[Max Stirner]

The Smoothest most efficient drivetrain in a spinning reel is now even smoother and more efficient with improved durability. Introducing the Shimano Stella FJ.

[Zerbie]

The Smoothest most efficient drivetrain in a spinning reel is now even smoother and more efficient with improved durability. Introducing the Shimano Stella FJ. more

[campsers123]

Loaded with flagship features, Exsence provides light tackle inshore and bass anglers with everything they need in a featherweight package. The saltwater safe, magnesium Hagane Body offers rigidity and all-day comfort. By combining Shimano's water-repellent coating and our specially designed, water channeling, labyrinth construction, X-Protect provides high-level water resistance without sacrificing light gear and rotor rotation.

[subash]

Stella SW has always lead the fishing world in durability, power and operability. New Stella SW builds on that tradition. Stella SW brings unmatched strength, reliability and ease of use to serious saltwater anglers.

[Differance]

For serious saltwater fishing action, the Twin Power SW spinning reels fuse Shimano technology for a reel with overwhelming power, durability and reliability to tackle any situation in any condition. Within the Twin Power SW series, anglers will uncover Shimano HAGANE reel design concept for the ability to fight big, powerful fish with confidence. more

[goodhope]

Stella SW has always lead the fishing world in durability, power and operability. New Stella SW builds on that tradition. Stella SW brings unmatched strength, reliability and ease of use to serious saltwater anglers.

[gullungen]

Casting: When you cast the new Stradic you will notice a significant gain in casting distance over the previous model. This is caused by what Shimano calls "super slow oscillation." The oscillation of the spool has been adjusted both through gearing and a wider spool to be less then the previous models. Line is then wound onto the spool slower and in a more even manner. This line management allows the line to flow from the spool in much nicer curls minimizing energy loss, and resulting in longer more accurate casts. While this technology definitely works, it is not much different then what Daiwa has been preaching for years with their ABS spool design. The Capricorn continued to beat the Stradic FH in almost every cast with test plugs and a variety of lures. The Capricorn casts easier and farther thanks to the extra wide ABS (Advanced Ballistic System) spool. The Capricorn's enlarged reverse taper spool allows line to flow out of the spool in larger coils, producing less line memory, and results in less casting friction for longer more effortless casts. (Category winner: Capricorn) here

[sjaak]

Next Gen Spinning Shootout: Shimano Stradic Vs. Daiwa Capricorn

[ellimistd]

The Real World Test: For our tests we chose the workhorse sized reels that most anglers would utilize for the majority of freshwater fishing. The Stradic makes a jump from their 1000 size up to 2500 so we had to compare both of these to the Daiwa Capricorn 2000. The Stradic 1000 is impressively lightweight weighing in at only 7.9oz. The Capricorn (similar to the Stradic Mg) fabricated one body for both their 1500 and 2000 sized reels, the only difference is the size of the spool. and unfortunately this also means that the Capricorn bears the identical weight to the 2000 model at 9.5oz. For our tests the reels were placed on light and medium GLoomis GL3 SJR783 and SR842 travel rods for a series of bass and trout fishing.

[jknott]

Daiwa reels which have always felt more brawny in design make a sharp turn in favor of refinement with the ultra smooth and slim Capricorn. Shimano reels which have always been known for elegant refinement modifies their design to be more muscular with a widened body and tougher drag and hardened pinion gears. The Stradic also sports new features like the well implemented maintenance port, which for the first time allows anglers easy access to the main gearing. (Category winner: Stradic)

[Karmicads]

The Drag: Shimano ups the ante with the introduction of the smoother more precise S-Concept drag which is a world better then their previous design. One of the main reasons Daiwa spinning reels are a favorite among anglers is due to their excellent drag performance. Well now Shimano S-Concept reels are boasting drags that truly rival Daiwa's latest offerings. Increased drag surface area and a new micro click function allow the Stradic to make drag adjustments in finer increments then the Capricorn! In terms of total drag pressure the new Stradic is also able to generate as much counter pressure as the Capricorn! Where the Stradic's drag falls short is in its open drag knob design which is much more prone to contaminates like grit and sand then the sealed system employed by the Capricorn. In order to step up to a completely sealed Shimano drag anglers will have to opt for the new Sustain or Stella. (Category winner: Capricorn) [links]

[plupumbl0ck1978]

I've experianced other problems with Shimano reels that were fixed once the reel was taken apart & cleaned. I call this user error, not Shimano's error.

[qsharleenmcbrideb]

I luv'd that reel until it let me down. You can buy after market friction rings (on the spool) and after market plastic bushing's the fit on the end of the worm shaft. I noted on other boards that the materials are not the same as OEM. I've been fishing the Stradic Mg for a year now with the new products with no problems. I've bought & replaced the friction ring & bushing in my other Shimano reels, but have yet to have them on the water. I believe the problem was that Shimano spinning reels was built to such tight standards, that the parts swelled when wet causing the binding. [links]

[slush]

Have they fixed the problem? I cleaned a new Stradic and it was redesigned. I think the binding problem is fixed, but the reason why I won't buy a new Shimano product is they realized they had a defect in their product & blamed their problem on user error. I sent a new Stradic Mg that bound and got charged to 'fix' it. When I got it back, it bound days later on the water. I called them and they wanted me to send it back & charge me to clean it again. I had to figure out the fix for the reel myself, then buy the parts from an after-market dealership. more

[fonzie77]

I now fish mostly Daiwa's now - Sol, Tierra, and Fuego. Both Sol's I own have had anti-reverse problems. Both Sol's were sent back to Daiwa and fixed free of charge. My only cost was postage & insurence back to the compnay. I owned a SSII that was trashed through use - and Daiwa sent me a new equivalent reel (SSII was discontinued) after I sent it in explaining the problems. The Tierra needs an annual cleaning other wise it gets 'gritty' - which I do myself. Never had the Fuego apart nor any problems. Once thing about Daiwa, for the top end reels, they take care of their customers which is why, if I'm in the market for a new reel, will buy another Daiwa. more

[tech9iner]

I luv'd that reel until it let me down. You can buy after market friction rings (on the spool) and after market plastic bushing's the fit on the end of the worm shaft. I noted on other boards that the materials are not the same as OEM. I've been fishing the Stradic Mg for a year now with the new products with no problems. I've bought & replaced the friction ring & bushing in my other Shimano reels, but have yet to have them on the water. I believe the problem was that Shimano spinning reels was built to such tight standards, that the parts swelled when wet causing the binding.

[Fractality]

I like the way you think Al. here