Should You Upgrade to the 26 Stella SW or 25 Saltiga? Honest Review After 5 Years on the 20 Models

The 20 Stella SW and 20 Saltiga Are Still First-Class Reels 😤

Let me start with the conclusion — the 20 Stella SW 18000HG, SW 20000PG, and the 20 Saltiga 20000-H are all still first-class reels without question. 😊✨

I’m still actively fishing with the 20 Stella SW 18000HG myself, and honestly, I have no real complaints on the water in the Shakotan area. 🎣

As a large-format SW spinning reel, the overall performance is still remarkably high. The smoothness of retrieve, drag tracking, durability, and total balance are all outstanding even now. 😤💪

In fact, I’ve put this reel through over 5 years, more than 100 sessions, zero overhauls, and rinse-only maintenance — a pretty rough treatment — and it hasn’t broken down significantly. 🥹✨

The 20 Saltiga 20000-H, on the other hand, delivers an unmatched sense of rigidity, stopping power against large fish, and overall confidence. 😊✨

That said, my own unit required two shaft replacements, multiple bearing swaps, and developed some grittiness over time, so maintenance costs were a bit heavier. 🥲

Even so, the reliability it offers for targeting large bluefin tuna remains extremely high. 😤

The Biggest Upgrade in the 26 Stella SW and 25 Saltiga? Drag Performance. 🤔

The new models haven’t just improved drag — advances in gear durability, waterproofing, retrieve feel, rigidity, and line release performance are all real improvements too. 😊

That said, what I personally feel is the biggest leap this time around is, without a doubt, the drag system. 😤🎣

The 26 Stella SW introduces:

– XX Tough Drag: A structure that clamps large washers from both sides, reducing drag heat buildup by approximately 30%
– Infinity Cross: Expands gear tooth contact surface area by roughly 1.3x for improved durability
– Infinity Loop: A dense winding structure that prevents line dig-in under high drag pressure

All of these upgrades are clearly aimed at sustained long-fight performance against large fish. 😊✨

The 25 Saltiga introduces an entirely new drag mechanism called DRD (Direct Rotary Drag). 🥹
Built with 8 metal rollers mounted on a metal plate, this design is fundamentally different from conventional carbon washers in terms of heat resistance. With a maximum drag of 30kg, it dramatically reduces drag seizure and wear during extended fights. 💪✨

In short, both manufacturers have made a serious commitment to improving drag stability during big-fish fights with these new models. 😳

For Shakotan Fishing, the 20 Stella SW Is Honestly Enough 🥹

Here’s where the actual field conditions matter. 😊

In my main fishing area — Shakotan, Hokkaido — triple-digit bluefin tuna aren’t something you encounter on a regular basis just yet.

They’re definitely out there. 🥹

In fact, local fishermen’s set nets in the Shakotan area reportedly catch what appear to be large bluefin tuna exceeding 100kg every year. 🎣

So it’s absolutely not the case that big fish don’t exist in Shakotan. 😊

But when it comes to regularly encountering those fish on charter casting boats? Honestly, that frequency isn’t quite there yet in my experience. 🤔💭

Personally, after fishing Shakotan for 5 to 6 years, I’ve only had one encounter with what I believe was a 100kg-class fish. 🥲

So realistically, if Shakotan is your main spot, the 20 Stella SW 18000HG covers everything you need. 😊✨

Drag shortage, getting spooled, losing control of a fight — those situations simply haven’t come up for me in Shakotan yet. 😊

If your focus is Shakotan, sticking with the 20 model is a completely valid choice. 😤💪 That’s my honest opinion. 😊✨

But If You’re Targeting the Pacific Side or Tsugaru Strait, It’s a Different Story 🥹

On the Pacific coast, the Tsugaru Strait, and other regions, fish sizes are growing — and if you’re starting to think about chasing truly large fish, the new models start to make a lot of sense. 😂

When you’re dealing with fish over 100kg — and beyond — the confidence you get from improved drag heat resistance, smooth initial slip, and long-fight stability is genuinely meaningful. 😊✨

With large bluefin tuna especially, the first run, extended sprints, and deep dives under the boat are all moments where drag performance directly translates into mental composure. 🥹

And realistically, it all comes down to which field you’re fishing. 😊

Shakotan or the Pacific side or the Strait — the size of fish and the nature of the fights vary significantly by region, and so do the performance requirements. 🤔💭

So personally, my current thinking is:

For Shakotan as your main spot, the 20 Stella SW is enough. 😤
But if you’re planning big-fish expeditions, I’d want at least one new model — ideally a 25000 size. 🥹

That’s where I stand right now. 😊✨

The Financial Case for Selling Your 20 Model Now 💰

This part matters a lot too. 😊

The 20 Stella SW 18000HG and 20 Saltiga 20000-H still hold strong value in the used market. ✨

Large-format reels in particular benefit from steady demand driven by bluefin tuna fishing, GT fishing, and offshore expedition needs — so you can still get solid resale prices right now. 😊

But naturally, the longer you wait, the lower the resale value drops. 🥲

And large SW reels are especially susceptible to sudden drops in appraisal value once grittiness, drag degradation, bearing wear, or gear wear becomes apparent. 💦

It’s also worth noting that both Stella SW and Saltiga tend to have relatively long model cycles — typically around 5 to 7 years between generations. ✨

Which means the window is:

Sell the 20 model while it still holds value
↓
Upgrade to the 25 Saltiga or 26 Stella SW
↓
Get maximum long-term use out of the current generation

Honestly, this is a pretty rational approach. 😊✨

So, Should You Upgrade? 🤔

My final take: if Shakotan is your only fishing ground, continuing with the 20 model is completely fine. 😊✨

But if you’re thinking about the Pacific side, the Tsugaru Strait, big-fish expeditions, or preparing for the ongoing trend of larger fish showing up — upgrading to the 26 Stella SW or 25 Saltiga sooner rather than later makes a lot of sense. 😤🎣

And right now, the 20 models still hold real value. 😊

So personally, my recommendation is:

Sell the 20 model while prices are still high
↓
Upgrade to the 25 or 26 generation

When you factor in cost, this feels like the smartest timing to make the move. 🥹✨

I hope this helps even a little for anyone working through the same decision. 🎣✨✨