You wouldn't think it possible to improve on Shimano's premium range of Stella threadline reels, but the Shimano design team have done precisely that.

With their gunsmoke grey magnesium frames, gold trim and drilled spool, the 2004/2005 Stellas look absolutely superb, but this beauty is more than just skin deep.

The waterproof body is home to 12 A-RB bearings and one roller bearing in the 2500, and 4000 models, and 11 A-RB bearings and a roller bearing in the 1000. The Septon handle even has an A-RB bearing in it!

Then there's the Floating Shaft, Fluidrive 11 gears, Dyna-Balance to cut down on rotor wobble, and Super Stopper 11 to remove any backplay in the winding mechanism - all of which combine to make Stellas the pre-eminent threadlines on the market today.

In addition to this, the cold forged aluminium spool houses a waterproof Rigid Support drag, has a titanium-coated stainless steel spool ring, and Super Slow Oscillation lays the line neatly without any hills or dips. A stainless steel one piece bail arm assembly has a titanium coated Power Roller, which spins on no less than two A-RB bearings. This helps cut down on friction and line twist at a key point.

The FB 1000 holds 130 metres of three kilo and has a gear ratio of 5:1; the FB 2500 150 metres of five kilo and a gear ratio of 5.2:1; and the 4000 200 metres of six kilo with a retrieve speed of 4.6:1.

The Stellas have an easy-to-access maintenance port for basic servicing, and to keep that capital investment looking good, each reel comes with a protective neoprene pouch.

And finally, for those who are watching the pennies, the FB series actually work out to be a bit cheaper than the existing Stella FA series!

Articles of interest on the Shimano Stella: Foster Bream Round Results Bushy Smashes Record Aus Bream Open 2004 Foster Megabucks Hawkesbury Bream Qualifier

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Trade Enquiries:
Dunphy Sports/Fishing Imports P/L
PO Box 2082 Taren Point, NSW, 2229. Ph: (02) 9526 2144. Fax: (02) 9526 2510.
Website: www.shimanofish.com.au