Star Stellar Lite Rod Review

The Star Stellar Lite is one of my favorite rods in what I consider an affordable price range, starting at around $99.

Star Rods is a company that has been in business since 1958. However, if you are not from Florida or North Carolina, you have probably never heard of them.

The Star Stellar Lite series targets the inshore angler and allows you to do everything well with just one rod. These rods come in 24 sizes to allow you to pick just the right size and action for your fishing niche.

One of the things that I like about the Star rods is that they have a great rod blank that is made of graphite material, which is durable and sensitive at the same time.

The rods’ fit and finish are excellent, meaning they will last for a long time. I know some people with Stellar Lite rods that go back 20+ years and tell me that they still fish like the day they bought them.

One of the other deciding factors when I bought my first Star Rod was the lifetime warranty. If the rod fails under normal fishing conditions (not by slamming it in the door jam of your F150), they will replace it for free.

In my case, I purchased the rod at Bass Pro Shops, and all I had to do was return the rod there, and they would replace it for me on the spot.

Features

Cork Grips

The Stellar Lite series of rods comes with a full cork handle. If you have fished with cork, then you know the difference. To me, a cork handle feels better and transmits vibrations better to your hands.

I am also very appreciative of how a cork handle does not slip in my hands when it is wet, and let’s face it, we are fishing, so the handle is wet more than it is not.

Graphite Rod Blank

The rod blank is the foundation of any rod, and Star uses what is referred to as a high-modulus graphite material called M-7 graphite. This graphite material provides a lightweight yet powerful and responsive rod blank that allows you to feel even the smallest nibbles on your line.

Fuji Guides

Fuji has long been known to be one of the best guides for your rod, as they stand the test of time. The guide is one of the rod’s most important aspects, as it allows the line to pass smoothly from the reel on through the tip.

Fuji Reel Seats

Star has chosen to use the Fuji reel seat for the Stellar series of rods as it is known to keep the reel attached firmly and, at the same time, transmit the feeling of the action on the other end of the line to your hands.

Features at a Glance

Graphite Rod Blank
Fuji Guides
Fuji Reel Seat
Full Cork Handle
Hand Wrapped Guides

I have a few of these excellent rods in my collection. My go-to is the model SG816ISM – a 7′ Medium action rod rated for 8-16 lbs mono monoline, which I spool with 30 lbs Spyderwire. Typically, I fish soft plastic, such as a 4″ DOA mullet on a 1/4 oz jig head.

I have found that this setup allows me to have equal fun with a small ladyfish or jack, or a large redfish. I am amazed at how one rod can be sensitive enough to let me feel the nibble of a smaller fish on a live shrimp that I am free-lining to handling the hammer coming down when a big red takes the lure and makes a run for the mangrove cover here in Southwest Florida.

As you can see from the chart below, you have a wide variety of models to choose from. Models start with a line rating of 6-12 lbs and go up to 15-30 lbs – handling lures weights between 1/4 oz and 3 oz. With that said, I have been known to take a 4-inch chunk of a ladyfish, which probably weighs closer to 8 oz., and toss it in the canal when searching for a big snook or drum.

Field Test

I regularly fish a Star Stellar Lite rod and have it paired with the Penn Battle II 3000. I fish this rod in many conditions that go from free lining a shrimp in the canals of Cape Coral to hunting down big bull reds in the Matlacha Pass.

On a recent outing to one of my favorite shore fishing spots in the Northwest section of Cape Coral, I was seeking out some decent snook. I used a 3″ white Gulp paddle tail with a 1/4 oz jig head, a pretty typical soft bait setup.

The tide was coming in, and it was about 2 hours before sunset. I had what I felt was the perfect combination. After a few casts to the other side of the canal up against some mangroves, I got my first strike, which was a big one.

The line started peeling off the reel as I tightened the drag. As usual, I felt the fish’s action when using my Stellar Lite rod. I felt the fish darting for cover and making a run to try and hang me up in the mangroves.

With a few turns of the rod, I could redirect this big boy and get him back into the middle of the channel – another run buzz went the line again, and my heart started to jump. What do I have on the line? Is it something I have not caught before?

After a few more minutes, the fish started to wear out a bit, and I was able to bring it to shore. Well, it was not a drum or a snook, which is what I was hoping for as I wanted something for the dinner table, but it was a nice Jack Crevalle, and for anyone who has caught one of these, you know what a good fight they put up.

Pros

Lightweight
Good action
Fuji components
Nice fit and finish
Lifetime warranty

Cons

Not quite as lightweight as the G Loomis

Alternatives

If you want to spend a few dollars less and are just looking for a quality everyday rod, my go-to has always been and will most likely always be the Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2. This excellent rod is very durable, fishes well, and starts at less than half the Star Stellar Lite series cost.

If you have a few more dollars to spend and want to get a rod that is what most would consider an intermediate price point, then I would recommend that you take a look at the G Loomis E6X, a fabulous inshore rod that starts in the $169 range and has all the look and feel of a custom-made rod.

For those of you who want the Cadillac of inshore saltwater rods, I would direct you to the G Loomis NRX.

In Conclusion

I have been fishing a 7′ Medium action Star Stellar Lite as my main rod for the past few years, and I love this rod. The action is great regardless of the size of the fish I have on the other end of the line.

I think that the rod build is of great quality. I have had mine for several years, and it looks as good as the day I brought it home. With that said, I do make sure to store my rods properly during transportation and storage, and I always rinse and then wipe down my rods after a day of fishing the saltwater flats.

For the money, I think that the Star Stellar Lite is an excellent choice, and it carries a lifetime warranty, which gives me peace of mind that if something goes wrong, I can get the rod replaced without any hassle.

Star Stellar Lite Spinning & Casting Rods | TackleDirect

Star Stellar Lite rods are constructed with powerful, responsive and durable IM-6 graphite. Fast, flexible tips with hook-setting strength to spare, Fuji guides and graphite reel seats, plus a limited lifetime warranty are the hallmarks of Stellar Lite rods.

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David Edwards

David is a freelance writer. He enjoys fishing as much as you do. He understands the challenge to pick the best fishing rod or learning the lifestyle. He provides a detailed review of the available products in the market. He wants to ensure you make the right decision for your next shopping day.