Still Just Dont Get It, Just Not For Me.

[j.bruno]

Lews, Shimano you cant really go wrong in my opinion. (and experience)

[tomustang]

I'm sorry but I think unless you are basing your opinion on a reel after you have used it, it don't hold much water.

I'm not trying to single you out, but there's many others that have the same opinion as you. The problem is no matter how detailed a review or personal opinion is, what someone doesn't like still isn't going to outweigh what's good. For example, take an Avid, it's a darn good rod but the two complaints I hear from people about is the power hump and it feels tip heavy. Those two reasons warrent others to not buy them because they have their own preferences, especially on just holding (the feel) an item.

[Diggy]

If anyone cares

[msolorio]

just for the record, lews was the FIRST, the FIRST producer of low pro baitcasters. ive met guys that have the very first lews reels made and they still use them. if the new school lews are anything like the old, theyll stand the test of time. any reel will last a lifetime if you take care of it properly.

[K_Mac]

I don't have to own or even use something to have an opinion of it. For instance, I do not own Glock pistols. While I have handled several and shot a few, I have not had enough been there done that experience to offer a substantive review. Yet I can tell you I do not like the way they fit my hand and I would not own one. Now this statement will offend many Glock disciples, esp since I don't have a great deal of time using them. So be it. I like what I like. I like BPS Pro Qualifier baitcast reels and own several. Some don't like them. I don't give a rip whether that opinion is based on exhaustive field testing or what they have read somewhere online. They have performed well for me. That is not to say I don't read all the opinions offered here. Just that over time I have come to respect the opinion of some more than others, even though I don't always agree with them, and at the end of the day you pays your money and takes your chances. LMG doesn't like the look and feel of Lews reels. That is not inflamatory, just his opinion. Now if he attacks Pro Qualifiers...

[*Hootie]

First impressions do count especially when it is going to cost you $100-$200 on a reel.

If I am getting ready to spend $100 or $200 on a reel, the only first impression that counts is mine.

Hootie

[0119]

Those first Lew's were made for them by................ Shimano. That original company named Lew Childre, is long gone into history and the new Lew's is in name only.

[dodgeguy]

i never knew there was a shimano vs lews debate.buy a pflueger patriarch and be done with it.actually if i wasn't such a pflueger fan i'd probably go for a lews.

[Stasher1]

i never knew there was a shimano vs lews debate.buy a pflueger patriarch and be done with it.actually if i wasn't such a pflueger fan i'd probably go for a lews.

X2

Better reel than the Curado, in every way.

[38 Super Fan]

Jeez, there's a shimano fanboy here and he has something negative about another reel? I'm stunned.

[thehooligan]

Jeez, there's a shimano fanboy here and he has something negative about another reel? I'm stunned.

hahaha

I bought a curado e last year, and a lews tourney pro two months ago and used them back to back and would definitely say that the lews is a better bang for the buck. I only use shimano for spinning reels but buying the lews has opened my mind to expanding to other baitcasting reels, probally daiwa and maybe pflueger.

[Packard]

I own Curado 200E and a Lew's TP, some days I like the Curado more and some days I like the TP more. They both are good reels but I guess the rest is down to personal preference. Some people hold their reels differently, cast differently, and use their reels for different techniques. So it's no surprise that not everyone agrees on which one is better.

[BASSclary]

I think we should all just be greatful it's that we can fish what we want, because it's a free country, and enjoy our purchases. If someone wants to be brand-loyal, let them. You do not need to argue about which is better because, you know, you'll never win. It's their loss if they want to deny that a certain product is better. It should be left at that and let them enjoy their reels why you enjoy yours.

[TrippyJai]

I own 10 Curado E series reels and everything you've talked about not liking on the Lew's reel, I can make a case about it on the Curado. I use these reels because I've grown comfortable with them and I can also break them down when cleaning. Not to mention, it's really easy to order parts from Shimano.

IMO, the Chronarch E is not worth a $200 reel, neither was the Curado at retail price. Ask anyone if they would buy a brand new Citica E these days at $100, nope. I was surprised to hear the things OP said about the Lew's because I've only heard how great they were and wanted to head down to BPS to check them out.

[MarkM]

While the OP pointed out some specifics about the Lews reel he either did not like, did not make sense to him, or were of poor quality, like others I would not consider this a review simply because there was no on-the-water evaluation. It was simply a long list of opinions on qualities of the Lews reel (by purely looking at it) that conflicted with what he liked about a Shimano. No problem. Each of us has our preferences in what makes for a good/great reel and which reels we do not like. What one individual likes in a reel may not be the same as someone else. The thing is maybe all those additional bearings and other features that weren't liked have a reason and purpose and perhaps, after actually using the reel, he may feel different. But, he'll never know because he's already eliminated it as a possible purchase. I have no problem with his decision because the truth is, most of us make a reel purchase in a very similar judgemental and even biased manner.

The Lews clearly did not fit the criteria the OP likes in a reel. But, like with any other piece of equipment that is commented on within this forum, his opinion should not be the final word on the quality or performance of the reel. Let each be their own judge. I have just ordered a Lews Tournament (not the pro) Speed Spool to replace a reel I never really liked. Whether or not I like the Lews reel once it's put through its paces is unknown until I try it. But, I can't stand my current reel and needed a replacement. I reasoned that the Lews was a logical choice based on so many positive comments. I'll soon see if it was worth it.

[stkbassn]

It's all a matter of personal taste. I drink a lot of wine with snobs and folks who know nothing at all about it...I fall somewhere in the middle so my palate isn't the best or the worst. So, to me, a Cabernet that I think is great might actually be garbage or middle of the road, or it could be a top rated cab that I can't begin to understand. SO, I drink what I like(and what I can afford)...I still enjoy it no matter what the reviews say or what someone else tells me...

So with Shimano and Lews I can say I've owned both but the only one that makes sense to ME is Shimano...the Lews just doesn't rate..Does this mean one is better? Well, I'm no pro but I like Shimano, period. Some like Lews...good for them... they can have it. I'll stick to what I like and what I think is best, and for me, that's good ol' Shimano!

I know a guy who got rid of all of his Curados to get Lews...so what do I know I still ain't gonna be that guy!

[ldw6559]

Well this has been very interested and though I have never really become a baitcasting fisherman using spinning reels because they are just comfortable to me I am actually thinking of checking out the Lews after all of these posts. I own Shimano, Abu Garcia, Pfleuger, Mitchell, Quantum and Diawa in my spinning reels along with a few more. Like them all for the specific reasons I bought them. I am certainly not brand loyal but this Lews gives me hope I need to try baitcasting one more time. Thanks, glad I joined this forum lots of great information. The one thing I really agree with the OP on is that bearing count is becoming rediculous and don't really make that much difference at least in spining reels. I think it may be covering up some cheaper materials being used in some cases. I just bought a 32.00 reel with 10 ss bearings for my younger son and have many nicer, smoother reels with far less.