Still Just Dont Get It, Just Not For Me.

[LgMouthGambler]

OK, so the whole Shimano vs. Lews thing is going to go on for years Im sure. Today while I was in the area of the Dicks in West Palm Beach on Southern Blvd, I decided to stop in and check it out. Really cool store, 2 stories, better than the one that is in Plantation.

As I was strolling around and looking at what they had in stock, I noticed they had an assortment of Lews reels. So I was trying to figure out what about these reels everyone is going nuts over. Specifically I was looking at the Tourney Pro Speed Spool.

Im sorry, I just dont see it. Im sure most of you are going to respond that "you cant just look at it, and play with it in the store". Honestly, I can tell alot about a reel just by tinkering with it on the display. Here are my opinions. As I took off the sideplate and looked at the magnetic braking system, and the centrifigal brakes. I just dont see a need for both, and all I kept thinking was "its a Pro Qualifier", especially the way the sideplate comes off. As I further examined the reel, I took out the spool. So there is an extra bearing that is mounted on the spool shaft, for what? Why would you need more than 2? All this means is extra friction to slow the spool down. I put the reel back together for further examine it. The way that this reel is painted just looks cheap, flat black?

Lets get back to this whole bearing thing again, just because I noticed the "11 Bearing System" thing on the handle cone. Are they just trying to get in this whole bearing war that everyone seems to be paying too much attention to? Lets just say that you don't need a bunch of bearings to cast a lure to make a reel smooth and functional. As I thought to myself, there are 3 on the spool, maybe 2 in each knob (which I will get to later), one AR for the handle shaft, maybe 2 for the worm gear and 1 other that maybe behind the handle shaft gear.

Really? do you need all those bearings? I gonna go with no, and they went for the "bearing war" with the BPS Johnny Morris reels, and Abu Garcia. My 50E has 7 stock, and with my custom handle I have an extra bearing in each knob, so it now has 9. As for the knobs, why are they plastic? They feel like the plastic knobs that are on Shimanos $80 reels. The handle itself looks like it should be carbon fiber, but it looks like its a piece of plastic that was designed to look like carbon fiber. My 50E, real carbon fiber handle, which by the way is the greatest thing since sliced bread, thanks Mike for this product. Even the stock one looks better, if you want to compare stock vs stock too.

Clicking spool tension knob was cool, but I dont need a "click" to know how to adjust this, and if its for helping it from moving, Ive never had that problem. The drag star is the same as the one thats on my cheap BPS ProLight, it doesnt even look like they tried to make it different and stylish. Thumb bar, generic looking, similar to the SX one. So with this reels cheap looking exterior, common designed features of other reels out there, and its attempt to make it a "bearing king", it didnt win me over for looks, thats for sure.

Many of you were talking about how light this reel is, and how low it sits. Again, for me, it wasnt all that comfortable to hold. It is small and while reeling it, very smooth, but it just doesnt sit in my hands the way my 50E does. I know the 50E is a smaller reel compared to the Lews TPSS, the argument of the line capacity doesnt pursuade me. I dont need more than 80yds of 12# line on my reel at a time, and even for my need of heavier line and more capacity, my Curado 200E and Chronarch 200E still feel better, regardless of the minute weight difference.

Does it cast good? Well, Im not going to pay $200 for this reel to find out, but how much different could it be? If anything, I would think the extra spool bearing, combined with more braking assist than you need, it would not cast longer, but I could be wrong. Then again, sometimes its the person using the reel that can make the difference, especially if they are used to a certain kind of braking system.

My SX, gone because the mag brakes were not par. My BPS Pro Qualifier (which I believe is almost the same as the Lews), gone due to too much braking stuff than I need. Dont get me wrong, they were great reels, but just lacked that "something". Here is what I will say about the Shimano vs Lews war. Shimano has dropped the ball with the G series reels. I will give the Lews the upper hand for being better than the new CuradoG, but that ChronarchE is still there to hold Shimano to its roots. I would rather pay the $200 for the Chronarch than $200 for the Lews.

Yes I do agree that the Chronarch is just about the same thing as the CuradoE with minor upgrades. You can still pick up a new in box CuradoE, and do a hell of a bearing and drag upgrade, and still be at or below $200. Im not crazy about the white Chronarch, but the Lews isnt pretty either. Satisfied with the Lews most may be, but I will keep my Shimano. I still want to see how well the Lews holds up in the next 5-20 years. Im sure people will go back and forth with these companies and reels like Billy Madison and "Shampoo vs Conditioner", but hey, isnt that the fun about this sport? Fish on!

[rubba bubba]

Does the fact that others love a reel other than Shimano make you feel inadequate enough that you have write War and Peace to try and remain convinced that Shimano is the best reel ever? Good grief.

[A-Rob]

Does the fact that others love a reel other than Shimano make you feel inadequate enough that you have write War and Peace to try and remain convinced that Shimano is the best reel ever? Good grief.

I thought it was a pretty thorough review.

He said he would rank the lews above the curado G but behind the old curado E or the new chronarch (arguably the same reel)...that's fair.

He put a lot of detail into his review which may help someone....your post on the other hand was useless.

[0119]

Review? You play with a reel at the store after a thousand schmoo's handled it and can give a review? Opinion maybe, review, come on. Lews is like a Pro Qualifier? Absolutely. It is the same reel along with the revos, the Brownings, the Phfeluger, the Banax, the Fox and all the others that asian factory makes. Just like a Mercury is a Ford and Cadi is a Chev with more bling. Sadly the fact is is isnt worth buying, but neither is the Shimano.

[Stasher1]

Review? You play with a reel at the store after a thousand schmoo's handled it and can give a review? Opinion maybe, review, come on. Lews is like a Pro Qualifier? Absolutely. It is the same reel along with the revos, the Brownings, the Phfeluger, the Banax, the Fox and all the others that asian factory makes. Just like a Mercury is a Ford and Cadi is a Chev with more bling. Sadly the fact is is isnt worth buying, but neither is the Shimano.

This ^^^

[LgMouthGambler]

This is in no way a full review. If you read it properly you would know that it is simply things I had noticed about it in detail. Just my personal opinion on what I noticed, and how this debate will go on in years to come. I would not buy this to give it a proper reveiw based on just what I noticed in store.

[tomustang]

Ive had an in store run in a year back, at cabelas with a TP SS. I held that thing for an hour but still couldn't pull the trigger on one. I think the what really got me after playing with it so long was the reviews I kept running into about making the brake tuning adjustments. I like the centrifugal brake systems over the dual systems and just on that being a huge deal I left it there. Still only $120 new in the bargain cave isn't bad at all but the 51E was the same price on the web and BPS. All that time tinkering with it in store I could tell you it for being bigger than the 50 it weighed about same, did palm better for my short hands (this is debatable to hand size),and felt slightly smoother. It's still a very good reel and its been proven to be a top contender within the price range

Does the fact that others love a reel other than Shimano make you feel inadequate enough that you have write War and Peace to try and remain convinced that Shimano is the best reel ever? Good grief.

Review? You play with a reel at the store after a thousand schmoo's handled it and can give a review? Opinion maybe, review, come on. Lews is like a Pro Qualifier? Absolutely. It is the same reel along with the revos, the Brownings, the Phfeluger, the Banax, the Fox and all the others that asian factory makes. Just like a Mercury is a Ford and Cadi is a Chev with more bling. Sadly the fact is is isnt worth buying, but neither is the Shimano.

Whining back remarks makes you no better.

[Hi Salenity]

If you ever come to Kansas I'd let you try both. As far as the mag breaks go I ALMOST never use them. I hate mag breaks. However on a windy day throwing into the wind Sometimes I add some mag break instaid of clicking another cent. break.

If you like the Shimanno better you like the Shimanno better, The Curado a great reel!

[msolorio]

everyone has their preference. if shimano was better than lews or any other reel itd be the only reel on the market and vice versa. his preference happens to be shimano, so be it, nothin wrong with shimano, theyre great reels obviously, look at their following but their just not for me and others. yea, he in no way said that was a review and he simply stated his opinion so need to get rude. i love my lews and wouldnt use any other reel. to me they have that "something" he mentioned but like stated above, thats my preference not his. so yea, lighten up guys no need to start a war of words here over one mans opinion.

[ClackerBuzz]

well written thoughts. i enjoyed reading it.

[SirSnookalot]

I take most reviews with a grain of salt. I may buy one reel over another based on playing with it in the store, but the real review doesn't come until months after I've had. I need to use it hard and catch some good fish, I want to see what it looks like after it's beaten up a while, how smooth it still is and well the drag keeps working. I like my Shimano reels, but I have reels in the same price range that I like too. I've backed away from recommending equipment, a lot of it is just a popularity contest. Last thing I want to do is bad rap a product, hate to depress someone that recently bought it. I find most of the equipment today works pretty darn good.

[SoCalFisher]

I think the point of this is that Shimano is the best. Which is true because there is NO reel like a Shimano.

[*Hootie]

Yeah,I think you are right,you dont get, and its not for you. I wouldnt worry about it if I were you. If something new has come along, and some of us like it and you dont, we are okay with that. Just enjoy your stuff and have fun.

I have friends who use nothing but shimano, some who use diawa, abu garcia, and none of us has ever wasted a breath trying to convert the other. You like what you like and thats okay.

Besides, nobody cares anyway.

Hootie

[rubba bubba]

I thought it was a pretty thorough review.

You need to study up on the definition of "review" a little more. He went through a litany of reasons why he *thinks* the Lews is built/designed poorly compared to his Shimano.

"Really? Do you need all those bearings?".

Yeah quality stuff there. I can only imagine if it were in reverse and he was complaining about how the Shimano design doesn't make sense to him the Posse would go into apoplectic fits.

The reel wars are a never ending source of amusement on here. So much self-worth tied up in purchase decisions; great stuff.

[*Hootie]

So much self-worth tied up in purchase decisions; great stuff.

Rubba bubba, that one sentence spoke volumes. It says it all. You are obviously a man with insight.

Hootie

[cfout4050]

Well I enjoyed his thoughts. He also made some valid points. But what it all comes down to is that it is his opinion which he is entitled to. Some people always take it the wrong way. But thank you for your time and sharing your thoughts.

[A-Rob]

You need to study up on the definition of "review" a little more.

I'll get right on that hahaha

[*Hootie]

Well I enjoyed his thoughts. He also made some valid points. But what it all comes down to is that it is his opinion which he is entitled to. Some people always take it the wrong way. But thank you for your time and sharing your thoughts.

I think the point is, how can you make a valid comparison between a reel you have never used, to one you use all the time.

Hootie

[cfout4050]

Well I said he made some valid points I did not name them. But I will 1 they are reels 2 bearing count was right on. 3. size. My main reason for posting was to say thank you to the op for his thoughts and a good read simple as that. I did not agree with everything I think Lews vs Shimano is retarded We all know who wins.

[A-Rob]

The OP disclaimed that he had not fished it.

He wrote up a review of his opinions based on how it felt in his hands (again this was disclaimed).

Take it for what its worth. Nobody should personally rip the guy for his opinion. Accusing the OP of being inadequate starts fights and does not contribute anything positive.

(I fish abu)

[grimlin]

I prefer to read a review based on somebody who actually used the reel. This review is useless to me.

Like me saying a dobyn rod is just another rod....I never had one but i held one in the store....Didn't seem to be worth the price tag either. LOL....But I'm not gonna give that review....I never fished with one. Common sense...

Lew's reels been getting good reviews...based on people who have one. So Lew's is doing something right.

[K_Mac]

I found the OP interesting. It probably won't effect any future decissions regarding Lews reels, but what difference does that make? LMG handled the reel and didn't care for it based on that limited handling. Whether it is a review, editorial, commentary, opinion, or essay matters little. This is a discussion forum after all.

EDIT: FWIW I base all of my self-worth on the brand name and amount spent on my fishing tackle. I use mostly BPS gear and feel good about it. Please do not tell me I don't measure up because of this. I can't afford the therapy...

[quanjig]

One mans trash is another mans treasure! Some love those reels, others do not. Simple observations while holding a reel in ones hand are just that, it's one persons opinion. We've all done it. Simmer down now, it's why we all have loyalties to what we believe is the best for us. Will it keep me from getting it, probably not. If I think it's going to be a viable option for what I do, I'll get it, if not, who cares but me!!

[hatrix]

I have owned both brands and honestly it could go either way. If you give a guy long enough with 1 brand/type of reel he is going to lean towards that then another. I was a big Shimano fan but someone stole all my rods and tackle (I almost cried) so I was in a bind and bought a speed spool cause it was cheap and came highly recommended. At first it was weird cause its just not what your hand is accustom to but you adapt and it becomes 2nd nature just like Shimano was. I have since purchased more Lew's reels because they are all the same profile and wait for it... I am accustom to holding them now and it is not because I think they blow Shimano away. Fish don't care what reel you catch them on and I think you should make you decision on if it is something you can see your self getting comfortable using all the time. All major companies have a version of reel that is on par with there competitors so if you are happy with 1 brand why change. You won't magically become a pro and win AOY because you bought a Lew's or Shimano. As for the brake thing I agree that mag brakes are pretty much a joke. I guess they have there place and time but even in gail force winds with a spinner bait I don't turn it past 2 or 3. If you made it this far using a casting reel you can most likely feather the spool on your own. In the end I guess it's whatever brand you choose to become a fan of. Untill the day comes where fish only bite lures that are attached to Shimano, Lew's, Abu, Quantum, ect or it lets me down in a big way I will stick with what I have become accustom to using and holding.

[*Hootie]

Where I fish, the bass insist on Lews reels mounted on Dobyns rods, throwing Strike King baits, tied to Yozuri hybrid line.

Yeah, theyre just weird like that.

Tee hee hee!

Hootie