10000 is a fair bit smaller than a 6500. In the Saltiga the 5000 is a closer size to the Stella 10k. Or a Stella 18000 is a better comparison to the 6500H....

The Stella and Saltiga that you're talking about are both big reels. without knowing what you're actually gonna do with it would presume that a smaller model (ie 8000 Stella / 4500 Saltiga if not smaller) be a better match suit to "boat fishing and flicking lures" - this is unless youre targeting big GT's where the reels you've mentioned are what you're after.

either way can't go wrong with a stella or saltiga... I have both and if you look through the net its really a ford v holden argument... Stella are a fraction cheaper

stella, heard to many stories of saltigas breaking, but then again those saltigas matched with their rods are pretty sexy and the ones i have used have all been 10/10 what ud expect for the cost. but yeah a couple to many stories for me to spend big $$$ on one

8k. Looking at getting one myself was tossing up between the saltiga, Stella and twin power... Have read so many more things about the saltiga going wrong, put me off them a little. Can wack a 16000 spool on the Stella also if you need more line capacity.

 The Stella 8K and 10K are the same size body with different sized spools. The 8K has a couple of gear ratios to choose from. The body size is genuinely larger than the shimano 6000 size we all know and the weight is around 640 grams vs about 580 for a 6K. Agree on the above too, you'll have to look at the 5000 Saltiga to compare in terms of size.

Google Alan Hawk and check his reviews out on both reels. Very comprehensive and literally world class. If you read some of his news, I dare say some design changes to reels are made based on his reviews.

In any event the Stella is rated just above the Saltiga but you probably won't notice the difference. In fact you should consider the Penn Torque as well. Check out that review he has done also and the fact Penn have fixed some of the issues he listed in his review.

What fishing are you specifically doing anyway? The reason I ask is that a Stella 5000 might be a better choice. This little tank is amazingly strong and can hold a decent amount of line. You can get a 6000 sized spool for a bit more capacity. This option might be what you are looking for.

saltiga for me mine have been put through their paces never owned a stella but either way your buying the best of spin reels

for bigger reels the saltiga 6500 would compare to the stella 18000. i would go the Saltiga for strength and smother drag under pressure. I use the 6500dogfight for billfishing as it is quicker and the expidition 6500 for big GTs 100lb braid and fully locked drag then lock yourself into the corner of the boat. the new saltiga also can fit a 7000 spool for more line cap. have had a stella 20000sw which is much the same as the 18000 just lower ratio for poppers and bottem bouncing, it was great also only lost it in some rough weather. check out the shimano terez range for rods for a stella, top end quality and mid range price.

 broke the handle on my stella 20k on last exmouth trip  lucky I had a spare dogfight 

I might be a bit controversial here with my opinions, but I own both and use them regularly. 

In my opinion, the Stella's are a nicer reel to use and have a smoother drag.  The Saltiga's drag needs more attention, and for me at least are not as smooth.  Note I have upgraded the drag washers.  I also broke the bail assembly on my Saltiga 6500 when hooked up on the bottom and just hung on to try and break it.  I never do that now, always wrapping it around a bollard on the boat.  Maybe I had a bad experience, but it took 6 months to get it back from Daiwa (sent it through Bluewater Mindarie).  That was simply not good enough for a $1,000 reel.

For sure the waterproofing on the Saltiga's is superior to the Stella's, but I try not to get them washed with saltwater anyway.  If it's rough, I take them out of the rocketlauncher and get them out of the splash zone.

I now own 2 Saltiga's and 6 Stella's.  I won't buy another Saltiga whilst my Stella's continue to serve me so well.

I also use my Stella 6000, 8000 and 10000 off the beach, and they are a pleasure to use, but I cringe whenever the wind is up and they are getting covered in sand.  The 6000SW is a particularly nice reel to use flicking lures or baitcast mulies on my Sensor Surf.

I'd go Stella as well. But then I have always been a shimano kind of person. The only daiwa gear I have is an exceler matched to a shimano raider rod that's in the backseat of the car, just in case I :)

As mentioned above, the stella has better drag, is slightly cheaper and you'll get better service if needed. I would also have no idea on what saltiga to buy as there are so many different models! For shimano it's easy, you buy a top of the line reel and all you have to do is choose a size and if you want, a ratio.

Daiwa man myself and havent been let down so far- as far as Saltiga's having issues I dont know anyone personally who has had an issue, I read the forums and both brands have had their issues which is not lop sided at all.

I would like to think when you pay 1000 bucks for any fishing reel/rod it will perform to your expectations and if an issue arises then the item would be changed or resolved quickly...

very much a personal choice but I dont think either brand would let you down- in fact your lucky to be spending that much on a reel in the first place.

Enjoy

As a few of the guys have said, I dont think you will have a problem with either reel and it will be just a personal choice thing. Both saltigas and stellas are absolutley top notch. My advice would be to go into a tackle shop and handle both of the reels to see which one feels the best. Im a daiwa fan myself and I love the high quality daiwa reels i have (saltiga/catalina/certate). Never once had a issue with them either, wish my first certate floated though :(

Have fun choosing mate, im sure you;ll be wrapped which ever way you go!

@Belly fish - i find that if you deal with daiwa directly they seem to be alot quicker, when you go through a shop they stuff around a bit.

thanks for the input guys. i am working out of onslow so hopefully which ever way i go it will land one of the macky's or gt's that stalk the area. obviously when im not out on the boat it will be used for some beach fishing but i have a smaller rig that will be doing the most of that type of fishing.

Its very handy to know that the 6500h is better compared to the 20000/18000sw. that is a bit to big for what i am after atm. i think i'll follow your advice PattyT and drop by my local tackle shop and see what feels best

 I do take my saltigas to the rock and beach. That's where these reels stand head and shoulders above the rest being tough enough in punishing conditions.  

Yer jelle that's the project I'm on. I won't be using the either of them for beach fishing. will only be using it when I hire the boat out of town. For the beach fishing I have a twin power 4000xg on a shimano mexican raider. I've used that off my boat and it hasn't let me down. So it's time to give it a run in the creeks.

FYI I did land a barra the other day on my first fishing trip to the creeks. He was just sized but it's a promising sign for barra season

 just got one down from the saltiga (catalina) and you couldn't go past it. Daiwa for me mate

so i opted to go with a stella 10000. i have paired it up with an azusa ALS702H-CFB. i will be giving the new set up a run in exmouth very shortly. i'll let you all know how it goes

Have used both but would go with the saltiga have had them for years different models and sizes and never had any trouble .

so i put the combo through its paces and it has held up very well. the fruit of my spoils is the dolphin fish in my profile pic. made easy work of it to. also brought up some nice sized mackies too. well worth it!