I’m preparing to purchase the 2018 Stella FJ 2500 reel, however before I make that decision, does anyone know when/if the Stella FJ line will be updated?  I know the Stella SW product line was updated in 2020, so wondering if the FJ series will be updated soon? It’s been several years since the last update, so don’t want to purchase if an update will be happening soon.  Thanks for any info!

Looks like they might be on a ~4 year refresh cycle. See: https://www.shimano.com/en/100th/history/products/56.php

 

Like computer gear, I get fishing gear when I decide I need it. There will always be a newer, better version in due course.  My Stella 1000 FJ and 2000 FI:

I recently purchased the 2500HGFL and the 1000FL. 

You DO NOT need to wait on the next generation.

 

I do love the body style of the Stella FJ.

I think it's a super sexy looking reel.

And it is super smooth. 

But I do prefer the Daiwa  Exist LT to the Stella. 

The Exist is lighter, smoother and takes less inertia to spin the handle. I think even the Luvias airity is on par or better than the Stella. Definitely lighter in weight.

I do feel that a new Stella and Exist should be on the horizon soon though.

I think the only improvement they can make to the Stella is making it lighter.

Not sure what Daiwa can to the Exist. That reel is so light already.

As an alternative, the Vanford is lighter and nearly as smooth as the Stella while being substantially less pricey.  Here's a 1000 and 2000:

Thanks everyone for such quick feedback and information.  I've decided to go ahead and purchase the 2018 Stella FJ 2500. Although the Daiwa Exist LT sounds like a nice reel too, as well as other Shimano product lines...

 

It does seem the Stella FJ series (Stella FK?) is due for an update. In addition to perhaps a lighter reel, I would assume it would inherit some of the features from the Stella SW C line such as Heatsink Drag, X-Rigid titanium bail, X-Rigid Gear, etc...  We'll see.

 

 

Stella 1000FJ weighs 6 ounces

 

23 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Stella 1000FJ weighs 6 ounces

 

 

I really love mine!

On 7/17/2021 at 3:56 PM, Pohaku said:

Thanks everyone for such quick feedback and information.  I've decided to go ahead and purchase the 2018 Stella FJ 2500. Although the Daiwa Exist LT sounds like a nice reel too, as well as other Shimano product lines...

 

It does seem the Stella FJ series (Stella FK?) is due for an update. In addition to perhaps a lighter reel, I would assume it would inherit some of the features from the Stella SW C line such as Heatsink Drag, X-Rigid titanium bail, X-Rigid Gear, etc...  We'll see.

 

 

 

Can't go wrong.  

Got the 2500 FJ today, smooth as butter! Shimano will probably announce a new Stella line tomorrow (sigh)… ?

 

 

Can you return it?

 

6 hours ago, ATA said:

Can you return it?

 

Probably, but want to enjoy using it first rather than wait for a new Stella model that may or may not come soon...

3 hours ago, Pohaku said:

Probably, but want to enjoy using it first rather than wait for a new Stella model that may or may not come soon...

Sounds good, But did you ever try Excense? Not only me but everyone said expense is Stella , only better color and cheaper. I have expense for few years now and it is working like first day, very smooth. just take look at it and read about it as well, Specially 3000 size.

I was really looking for a Shimano reel with a long stroke spool in 2000-2500 size, so the Stella and new Ultegra reels is what I was considering.  I do a lot of salt water inshore fishing, so the extra corrosion protection is important for me as well (E.I.).  The Excense looks like a black Stella with almost the same matching specs, and almost the same (expensive) price so thanks for pointing that out.

sigh...  I knew it would happen... New Stella FK announced.

 

https://fish.shimano.com/content/dam/shimanosnaffish/series/22stella/index.html

that rubber fin is IMO the best update ... also the easiest one for them to make i imagine. Then again i dont stella but it seems like a great idea ... 

All great modifications on the new reel - improving the frame structure, longer spool stroke,  but I'm especially happy to see they improved the line roller. 

 

The line roller has always been Shimano weak point.  The MTCW upgrade has been around for awhile, though, and is an instant improvement for salt use. 

 

@garroyo130

Shimano's line roller from Stella down is chromed bronze, rubber seals, and stuffed with lithium grease (what's the point of BB). 

Even Tica and Daiwa use TiN plasma-coated inside and out. 

The seals don't stop saltwater, they only retain and concentrate the salt. 

Edited February 11, 20224 yr by bulldog1935

17 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

All great modifications on the new reel - improving the frame structure, longer spool stroke,  but I'm especially happy to see they improved the line roller. 

 

The line roller has always been Shimano weak point.  The MTCW upgrade has been around for awhile, though, and is an instant improvement for salt use. 

 

Read this comment yesterday and thought ... I've never really had an issue with line rollers on Shimanos. Then this morning had an issue with my Nasci.

 

I KNOW ITS NOT A STELLA lol but when i took it apart this morning, I was surprised to find that the assembly was roller on shaft ... no bearing or bushing that can be replaced. Its obviously a much much cheaper reel than a Stella but even my $20 BPS spinning reels at least have a bushing that can be swapped out for a bearing. 

10 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

Its obviously a much much cheaper reel than a Stella but even my $20 BPS spinning reels at least have a bushing that can be swapped out for a bearing. 

And here I was thinking of getting Nascis to upgrade from my Avocet RZTs.

 

Nope - the Avocets come with a bearing under the line roller...looks like I'll be keeping them...and they only cost me $25 each on clearance.

22 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

All great modifications on the new reel - improving the frame structure, longer spool stroke,  but I'm especially happy to see they improved the line roller. 

 

The line roller has always been Shimano weak point.  The MTCW upgrade has been around for awhile, though, and is an instant improvement for salt use. 

 

@garroyo130

Shimano's line roller from Stella down is chromed bronze, rubber seals, and stuffed with lithium grease (what's the point of BB). 

Even Tica and Daiwa use TiN plasma-coated inside and out. 

The seals don't stop saltwater, they only retain and concentrate the salt. 

 

Thank you for illustrating why I've never bought Shimano anything. I'm sure they're good reels, but for value, I like Penn, for Luxury, I like Daiwa.

https://www.plat.co.jp/shop/catalog/product_info/language/en/products_id/62958/cPath/4027_4029_4034_7037/reel/shimano-2022-stella-2500s-free-shipping-book-now.html

 

$646 USD

 

Pre-order now, delivery in March

@JS8588

I put my money in the Shimano-since-'18-Stella-spinning-reel camp.  I have all 3 sizes, multiple reels in the small and large frame, and spare spools for all 3 sizes. 

I fish them hard from salt finesse to near offshore. 

 

I've mentioned before that spinning reel is the most complicated reel design, and really didn't get good until they began using computers for balance and mechanics of materials in design.  The spindle and rotor are big lever arms acting on the drive.  I've pushed reels before until they deformed to a reverse-cone line lay and wouldn't recover (time for a new reel). 

 

Shimano did their homework in mechanical design on these reels, and '22 Stella is going to be the next step in the right direction.  OK, since I use all my Shimano spinning reels in the salt, they also all have MTCW line rollers. 

15 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

@JS8588

I put my money in the Shimano-since-'18-Stella-spinning-reel camp.  I have all 3 sizes, multiple reels in the small and large frame, and spare spools for all 3 sizes. 

I fish them hard from salt finesse to near offshore. 

 

I've mentioned before that spinning reel is the most complicated reel design, and really didn't get good until they began using computers for balance and mechanics of materials in design.  The spindle and rotor are big lever arms acting on the drive.  I've pushed reels before until they deformed to a reverse-cone line lay and wouldn't recover (time for a new reel). 

 

Shimano did their homework in mechanical design on these reels, and '22 Stella is going to be the next step in the right direction.  OK, since I use all my Shimano spinning reels in the salt, they also all have MTCW line rollers. 

I am finally quite strongly tempted to try a Sustain FJ. Heretofore my hesitancy was due to the line roller bearings.

On 2/10/2022 at 1:42 PM, bulldog1935 said:

All great modifications on the new reel - improving the frame structure, longer spool stroke,  but I'm especially happy to see they improved the line roller. 

 

The line roller has always been Shimano weak point.  The MTCW upgrade has been around for awhile, though, and is an instant improvement for salt use. 

 

@garroyo130

Shimano's line roller from Stella down is chromed bronze, rubber seals, and stuffed with lithium grease (what's the point of BB). 

Even Tica and Daiwa use TiN plasma-coated inside and out. 

The seals don't stop saltwater, they only retain and concentrate the salt. 

Do you think the new Stella FK will still require the MCTW line roller upgrade or has it improved enough to not require it?

@Pohaku

That's a good question, and I don't know the answer - I also have friends fishing '18 Stella, Vanquish, Stradic and Twin Power with the original line roller -  it's not going to freeze up on you in a few trips and maybe not in a few years.  But Shimano sells a lot of this part. 

When you get to the point the line roller does need rebuilding, upgrading to the MTCW part would be wise.