Lews Reels?

BassinCaptain71 · January 09, 2015, 01:53:47 AM

Hello UB,
I know that this topic most likely has been covered several times, but in light of my current situation I feel the need to ask, those that have been using Lews Reels for some insight on these reels. I have watched a few icast videos and several other videos on Lews reels. The fact of the matter is that I have decided that its time to buy all new reels for the new rods I have purchased, and ultimately, I plan to solely stick to one manufacturer. I also don't want to spend a fortune on reels ( easier said than done when looking for good quality tournament reels ).
Firstly one thing I have taken into consideration is that I primarily use super-lines and have been through quite a few different rods. ( in hind sight I should have purchased rods specifically for braided lines) At this point I have purchased several Berkley Lighting Rods, and yes I know that these aren't the best of rods but my budget only allows me to spend around $50/$60 dollars per rod and around $80 to $100 on reels. In all honesty I think that the Berkley Lightning Shock rods are fairly decent, for the price. No they don't compare to some of the higher end rods but like I said I'm on a budget.
Now as far as the reels go, I am going to need 5 spinning and 4 casting to start. I would like to know from all the Lews Reel users what reels do you use, what fishing application are you using them in, and what your over all review of the Lews reels you use.
More specifically the reels that I've been looking at are as follows:

____Lew's® High Speed Speed Spin® Series_____

$59.99 and comes with extra spool for braided line.

Model:SGH400

Bearings: 9+1

Wt. Oz.:10.4

Line Capacity:195/12

Gear Ratio:6.2:1

IPT:35"

__Lew's® Tournament High Speed Speed Spin® Series___

$79.99
Model:TS400H

Bearings:9+1

Wt. Oz.:9.6

Line Capacity:160/12

Gear Ratio: 6.1:1

IPT:38"

_____Lew's® Tournament Pro HP Spinning Series______

$99.99
Model:TP400HP

Bearings: 9+1

Wt. Oz.: 12.2

Line Capacity:220/14

Gear Ratio:6.1:1

IPT:46"

_____Lew's® Speed Spool® LFS Series_____

$99.99
Model:SSG1SH

Bearings: 9+1

Wt. Oz.:6.9

Line Capacity:120/12

Gear Ratio:7.5:1

IPT:31"

____Lew's® Laser® MG Speed Spool® Series_____

$79.99
Model:LS1SHLMG*

Bearings:7+1

Wt. Oz.:7.2

Line Capacity:120/12

Gear Ratio:7.1:1

IPT:31"

_____Lew's® Tournament MB Speed Spool® LFS Series______

$114.88 (Cabela's)
Model:TS1XHMB

Bearings:9+1

Wt. Oz.:6.7

Line Capacity:120/12

Gear Ratio:8.3:1

IPT: 35"

Some of these reels are new 2015 reels, if any of you Lews Reel owner have used any of these reels, your Input and reviews will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks BassinCaptain71

Jared LeBlue · January 09, 2015, 08:59:51 AM

I have 11 of the ss series speed spools and one tournament. Love them all. They fit good in my hands. They are smooth on both the cast and retrieve, and best of all you can get them in different gear ratios. I have never tried the Lew's spinning reels so I can't be much help there to you. I use Okuma for my spinning and am very satisfied with their product.

Down4ttown · January 09, 2015, 09:14:40 AM

Get the best reel you can in your budget. You can then upgrade bearings and drag as you get more established. The Lews tourney pro is one of their best but essentially with new bearings and a carbon handle the Tourney MB will be just as good.

Pferox · January 09, 2015, 09:20:55 AM

I know your "pain" since I just converted all my spinning gear to Penns with the exception of three reels, one of them was a SS400 Lews Speed spin that I bought on clearance at Academy, I'm sorry I didn't get a couple more of them.

I've had it a couple of years now, and it has performed flawlessly. It came with the spare braid spool, but it didn't hold enough 20lb braid. For bass with lighter lines, it will work well.

Right now I have half of the regular spool filled with 20lb 832, then topped off with 20 lb mono and it handles that well, although I feel it works better with a 15lb top shot.

I've caught a lot of very large fish with that reel, the drag works great and it had more than enough line capacity to fight big reds and black drum, all in salt water conditions.

Based on my experience, either one will hold up well for bass fishing IMO.

Polaris425 · January 09, 2015, 12:58:42 PM

You can't go wrong w/ Any of the lew's reels.... they are all great products. Even the base models... They just get lighter and smoother the more you spend.

Princeton_Man · January 09, 2015, 01:17:04 PM

I have Tourney MGs and Tourney Pros. I couldn't be happier with them. I scored a deal on two of the new SSG1SH models for the custom rods I had Lee Smith build for my two sons. I spooled them with 30lb Spiderwire and they cast a mile once we got them dialed in. -Jim

acwood04 · January 10, 2015, 12:02:16 PM

Get Shimano curado's or cronarch's!!! You won't be disappointed!! After that is go for the Abu Revo's and a Abu Winch for cranks. They are well worth the extra cash. I've got 3 cronarch ci4+'s, a new curado( give my old one away after 5 years of use), some Abu Garcia Revo's and a Lews BB1 and a tourney Speed spool MSG and I'll take my Shimano's ANY day of the week.

acwood04 · January 10, 2015, 12:04:35 PM

I also have that Lews carbon fire spinning reel and it worked flawlessly for a while, but then the bearings started to grind when I spin the handle, and I can't seem to fix it...

jakob1010 · January 10, 2015, 05:18:22 PM

I myself am moving to all Lew's reels. I tried the SS1 Speed Spool and I was sold. Now I own 6.

2putt · January 11, 2015, 11:19:13 AM

I've never had a Lews spinning reel, so I can't help you there.

As for bait casters, I have used about everything over the last 5 years. If you had asked me this last year, I'd have said Revo's are my number 1 with Curado a close second.

Last year my tourney partner bought a lews tournament MB and let me use it for a while. He had to bribe me to get it back. From my limited time with it I was very impressed with everything about it. Not sure there's a better bang for the buck.

I plan on getting a tournament Pro this year and expect ole Mr. Revo's gonna wind up number 2.

I know you didn't ask about them, but the Bass Pro, Pro Qualifier is a lot of reel for a hundred bucks. Keep an eye on their sales. I've seen them as low as $79.99. Their "classic" sale is coming up and I wouldn't be surprised to see them cheaper than that.

Capt. BassinLou · January 11, 2015, 11:35:50 AM

My arsenal consists of Lews and Shimano reels. Since the thread is about Lews, I can say they are great reels. I really enjoy my TT Pro and Tournament MG. 0 problems so far, easy to adjust, light, smooth retrieves and castability is very good. You will not be disappointed.

Gwamba · January 17, 2015, 05:48:58 PM

The spin reels are all really good
The all black Tournament Hi Speed is IMHO the best (I have them all)...you see a TON of Lews reels on the Tournament Trail today...and a LOT of those guys aren't sponsored Pros...
The BBI and Super Duty are the best bang for your buck...again...IMHO

WRB · January 18, 2015, 11:56:25 AM

To be honest I didn't read any replies to the OP's post.
Do not buy several rod & reel combo's until you know exactly what you want; buy 1 outfit at a time and fish with it before buying more.
Your budget appears to set at $1,000 for rods & reels, buy fewer higher quality outfits like 5 in lieu of 7, this gives you $200 per combo.
Tom

Captk88 · January 18, 2015, 07:44:50 PM

To be honest for the money that Lews high speed spun red one is a great little reel for the money.mused it all last season on my dropshot rod and loved it! Very smooth, handles braid well, and fits in your hand very well.

Steve333 · February 05, 2015, 11:46:58 PM

I really like my Lews casting reels they are the tournament pros, I have 12 now.
sometimes you can find them used for a good price and I am sure there other reel good to.

West6550 · February 13, 2015, 09:10:02 PM

I just did the same thing. I have been using Lews for a couple years now and love them. I have fished Abus and BassPro PQs prior and swapped to a Lews Speed Spools. Had those for quite a while then got a Tournament Pro and it's awesome.

Literally just got done tying the new line up. Decided to go all Lews Tournament MB and Abu Veritas and Vendetta rods.

Sold my PQs online today and my Dobyns is packed and listed as well to sell.

West6550 · February 13, 2015, 09:16:44 PM

I agree with getting 5 rods over 8 cheaper ones.

I tried a few different rods and reels before deciding to go with what I have now.

LgMouthGambler · February 14, 2015, 05:55:32 AM

Quote from: West6550 on February 13, 2015, 09:10:02 PM
I just did the same thing. I have been using Lews for a couple years now and love them. I have fished Abus and BassPro PQs prior and swapped to a Lews Speed Spools. Had those for quite a while then got a Tournament Pro and it's awesome.

Literally just got done tying the new line up. Decided to go all Lews Tournament MB and Abu Veritas and Vendetta rods.

Sold my PQs online today and my Dobyns is packed and listed as well to sell.

lol

Gwamba · February 14, 2015, 09:24:17 AM

I'm not giving up my Dobyns just yet but save a few Patriarch Spin reels...I'm all Lews... The new Custom Speed Sticks are going to surprise a lot of people that haven't seen them in real life yet...

West6550 · February 14, 2015, 09:51:53 AM

Quote from: LgMouthGambler on February 14, 2015, 05:55:32 AM

lol

Hater. ^ Don't listen tonthis guy he owns several different brands of junk. Heck his latest reel cost more than those 5 new ones did lol

LgMouthGambler · February 14, 2015, 10:00:30 AM

Quote from: West6550 on February 14, 2015, 09:51:53 AM
Hater. ^ Don't listen tonthis guy he owns several different brands of junk. Heck his latest reel cost more than those 5 new ones did lol

Hey, its only 2 brands of junk, Shimano and Daiwa/Megabass.

tomustang · February 14, 2015, 12:16:22 PM

I'd stick with two models in the whole line.

Tourney pro for casting, Team gold carbon for spinning.

Size will depend on what line you throw and ratio for caster will depend on how much resistance your lure will be for retrieving.

West6550 · February 14, 2015, 12:56:59 PM

I have owned the Speed Spool (ss1h). They were $99 (paid 75 online), aluminum framed and mag brakes only. I had them for 3 years before just now upgrading to the Tournament MB LFS which is the same weight as a Tournament Pro and dual braking as well.

I have a Tournament Pro that is a little over a year old and still smooth as butter and cast a mile.

The speed spools were great reels but I was ready to upgrade and have all the same line up.

I would never recommend any reel for any line that doesn't ateast have an aluminum frame. Basically try and get dual braking and metal frame. Then of course the gear ratio for what that reel will be used for.