Looking for Lew's reel recommendations

[edwin]

So I'm working my way back into a part time fishing hobby.  I've had some fantastic rod / reel combo's over the years but haven't bought any new reels in 5-7 years.   I've primarily only owned Shimano bait casters over the year - Chronarch, Core, and Calais reels.  Reviews of the Lew's reels are pretty stellar, also like being able to swing thru their place in Spfld.  Any thoughts on the high end Lew's stuff? 

 

tight lines,

Edwin

[RangerR83]

How much you looking to spend? 

[moguy1973]

I have two Lews bait casters.  One is the $170 Tournament SLP Speed Spool and it's a great reel.  Super smooth and out casts all my other lower end reels.  My other is a LFS Speed Spool and its a really nice reel too for the price.  I got it on sale a couple years ago for like $70 during the Tackle Warehouse Xmas deals.

The other Lew's product i have is a TP-1 Speed Stick spinning rod that I love.  Micro guides with a big microwave guide at the bottom, Winn grips, and is super sensitive.  I'll be buying other Lew's rods in the future when my others wear out or break.

[edwin]

8 minutes ago, RangerR83 said:

How much you looking to spend? 

The Pro TI is $349, so probably in that range.  I've had great luck with my Shimano stuff...took great care of it and sold it for almost what I paid for it years later.  Not opposed to dropping the coin if it's a solid product.    Thanks in advance 

[RangerR83]

The Pro-TI’s are pretty sweet reels. Super smooth and cast like a dream. You won’t go wrong if you go in that direction. The new Tournament Pros are awesome as well with a lower MSRP.

[mixermarkb]

19 hours ago, edwin said:

The Pro TI is $349, so probably in that range.  I've had great luck with my Shimano stuff...took great care of it and sold it for almost what I paid for it years later.  Not opposed to dropping the coin if it's a solid product.    Thanks in advance 

I'm a lews fan, but haven't bought any of the higher end ones in a few years. I own team golds, super dutys, and BB-1's, and I've been very happy with all of them, and I've got close to 20. To be honest, for the way I fish and what I like in a reel (I prefer centrifugal brakes), the plain BB-1 is all I need for any moving bait applications, and casts those baits a mile. My team golds still suit my needs for pitching jigs and for bottom contact baits, and they are like 5 years old at this point. 

I will say that they don't hold their resale value quite as well as Shimano. I believe this to be because of a market perception that they don't hold up as well, which I have NOT found to be true. I also think it's because they are constantly coming out with new models, and that puts reels several generations back in just a few years.

I don't think you could go wrong with Lews, but you may not need to spend $349 each unless ya just wanna... 

[Sore Thumbs]

There are several pros using cheap Chinese reels . They are happy with them. If they have a repair issue they trash em and grab another one. They are less than $50. 

[mixermarkb]

I don’t know that I’m willing to go as far as the no-name Chinese reels. I like the BB-1 best because it’s got the things I like in a reel- metal frame and centrifugal brakes, and bearings everywhere you bearings. It’s about $150, and as solid as you can get.

For me, the more expensive reels mostly fall into incremental improvements. I like the combo of magnetic and centrifugal brakes for pitching and skipping, because I suck and those help me be better at something I’m not great at. Other than that, you really don’t get a lot for your dollar as you spend more in reels. You get a little lighter, but that’s about it, IMHO. 

The cheaper reels all have graphite frames, and I’m just not sold on them from a durability aspect. Once you get into a metal frame, I’m perfectly fine with any of the Lews models. 

[RangerR83]

I’m a huge super duty fan myself. Those BB1’s are some casting son of a guns.

[edwin]

Great insight...thank you folks!