Each drag part that withstands the fierce running is made of metal and abrasion-resistant carbon washers made exclusively for Stella SW. In addition to the drag washers that were previously placed at the bottom, the spool structure has been improved to allow for larger washers to be installed at the top.

This evolution has improved drag durability.

Thanks to the evolution of the drag structure and the synergistic effect of the heat sink drag, we have succeeded in reducing the loss of drag force due to heat by approximately 30% compared to previous models.

This technology improves the casting distance, casting feeling, and drag smoothness by winding the line methodically and precisely. There are three notable focus points. The first is the optimal winding pitch for SW models. This model is wound densely, with the pitch narrowed to about half that of the previous model. It provides a smooth casting feel and thoroughly suppresses line trouble. In addition, the dense winding reduces the number of times the line moves up and down when the drag is activated, allowing for smooth release.

The second improvement is the shape of the line wound around the spool. By reviewing the turning angle of the worm shaft, the bulges that tend to form on both the top and bottom ends of the spool have been made flatter, reducing resistance when releasing the line and dragging, and also reducing problems.

And the third is the 2-speed oscillation system, which changes the winding pitch when the spool moves back and forth. When the line is released from the spool ring side to the skirt side (downward), the finely wound line reduces release resistance and increases casting distance, while in the opposite direction, the coarsely wound line prevents the line from getting caught at high drag. This well-thought-out mechanism for a SW model further improves line release performance and reduces trouble.

Advances in gear tooth design and manufacturing technology have expanded the contact area between the drive gear and pinion gear with Infinity Cross. By distributing the load on the gear teeth, damage caused by concentration of damage is prevented and durability is improved. The NEW Stella SW has increased this tooth width by approximately 1.3 times compared to the previous model. It is now possible to maintain a smooth gear feeling even when winding with a higher load.

The fins are placed close to the line roller to reduce line slack and prevent the line from falling onto the spool skirt. The fins are made of elastic material to prevent damage when winding the knot.

Fin B, which creates a gap as before, is also included.

The AR-C spool has a special shape for the spool ring, which creates a line streamlining effect, helping to reduce line trouble and improve long-distance casting performance. The 25 Stella SW is equipped with a new AR-C shape that improves the spool ring collar to make it less likely for the line to ride on it, reducing the line strangling the spool, which can cause line trouble.

In addition, in SW fishing, the spool ring is subjected to more stress than you can imagine under harsh conditions. The surface of the spool ring is coated with a strong abrasion-resistant barrier coat, further improving durability. It also reduces damage to the line, and the surface condition remains smooth and less susceptible to scratches for a longer period of time.

If the ring surface is damaged, you can replace the ring only. *Shimano after-sales service

The biggest threat to SW fishing is seawater intrusion. Seawater that gets inside the reel corrodes the metal parts and significantly reduces the initial performance.

Stella SW is sealed in various places, including the body, drag knob, and line roller, to prevent water from entering. In particular, the body and stopper parts have achieved IPX8 waterproofing standards. This provides high reliability and durability for SW games played under harsh conditions.

In addition, the waterproof structure has been revised to provide a lighter rotation performance while still maintaining waterproof performance. This achieves the contradictory elements of high waterproof performance and silky rotation.

The handle knob also has a waterproof structure.

The Stella SW has been improved in detail with a drag knob that is 25% larger in diameter to further improve operability. This not only makes it easier to grip the knob for quick operation, but also makes it easier to make fine adjustments. This provides an advantage when tightening or loosening the drag instantly when a large fish is hooked.

Anyway, my impression after using it is that it's an amazing reel. Frankly speaking, in my evaluation, the previous model was almost at a level that could be called the finished product, so I feel that it has become even closer to completion. In that sense, it's exactly the same as the previous Stella SW. Rather than saying what has changed, it's just better overall. However, what can be said for sure is the evolution of the drag. The drag performance has improved dramatically because it is now an XX Tough drag that is held down from above and below by large washers. The drag knob has also become larger, making it easier to grip and operate. Also, the infinity loop has been added, improving the casting performance. The winding pitch is tighter than before, and it is a format that alternates between dense winding, twill winding, and dense winding, so there are no problems and the lure flies smoothly. As I said before, I haven't tested it to its limits yet, but from what I have tested, it has turned out better than I expected. It's only natural since further improvements have been made to the finished Stella SW, but it's hard to find anything bad about it.

There are three points to note about the Stella SW. The first is the XX Tough Drag. Previous SWs only had a large washer on the bottom, but this time it is also on the top, sandwiching it between the front and back. This makes the drag more durable than ever. It also gives you more peace of mind when dealing with big fish. There were many times during the test when the drag was released, and I felt that the performance, including durability, has clearly improved compared to before. I think you can really feel the difference when fishing for big fish, especially when the drag is released. In the test, I used the 14000 and caught a 50kg class yellowfin tuna, but I am sure that in the future I will be able to hook bigger fish in even tougher conditions and feel its true value even more than now. The second is the Infinity Loop. With this installed, the line is wrapped more precisely, the casting distance is increased, and the fluttering feeling when casting is significantly reduced. In addition to the actual casting distance, the line is released comfortably without getting caught, so you can feel the line flying just from the casting feel. The tighter the parallel winding, the more likely the line will get caught when a large fish is hit, but this Stella SW has a 2-speed oscillate system, so the pitch is not perfectly parallel, but is set to an exquisite pitch. In short, the line can be released smoothly when casting, and the drag works smoothly. It works smoothly without getting caught anywhere from the beginning of the movement. In fact, when installing the Infinity Loop on the SW, we tried many different thread winding pitches to find the optimal answer, and in the test, the line did not get caught at all even on the next cast after taking in a 30-40kg yellowfin. The other thing is the anti-twist fin. This part is to prevent the line from getting wrapped around the spool skirt, but by attaching this fin, the wound line will fit securely on the spool. When I use a long leader like myself and wind the leader onto the spool, I often had problems with the line falling off, but this fin completely solves this problem.

During the field test, I was blessed with the opportunity to fight with a large yellowtail, and was able to check various details. The first thing I felt was the lightness and strength of the winding, a tradition of Stella. This is quite outstanding. I mainly tested the 14000XG, and the winding feeling was so light that it didn't feel like an XG, and it felt closer to an HG. I think the improved rigidity of the gears is what makes it so light to wind. Of course, when winding normally, but I feel this most when I hook a fish and pump it. Even though it is a very delicate and precisely made reel, it has the strength and security to not back down even when a large fish is hooked. This sense of trust is definitely Stella SW. I was also surprised by the fact that the parallel winding has evolved tremendously with the infinity loop. The line is wound neatly with a narrow pitch, so the release of the line is very smooth. Even without looking at the reel, you can tell that it is flying beautifully just by listening to the sound. Moreover, to prevent the line from getting caught when dragging at high load, a two-speed oscillation system is used, which winds the line finely when the spool goes down and roughly when it goes up. This is a revolutionary evolution in winding. I was impressed that they managed to do something that you would never think of, which is to release the line when casting and to deal with drag under high load. In this test, I used a drag of about 13 kg with PE8, and I think the load was probably even higher during the fight, but the line never got caught. In terms of details, the drag knob is also easier to grip. I often adjust the drag during a fight, and I felt that the operability had definitely improved at that time. Even so, I am always surprised that there is still so much room for evolution in a reel that I thought didn't need any more evolution, and that it is at a level where you can actually feel it.