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Shimano ‘Reinvents’ The Spinning Reel With New Stella Series - 4 Sizes Offered
IRVINE, Calif. 7/07 - ICAST Show Intro -- An extensive analysis of spinning reels, a three-year project for Shimano’s fishing reel development staff, was part of the mission to design new innovative features that would change the way spinning reels function. The result is Shimano’s introduction of the new Stella FD reels - sizes include the STL1000FD, 2500FD, 3000FD and 4000FD - featuring design improvements to enhance the overall fishing experience.
“We asked and listened to anglers everywhere - including fishing tackle dealers, guides and folks like fishing experts Al Lindner and Larry Dahlberg, about their thought on spinning reels and the areas that needed the most improvement, “ said Jeremy Sweet, reel product manager for Shimano. “The three critical targets identified - gear durability, line management and casting performance - led us to introduce key new features including Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement, Propulsion Line Management System and Aero Wrap II Oscillation System.”
Relying on its industry-leading cold-forging manufacturing capabilities, Shimano’s Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement uses a special cold forged aluminum drive gear and a hardened brass pinion gear. “Cold-forging combines the ability to manufacture gears with less metal for reduced weight, while still being stronger and more durable than even an all stainless steel drivetrain,” Sweet said. “With the Paladin gear system, anglers will appreciate the out-of-the-box smoothness after years of use.”
Line twist has always been an inherent problem with spinning reels, along with the occasional backlash and wind knot that is caused by line being loosely packed onto the spool. “While most spinning reel anglers have come to just expect these problems, we address them with the new Propulsion Line Management System, “ Sweet notes.
A five-component system, Shimano’s Propulsion feature includes a spool lip design to prevent backlashes and wind knots from forming. Line also flows off the spool in smaller loops meaning less line slap on the stripper guide, which when combined with the long stroke spool design, provides longer casting distance due to less friction. “The unique shape of the spool and the spool lip design combine to keep the line from bouncing, and provides a consistent light friction on the line to reduce line twist and backlashes.”
The Propulsion Line Management System also includes Shimano’s SR-Concept one-piece bail wire to reduce friction and tangles, a twist-reducing Power Roller III line roller, a bail trip mechanism that easily trips the bail by turning the handle, and Shimano’s S-Arm Cam. “This final component keeps the line in contact with the line roller during slack line fishing such as vertical jigging and drop-shotting,” said Sweet.
The Stella FD reels also feature Shimano’s Aero Wrap II Oscillation System to provide uniform line lay and winding shape. “This special worm gear system creates the ideal line lay for the Propulsion spool lip design, preventing any loss of energy during the cast while providing longer casting distance,” Sweet adds. “
Along with features addressing gear durability, line management and casting performance, Shimano also offers other innovations in the Stella FD spinning reels including the Direct Drive Mechanism (a thread-in handle to eliminate backplay), a Maintenance Port for easy lubrication, shielded A-RB (anti-rust) bearings for corrosion resistance and contaminant protection, Super Stopper II anti-reverse and waterproof drags. All four reels are made with lightweight magnesium frames and sideplates.
Additionally, the Stella FD reels feature Shimano’s new Rigid Support System. Building upon the Stella FB introduction of Rigid Support Drag to eliminate spool wobble at light drag settings, the Rigid Support System adds a redesigned oscillation slider to eliminate axial spool play as well. By eliminated these tolerances, explains Sweet, “drag performance is even smoother and more efficient than in previous Stella reels.”
The Stella FD line-up includes the 1000FD with 12 shielded A-RB bearings, a 5.0:1 gear ratio, and can handle from 6- to 12-pound test line. Each with 13 shielded A-RB bearings and 5.2:1 gear ratios, the Stella 2500FD is for 8- to 12-pound test while the 3000FD can handle from 8- to 16-pound test. The 4000FD as a 4.8:1 gear ratio and has the spool capacity to handle lines sizes from 12- to 20-pound test.
All the Stella FD reels are back by Shimano’s Platinum Service Program, available by completing the on-line warranty registration on Shimano’s web site. With this program, Stella FD owners receive an extended two-year warranty, coupons for discounted maintenance fees ranging from half price to free, and guaranteed 48-hour service turnaround.
For more information on the new Stella FD spinning reels, visit the Shimano web site - www.shimano.com - for additional details on Shimano’s Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement and Propulsion Line Management System, or call Shimano’s product support team at 877/577-0600 (6 am to 5 pm Pacific Standard Time).
MSRP: STL1000FD - $599.99; STL2500FD/3000FD - $649.99; STL 4000FD - $699.99
“We asked and listened to anglers everywhere - including fishing tackle dealers, guides and folks like fishing experts Al Lindner and Larry Dahlberg, about their thought on spinning reels and the areas that needed the most improvement, “ said Jeremy Sweet, reel product manager for Shimano. “The three critical targets identified - gear durability, line management and casting performance - led us to introduce key new features including Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement, Propulsion Line Management System and Aero Wrap II Oscillation System.”
Relying on its industry-leading cold-forging manufacturing capabilities, Shimano’s Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement uses a special cold forged aluminum drive gear and a hardened brass pinion gear. “Cold-forging combines the ability to manufacture gears with less metal for reduced weight, while still being stronger and more durable than even an all stainless steel drivetrain,” Sweet said. “With the Paladin gear system, anglers will appreciate the out-of-the-box smoothness after years of use.”
Line twist has always been an inherent problem with spinning reels, along with the occasional backlash and wind knot that is caused by line being loosely packed onto the spool. “While most spinning reel anglers have come to just expect these problems, we address them with the new Propulsion Line Management System, “ Sweet notes.
A five-component system, Shimano’s Propulsion feature includes a spool lip design to prevent backlashes and wind knots from forming. Line also flows off the spool in smaller loops meaning less line slap on the stripper guide, which when combined with the long stroke spool design, provides longer casting distance due to less friction. “The unique shape of the spool and the spool lip design combine to keep the line from bouncing, and provides a consistent light friction on the line to reduce line twist and backlashes.”
The Propulsion Line Management System also includes Shimano’s SR-Concept one-piece bail wire to reduce friction and tangles, a twist-reducing Power Roller III line roller, a bail trip mechanism that easily trips the bail by turning the handle, and Shimano’s S-Arm Cam. “This final component keeps the line in contact with the line roller during slack line fishing such as vertical jigging and drop-shotting,” said Sweet.
The Stella FD reels also feature Shimano’s Aero Wrap II Oscillation System to provide uniform line lay and winding shape. “This special worm gear system creates the ideal line lay for the Propulsion spool lip design, preventing any loss of energy during the cast while providing longer casting distance,” Sweet adds. “
Along with features addressing gear durability, line management and casting performance, Shimano also offers other innovations in the Stella FD spinning reels including the Direct Drive Mechanism (a thread-in handle to eliminate backplay), a Maintenance Port for easy lubrication, shielded A-RB (anti-rust) bearings for corrosion resistance and contaminant protection, Super Stopper II anti-reverse and waterproof drags. All four reels are made with lightweight magnesium frames and sideplates.
Additionally, the Stella FD reels feature Shimano’s new Rigid Support System. Building upon the Stella FB introduction of Rigid Support Drag to eliminate spool wobble at light drag settings, the Rigid Support System adds a redesigned oscillation slider to eliminate axial spool play as well. By eliminated these tolerances, explains Sweet, “drag performance is even smoother and more efficient than in previous Stella reels.”
The Stella FD line-up includes the 1000FD with 12 shielded A-RB bearings, a 5.0:1 gear ratio, and can handle from 6- to 12-pound test line. Each with 13 shielded A-RB bearings and 5.2:1 gear ratios, the Stella 2500FD is for 8- to 12-pound test while the 3000FD can handle from 8- to 16-pound test. The 4000FD as a 4.8:1 gear ratio and has the spool capacity to handle lines sizes from 12- to 20-pound test.
All the Stella FD reels are back by Shimano’s Platinum Service Program, available by completing the on-line warranty registration on Shimano’s web site. With this program, Stella FD owners receive an extended two-year warranty, coupons for discounted maintenance fees ranging from half price to free, and guaranteed 48-hour service turnaround.
For more information on the new Stella FD spinning reels, visit the Shimano web site - www.shimano.com - for additional details on Shimano’s Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement and Propulsion Line Management System, or call Shimano’s product support team at 877/577-0600 (6 am to 5 pm Pacific Standard Time).
MSRP: STL1000FD - $599.99; STL2500FD/3000FD - $649.99; STL 4000FD - $699.99