Shimano Stella...Is it worth it

[ballywho27]

Okay...i have some money from ebay that is burning a whole in my pocket. I would like to get a Stella but i am wondering if it is really worth all that money. I enjoy jigging and will jig whenever i go offshore during the season, but i am not travelling all over the world fishing (as much as i would like to). What do you guys think?

[TBaker]

Where and what are you fishing for?

The Stella is one fine piece of equipment. About as good as it gets when it comes to spinning reels. For big fish and especially those that make long runs, they don't get any better. The drag system on the Stella is amazing!

But they are a chunk of change. For some types of jigging, they're great, but not necessary.

[gman]

there is no better spinning reel, it is a workhorse that is silky smooth and extremely powerful.

[ballywho27]

TBaker,

I am fishing in NC and most of the fish i catch on the jig is grouper, amberjack, & snapper. Mostly bottom dwellers. I currently have a cabo 80 and okuma v65 and i have no problems with those reels...but we always want the next best thing.

[DEEP DEFIANCE]

there is no better spinning reel, it is a workhorse that is silky smooth and extremely powerful.

The industry has no better reel than the stella.

[TBaker]

TBaker,

I am fishing in NC and most of the fish i catch on the jig is grouper, amberjack, & snapper. Mostly bottom dwellers. I currently have a cabo 80 and okuma v65 and i have no problems with those reels...but we always want the next best thing.

For that fishing, I think the next step up would be the Shimano Saragosa 18000. Very strong and not nearly the price of a new Stella. Used it in NC on some BIG AJs with no problems. HOWEVER, not as smooth nor as sophisticated a drag system as the Stella either (won't take the long, sustained runs of, say, large tuna as well as the Stella).

Just no getting around it, going to a Stella is going to the top of the line, period. A compromise would be looking for the Stella FA series (older model) on places like Ebay. Still a beautiful piece of equipment, just not the newest model.

[paul708]

the stellas are sweet.
if you can afford..go for it
you wont be sorry.
like tony said even the older models are nice

[shoefish]

Do not, under any circumstances buy a Stella. At first it will be okay...but then you'll think about the next size....and the next size....and before you know it you'll have so many you won't know what to do with them

[J Latham]

Okay...i have some money from ebay that is burning a whole in my pocket. I would like to get a Stella but i am wondering if it is really worth all that money. I enjoy jigging and will jig whenever i go offshore during the season, but i am not travelling all over the world fishing (as much as i would like to). What do you guys think?

I asked the same question about 4 months ago, before I made the plunge. I love my 8k, it's a sweet azz reel! I can't wait to feel a nice spring yellow fin ripping line off of it, the AJ's this fall have been a good preview

[Capt. Brian Daley]

there is no better spinning reel, it is a workhorse that is silky smooth and extremely powerful.

I begg to differ Zeebaas is the one