A comprehensive look at each of the new and improved features of the Shimano Stella Spinning Fishing Reel. Demonstration includes diagrams and slow motion close-up views of each component. Includes real casting demonstrations.
If you’ve ever used a Shimano reel before, you probably know they’re some of the best on the market. I’ve always been a Shimano fan, but recently I had the opportunity to test one of the greatest Shimano spinning reels ever made, the Stella Spinning Reel.
This reel is nothing short of perfect. With its thin-profile aluminum body, side plate and rotor, the Stella is built to endure about anything a fisherman can give it. And with as many as 14 ball bearings supporting its moving parts, a fisherman will be able to use this smooth-action reel all day long. To help aid in easy-retrieving the Stella also features Shimano’s patented DynaBalance system. With a specially designed rotor, the DynaBalance system lessens the wobble of the reel when you reel in, so every motion you put into the reel is used as efficiently as possible.
The first thing I do when I get a new reel out of its box, is spin the handle and see how long the reel will keep going. With the Stella’s frictionless spinning action, the spool shaft actually “floats” on stainless steel ball bearings with no actual contact. So you can probably guess the reel kept spinning long after I was tired of watching it. The second thing I do when I get a new reel is to see how much back play is in the handle when I try to turn it backwards. And I’m not kidding, there was absolutely no back play; not even a smidgeon of movement. With its special Super Stopper II feature, the Stella uses a one-way roller bearing to keep the handle going only in the right direction — unless you want to switch it to go both directions. The anti-reverse feature is priceless. When you feel a nibble and decide to set the hook, it’ll be instant.
The Stella also comes with a waterproof drag casing that keeps muck out of the gears. This is a fantastic design element on Shimano’s part, as debris in your gears is good way to kill a reel. As as with most Shimano Spinning Reels, the Stella also comes with their Power Roller feature; a special line roller that reduces line twist.
The Stella Spinning Reel is a serious machine built for the serious angler. Every piece of the reel is perfectly machined and is as durable as they get. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to test one out and if you have the means, I would highly recommend getting your hands on one.
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