Shimano Stella - any surf guys use them?

[Mike P]

The problem with using reels like the Saltiga and Stella from the sand is that they're built to very close tolerances, and sand can get up between the rotor and the spool and cause grinding, and in extreme cases, binding. That new "Saltiga Surf" has an Emblem-style spool and rotor design and should be able to tolerate a diet of sand better.

The reels that digest sand best are still the old Penn 700 series Spinfishers. Loose tolerances between the spool and rotor cup. Give 'em a quick dunk, and grind the sand out on your next cast. Van Staals are built with closer tolerances between the cup and spool, but you can dunk them and rinse the sand without a care in the world.

I haven't had a Saltiga apart yet, and don't know that I'd even like to try, but they supposedly have bronze and stainless steel main and pinion gears. The Penns have a bronze main and a stainless pinion, and the VS reels are all stainless inside. I think the Stella has aluminum gears, something Shimano calls "Duraluminum". Not sure how they'd hold up for "guerilla jigging" in the Canal.

[fishaholic18]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Van Staals are built with closer tolerances between the cup and spool, but you can dunk them and rinse the sand without a care in the world.

Exactly Mike, I've had sand in mine many times, a quick dunk and it's gone.

[JFigliuolo]

Last night as we were marinating in salt water, my partner made the comment "Thank god we have VS's"

It really is true. I'd wager we fish some of the most physical areas in RI. Our stuff gets tortured water/rocks/sand. The VS's work like new.

[Slingah]

I need a VS .....BAD!!! I fish a Stradic most of the time...it constantly gets splashed and the occasional dunk.....but I do very little to it.....light rinse....some oil and WD.......oh......gotta clean and dry the washers once in a while.....always worried though....and trying to protect it half the time.....wish I could be worry free
next year........VS all the way

[libassboy]

I had a stella but sold it, bought annother VS instead, it would be a nice reel for a boat but not from the surf.
Slingah, i use a stradic on one of my sticks that doesnt have a vs and i love it, smooth and ive beat it up pretty bad and it still works. I still use it a decent ammount, its been dunked, and had fish up to around 30, good reel for the money.

[Slingah]

lilbassboy....no complants on the stradic ....i love it.....but I need complete waterproof.....nothing worse than a wet drag.....it is time for me to step up...

[maddog2020]

I was told the current Stradic has ceramic drag washers? If it gets wet it shouldn't be an issue.

I don't need to know any more about VS reels. They pretty much do it all except they still arent perfect. The larger reels wind braid on well - smaller ones don't do as good of a job. Supposedly when you do your yearly service drop a note in there about it and they have a fix for it.

I want to hear about folks who use/no longer use the Shimano Stella.

libassboy - you had the current Stella or the genration before that was more silvery? WHY did you sell it?? (u just wanted another VS so you sold it?)