Yer get the smaller 1. Ill be using mine for live baits only bit big for lures. Stick with the baitcaster much better for lures. Otherwise its the stella fe in the smaller sizes locally

I use a custom rod St Criox 12-25lb running a Sol 4000 with 30lb braid and consitently get smashed but fishing some pretty woody country. I flick lures on it all day and can't say enough about the combo because Barneyboy built the rod for me.

But if your fishing open water then you may elect to downgrade the reel. Outside Stella I'm not a fan of Shimano reels but again thats just me. Not a fan either of your rod choice, I'd go something light from Gloomis or St Criox myself. Lighter the better if casting all day. 

Baitcasters work well but I'm fast becoming a spin outfit only for casting lures for Barra. I will keep some baitcasters for trolling and casting in very tight conditions.

If in the snags a baitcaster is much more accurate and easier to cast all day .... some guys start out using spinning reels but a baitcaster is far superior for barra fishing... casting and trolling. IMO.
 

Hand a baitcaster to a newbie and guess what......

Both take practice and if you cast 1000 casts a day you will get very accurate with any rod!

Also Baitcasters clearly dont cast the distance of spin rods = more time for lure in water with a spin rod 

Each has it's place.

Grab a 4000fd Stella they are Killer little reels!

light, powerful & balance well on most outfits.. I caugt a shit load of fish with mine 4000fd and its still brand new!

 Not too many snags in the pilbara creeks, most have plenty of roo

 For playing the fish. Might look at the 4000fd. What about the rods, i noticed that there was a better option for the rod. I'm hugely impressed wih the raider but haven't used the loomis or st.croix. I've heard the GL2 aren't all that flash. 

 I have a couple of baitcasters but just looking for a different toy to play with. And for different application. I found the Calcutta a bit slow retrieving with plastics and poppers. Used a mate spin reel with a higher speed and was much nicer to fish with. 

 You still may find some of the smaller tackle shops may have them but the latest Stella 4 is the 4000FE.  It's got the X-Ship too.  That would be my choice!

as i said before stella fe locally. available anywhere that sells shimano. but if your not worried about buying local with warranty the 4000sw would be my choice.

whats the main difference between the FE and the SW?

mate, i think the 5000sw is an overkill, this season i will be using a daiwa luvias 3000 matched with a samurai reaction 302 14lb braid, can cast this combo all day, are you going to be flicking lures with the thunnus or live baiting?

G'day,

The missus will be using it for both. Trying to get her into flicking some lures. As well as using it for some live baiting and for her to troll with. After your info I am looking towards the Stella 4000 but not sure which model. The FE or the SW. Can the 4000 fit a spool with greater capacity? Doesnt look like it can hold too much line. What are the Samurai rods like? There are heaps out there to chose from!!!

Just love the samurai range. But mine have been bigger one(s) with Stella SW8T with a Jig10 but sadly claimed by a big taxman (just dragged the whole lot O/Board when I tried to get the hook out - should have just cut the bloody line). Now replaced with a Stella SW10T and same rod. The samurai's in all ranges just feel superb, and if I had the coin I would replace some off my rod with these. But then no rod that I have is a cheapy.

IMO wont go wrong with these.

Cheers

Neels

 I find fishing with something a little shorter from the tinny easier. Especially around the trees and if the fish ducks under the boat. I tried a Shimano tcurve which was ok till my mate snapped the tip. Any rods around the 6ft range that is similar to the samurai 402? Thanks for all the helpful responses. Cheers.

From Bluewater. Just have to wait to get the reel now. Is the Stella FE alright for the Saltwater use? Or would I be better off getting an FD or SW from Japan? I know they dont come with the Australian warranty if you get them from overseas but if the reel is that much more suitable or better for that purpose then it might be worth it. Being a Stella it should have minimal problems shouldnt it? Or, being some Daiwa fans out there are there any other Daiwa spin reels that would compare to the Stella that you would recommend? Thanks again.  

I recently got one of these and christened it on a 93cm and 91cm barra. Reel worked well - nice smooth drag and a pleasure to cast (did take a while to get used to spinning gear after using baitcasting gear for years). If you have the cash lying around though it would be hard to pass on a stella ... A 5000 stella might be overkill though unless high speed skull dragging is your thing?

ive got a 4000fe and its a sweet reel , you can get 300m of good quality 30lb braid on it and your not going to need more than that, ive got mine on a tcurve 701 snapper and its a great combo.  cheers

  I have been using baitcasters for 20+years and if you are targeting Barra and need to get right in there you will find that baitcasters will almost always get you closer into the action. I find that when trying to cast accurately with a spin reel it is more of a lob, than a throw. If throwing lures is your go as it is mine, always use a double to your leader and don't use a swivel or you will be nicknaming your next spot christmas tree point. OK i don't want to tell you how to suck eggs but honestly i have seen plenty of guys with no idea how to cast at a spot , rather than just being in the general area.

  I have been using a shimano curado 300 for the last 3 years and it balances well has a beaut smooth drag and should handle most barra that are encountered in the north. Being a true baitcaster it does not allow it to be put down and used to live bait well as it has no ratchet, but if you like british racing green than this little baby could be yours.