Tsunami Salt X 6000 / 2020 Recap and Final thoughts! Is it worth it? 

Awesome to here!! Hey.. You are gonna be fine with the Salt X... Tight Lines and Fish On ! From New York!.. Well my advice is to use Penn Precision Reel Grease for all the major parts like the rotors and and the Gears of the Bail system.. And for the Bail Rod the main shaft... I Drop a few drops of Penn Precision Reel Oil and crank the shaft to go up and down.. then I leave it Sitting with the bail up so that the oil runs down the shaft over night or in a few hours before I fish. You should really consider going Bail-less with the Salt X.. It would open you to a very smooth and fun feel to the reel when casting... I use Braid lines no more than 30 lbs to my main..And I tie Uni to Uni for my Teaser Line... My Leader lines goes from 40lbs to 60 lbs to 80 lbs depending on the Conditions..You could also use a Tackle Angler Clip when you plan to switch out leaders often for different applications on the same fishing trip!.- Hope I helped.. PM me for more suggestions ... Hey Post your Waters so I can see what you dealing with.. I can send you some videos to help out.. Tight Lines ! Fish On ! --- OFD

@Jim Namba Thank you humbly.. I don't take their Money so I can speak freely.. Keep in touch with me for further help if needed... Make sure you get some Penn Grease for maintenance and use it... I recently Recovered from a Sand Fall as well.. and mine has been working very well... Keep in mind your Drag Control because if it's a big Ray or Fish.. Let off the drag a bit.. Don't tighten drag on Heavy Fish... just take your time with the retrieve! If you fight a heavy fish on tight Drag you will surely "open" the Drag housing and washer a bit.. pain in the ass to realign, better to replace. But again, thank you for your kind response, I hope that you Sub or liked my videos! Fish On ! Tight Lines ! --- OFD

@@OrthodoxFishingDAD It's brand new too. I am pretty intimidated by a complete tear down but seems like you have a good grasp of it. I will definitley pick up some grease for sure. My older reels can use some love. LOL. Do you know where you can find some of these washers? Can't find anything. I put it on wrong and messed it up. The bail was not snapping back and opening. It is now but I know the washer is stretched out. Any info would be appreciated. Thank you OFD.

@@Jimnamba Go Bail-less... which washer are you referring to? Send me a photo or tell me what section of the Reel that you have difficulty with. It sounds like you had trouble re-installing the bail? Let me know, otherwise I can help you with Complete Replacement Warranty. pm me on my Email:orthodoxfishingdad@gmail.com

@AGPaisa ** The Squeek of death.. Does not just go Away.. It softens and is not present when the wheel spins it litterally is slightly of kilter.. Its wobbling ever so slightly.. for now your best bet is to Thoroughly clean all the surfaces of that shaft component and clutch plate area then use alot of Penn Grease on the shaft and only at the Base of the shaft along the surface of the clutch plate so that to prevent more sand from getting in.. For the Bail open it carefully and clean the Screws as well as inside the mount holes then when putting back ro gether adjust the tightness to your liking but bes sure to use a little lock tight blue(very little) as you tighten check for smooth ness of cranking and no Wobbling.. the Sand you will hear mostly is the Knob screw.. it spins freely but it has a small gap between the housing and bolt ... nothing you can do ezcept maybe find a rubber O ring that fits the diameter with out compromise of the flush of the tightening screw.. That big screw that holds the Knob to crank handle.. its soft metal.. your Crunching sound is sand inside that screw! Hope that helps.. im in class for whole day so if more questions ill answer later tonight.. Tight Lines --- OFD

VR is a bit tighter .. but it's not Fully sealed... it's 90 percent sealed which is good for splash and such but actual under water crank and sand submersion is not "recommended".. lighter material too... like the black finish... but its high contender is the Salt 6k

@jack pinard -No, but i did have line snaps but found it to be the Rings in the rod... If your line is fraying and you believe its the line roller.. just examine it and put your line through.. All-- if not All line fraying-- is the rings on the rod.. when they are ceramic and even if not they all have an insert and that insert could have a crack very small and your line will go into and also slide along the crack and either snap or fray.. so yeah check your rings in your rod and if your reels line roller has Scratches along the edges and lip yeah it would happend... Also check(if with bail) that there are no knicks on your bail as well... Hope that Helps, Tight Lines !!! Fish On !!! OFD

You avoid it by buying a Van Staal VSB. There is a reason the SaltX and the VR's cost 300 less than the truly sealed Van Staals.

fish through the squeek of death... and Where did you find an Authorized Repair Center, curious... Use my Greasing recommendations to keep it alive.. rinse ofter with Clean water.. Watch out for your Drag settings because that could increase the failure.. too tight on a decent fish will litterally Pop the drag plate out! focus on the drive shaft.. focus on the cleanliness of the "white plate" keep grease near the bottom of shaft leading to the plate and its entry points.. but Go ahead fish it through.. Finally when done.. DO NOT GET A REPAIR TAG.. ONLY GET A REPLACEMENT TAG... im in class all day so if more questions ill answer later tonight.. Good Luck, Fish On, Tight Lines! --- OFD

OrthodoxFishing DAD I called the warrenty number and spoke to the receptionist, Jennifer. She said I have to email the authorized repair center and it was their gmail address. 4reel services Inc, based out of Boynton Beach FL. What do you mean get a replacement tag and not a repair tag? The squeak has only gotten louder and worse over time and it sometimes sounds like a coffee grinder.

@@moddkilla When asking for a Repair/Replacement, they call it a Tag. it is a shipping Slip that will incluse your RMA for them to properly take back and replace and or repair.. When speaking to them BE STRONG in your REQUEST for a REPLACEMENT and Not REPAIR.. in fact dont even use the language of Repair... Have it Replaced.. Its your Right..

@@moddkilla Jennifer .... LOL.. i remeber her.. She didnt even know they sold Salt X when i spoke with her.. If she gave you a direct contact Email... Still make sure in your correspondence you mention a request for more Direct Contact.. Based on your situation.. looks like they may assign a Tech/Engineer to your case.. find out.

OrthodoxFishing DAD it sounds like I have to pay for shipping to this 4reel services inc. which for spending $400 on a reel and then having to pay for it to go get repaired within the first year is ridiculous. I emailed the 4reel service place and expressed my concern.

Thank You! Very much for your comment. I am very happy that you enjoyed my Honest Vlog.. I am very interested in the next Event! Fish On ! Tight Lines ! --- OFD

Best advise from someone whom has put this "Version" and the Classic Version... Here's my honest break down.. the VSX(2) is engineered as like any other Staal... But the (2) represents a new Build with more refined materials mostly mixed Metal Composites that make it a little harder to become easily Dented and Bruised... But as for how it feels to a seasoned Staal user... The X(2) has a lot of give and play on the shaft.. a bit more than what I am comfortable with. X(2) feels like a Peen that has had some rough reeling and Drag runs on a huge fish or some hefty fighting... Right out the box the whole Reel Bail enclosure has a lot of play , and nothing you can do about that! Perhaps the Worm Gear is slightly different for what ever reason but insiders have noted that Van Staal headhunted a lot of Peen Engineers to their staff. So maybe their Peen ideas came along with them in the design phases. I am a Staunch Believer in the Classic VSX 200/250 It is a big hunk of sexiness but don't set it on a rock - don't set it on any hard surface! keep it in the Surf and Sand ... It is super sensitive.. Example: When reeling in a top water lure you can clearly hear a "click" from the gear when your lure hooks touch a leaf floating by. You want that kind of sensitivity when Buck tailing and surf fishing .. .. Its game over for Bait casting... You will land your fish and the only thing to worry about is your line or Rod failing.... But never your Van Staal VS(X).. Very easy to maintenance and very little moving parts to worry about. And Yes I have used it with a wet suit on and reeling Under water and yes I have had it completely submerged in Sand ... the materials just wont let Sand stick to it... The 250 is a bit much.. I say 200 0r 150.. the 250 is maybe you go for tarpon or such big game maybe even Rooster Fish in Cabo... Lastly... Since We fight very big Taug togs in NY in dangerous rock settings... Let's talk about Line Retrieval --- You want fast , Quick, and high amounts of line retrieval per crank.. The Van Staal will give you that!... Good uck- let me know your choice and post! Fish On ! Tight Lines ! --- OFD

ZEE BASS .... comparable... But too expensive to maintain and parts material is questionable.. They need 5 more years so far all the Zees I've fished with makes me feel like a Overachieving Peen Reel.LOL but hey for the cost ... It's good for very active hard jetty and Surf Fishing... but it don't have the Quality to last many lifetimes like a Van Staal VS(X)

@@OrthodoxFishingDAD fantastic reply, that is best information i have received yet on the VSX vs VSX2. this makes me lean to getting the VSX . Only thing i dont understand in your analysis, is the quick line retrieval. my understandig is that these reels are quite slow retrieval compared to the Japanese reels. 4.25 compared to 5 + gear ratios? i wonder why the VSX2 has those issues when is supposed to have a stronger shaft than before and increase in strength all round, with unibody and titanium guides etc.

@@OrthodoxFishingDAD i agree, i have been researching n the ZeeBaas and i will pass for now. too many issues for that sort of money

@@ShorrockPaul those new materials make it sexy... lighter.... shaving off the outer muscle and beefing up the inner muscle(shaft) so that it can be a beast that a Van staal is... I say get both... I have 2 VSX 200 because one is just in a showcase and one is used until I can't find parts to repair and I just use the 2 to make one whole ... If I take care that time will be long from now if ever....

@Patrick Pao they are Both Worth considring, but my caveat would be that if you pick the VR MAKE SURE IT IS GEN 2 !! Otherwise, the Salt X out performs the VR hands down. Lastly remember that with a Salt X its 6000, which means you can go Up or Down with your Needs for fishing setup and style. But a VR 150 means you can only go down with setup and 150 size isnt bad, but consider those two points I've said. Good luck , Tight Lines - Fish On ! OFD.

@Gulf Coast Pier Rat pardon delay in Response Im fishing in Montauk no cell service, my opinion is that its more like the VS version Not the VR.. and im actually using it this weekend for another Test.. I use Bail less, and i use alot of Penn Blue Grease.. performance wise its more comparable to the VS.. hope you find that useful.. and If you Do decide to Buy it.. Link with me on a PM I'll get you started nicely with few to no issues with it! Fish On ! Tight Line--- OFD

Dont have open cuts .. dont Pee in the water, dont have a racing heart rate, dont have bait smell on your body(waders) and cast where you supposed to not just anywhere, meaning: learn how to read the surf for the prime areas of fishing because if you just throwing bait out at Any area of the Surf then you will attract Sharks... And on the Lure throwing.. the shark has to break water to get to you and even then if you are In the water you can feel the water change when a massive shark heads your way.. The water and the Swells will be different with a large shark coming but little manageable sharks.. they wont come towards you for Any reason... hope that helps.. Tight Lines ! Fish On ! --- OFD

@@OrthodoxFishingDAD I'm concern because I tend to go wading at night which I can't see. I live in Cape Code. There are ton of great white chasing seal. I never caught a shark and never want one. I really need your advice to stay safe.

@@vsonic86 All I can say is.. Keep your eyes peeled and make sure that the Water Level is not enough for the shark to come in-shore. Listen for changes in the Water and it's movement.. When I'm on the Jetty I listen for the waves and count the time it takes and I keep an Eye out for the Buoys to see if the Incoming is near.. Lastly, if you are using mostly Lures and not BAIT then your chances will be minimal that the shark is interested by a Lure.. I mostly have seen Bait People get the attraction of Sharks myself included. I caught 6 sand sharks in 10 minutes because of Bait. Hope that helps. Tight Lines ! Fish On !--- OFD

@Patrick Davis . Yes.it can handle Shark. in fact I did target Shark and had alot of fun there's a window in the early fall where there's alot of Sharks.

@@OrthodoxFishingDAD ok cool thanks for the reply I've been watching some of your videos on the saltx you just help me make my mind up thanks

@@patrickdavis6287 Close drag completely and let out about 1 and half turns and have fun! The reel can handle it and is very fun.. What rod you planning to use? Im curious. You should try and post the video and tag me. Thanx. Enjoy. --- Tight Lines Fish On ! OFD.🎣

@@OrthodoxFishingDAD I was thinking maybe a 12foot Penn battalion 2 surf rod and I need to create a youtube channel so I can do that

You might have gotten a Refurbished... heard many ruhmors of stores reselling returns without notice.. I mean i know there are issues with the reel as with even the best, but your situation seems a bit Extreme.

@@OrthodoxFishingDAD I have some pics of my rebuild. Anti reverse bearing rusted out and literally fell apart as I removed it. Bearing above that was also rusted. I replaced bearings and put in new seals. Filled her up with grease and she's back in action. Now that I know how this thing works I will most likely rebuild it at least once a year

@@50shadesofblue24 Nice! Tight Lines Fish on! .. Now you can say honestly that Its YOUR REEL.. YOU BUILT IT!! Awesome Im really happy to hear this.. I suggest you document your use of the reel after Your Build. .. I think the reel is great just Very High Maintenace as I mentioned in my Talk. Enjoy your weekend-- OFD

@moddkilla Oh no... really crap.. did you rinse it with my technique before Cranking? Are you hearing the "Squeek of Death?".. let me know how bad..

True.

Would a van staal vr 150 be the same size as a salt x 4000

@@HomeBuffalo249 yes but the VR is not worth it. Save a little more money up and buy the VSB ( bailed Van Staal but not VR). They are sealed better and have better internal parts.

@@hothmobile100 I'm not getting the van staal I just want a salt x the same size as a vr 150. So is the salt x 4000 the same size as a vr 150?

@@HomeBuffalo249 Oh I see. Well in the case. I don't recommend the 4000. This may have just been a problem with the first production but the 4,000 had quality control problems compared to the 6,000 SaltX. I also want to warn you that although the SaltX6000 is better than the VR Van Staals in my opinion (based on a lot of research I've done), I also believe the SaltX 6000 has a few issues. I've read that the drag clicker fails on these early. I also think the instant anti-reverse is not of good quality (but good quality instant anti-reverses are rare in all real brands). If you save 300 more bucks, you can get a TRULY sealed reel with a german made (INA company) instant anti-reverse in the Van Staal VSB.