Got a really, really good friend?

One who deserves the Rolls Royce of fishing reels as a holiday gift?

Dig deeply into your pockets, because it’s going to cost.

But even Van Staal admits that its machined spinning reels come with a healthy price tag.

But the compay points out that diehard anglers don’t use the reels simply because they’re the luxury cars of angling.

Instead they use Van Staals because the reels are the bullet-proof tanks of fishing.

These handcrafted reels are now 20 years old.

Robert Koelewyn, an aircraft machinist from Connecticut, reportedly developed the reels in 1987 to be the toughest, most durable on the market.

Popular for fishing the surf, one of the toughest environments on tackle, but also used elsewhere, the reels are made with machined aluminum bodies--no diecast construction--for strength and high precision. Internal and external parts are constructed with machined, hardened, stainless steel and titanium.

One of the main features is the sealed, waterproof drag system and gear case, keeping water, salt and sand from affecting drag performance.

Other features include:

• oversized, individually cut, hardened gears to prevent slipping and stripping;
  
  
• an extra-large, anti-reverse clutch for rock-solid hook-sets and the ability to use heavy braided lines with unyielding strength;
  
  
• an anodized finish for a protective barrier to fight saltwater corrosion;

• loads of room for large amounts of line on the spool;

• and cut-outs in the body, handle and spool for both lighter weight and quick drying of braided line.
  

Reel Ventures acquired Van Staal in 2001, and Zebco acquired the company in 2005. Van Staal currently operates independently at Zebco’s headquarters in Tulsa. The product is a distinct unit from Zebco, Fin-Nor and Quantum, two other Zebco brands.

Van Staal spinning reels were only available without bails until 2005, because the bail was traditionally the weakest part of spinning reels. But then a model that comes with a titanium bail began being offered.

Available in sizes that can handle line from 6-pound monofilament to 100-pound braid, both the VS Series with no bail and the VSB Series with a bail come in black, gold or silver finishes.

Van Staal also produces fly-fishing reels, jig rods, fishing pliers and surf-fishing tackle bags.

For more information, visit the Van Staal web site.

Or check out the Van Staal catalog. (pdf)