When Shimano launches a new Stella, it’s always big news in the tackle world. The Stella is the crown jewel of its spinning reel range and a name that carries serious weight with saltwater anglers across the world. But a new Stella doesn’t come along often, and history tells us each release sets a new precedent for what a saltwater reel should be. The latest version, the Stella SWD, replaces the much-loved SWC, and we put the 14000XG through its paces on Bermagui’s yellowfin tuna. It was one of the hottest bites the region has seen in 40 years, and the perfect test for a reel that promises more drag stability, improved heat management and enhanced line control.
The Stella Legacy
The Stella SW first appeared in 2008 and quickly became the high-end choice of spinning reel for anglers chasing everything from GTs to dogtooth tuna, yellowfin and blue marlin. Each generation refined what was already an exceptional reel. The SWB gave us more drag and power, and the SWC added technologies such as Infinity Drive and improved waterproofing. By the time the SWC rolled out, it was widely regarded as the one of the most advanced heavy-duty spinning reels on the market. So, what could Shimano do next?
The answer is refinement in the areas that matter most when fighting big fish – drag stability, line lay, heat management, rigidity and gear durability. Aesthetically, it’s hard to see much of a difference between the SWC and SWD and on paper, the SWD may look like an incremental step, but on the water those refinements add up. I don’t really care too much about aesthetics; when I’m targeting gamefish, I want dependability, and Shimano has made changes to the Stella that improve my enjoyment while fishing and enhance my ability to work lures then hook and land fish – and that’s what counts.
Yellowfin Challenge
Our test wasn’t gentle. Over three days off Bermagui we fished through a range of conditions, in a bite that saw tuna numbers not witnessed in decades. The 14000XG was spooled with Shimano Ocea PE6 with a 150lb nylon leader and thrown into schools of rampaging yellowfin. We cast big 240mm stickbaits, put the drag to work, and fought multiple fish.
The results were impressive. The drag was flawless – smooth, consistent and powerful throughout. Even after 5-10 minute battles with around 10kg of drag and long runs and stubborn fish, there was no fade or softening. The spool remained cool to touch, something we put down to Shimano’s new XX Tough Drag system and heat sink design. This set-up places larger carbon washers both above and below the spool, spreads load more effectively, and dissipates heat faster. Shimano claims up to 30% less drag loss from heat compared with the SWC, and in practice it felt every bit as stable as advertised.
Mechanically, the reel felt rock-solid. No creaks, no flex, no slack – just the rigid feel you want in a game reel. The rotor, handle and bail mechanism all offer a rigid and reassuring feeling while under load. Even when tuna were putting maximum load through the gears, the Stella SWD stayed smooth and secure. The new InfinityXross gear design, which distributes load more evenly across the teeth, delivers a real improvement in strength and smooth winding power under load.
Casting and Line Lay
One of the most noticeable differences from the SWC came during casting. The SWD uses Shimano’s new InfinityLoop oscillation system, which lays line more densely and evenly. The oscillation speeds up as the spool rises and slows as it descends, creating a more controlled lay pattern. The result is less friction when line peels off, cleaner release during the cast, and better handling of slack line.
This translated to longer, smoother casts, which was often necessary as the tuna became boat-shy. Anyone who’s spent time casting heavy lures for tuna or GTs knows how critical line lay can be. Poor lay causes reduced casting distance and leads to wind knots at the worst possible moment. The SWD removed that problem entirely, which in our book is a genuine upgrade over the SWC.
Stella Upgrades
The Stella SWC was no slouch, but the SWD raises the bar in a few critical areas. The most important upgrade is the drag system, which has moved from X Tough Drag to XX Tough Drag, placing larger washers above and below the spool. This change makes the system more resistant to heat and ensures drag pressure remains consistent across long fights, a major step for tuna fishing. Drag control during the fight is now easier thanks to a significantly larger drag knob, when I’m fighting a fish I don’t want to be looking for it, I just want to easily find it and adjust it and this is a marked improvement.
Shimano has also introduced a new drag heat sink that keeps the spool cooler and prevents fade, and this was noticeable on the water, with the spool staying cool under pressure. Casting performance has improved thanks to the InfinityLoop system, which delivers cleaner line lay, smoother release and better handling of slack, and this was arguably the most significant practical difference we observed. Gear strength has also been enhanced with InfinityXross, which spreads pressure more evenly across the teeth, giving the reel a more secure feel under load and promising greater longevity. Finally, seals and waterproofing have been upgraded with additional protection around the drag knob and handle, offering greater defence against saltwater and extending reel life in harsh offshore environments.
Angling Application
The 14,000XG is a fast retrieve model, picking up line quickly between big sweeps of the stickbait or chugs of the poppers. It’s also great when you want to burn a floating stickbait across the surface. At 6.2:1, it recovers slack effortlessly, yet still has the torque to handle big fish. For stickbaiting, topwater and casting work, the speed is ideal. In a trolling or purely jigging context you might prefer a lower gear, but for pelagics such as yellowfin and kingfish, the XG is the right tool.
The reel felt as tight and smooth at the end of the trip as it did at the start. After three days of punishment in heavy salt spray, the reel showed no signs of water infiltration or fatigue.
Conclusion
Shimano hasn’t reinvented the Stella – it didn’t need to. Instead, the SWD 14,000XG takes what was already an amazing reel and makes it better where it counts. The drag is more stable, the spool stays cool under pressure, the line lay is cleaner, and the gears tougher. These aren’t cosmetic changes. They’re genuine improvements that translate into more reliable performance when chasing the hardest-fighting fish in the ocean.
After landing a heap of yellowfin tuna during what could be a once-in-a-generation bite at Bermagui, I’m convinced the Stella SWD has what it takes to last me years, which justifies the substantial price (RRP $1849) but it can also handle a lot more than just tuna and I look forward to testing it on marlin this summer.
