Lew's Tournament Pro

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Just got a spinning reel the other day. It's very smooth. I kicked it off the dock and spent my afternoon snagging it back with a treble. I got it though

[WettinLine]

I've had both the aluminum, and Nitro but not anymore. They are a great value boats but they put no RD in the Grizzly or Tracker (try a G3 Or Xpress- BIG DIFFERENCE), and the Nitro is like the "Great Value" of bass rigs, try riding in a Phoenix or Ranger!! Do your own research before you buy anything from BPS, if you ask an employee (not all of them) oh and if they don't run when they see you coming, they are more likely to know who was on the Cosmo cover last month. Bad Service and Product- I'm glad to see smaller companies coming alive, I like to talk and purchase from a company who hires and creates products for fisherman by fisherman.

[GNSfishing]

Well I have owned Ranger boats and I do like them. They hold there resale value because of their reputation of being one of the best. A new 1976 155A w/115 Evinrude cost me $3600.00, A 1983 350V w/150 Evinrude cost me $10500.00, that 350V was their bread & butter boat. These 2 Rangers were outstanding for what they cost. Now days a Ranger boat equipped like a Nitro Z8 or Z9 will cost you any where from $10,000.00 to $15,000.00 more than a Z8 or Z9. The Rangers are just not worth that much more in my book. Yep I bought the Z8 in 2010 and have enjoyed it, would do it again if and when I get in the market for another new boat. After 3 years it has preformed great, the only problems I have had was the Interstate batteries they used. So I replaced them with the good Walmart batteries . So in my opinion (everyone has one) the cost of the Ranger name is just not worth it.

[Bill Babler]

Beck has a Nitro!!!!!!

Just because guides and professional fisherman drive or use certain products is absolutely no reason for the most part for the guy that HAS TO PAY RETAIL for thing to buy them. Alot of times we use products that are provided to us or sold to us for next to nothing. We have the ability to buy most anything associated with fishing at manufactors cost or even below, for advertising pruposes. What a better way to advertise to have your butt in it or have your hands or eyes on it. In the case of large ticket items, that most guides change out every year or even twice a year, the price does matter. In the last 4 years, Bill has had 8 new boats from 4 different manufactors. He has the ability to buy very reasonable and sell at a profit or completely use an item for no cost. I'm going to guess the majority of you all out there do not have this luxury.

Two weeks from now any of us could be in any boat. However I just ordered a 2014 phoenix. Boats for us are a platform to take paying clients on the water. They are a tool that we seldon keep more than a yr. or so at the most. My write off on my boats is 2 yrs. so that is what i keep them. Bill has a different tax structure, and he has always moved boats very quickly. Usually at the rate of 2 new boats per year. I will tell you this he did not buy it for the stylish looks or the quality. Billy could very well be in anything next week. His contacts are unreal and everyone in the boat business knows him. Never suprised by what he drags home.

Good Luck

[dtrs5kprs]

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.

Nope.

[fishingaddiction]

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

I have a Lews spinning reel, but have only used it a couple of times. It seems solid, casting distance is good with 6 lb line, but a little on the heavy side. The price point is very good at $ 60.00. I have the 200 model, and only time will tell how it will hold up.

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Bass boats don't catch fish. However zebco 33's still do

[Alex Heitman]

I would have to say the Nitro boats are made way better than they were a few years back. Their new haul design is awesome. IMO they ride way better than a Ranger or Phoneix. The price of them is unbeatable. I just love my Z-9. Rides like a dream

[troutgnat]

Kudo's to Lynn Reeves. I had an office right across from him for 2 years back in the BPS corporate days. He's a fine gentlemen and his re-birth of the Lew's company proves it. I too am on board with Lew's baitcasters, bought my first one over a year ago from Lynn at the shop.

[Bill Babler]

I would have to say the Nitro boats are made way better than they were a few years back. Their new haul design is awesome. IMO they ride way better than a Ranger or Phoneix. The price of them is unbeatable. I just love my Z-9. Rides like a dream

Don't know what your smokin, but comparing a Z9 ride to a Phoenix 921 is insane. Not even in the same ball park. Bring your 9 down next week and we will put 5 different riders in the boats. If 1 picks your boat over mine I will give you my boat. If all 5 pick my boat you will give me yours. Pink vs pink. Oh by the way that is not a new hull design on the 9 they have had it and there are changes coming in it for 14 or 15, to make it better.

We will test them at operating speed on a cross wind. Will will test top speed, we will test hull noise, we will test cornering at top speed, we will test fishability in a heavy wind. We will test quartering into rough water in the wind for interior dry ride. You pick 6 other catagories, You can even include price as that would be the only one you would win.

But I will tell you now, you don't want to do that. That is not what your boat was designed to do. It was built to be extremely safe and designed to sell for a point that makes it more than attractive to fisherman on a limited budget. Yes 50 grand being a limited budget, but those are the days we live in.

I will tell you this. Something is cookiing at Nitro Boats and from the word on the street, it is going to have a complete overhaul in the next year or two. Major changes seem to be in the wind.

Good luck and am more than happy you love your boat. You should.