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Shimano’s Stella FK
Spinning Reel is a Moping Legend (continued)
 
In the
tournament game, where money can be won or lost with only an ounce of
separation, any edge is critical. This is where the Stella FK reigns, and where
the attention to detail, and the extra bit of refinement when it comes to
something as seemingly simple as how well the reel balances can make all the
difference in the hands of a skilled angler, and a mediocre angler like myself
feel like a hero.
Celebrating my very first mope
fish on the Stella
After an amazing
day learning about and putting this technique into play I thanked Gussy for
teaching me how to mope, and expressed how impressed I was with how effective it
could be in situations like the one that we just experienced. Gussy turned to me
and half-joked that he absolutely loved moping and was hoping to mope his way to
victory in the coming season. I wish I had recorded him saying that because it
really was a prophetic statement as Gussy did indeed mope his way to a classic
win just months later, and the technique officially went mainstream.
In interviews speaking about
the moping technique after his win Gussy often describes that day on Bienville
where he found the fish in deep water while fishing with a writer from
California who had never fished this way with electronics, and on what started
as a tough day ended with over 50 largemouth boated between them, and just how
impressed the writer was with the technique.
We proceeded to catch over 50 fish
moping despite the cold front and deep holding fish
Those who know
Gussy know how humble he is, and saying that I was “impressed” was an
understatement, that day forever changed the way I viewed finesse fishing and
how to do it effectively with live sonar, and why the minute I got home I placed
an order for an entire Livescope setup for my personal rig. A world class
angler, the debut of a new flagship spinning reel, experiencing a new technique,
and fifty plus fish made for a memorable day on the water and was more than
enough for me to basically say “take my money now.”
A great day moping on the water
Price
and Applications: The Stella has never been an
affordable reel and the price of entry for the latest FK series is $799 for the
1000-3000 size reels, and slightly more for the larger sizes. While this is a
hefty investment for a spinning reel the Daiwa Exist G LT which it directly
competes with is even more expensive at $859.
The Stella, or Exist, have never been about value,
they are all about debuting the very best designs and technology that the
company has to offer. These reels are like F1 cars, there is no expense spared
to push the envelope and develop technology that is proven on the racecourse, or
in our case on the water. Eventually these technologies will trickle down
through the product line but for enthusiasts that want the very best that
Shimano has to offer this latest Stella does not disappoint.
Celebrating and incredible day on
the water, putting over 50 fish through the Stella, and learning how to mope
from the man himself
For bass anglers
I think the sweet spot are the 2500 and 3000 size reels which both weigh only
7.4 ounces and enthusiasts should select the reel with the gear ratio and line
capacity that best matches their personal fishing style. The 1000 size reel is
arguably the most refined trout or panfish spinning reel available today, and
the larger sizes are well suited for inshore and saltwater applications.
Over the next year the Stella has
quickly become one of my two favorite finesse fishing reels
Ratings:
(We've
re-calibrated our
ratings standard for
2008 and have
included a key at
the bottom of the
following matrix as
a guide):
|
Shimano
Stella
FK
2500
HG
Spinning
Reel
Ratings
(?/10)
|
|
Construction/Quality |
This
latest
Stella
stands
up to
the
legacy
of the
series
and is
built
with
quality
materials
that
look and
feel
excellent
and have
held up
well
over
time. It
is hard
to tell
where
the
metal
and CI4+
materials
start
and end
and
absolutely
no
issues
fishing
this
reel in
brackish
or
saltwater
conditions.
|
9.5 |
|
Performance |
It is
hard to
improve
the
casting
distance
on
spinning
reels
but
Shimano
manages
to make
incremental
improvements
in line
management
with
attention
to the
spool
oscillation
and a
longer
stroke
design.
A more
even and
less
overlapping
line lay
improves
line
management,
long
term
line
integrity,
and
overall
better
handling.
The
anti-twist
fin
absolutely
works
for
helping
improve
line
management
on
traditional
lines
but can
cause
issues
with
some
braided
line to
leader
setups
where
the knot
can get
pinched.
The good
news is
that the
fin can
be
removed.
High
points
for the
Stella
include
exceptional
feel and
drag
performance,
as well
as long
term
durability |
10 |
|
Price |
Ouch,
just
ouch.
While
the
Stella
still
costs a
small
fortune
the
price of
the reel
hasn't
gone up
like
other
performance
reels,
and the
delta
between
the
high-performance
and
enthusiast
class
reels is
actually
narrowing |
6.5 |
|
Features |
The new
Stella
serves
as an
excellent
showcase
for all
of
Shimano's
newest
technologies.
The
gearing
is
nearing
perfection,
the drag
system
has been
enhanced,
the
casting
system
has been
refined,
and the
anti-twist
fin
shows
that
Shimano
engineers
are
still
able,
and
willing,
to think
outside
the box |
9.5 |
|
Design
(Ergonomics) |
Ergonomically
the
Stella
is
excellent.
It may
not be
as light
as the
competition
but it
is
exceptionally
balanced.
I prefer
the
smaller
traditional
paddle
knob on
the 2500
size
over
t-knobs
of the
past |
8 |
|
Application |
The
Stella
is a
great
reel for
both
freshwater
and
saltwater
use, and
the 2500
and 3000
sizes
are the
sweet
spot for
bass
anglers.
The 1000
size may
very be
the most
refined
trout/panfish
reel
ever
made and
with the
X
protect
provisions
do a
great
job
sealing
out the
elements
helping
this
reel
perform
at peak
levels
for
multiple
seasons
without
service |
8.5 |
|
Total
Score
|
8.66 |
Ratings
Key:
1 =
terrible
: 2 =
poor : 3
=
lacking
: 4 =
sub par
: 5 =
mediocre
: 6 =
fair : 7
= good :
8 =
great :
9 =
excellent
: 10 =
unbelievable!
For More
Details
of the
updated
rating
system
visit
our
explanation
here |
Pluses and Minuses:
Plus |
Minus |
|
+
Light and
buttery
retrieve
feel is hard
to match |
-
Costs 8
Benjamin's.
The Stella
FK is no
small
investment |
|
+ Super
sleek design
that is
compact and
well
balanced.
The Stella
feels
perfect on
lightweight
finesse
oriented
rods |
-
Not as light
as competing
enthusiast
class halo
reels |
|
+ Excellent
at line
management
and very
smooth and
strong
casting
performance |
-
Anti-Twist
fin can
impact some
braid to
leader
setups (but
it can be
removed) |
|
+
Not only
lives up to
the Stella
legacy but
adds to it.
This is the
best Stella
yet and
durability
has been
excellent |
|
|
+
Strong
enthusiast
appeal.
Still the
best
showcase of
Shimano's
top spinning
features and
new
technologies.
This is
Shimano's
F1. |
|
Conclusion:
Gussy is an absolute beast when it comes to
finesse fishing, and
the perfect
representative to
showcase what makes
the Stella FK such a
desirable product.
The Stella FK is a
reel that stands out
in design,
performance, and
elegance. It's more
than just a tool;
it's an experience.
While there are more
budget-friendly options, the Stella attention to detail makes it unparalleled.
The price will always be a point of contention, but for serious anglers seeking
the best, the Stella FK is quite possibly in a league of its own.
Gussy and the Stella FK he would
later use to win the Classic moping. Two legends here.
There are levels
to this game and when it comes to refinement, performance, elegance, and sheer
drool factor the Shimano Stella and Daiwa Exist stand above all other spinning
reels. A shootout between these two enthusiast reels is already in the works,
because why not? In the world of enthusiast offerings, the battle for the throne
never ends.
With reels as great as the Shimano
Stella FK and Daiwa Exist G LT it is time for round 2 of this enthusiast
spinning shootout
This endless
pursuit for enthusiast supremacy has created some of the highest performing and
desirable reels in history. In the last round the Exist LT narrowly edged out
the Stella FJ, but will history repeat itself on this round? I’m not so sure
with just how well the Stella FK has been performing and holding up after two
and a half seasons of use.
The Stella FK is truly an
exceptional reel, and while it is a serious investment it makes every second on
the water even more enjoyable. The Stella FK is more than a reel but an
experience, and only adds to the legacy of the halo series
On its own the
Stella FK is an extremely well-designed reel, and Shimano manages to improve the
line management, retrieve feel, and drag performance in the latest iteration.
Shimano engineers have mastered the art of performance and durability in the FK,
and ergonomically this is the best balancing Stella to date. The biggest
complaint about the Stella will always be the price, but even those that wince
at the thought of dropping eight Benjamins on a Stella FK shouldn’t hate on this
reel, as the same technologies that are being proven on this halo product will
trickle down to future more affordable Shimano offerings reels over the next few
seasons. This is the Shimano way. But for those serious anglers
that want the very best spinning reel on the planet, the Stella FK not only
stands up to the legacy of previous generations but will be forever remembered
as the reel that Gussy used to mope his way to Classic Victory and helped set a
new bar for what it means to be an “enthusiast” spinning reel, the stuff of
legend.
Enthusiasts can find
the Shimano Stella
FK at
Tackle Warehouse
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