1st post and a question, reels for St croix stix?

[Semore]

Hi folks.  Been trolling this fine board for awhile and finally decided to register.  I bought two rods recently, a st. croix legend elite spinning 6'6" fast light action and also a legend inshore spinning 7'6" fast M action.  Some questions for the experts:

My LE is going to be my creek smallie rod, and also used for tossing small rapalas for pond bass in Ohio.  Balance-wise, and application-wise, should I get a 1000 size Stella or a 2508 Steez?

My legend inshore will do double duty.  I'll use it for freshwater applications and also out of my yak in saltwater for blues, stripers and flounder.  Key here is it may get dunked in SW.  Wondering if a 2500 size Stella for this is appropriate, or if I should get a Van Staal.  My dilema is that while the VS is truly dunkable, I really don't know if I could ever get used to the grinding feeling vs the smoothness of a Stella, especially when I'm using it in freshwater.

Sorry for rambling.  Looking forward to your expert commentary with much thanks.  Hope to contribute some advise as well besides just asking questions.

-Seymore

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

I think you will like the Stella 1000FB on the light LE. I have one (1000FA) on a AS66MLF which matches up perfectly.

I don't have any experience with your inshore dilemma.

[Semore]

Thank you, RW

[Big T]

I do not own a Stella but I do know that alot of people use them in the Saltwater environment. However the Van Staal use to be a excellent high end reel. I am not sure about this so do not hold me to it but I believe that Zebco now owns Van Staal, if so I am not sure how it would effect its durability and quality. Sorry I could not help more.

Big T