Stella 22

[Drakestar]

I don't know if Shimano is trying their best to release ugly reels, but this thing looks like a $250 reel, not a $750 one. This and the new Aldebaran are

I think it looks okay in real life and when a person handles it (rather than those marketing videos). I.e. here, where there's comparisons to the old Stellas, as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKsIorx4Nvw

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Agreed on the Aldebaran, though

[Kurt L]

I don't know if Shimano is trying their best to release ugly reels, but this thing looks like a $250 reel, not a $750 one. This and the new Aldebaran are

I agree, a lot of Shimano's reels are ugly now! the Vanford looks like a $40.00 Okuma and the Stradics look like all the other low end reels behind the counter...
The Stella should be a knockout to look at being their flagship spinning reel.

Kurt

[SSS]

I don't know if Shimano is trying their best to release ugly reels, but this thing looks like a $250 reel, not a $750 one. This and the new Aldebaran are

I think it looks okay in real life and when a person handles it (rather than those marketing videos). I.e. here, where there's comparisons to the old Stellas, as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKsIorx4Nvw

stella.jpg
stella18.jpg
stellas.jpg

Agreed on the Aldebaran, though

The real life shots on youtube is what confirmed to me that this is Stradic level kind of a reel. I actually think it looks worse in real life than the Shimano's site. You compare it to the Exist, and its like two leagues behind in the looks department. And considering these are $750, look is important, pretty much everything is at this price point.

[reason162]

You could tell me it's the new Ultegra and I wouldn't bat an eye.

The FJ was the best looking Stella in the current body, that dark gunmetal finish hid the angular/boxy lines very well.
I don't know who at Shimano ok'd the seafoam green...it is hideous.

I'm sure performance wise it's great - Shimano doubled down on their strong suit which is line management. That super slow oscillation + roller fin probably translates into real world benefits if you're fishing straight fluoro or very limp braid. Interested to see how the new drag washer material compares to Daiwa's ATD washers, which imo are the smoothest drag in the industry...at least from the Certate on up.

[Drakestar]

My 2500 arrived today. First impressions are super solid, but need to take it out on the water and catch some fish!

It's darker than the 2018 FJ (doesn't show as well on the pictures) and feels surprisingly light. I'm not even sure it *is* lighter, just felt that way when I unboxed the reel.

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