Comments: I finally received my Stella Fk 2500 this past week and took it out these past two days. All I have to say this reel feels like a DREAM. I still can't believe I own one now. I won't ever need nothing else. Have this paired up with a Megabass Windbuster and it feels amazing. It's expensive but it's worth it. I promise you. I owned a few Twinpower, Vanford, Ci4 and Stradic but the Stella is just on another level.

From: Unknown: 9/25/23

Comments: Have 11 Stella reels just love them great all around I just wish they came with spare spool like they used to.  I find it completely ridiculous they do not come with a tube of oil. I understand in todays world the need for cut backs but at this price point I feel you have more than paid for a tube of oil and spare spool. I just hope Shimano would supply things needed with a reel of this caliber.

From: Ron: Whitehouse oh 4/3/23

Comments: I'm sold. I've had the 5000 FJ since it came out, primarily using it as my surf reel for blues and stripers. I bought the 5000 FK just to have the newest toy and I must say it was a great move. I can attest that it absolutely does cast approx 15-20% further (I've tested this using the same lures, the same line, same wind conditions in the same day). I don't know how it does this, but it occurred cast after cast; maybe the slightly curved spool design? The drag too seems to be crisper and stronger if that's a good description. Large fish pulling on the drag seemed a steadier task over the FJ model. It feels like the drag of the Stella SW models but lighter. Tackle Warehouse is the only place I trust to buy these high end reels/rods from. They're always shipped quickly and securely and the product arrives perfect .

From: Thomas: Long Beach, NY 9/10/22

Comments: Major issues with braid. Not sure what's going on but may be that the line is spooled too close to each other, so when casting at times a lot of line is released at once, causing a twisted up mess.

From: Todd : Pennsylvania 8/1/22

Comments: Initial thoughts on the Stella FK in comparison to the previous generation, and other high end spinning reels: Basically, this is one of the most refined reels ever made and a very exciting product. The Stella FK has a feel that is almost unparalleled. It has the same airy feeling that the Vanquish does. You feel much less resistance when turning the handle on a Stella FK compared to....every other reel out there, except for the Vanquish, or maybe the Excense. The Stella however, is so frictionless, so soundless...so smooth. This new generation Stella, despite its heavy weight, feels like it would be an amazing finesse reel, because of the minimal start up inertia. Now, there's one reel I consider to feel as smooth and frictionless as the Stella FK. That's the Daiwa Luvias Airity LT. Built on the previous Exist LT frame and concept, which so far, I think I like the most out of any concept. I own the Exist LT (2018, previous gen.) and the bail operation is smoother than on any other reel out there. There's no audible click, but it still feels very definite, which makes the bail operation smoother. When you retrieve, said reel disappears in the hand you're holding your rod with. It's like the reel isn't there anymore. An incredible feeling. Shimano spinning reels don't do that. I'd also like to mention that I've handled only brand new Stellas. They all felt differently. The first one did not have an audible click when opening the bail, but the others had that. The last one I handled did not feel as airy as the previous ones. However, the new Stella FK gave me a nicer impression than from what I felt out of the 2022 Exist LT. The Stella just felt more refined. Both are incredible reels though.I expect Daiwa's high end Monocoque reels to last past Shimano's high end spinning reels. That says a lot, because both of these companies make the best lasting mainstream spinning reels on the current market. I hope this could help someone that debates buying the Stella FK.

From: Benjamin: Scandinavia 6/6/22