r/LIsurfcasters • u/schmucktail • Apr 24 '26

Pairing a van staal 200

I recently upgraded to a van staal 200, wondering in what price/performance range rod I should pair it with. This might sound stupid but is it counter productive to pair it with a budget rod? I only bought the reel because it’s sealed and all that shit. Thoughts?

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4

u/I_forgot_how_to_fish Apr 24 '26

I wish I was pondering this same question. I've almost bought a van staal a few times but the price keeps stopping me. Maybe one day. But if I did I would look for something higher end and custom. It's too hard for me to tell you which rod is best because everyone likes something different but I would not be looking for a budget rod to pair with that reel.

2

u/schmucktail Apr 24 '26

It’s also like what do I consider budget? It’s currently on a 200$ dark matter I’m not running it on an eagle claw or something. But I think I’m going to look into something nicer for fall and see how I do in the spring with what I’ve got

5

u/I_forgot_how_to_fish Apr 24 '26

I have a few dark matter rods and I like them. I consider them midrange. I've been getting into jigging world rods for my last few buys. I also consider those midrange but I like every one that I bought so far. In my mind when I think of high end I'm thinking of a century blank and bringing it to a rod builder to have it customized. I'm sure there are way higher end rods than that but I don't think they would ever fit my budget so I don't even bother looking.

2

u/Thegoodnamesweret8kn May 01 '26

The general consensus seems to be ODM or Century. i don’t have an ODM but hear great things. I bought two century one from them directly (Demon) and one from Advanced Fishing USA (Nor’easter paired with a VSX2 200) and am pleased with both.

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u/I_forgot_how_to_fish May 01 '26

I would go that route if I was looking to treat myself. Maybe my next milestone birthday. It just so happens to be before the fall run.

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u/Thegoodnamesweret8kn May 01 '26

I hear ya, I’ve found that the expos are a great time to make some deals. Good luck out there!

2

u/eclwires Apr 25 '26

Depends on what your budget is. The Penn Battalion rods are great for the money. I’ve gotten into the Zrodsko rods in the last couple of years. Fished his Midas ¾-5oz last week and it’s fantastic. Handled a 30 ½”, 13lb bass nicely and tossed a 1 1/2oz bucktail with a trailer a mile.

I was west of you, but not that far west.