TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

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Cal
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TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

Post by Cal » Mon Jun 18, 2018 6:21 am

TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

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Introduction: It's that time again. Time to cast aside our review mentality and really get into the nitty gritty side by side comparison of product. It's been a few years since we've conducted a good old fashioned TackleTour Shootout but early in 2018, two products presented themselves before us that inspired a true head to head comparison. Of course these two products are from two true rival manufacturers, so like Red Sox vs Yankees, Giants vs Dodgers, Alabama vs Auburn, Packers vs Vikings, Cowboys vs Redskins, Celtics vs Lakers, Warriors vs Cavaliers, it's time to pit Daiwa vs Shimano and find out which product comes out on top. It's time for Exist LT vs Stella FJ.

Complete Article: http://www.tackletour.com/review18stell ... otout.html
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Re: TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

Post by cndbasshunter » Mon Jun 18, 2018 7:13 am

comes down to reel bag ... id be happy with either :)

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Re: TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

Post by BRONZEBACK32 » Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:12 am

cndbasshunter wrote:comes down to reel bag ... id be happy with either :)
X2

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Re: TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

Post by mark poulson » Mon Jun 18, 2018 12:18 pm

"And if you can't be with the one you love, honey
Love the one you're with" Sounds like it's a no-lose situation. ;)

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Re: TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

Post by spookybaits » Mon Jun 18, 2018 4:47 pm

Surprisingly not mentioned is the drag performance/smooth drag test?

Also- Stella Max drag: 7lbs. Exist LT Max drag: 11lb.

Unless the Stella has slightly better drag performance that negates the drag ratings, I'm not sure how this can be a tie. Specswise, Daiwa has the stouter drag.

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Re: TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

Post by Cal » Mon Jun 18, 2018 4:57 pm

Max Drag numbers are marketing hype by manufacturers. Did you look at the photos of the respective drag stacks? (Did I show them in this revew? LOL ) ... Anyway, they are exactly the same. Some manufacturers use tools to tighten the drag giving them higher numbers. With spinning reels, max drag is also going to vary depending on size of the spool so who's to say the numbers you read are from the same sized reels? When you're fishing reels with 4lb test line, max drag is not a factor whatsoever.. what's important is now smooth and consistent those drags are and in both cases, they are comparable.
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Re: TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

Post by Cal » Mon Jun 18, 2018 4:59 pm

But don't worry... the next shootout that's coming has max drag numbers in the tests... ;)
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Re: TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

Post by BigG » Wed Jun 20, 2018 2:48 pm

I have older models of both, bought on closeout sales. They're both amazing. Really enjoyed the review of two of the best reels ever.

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Re: TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

Post by Cal » Wed Jun 20, 2018 3:22 pm

BigG wrote:I have older models of both, bought on closeout sales. They're both amazing.
Oh but BigG .. these new models =P~ =P~ :lol: :lol:
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Re: TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

Post by BRONZEBACK32 » Wed Jun 20, 2018 8:14 pm

Cal wrote:
BigG wrote:I have older models of both, bought on closeout sales. They're both amazing.
Oh but BigG .. these new models =P~ =P~ :lol: :lol:
Not cool Cal, not cool... :big grin:

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Re: TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

Post by Cal » Wed Jun 20, 2018 8:57 pm

BRONZEBACK32 wrote:Not cool Cal, not cool... :big grin:
but oh so true ... even Zander was drooling :lol:
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Re: TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

Post by BigG » Thu Jun 21, 2018 7:45 am

Cal wrote:
BRONZEBACK32 wrote:Not cool Cal, not cool... :big grin:
but oh so true ... even Zander was drooling :lol:
Oh I drool over the new models, also.

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Re: TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

Post by Cal » Fri Jun 22, 2018 8:19 am

Knob issue is now resolved...

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Re: TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

Post by wirinhar » Sun Sep 23, 2018 11:52 pm

Great Review Cal.......

Now I know what I want :)... and I knew I read something great about spinning reels here :lol:

My first spinning gear..... ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

Thanks again for great review....

Regards,
WW

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Re: TackleTour Shootout : Stella FJ vs Exist LT

Post by bronzefly » Sun Aug 11, 2019 6:13 pm

Very nice review, well done. I've done my own shoot out as well with both reels on everything from the legendary Steez AGS 76MML, Legend Elite 7'6" ML and M, Megabass Flyssa, Brigand, Addermine, X7 Simoom, NRX 852s, 872s, Conquest 902, and several others. There's no doubt the Stella is a high quality, well engineered, truly great reel and I've been a Stella fan for a long time. Exist LT is the clear winner for me and I love the paddle knob :lol:
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