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Since none of my reel customers can afford a Stella, I had to look them up in my Shimano parts book (which is a bit behind the times and ends in year 2005....) The FA series were available in 2003, the FB series in 2005, etc.
One thing to keep in mind about imported reels. The parts availability drops off as they near the seven year mark and it only takes one critical part like a pinion gear not available to put a fine reel out of commission and turn what's left of it into a parts reel. An example is the old Stradic 4000FE which came out in '97. Since I can no longer get a pinion for it, the fact that I have a small supply of everything else that usually needs replacing won't help me a bit... and I have three or four of them.
By the way Daiwa seems to keep up its part supplies for the old BG series just fine....
__________________ Tight Lines
Capt Bob LeMay
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Stella FW are the newest version "offshore" models.
Stella FA are the previous "inshore and offshore" models
All of them are great reels. I don't think they are required for inshore fishing unless you just must have best of the best. For offshore tuna popping, etc they are sweet. You can still find some FA's hanging around and they are just a bit more than half the price of the FW's. I know Songy's in Houma has a 20,0000FA for $5somthing.
The Stella FA was replaced by the SW a couple of years ago. Plan on Shimano's support for the FA reels to stop in 3 years. That doesn't mean you won't be able to get parts for them -- just that you won't be able to send the reel back to Shimano for repair. Shimano stops supporting a reel 5 years after production stops. They sell the remain parts off to make room for new reels.
The Stella SW is pretty much an offshore/saltwater reel. The "changes" I know of are: a new/redesigned spool, worm (pinion) gear (changes the way the line goes on and come off the spool, roller (I think) and I suspect improved paint job. They also changed reel sizes; the smallest Stella SW is now a 5000 size, and ranges up to 20000.
Shimano also changed the reel sizes. On the FA series, the Stella 6000FA and 8000FA were the same reel body, just a diffferent gear ratio and spool size (spools were interchangeable). Now with the SW series, the Stella 8000SW and 10000SW reels have the same relationship, as do the 18000SW and 20000SW.
The 5000SW and 6000SW are both smaller framed reels.
Gear ratios were also tweaked) to target folks who wanted an all-around geared reel (the 8000SW is a 5.6:1 and the 8000SWPG is a lower 4.9:1 for jigging). The "PG" stands for Power Gear I believe.
The Stella FD replaced the Stella FB as their top-of-the-line inshore reel. Its sizes start at the Stella 1000FD and stop at the 4000FD. The FD and FB Stellas are made from magnesium -- which is lighter weight that the aluminum framed Stella FA and SW reels. The new FD also has an upgraded coating -- magnesium and saltwater are not a good match!
Get the new Saltist spinning and put the saved money towards your lures. Seriously, if you are unsure of the differences between these $800+ reels than you really ought not be getting one. If you are stuck on getting one, I would get the 10000PG (Japan). This way, you get the carbon handle and the only real difference between that and 18K and 20K is capacity and the retrieval ratio is a hair different. This reel supposedly can handle 50#s of drag. You will be able to cast the smaller spool farther as well. Way too many other reels (Cabo, Spheros, etc.) to justfy spending that kind of coin on a stella...but if you got it like that...why not?
great info guys. I'm looking into getting a couple for tuna fishing with poppers... i'm assuming the 18000 or 20000 is the right choice.
Frankly, it'll depend on the specific fish and their size. If you're going after 200+ Bluefin/Yellowfin Tuna, or fishing from a headboat that is fixed in position, the added line capacity of the 18000 or 20000 might be called for.
If the fish are smaller fish, or you're fishing from a boat that can chase the fish (larger headboats cannot), then the 10000 size is pretty optimal. The amount of drag a reel can generate is almost irrelavent beyond the 30lbs point -- You just cannot hold onto the tackle -- it just beez that way. What that reel will give you is SMOOTH drag at 20-22lbs. You'll be amazed at the fish you can whip (and quickly) with "just" 18-20lbs of drag.
Just be careful about buy JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) reels and rods. Their warranty is VOID here in the U.S. and neither Shimano USA or Daiwa USA will touch them -- YOYO (You're On Your Own! ). Since the high-end reels are price protected for the most part -- just get them from your local tackle shop.
Take a look at the Shimano Saragosa 14000 or the new Daiwa Saltist 5000. Good reels at the $230-300.00 price point.
If you really want to save money over the Stella, get the Spheros. It has the same exact drag system as the Saragosa and is often available on Ebay for $160. (18000 model too)
__________________ . . . . . . BALLYHOO PIN RIGS For SALE HERE 10 pack:
If you really want to save money over the Stella, get the Spheros. It has the same exact drag system as the Saragosa and is often available on Ebay for $160. (18000 model too)
What's the major difference in the Saragosa and Spheros then?
The Saragosa while being a good reel, has had it's problems Tuna fishing ....It is however a good cost alternative as opposed to the Stella if you don't Tuna fish on a regular basis ..You can buy 3 of them for the cost of a Stella .....Keep a couple of spares for the same money !!!....
As far as reccomending the Daiwa Saltist Spinnning reel , they are not even proven yet , and may or may not be a good choice ....How a reel looks on paper does not always equate to how it performs on the water ....I hope the Saltist DOES perform as I am keeping a close eye on it for a cheaper Tuna rig ....I don't Tuna fish that often so I don't really need something of the Stella's caliper ....Jim
the saragosa is smooth, but it will not touch the stella, i have both stellas and saragosas.. if you have enough reels to use already and you just need/want another one i would get a stella. there are plenty stella FA's flying around for cheap if you don't want to spend the hefty tag of 900$ msrp.
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Difference in Stella FA, FD and SW? 
). Since the high-end reels are price protected for the most part -- just get them from your local tackle shop.
