Van Staal VR-50 After 2 YEARS

For the past 2 Years I have used the Van Staal VR-50, here are my thoughts.
The Van Staal VR-50 is truly a very special and unique reel. It is small light but also powerful to use against False Albacore and the small tuna. Van Staal has had this reel out for quite some time and now more than ever the reel has held up. Van Staal is known for sealed drag systems and expensive reels and the VR-50 does not disappoint. Thank you so much for watching this Van Staal Review, I will see you next week as always. Stay Tuned for the future.
The Reel!! amzn.to/37exWCP
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What we use
Shiny Reel: amzn.to/39mUhxL
Lure: amzn.to/3fKv7v0
Martha's Vineyard Series: kzbin.info?list...
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@beantownangler

[@BeantownAngler]

Thoughts on the Reel?

[@frankcastle9991]

Best reel out there.

[@TheDanteBoots]

I'm a sucker for aesthetics, this is a gorgeous looking reel.

[@BeantownAngler]

So pretty

[@kironafly6605]

Excellent review fish bro! Thanks for taking the time to make the video and post your thoughts. I guess I agree with your informed assessments. Thanks again.

[@BeantownAngler]

Thanks for watching!!

[@ch0cchip704]

That's a great honest review and run down.

[@BeantownAngler]

Thank you so much!

[@CalidoreRobinson]

Great video Ronan! That reel has done you well.

[@BeantownAngler]

It has!!!

[@valentinmanus1355]

Your videos made me buy one these day! :)

[@BeantownAngler]

Awesome!!

[@cheistoanmagdiz1990]

Great video man so underrated

[@BeantownAngler]

Thank you for the kind words

[@BassBros8]

Awesome man!!

[@BeantownAngler]

Thanks Joey!!!

[@williamrobinson6101]

Awesome Video Ronan

[@BeantownAngler]

Thank you for watching!

[@makanasfishing1574]

Sick review, just bought one

[@BeantownAngler]

Congrats! Great reel!

[@Thayer2000]

Great info on that reel!

[@BeantownAngler]

Thanks!

[@JohnAmes]

Great job buddy 👍

[@BeantownAngler]

Thank you John!!!!

[@andrewbobro6094]

Good honest review.

[@BeantownAngler]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@reggiedunlop5029]

Congratulations on 16,000 views!!!!!

[@BeantownAngler]

Thank you!!!!

[@lisaminei7000]

I want to get one after that review!

[@BeantownAngler]

Awesome!!!!!!!

[@marcotabora1616]

Very good review

[@BeantownAngler]

Thank you Marco!

[@alanprimaz529]

Great review, I own a VS150 & 250 after selling all of my Shimano, Diawa, and Penn reels, which was the best thing I have done and used them for over 15 years trouble free. Once you fish with a Van Staal it is hard to fish another reel as they are so light, tough, hold crazy amount of line. I used to own a reel for every rod which was lame as it is better to have my 2 Van Staal that were used on bass rods in freshwater to surf and even jigging for Ling cods. I have used them for everything and loved them. Now I am thinking of finally getting a bailed Van Staal and will get the VR50 to use on all my freshwater rods and light inshore salt.

[@BeantownAngler]

The VR-50 is really good for inshore fishing, and I totally agree. It’s hard to use other reels solely for the lightness of the VR-50

[@alanprimaz529]

@@rainsong7327 The drag is great, I have caught some big fish such as a 48lb King Salmon, a 50Lb Dorado with ease. The only issue they have had was the generation 1 of the newer VR reels, those issues are all resolved, just don't buy a used gen1 ;)

[@BeantownAngler]

Thanks for the advice, those are some big fish!

[@moseskongi4746]

@@BeantownAngler *Hey Bean, are these Van Staals really completely waterproof? If you dunk it, it won't have to be sent to be serviced/cleaned?*

[@Death_Row_Anglers]

Nice. Thanks for the info. Just subscribed to your channel

[@BeantownAngler]

Thank you so much! Greatly appreciate the support

[@paulthecpa2717]

I've beaten the daylights out of my VR50 here on the east coast of Florida. I used the bail-less kit on mine, just skip the bail. I use 20# Suffix braid, which after the braid "softened" up, I stopped getting wind-knots. I think I was able to put 310 yards of the 20# suffix on this reel. I've landed tarpon up to 45# on this reel. I fish it with a G Loomis, 8-foot, one-piece surf rod. I mainly fish 1-ounce bucktail jigs, and I can pitch that jig like 75 yards if I have good form in my cast. It's a friggin blast.

[@BeantownAngler]

This reel is unreal, very tough and reliable.

[@jimj986]

This man speaks the truth. Get yourself a good rod first. If budget isn’t an option, put a flashy reel on it.

[@BeantownAngler]

This is what I tell everyone!

[@Clambelly]

Great video -- I would love to see a head to head comparison vs. Visser and Tsunami SaltX

[@BeantownAngler]

I appreciate the comment. I will have to check out those reels.

[@michaelyanni4422]

Thanks brother

[@BeantownAngler]

Thanks for Watching!!!

[@pitbullbred305]

Congratulations on breaking 1k subs. Just subbed up. Hope u got monitized bro. Good review. Think ima grab one. I run a slammer 3 and salt x but I want something new.

[@BeantownAngler]

Thank you so much!! Ive heard the slammers are great reels.

[@williamrobinson6101]

I think this thing is going to hit 10,00

[@BeantownAngler]

very close

[@moddkilla]

Now I want one

[@BeantownAngler]

Glad I convinced you

[@frankcastle9991]

I love my VS 125. Have it about 7 years I’m fishing island beach state park area greeting from Nj.

[@BeantownAngler]

That is awesome! Nothing like a long lasting reel

[@topwater_tommy]

Dank video, awesome production quality too. You hit on a lot of good points, I'd say I agree that the premium is better spent on the rod. In terms of reel comparison, would you recommend a 3000 or 5000 sized Stradic FL for a 7' 6" medium rod? XR is out of my budget, but the Shimano (as you said) should do just fine for light inshore schoolies, albies, and blues.

[@BeantownAngler]

Appreciate it!

[@BumpNrun69]

How would this hold out, with a full day of casting inland spinner baits and 1/2 oz. lures, both reel & the knob. Looking for a comfortable spinning reel to cast a lot during the day (hot, sunny). Wondered if the rubber (?) knob would affect fingers/thumb by making them fatigue?

[@BeantownAngler]

Hi Bump, sorry for the delayed response. I’ve used this (VR-50) many times for full days and I think it’s actually better than any other reels for comfort. Because it’s so light, it’s easy to hold and reel. The knob relaxes your hand as well so you don’t get finger fatigue at all from my experience.

[@Bigfish1day]

I have a VR175, haven’t had any trouble with it in 6 years. All I do is rinse it, haven’t used it in a while cause I started offshore fishing. Spooled it up with some 40lb braid and a new rod this winter. Going to beat on some snappers and amber jacks. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BeantownAngler]

They are great reels, that's all you'll ever really need to do.

[@user-ps8ds4df4w]

I’m gonna get a van staal for the spring but I’m not sure to go with a vs or vr... It’ll definitely get hit by waves but I’m not gonna be swimming with the reel, you think the vr would hold up to constantly getting splashed or I should go with a vs?

[@BeantownAngler]

I prefer the Vr, the vs is a bit overkill unless you’re literally reeling underwater nonstop. As long as you rinse the VR when you get home, it’ll hold up well

[@alanprimaz529]

I think they are both good but I am basing the VR off of this review. I own two VS reels and they are bullet proof for me for over 15 years dunking in the salt all day and in the sand with no issues but for me I am thinking of the VR to have a bailed reel for light salt and even freshwater. As Beantown said rods are more important first so I sold all of my Shimano, Diawa and Penn reels to get just 2 Van Staals to use on over 12 rods and was well worth it as I had several Shimano just fall apart after getting dunked and in sand and once you fish a Van Staal and feel the light weight, great drag, and huge line capacity you will realize the rest of the reels on the market are just lame to me. I used to own a reel for every rod but that was a waste, I would rather have few reels and way more rods...

[@tommasofossati5123]

The drag Is Better sealed on the vr, amd the shaft of the vr for its seal conformation behave better with sand debris in my opinion. Vs have larger spools amd they are more heavy-built. Bail or no bail is a fact of personal preference, but Remember vrs come with a bail-less kit

[@omarvinca3374]

Fire son

[@BeantownAngler]

Thank you for watching

[@al0324]

great update BA. i saw your other two videos a year or so ago as well; at the time trying to figure out if its worth getting a VR50. I fish light tackle in the surf - Stradic 3000's (6.5 oz), Nasci 3000's (8.9 oz) , daiwa bg's... cant count the numerous times rogue waves would take me in and how'd i swear it'll never happen again. WELP just last weekend my daiwa bg took a dunk and got badly jammed. took hours to clean out all the sand. got me looking back at getting a VR50 again. noticed u said SAND bad? it could survive a dunk, rinsed out in the ocean and continue fishing u say? or definitely keep it away from sand... cuz i'd like to say "it'll never happen again!" buuuuut i'm pretty sure the ocean likes knocking me on my ass.

[@BeantownAngler]

Hahah ya I was saying that the reel is the enemy of sand, don’t get sand near it, but the benefit is that I wash it underwater if sand ever does get in it and it is always fine.

[@mistermatsuda]

If you are prone to dunking reels then get it. I like the smoothness of a Shimano Stella or Daiwa Exist but if I'm wading those reels stay at home and out comes the VR.

[@BeantownAngler]

I agree

[@al0324]

@@BeantownAngler Heyyyyy just wanted to update you BA. so on Jan 15th, 2022, the california coast got hit from a tsunami that came from a valcano eruption. It caused the waters to get really rough that day. I got the warnings too late, and as my buddy and I were fishing from the beach, the surf rised and caught us completely off guard and swept us out into the ocean. we luckily survived thanks to the people/park services/EMT air lift. Crazy thing tho is i lost my Vr50 - until CA park services found it again 3 days later! It basically sat in the surf/salt/sand for 3 days till it popped up back on the beach again! It suuuuurrrrviveddd - just a bent bail which i easily fixed! This made me buy a 2nd Vr50; i gave my first one to my friend who lost his entire setup. kzbin.info/www/bejne/in67mYilrLJ6fNk prettttyyy badasssssss reeeeeeel!

[@papifarquad7351]

That was real asf thanks

[@BeantownAngler]

Appreciate the feedback!

[@iniki1234]

What's the wrap to keep the fishing line in place called? I looked up fishing line keeper/holder for reel and didn't give me any results that I am looking for

[@BeantownAngler]

What do you mean the wrap? do you mean the yellow thing in the thumbnail?

[@iniki1234]

@@BeantownAngler yeah the yellow thing, tried looking online but they have me tippets or other gear to spool your reels

[@BeantownAngler]

Sorry for the slow response, funny enough it’s just a food produce yellow rubber band from probably Whole Foods.

[@yannickbzh35]

Hello, I am thinking about changing my saltiga 4k, are the vanstaals comparable in terms of size? THANKS

[@BeantownAngler]

They are comparable to most 5000-4000 sized reels. The vr 50 is not a big reel by any means. What fish do you want to target?

[@yannickbzh35]

@@BeantownAngler Seabass in France, max size 75 cm

[@BeantownAngler]

@@yannickbzh35 The VR-50 might be a little overkill. The reel is great for catching little tuna that rip drag like crazy and pretty sizable bass.

[@ArsaGauri]

Hello sir, i don't really similar with this company reel, because I'm new angler here, its is reel compared to other reel company, what size is this reel sir ???

[@allenmagrini4392]

good reel, however I find it uncomfortable. It is the only VS reel where they did not round the square edges off the leg. Mistake or bad design?

[@BeantownAngler]

I don’t mind it.. but I will agree, at first it was uncomfortable but now I don’t mind it at all

[@markpurvis2558]

I do a lot of bass fishing in the UK and would have bought this reel when it first came out but unfortunately I reel in with my right hand

[@BeantownAngler]

I’m pretty sure they make reels for the right hand in the newest generation

[@wbwills2]

Thx. Trying to figure it out

[@BeantownAngler]

Let me know if you have more questions

[@wbwills2]

@@BeantownAngler thank you. I will. Take care

[@calallen8786]

Ill be moving up to Massachusetts coming from Florida and big time fisherman. Will my Saragosa 8k will do fine up there? Also got a diawa sealing 6/0, stradic fk, and ci4

[@BeantownAngler]

That should be plenty depending on what you want to fish for.

[@calallen8786]

@@BeantownAngler mainly stripers

[@BeantownAngler]

Should be good, but if you get into big ones you may need to upgrade a bit

[@calallen8786]

@@BeantownAngler ok so to like 10000k?

[@BeantownAngler]

I would try the 8k first and then if you feel like you need bigger upgrade, but 8k is pretty big still. What size line do you use?

[@stevanbelenzade3464]

Great video. Does anyone know which direction to turn the side cover in order to open it? I think I'll have to put some greese in my VR50. I do not have the special wrench and it seems to me by looking at the pictures it point to clockwise direction.

[@BeantownAngler]

Do you mean to take off the reel seating from the main frame?

[@stevanbelenzade3464]

@@BeantownAngler I mean the side cover that says "Van Staal" using the funny wrench they supplied, I would like to do some meintanance :-)

[@stevanbelenzade3464]

There is a Service Cover on the right side and so called Body Cover on the left side. Which direction do they unscrew? Clocwise or anticlocwise?

[@BeantownAngler]

I have actually never tried to unscrew that, I did not think it came loose

[@BeantownAngler]

I would contact Van staal because I am not sure at all how to do it

[@JohnSmith-tz7iy]

Could I put this on a St. Croix Legend Xtreme Inshore just fine?

[@BeantownAngler]

Not 100% but I don't see why you couldn't

[@tommasofossati5123]

If it gets full of sand, just reel it underwater and wash it... Some people complain about this issue, but the reel design has the solution in itself 😂 soak it and you are ready to go

[@BeantownAngler]

Hahaha I agree, when in doubt dunk it…

[@tommasofossati5123]

@@BeantownAngler My only complaint is about the drag sealing. I prefer the system used on the bigger vrs, the 50 one is more likely to keep sand and dirt under the screw and in the shaft. But its a minor issue

[@BeantownAngler]

Didn’t know they had different drag

[@tommasofossati5123]

@@BeantownAngler the older vrs have a different sealing system and different drag knob. Lets call the gen 1. The gen 2 have all the same drag as on your vr50 and stainless steel shaft with a pin (same system used on vs an vsx). Gen 1 vr had a bronze (or bronze looking shaft, with a notch to lock the drag, which was sealed and waterproof ONLY when mounted on the reel. Vr 50 has a drag sealed by its own, you can remove and soak to clean the line.

[@tommasofossati5123]

I think but im not sure, all the sizes of gen 2 have the drag like yours, and all the gen 1 sizes had a bronze shaft. To me despite all, was more sand-friendly the first type of drag

[@AnglingAddictssrilanka]

Great review, thank you! subb'd for more cool action :)

[@BeantownAngler]

Thank you for the support!!!!

[@Chris_STR]

Paint scratches and the polished aluminum is visible underneath

[@BeantownAngler]

Y’a I’ve seen some now

[@frostizz2072]

The size numbers confuse me, what size in 1000,2000,3000 etc would a van staal 100 be

[@BeantownAngler]

The bigger the number the bigger the reel, a VR 250 is much larger than the 50. Is that what you were asking about?

[@tommasofossati5123]

The black one shows the sign of wear and scratches a lot more than silver, go for silver, scratched black vs look awful

[@BeantownAngler]

I have heard that before, good to hear conformation of it

[@johnratcliffe6438]

I bought a VR50 a few weeks ago and have used it twice since then. I have been plagued by knots; incredibly frustrating. I have had to cut knots out and retie my leader at least 10 times. A complete PITA. I never get knots with my Shimano Stradics. I really wanted to love this reel, but the knots make it unusable.

[@BeantownAngler]

What line are you using vs what you used with the Shimano

[@johnratcliffe6438]

@@BeantownAngler Same line on both, SeaKnight Monster W8. I can hear the braid slapping the first eye as I cast. It is coming off the VS differently to the Shimano reels.

[@BeantownAngler]

I’m not sure. In my experience the reel doesn’t cause wind knots more than any other reel except when you have new braid. New braid on a reel causes more wind knots for some reason. This could be your problem. But besides that I can’t really advise you on what it is.

[@johnratcliffe6438]

@@BeantownAngler I have some Spiderwire now, so we shall see how that goes. Thanks.

[@BeantownAngler]

How did it go?

[@tonyminni6110]

have u actually ever completed dunked it under the water?

[@BeantownAngler]

Yes many times

[@tonyminni6110]

@@BeantownAngler awesome i have the reel but it’s too cold to use it now so i just wanted to hear some feedback! keep up the great content👍🏼

[@BeantownAngler]

Thanks for commenting!!

[@frankcastle9991]

Be safe on the rocks get korkers. Tight lines fellas .

[@BeantownAngler]

Great Advice here

[@moddkilla]

Is there a 4 year review

[@BeantownAngler]

Not yet but there will be one coming

[@bryanwong1625]

Damn puberty kicked it for u

[@BeantownAngler]

Ya it really did

[@darrennicholas860]

Would u say it’s 5000

[@BeantownAngler]

its a little smaller than a normal 5,000 sized reel but just if not more powerful

[@tubingforever]

VSX2 or nothing.

[@BeantownAngler]

Hahaha, definitely an opinion

[@kenoakes6725]

knob

[@BeantownAngler]

So goood

[@DanteAlahandro]

I wanted one when I was a kid. They claim it was the last reel you will ever buy. But that's BS. I only have Penn. And I am a level 9 slayer. Keep the shiny trinkets. I prefer a mans reel.😂