Shimano Stella FK

Shimano's flagship fixed spool reel - the Stella - is one of the most renowned and capable fixed spool reels in the world.

The Stella FK and the Infinity Evolution

Shimano regularly brings its top-of-the-range fixed spool reel up to the latest technical standard. The result, the Stella FK, is a reel packed with technical features that push it to the highest level of performance. Continuous development to show what is currently possible. For you as an angler, that means fishing with a reel for those who will accept nothing but the best in their hands. The drag, the gearing, the line management - all have been taken further. Improvements that make your fishing more effective and more efficient, and that add to the enjoyment. Shimano calls this Infinity Evolution. Infinity can be read two ways: the endless pleasure of fishing with the reel, and Shimano's endless drive to keep improving the Stella - a journey of innovation that never stops.

Infinity Technologies for an Unforgettable Experience

Fishing a Shimano Stella FK is already an unforgettable experience - a precise blend of high-end engineering and angling refinement. The Infinity Technologies take that experience even further. InfinityXross delivers an even more robust gear construction than the previous Hagane Gear, meaning an even longer service life even when the reel is subjected to the harshest conditions and the hardest-fighting fish. InfinityLoop introduces an ultra-slow spool oscillation, producing improved line lay and, with it, longer and more precise casts. InfinityDrive delivers extraordinary power transmission, letting you crank hard-fighting fish in smoothly, even under maximum load.

Two Further Features for Greater Enjoyment

Two additional features push the experience further still. The Anti-Twist Fin sits at the line roller and controls the pressure on the line as it is laid onto the spool. By keeping constant tension on the line, it improves line lay and prevents both loops and the line slipping under the spool. The second feature is the Duracross drag system, which delivers a notably smoother line release while simultaneously offering greater durability and hooking power.

Technology Overview

The Stella FK is loaded with high-end technologies. Shimano lists 17 product technologies in total. Here is that full list with a brief description of each:

• Hagane Gear - Cold-forged gearing manufactured by Shimano for lasting smoothness, reduced friction and greater performance.
• Micromodule II - For even greater smoothness in operation.
• MGL Rotor - An ultralight rotor made from CI4+ material. The asymmetric profile design uses a bail arm mechanism on the opposite side to the line roller for improved balance. Enhanced rotor stiffness at the line roller reduces twist by up to 30% under maximum load. Lighter material at the line roller, a titanium bail arm and optimised rotor stiffness reduce rotational inertia by 14%.
• Hagane Body - Housing made from high-strength magnesium, providing an ultra-rigid protective shell around the internal gearing.
• InfinityLoop - Spool oscillation speed has been significantly reduced, and the extremely precise line winding produces the longest and most accurate casts thanks to reduced line friction.
• InfinityXross - A new gear design that significantly reduces wear and considerably extends service life.
• InfinityDrive - Eliminates sliding resistance and allows effortless cranking even under load. Handle torque is reduced by approximately 30% compared to X-Ship technology.
• Duracross - A drag disc construction designed to improve overall service life. High-performance materials woven in a unique pattern deliver more than 10 times greater longevity and additional performance.
• Silent Drive - Reduced gear noise and handle play, greater running smoothness.
• Anti Twist Fin - Flexible polymer fins positioned near the line roller keep the line under constant tension. The line never goes slack, will not slip under the spool or form loops, and line lay is further optimised.
• XProtect - Triple protection through specialist grease: protection against water and particles, with minimised friction.
• G Free Body - A newly developed housing technology shifts the reel's centre of gravity closer to the rod, countering fatigue and enabling a more dynamic cast.
• ARC Spool - A patented spool design with a V-shaped spool lip that lets the line peel off in tighter, smaller arcs for longer and more accurate casts.
• Long Stroke Spool - An extended spool design for increased casting distance.
• Rigid Support Drag - Prevents spool wobble under drag pressure, keeping the spool perfectly aligned on the shaft at all times.
• S ARB - Original A-RB ball bearings with a sealed surface to protect against sand, dirt and salt.
• One Piece Bail - A single-piece titanium bail with no edges on which the line can snag.

Key Facts

• Shimano's flagship fixed spool reel
• Various models available
• Screw-in handle machined from aluminium
• Magnesium housing
• Long Stroke spool - surface-treated, cold-forged aluminium
• Infinity Evolution: InfinityXross, InfinityLoop and InfinityDrive
• 12+1 ball bearings
• Anti Twist Fin
• Duracross drag system
• Saltwater resistant
• For anglers who will fish nothing but the finest tackle