The VR II is the most affordable way into a real sealed Van Staal: the waterproof toughness the name is known for, without the flagship price. It is lighter, smoother and lower-resistance than its VS big brother while keeping nearly the same sealing, and it is the durable alternative to high-end Japanese spinning reels for anglers who fish in salt and sand.

The lineup now runs from the compact 25 up to the 200, in silver or black. The 51, 151 and 201 are the right-hand retrieve versions of the 50, 150 and 200, and come in black only.

Picking a size

The 25, 50 and 75 share a quick 6.3:1 gear ratio and 25 lb of max drag. They are light enough to fish all day on surf, bay and inshore setups. From the 125 up, the ratio drops to 4.8:1 for more cranking power and max drag climbs to 30, 35 and 40 lb, which suits heavier surf, jetty and boat fishing where bigger fish and heavier line come into play.

Built to take saltwater

A fully machined 6061 aluminum body with a sealed body and spool and a waterproof drag system keep salt and water out where it counts. Inside, a stainless steel spiral-bevel gear system runs smooth under load. New for the VR II: a Powergrip handle knob and Powergrip drag knob for a more secure hold with wet or gloved hands.

Every VR II ships with the bail installed and includes a bail-less conversion kit, so you can run it bailed or convert to bail-less if that is your preference.

Key features

• Fully sealed and waterproof: machined 6061 aluminum body, sealed body and spool, waterproof drag
• Powergrip handle and drag knobs: new on the VR II, secure in wet or gloved hands
• Stainless steel spiral-bevel gears: smooth power under load
• Bail-less conversion kit included: run it bailed or convert to bail-less
• Seven sizes, two colors: 25 to 200 in silver or black, with right-hand 51, 151 and 201 in black

Specifications