Captain Craig Cantelmo - The History of Van Staal Fishing Products

In this episode of the Saltwater Edge podcast, host Peter Jenkins welcomes Captain Craig Cantelmo from Van Staal Fishing Products. The discussion dives into the history and evolution of Van Staal's iconic fishing reels, from their inception to the modern VS and VR series. They discuss engineering innovations, material choices, and the impact of braided lines on reel design. The conversation also covers Van Staal's distinctive fishing pliers and fly reels, highlighting their design features and durability. This episode offers a comprehensive look at Van Staal’s long-standing tradition in surf and inshore fishing gear.

Special thanks to Iron Mike Everin for sharing his extensive collection of Van Staal products. Come check out the display in the Education Corner of the shop.

Take a look at one of the early Van Staal catalogs here 00:00 Introduction to Saltwater Edge Podcast 00:34 Special Episode with Captain Craig Cantelmo 01:33 History and Evolution of Van Stall Reels 03:58 Technical Innovations and Design Philosophy 11:51 Van Stall's Market Journey and Collaborations 19:11 Introduction to VR Reels 19:41 The VR 50 and Market Impact 20:38 Evolution of Van Staal Reels 24:12 The Iconic Van Staal Pliers 29:47 The CVEX Fly Reel Revolution 36:31 Van Staal's Entry into Tuna Fishing 38:11 The X Series and Modern Innovations 40:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts