Stella 18000SWB feedback anybody

[Mahmoud Salem]

Hi all
Did any one here use the new Stella SWB 18000 hard enough to give us some feedback
I've seen more than a little not so positive opinions based on different"concerns"
I'm a little worried, didn't have a chance to fish mine yet(will be used for big blue fin tuna).
Hopefully those who spend more time on the water can help here, though I understand that a few months is not long enough but I highly doubt long time durability will be much of an issue with that level of reels

Thanks
Mahmoud Salem

[Mahmoud Salem]

A little update from my close fishing buddy,
So far we have landed several blue fin tuna on it, largest was 95kg and several smaller ones around 50kg
We also lost two remarkable fish, one after 1 hour 45 minutes dueo to cut leader
And One submarine that only lasted a few minutes during which it took about 3/4 of the spool in first run with blistering speed despite the 15 kg drag, after which its cut the leader, the reel was very hot even with the gloves

I really hope you can add your experience with the reel here

[Luke Wyrsta]

That's great news Mahmoud!

Please post some images when you can!

[Mahmoud Salem]

This is the biggest fish we landed so far on the SWB 18k
Fish was landed by my friend Ehsan, but we couldn't let him take all the fun (as if he could    )

[Dan Hanon]

Nice tuna!  I haven't used my 2013 Stella 18K yet.  I wouldn't pay too much attention to the "negative" review most of us have read by Alan Hawk.  Just use the heck out of the reel and catch some fish!  If the reel needs service or upgrade, the Shimano folks will take care of it!

[Sami Ghandour]

Nice tuna!  I haven't used my 2013 Stella 18K yet.  I wouldn't pay too much attention to the "negative" review most of us have read by Alan Hawk.  Just use the heck out of the reel and catch some fish!  If the reel needs service or upgrade, the Shimano folks will take care of it!

Well said Dan
use it, abuse it and send it for service, it is made up for that purpose 

 Tight lines
   Sami

[Mahmoud Salem]

Nice tuna!  I haven't used my 2013 Stella 18K yet.  I wouldn't pay too much attention to the "negative" review most of us have read by Alan Hawk.  Just use the heck out of the reel and catch some fish!  If the reel needs service or upgrade, the Shimano folks will take care of it!

Well said Dan
use it, abuse it and send it for service, it is made up for that purpose 

 Tight lines
   Sami

Dear Sami, Dan
That's what we exactly are doing
At first when I posted this topic, my concerns drove me
But after this time, I'm adding our results because I believe that this reel is as good as we all expected in the beginning and it deserves a much better chance than people's reactions after Alan's review(with all due respect to his efforts)
But Still I'm trying to see if people found any other concerns as I'm sure this is the proper way that Shimano can provide us with what's most suitable to us, and I'm sure they will stand behind their products