Pohaku

Nice pic! Yeah I heard the slower oscillation lays the line more evenly on the spool for better/smoother casting distance. So please keep us up to date on how you like it. Thanks!

Hey @QED, did you get your Stella 1000FK yet? If so, how do you you like it? Hopefully the 2500 and 3000 FK's will be available soon.

Where is it in stock?! Most places I’ve checked indicate late March/April. Thanks!

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

sigh... I knew it would happen... New Stella FK announced. https://fish.shimano.com/content/dam/shimanosnaffish/series/22stella/index.html

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.

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

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

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.

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!