disco_Fish1985]

You’re clearly not fishing in water up to your chest/having your reel get dunked over and over in the surf.

[@InshorePursuitFL]

@@Disco_Fish1985most people aren’t lol

[@InshorePursuitFL]

It’s good to point out that titanium is also more impact resistant. This is the main reason why the spool lip is titanium. Picture fishing from jetty rocks and slipping and having your reel hit the rocks. This literally just happened to me and spool lip is chipped now.

[@InshorePursuitFL]

To clarify it was a different reel without titanium

[@Mr.Plutonium]

Isn’t Zeebaas their competitor and made in the US?

[@fernfolch]

First one here. Where's my prize?!

[@tailwateroutfitters]

Appreciate it very much! High fives all around when you come in the shop

[@braydenwatkins671]

I need a reel snd a rod that can handle some big fish from piers

[@Wordupdoe]

What’s your budget? If your just pier fishing u don’t need a super sealed reel A Cheap solid reel would be a Penn pursuit This list is low price to high that I recommend Tsunami shield Shamano nasci Penn battle 2,3,4 Diawa bg Diawa bg mq Penn spinfisher 6,7 Shimano vanford Shamano saragosa Penn slammer 3,4 Diawa saltist Shamano twin power Tsunami salt x Van staal vr I personally like the pen spinfisher that’s what I recommend to everyone But if u want a better sealed reel get a saragosa

[@biviac1237]

I have the saltx 6000 (version 1). it feels good in the hands, BUT it is not sealed. I fish from the surf and dunked it (not reeling under water but dunk in less the 1' of water) and I needed service within the next 3 weeks... my slammer 3 have a longer life in that enviorment. maybe fair enough, right? can't go cheap and think youre getting a van steal quality reel. my BIGGEST gripe about the salt is the drag system... 1, it was a little sticky with bigger fish. 2. the thread system is AWFUL!!! needs more play. the spool is either falling off the reel or its locked down tight. do your research before purchasing! I hope v2 is better for those more on a budget. but I have a vsx100 and a vr150 (v2) and I have had ZERO issues with both (4 years on the vsx and 2 on the VR without service, just rinse with fresh water) and I reel them under water and beat them up. big fish, drop them on rocks (gracefully of course, but still) and they are under water ALOT. VR reel foot could be more "rounded". would make it feel better in my hands. thats all I have for y'all. I also live 1 town over from ZeeBaas and I do prefer the feel of the staal (vsx is the equivalent). but both are bad ass reels!! hope this helps

[@bobfronczek8118]

Van stalls are nice real when they were made in the US for the price of them getting them from overseas they should be less still not the same product as made in US the quality has gone down since they were coming from overseas

[@heyjoejp]

Bill wetzel has publicly said the VS made in china are better product than the ones the were made in the USA. He’s been using VS since they were created

[@thefisherman0074]

China

[@2Cool4Ryan]

Look around your house. I am pretty certain 95% of everything you own is made in China.

[@PeterKerns-b2i]

Neither. My vintage Penn 704 will crap all over those reels six ways to Sunday

[@artificialslinger9730]

Nope. Tsunami is and always will be a Walmart brand imo

[@tailwateroutfitters]

Totally understand and Tsunami definitely is, but the SaltX line won’t be in a Walmart. It seems to be a much better product than the Tsunami stuff

[@TommyS3119]

I know i’m the minority here, but I wouldn’t buy anything Tsunami. That first gen. SaltX sucked. Im also one of the few that never liked the feel of any of their rods, and their customer service is horrible. It’s all cheap crap, over rated garbage. My opinion. Go for a few extra bucks and get the proven design of the VS. The Van Staals all day, everyday!!!

[@tailwateroutfitters]

Can’t speak to the customer service, and never personally owned the original SaltX. However I do agree that the Van Staals are better reels. The quality and proven reputation is hard to compete with. But I’m interested to hear what people think after fishing this new reel

[@InshorePursuitFL]

Love their rods and reels like the shield and evict were awesome for their price