Lew's Tournament Pro

[Bill Babler]

Yes I have one. These reels are a bushing drag system or compression drag. Very much like the shimano drag systems. They have a wide spool and will cast a mile once you get it tuned into your casting type and it is also a bit more of a challange in the wind. It will throw anything a mile, but you must adjust it pretty regular.

Unlike the Tournament Pro with the magnetic drag system that is a virtual unfalable reel that if your anywhere near on your adjustments will throw into a stiff wind with most any lure without over run.

If you are an experenced baitcaster the BB1 will suit you. If you are a beginner, do not get that reel, go instead with the Pro or one of the magnetic drag reels as they are more than excellent and worth the few dollars more they cast.

[rogerdodger]

No loss? Really? I'm sure they are doing very well, but I'd think having your brand in one of the largest retailers would add to the bottom line...

Just like curling up in bed with a rattlesnake.......many brands are doing quite well without them. To call BPS the Walmart of sporting goods is doing Walmart a dis-service.

[powerdive]

I don't know all the details behind it but I doubt they ever will. No loss for Lews.

Nope, won't happen. Bad blood. BPS dumped the owner after he'd built their house brand rods & reels program from the ground up (making them hundreds of millions) over 30 years. So he mortgaged the farm (literally), bought the Lew's brand, and started working independently with his contacts in the industry to bring Lew's back to market. Several of us similarly-exiled BPS ex-pats worked with him early on, but now he's brought in a pretty good team of pros and corporate types. Due to the quality he insists on and his respect for the name (Lew Childre was his friend), and against all odds, he's making it. Hats off to Lynn.

[jerry241]

Thanks for the advice Bill. This will be my first baitcaster in many years so I'll need all the help I can get

[dtrs5kprs]

They have very "fast " spools. Tighten things down and work loose. Will save you some backlash picking.

[Iclass]

Had no idea about the bad blood...they seem to be one of the hottest selling reels right now even without BPS.

Roger... Wasn't comparing them to Walmart. You can multiply all the hate many on here have for BPS and it won't touch the hate I have for Walmart.....

[Bill Babler]

Everyone here knows how I feel about BP, so I'm not getting into that deal. My take on the entire situation is the way it got started with Johnny makng a quality hand tied jig with the eyes cleaned of paint and making it a product far superior to what was on the market that he could build sell and ship those jigs around the country.

For years and years they tried to sell and ship great products. THEN. they started with house brands that were inferior in every way that they could sell for slightly less and compete with the quality brands as a similar but less expensive alternative..

The marketing stradgity did indeed switch to WalMart. BP is still a great place to get the things you need and a wondefulr place to stroal around if the time share people are not bugging you to death. As long as you buy major brands there you are in great shape. Just don't by house brands. That more than includes the Boats. That is for another day.

Good Luck

[jerry241]

How about the spinning reels?? I really like the idea of supporting a " local" company. Always looking for quality equiptment.

[Jason Essary]

Beck has a Nitro!!!!!!

[Martin]

I'll ask Ron Burgundy's question again.....Do any of the Lew's reels have a flippin' switch ? FS reels are great for certain kinds of walleye fishing.