razorz
05-15-2007, 05:14 PM
Ok, I've finally acquired these three extremely fine reels and am quite happy with all of them, for different reasons. I'm sure some of you out there might want a little info on each before dropping $500, $740 and $720 on them respectively.
http://fish.shimano.com/media/images/fishing/products/SAC/Reels/stella_fa_sm_v1_m56577569830567355.jpg
First, the Shimano Stella 8000FA. This is BY FAR, the smoothest, silkiest reel I have ever touched in my life. You spin the handle and feel nothing, yet the bail moves. It's quite an amazing piece of equipment. The weight is right on par for something in this size class. I currently have mine paired up with a Star Plasma 12-30 rod and 40# PowerPro Spectra. The reel casts like a champ as well. Aesthetically, the Stella is pretty, but if you did not know what it was you wouldn't think much of it. The handle is pretty large, yet built well and the spool is rather pretty.. but the body is just like any other Shimano in my honest opinion. All in all, a great reel for those who don't want too much flash on their boat and don't mind washing down their gear well after a day out at sea. This reel has automatic bail close.
Stella - 4.5 out of 5 in my book
http://i8.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/92/70/1973_1.JPG
The Accurate TwinSpin12 is probably the most beautiful piece of fishing equipment I own. With it's polished aluminum finish and precision machining, this reel will make you feel like a million bucks, even if it did almost cost that much. I have mine paired up with 30# Suffix Braid and a Star Plasma 12-20 rod. Casting with this setup is not as pleasurable as the Stella setup. Lures don't seem to go as far and I ran into my first issue with this reel after about 5 casts. I am not sure if this has to do with the type of line I use or the reel itself but, if you don't watch the line go into the roller guide on the retrieve there is a chance the line coils in front of the spool causing a HELL of a birds nest. This really annoyed me but I just learned to watch the line each retrieve. I never use the automatic bail close feature of reels, but this one does have it if that concerns people. The second problem I ran into with this reel is the drag. While it could stop a whale I am sure, it is terrible for smaller fish. The drag was so over-designed to be tough that you can't fine tune it for a light drag setting. The problem with this, is if you set the drag light, and the spool turns, the drag resets itself to a higher setting. I tested this reel in my back yard and some poor 2lb bass almost lost his lower jaw :roll: . I was told by the dealer that this is a known problem and there is a way to correct it, usually. If I take it back they will install a new gear on it? :scold: In any case, the reel is awesome if you use it for what it is designed for, which is big saltwater fish. I'd say an A+ Tarpon reel with it's high line capacity and rock solid drag. Another benefit of this reel is there is little to no maintenance on it. I would always wash my gear down with fresh water after a day out but you technically don't have to. Last two things to note on this reel is that it is pretty heavy and when you crank the handle you can feel the gears working inside. They feel solid, but you can feel them wind, unlike the Stella.
TwinSpin12 - 4 out of 5
http://www.vanstaal.com/images/VSB_big.jpg
Van Staal VSB100.. What can I say. This reel is my new god. The finish is beautiful, the drag is amazing, the weight is perfect and it casts as good, if not better, than the Stella. The only things I can rag on this reel for are the bell sound of the drag clicker and the somewhat odd shaped handle that I am getting used to. The titanium bail of the reel feels like air. Each time you flip it back you smile, and I couldn't tell you why, it just feels good :eek: I have this reel paired up with a Star Plasma 10-17 rod and 20# PowerPro Spectra line. While I realize my comparison might be a bit uneven on ths casting aspect due to the line weights and rod weights, I still believe if you went with the VSB150 series and put PowerPro 30 or 40 on it with a heavier rod you'd still be ahead. I am actually considering selling the TwinSpin and Stella to get 2 more Van Staals. Not much else to say on this reel. As with the Accurate, you CAN feel the gears when you crank the handle. This doesn't bother me at all, but for some I am sure it will. Also, this is a manual bail close reel, cranking the handle will not close it. There was an almost brand new VSB150 sitting at the tackle shop where I bought mine for sale and I asked why the guy brought it back. Apparently he couldn't get used to manual bail close :roll:
Van Stall VSB100 - 5 out of 5 in my book
Let me know what your opinions are of these reels. I am sure some of you have them.
http://www.Shimano.com/
http://www.VanStaal.com/
http://www.AccurateReels.com/
:thumb: :gr_cheers:
http://fish.shimano.com/media/images/fishing/products/SAC/Reels/stella_fa_sm_v1_m56577569830567355.jpg
First, the Shimano Stella 8000FA. This is BY FAR, the smoothest, silkiest reel I have ever touched in my life. You spin the handle and feel nothing, yet the bail moves. It's quite an amazing piece of equipment. The weight is right on par for something in this size class. I currently have mine paired up with a Star Plasma 12-30 rod and 40# PowerPro Spectra. The reel casts like a champ as well. Aesthetically, the Stella is pretty, but if you did not know what it was you wouldn't think much of it. The handle is pretty large, yet built well and the spool is rather pretty.. but the body is just like any other Shimano in my honest opinion. All in all, a great reel for those who don't want too much flash on their boat and don't mind washing down their gear well after a day out at sea. This reel has automatic bail close.
Stella - 4.5 out of 5 in my book
http://i8.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/92/70/1973_1.JPG
The Accurate TwinSpin12 is probably the most beautiful piece of fishing equipment I own. With it's polished aluminum finish and precision machining, this reel will make you feel like a million bucks, even if it did almost cost that much. I have mine paired up with 30# Suffix Braid and a Star Plasma 12-20 rod. Casting with this setup is not as pleasurable as the Stella setup. Lures don't seem to go as far and I ran into my first issue with this reel after about 5 casts. I am not sure if this has to do with the type of line I use or the reel itself but, if you don't watch the line go into the roller guide on the retrieve there is a chance the line coils in front of the spool causing a HELL of a birds nest. This really annoyed me but I just learned to watch the line each retrieve. I never use the automatic bail close feature of reels, but this one does have it if that concerns people. The second problem I ran into with this reel is the drag. While it could stop a whale I am sure, it is terrible for smaller fish. The drag was so over-designed to be tough that you can't fine tune it for a light drag setting. The problem with this, is if you set the drag light, and the spool turns, the drag resets itself to a higher setting. I tested this reel in my back yard and some poor 2lb bass almost lost his lower jaw :roll: . I was told by the dealer that this is a known problem and there is a way to correct it, usually. If I take it back they will install a new gear on it? :scold: In any case, the reel is awesome if you use it for what it is designed for, which is big saltwater fish. I'd say an A+ Tarpon reel with it's high line capacity and rock solid drag. Another benefit of this reel is there is little to no maintenance on it. I would always wash my gear down with fresh water after a day out but you technically don't have to. Last two things to note on this reel is that it is pretty heavy and when you crank the handle you can feel the gears working inside. They feel solid, but you can feel them wind, unlike the Stella.
TwinSpin12 - 4 out of 5
http://www.vanstaal.com/images/VSB_big.jpg
Van Staal VSB100.. What can I say. This reel is my new god. The finish is beautiful, the drag is amazing, the weight is perfect and it casts as good, if not better, than the Stella. The only things I can rag on this reel for are the bell sound of the drag clicker and the somewhat odd shaped handle that I am getting used to. The titanium bail of the reel feels like air. Each time you flip it back you smile, and I couldn't tell you why, it just feels good :eek: I have this reel paired up with a Star Plasma 10-17 rod and 20# PowerPro Spectra line. While I realize my comparison might be a bit uneven on ths casting aspect due to the line weights and rod weights, I still believe if you went with the VSB150 series and put PowerPro 30 or 40 on it with a heavier rod you'd still be ahead. I am actually considering selling the TwinSpin and Stella to get 2 more Van Staals. Not much else to say on this reel. As with the Accurate, you CAN feel the gears when you crank the handle. This doesn't bother me at all, but for some I am sure it will. Also, this is a manual bail close reel, cranking the handle will not close it. There was an almost brand new VSB150 sitting at the tackle shop where I bought mine for sale and I asked why the guy brought it back. Apparently he couldn't get used to manual bail close :roll:
Van Stall VSB100 - 5 out of 5 in my book
Let me know what your opinions are of these reels. I am sure some of you have them.
http://www.Shimano.com/
http://www.VanStaal.com/
http://www.AccurateReels.com/
:thumb: :gr_cheers: