I Need A New Reel!

[GaterB]

I will soon be purchasing a new rod and reel combo, and am looking into either a shimano chronarch (new model shown at icast), a Lew's Tournament Pro Speed Spool, or a Quantum Smoke. I plan to mount it on a Shimano Clarus rod for frog fishing and some flippin/pitchin. I like the lifetime warranty offered with shimano rods. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has experience with these reels, and what they think about their performance and durability. I will soon be doing some kayak fishing as well as my normal bank fishing, and am on a budget. I'm looking to buy a quality product that I'll be using for a long time. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

[sarcazmo]

I will soon be purchasing a new rod and reel combo, and am looking into either a shimano chronarch (new model shown at icast), a Lew's Tournament Pro Speed Spool, or a Quantum Smoke. I plan to mount it on a Shimano Clarus rod for frog fishing and some flippin/pitchin. I like the lifetime warranty offered with shimano rods. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has experience with these reels, and what they think about their performance and durability. I will soon be doing some kayak fishing as well as my normal bank fishing, and am on a budget. I'm looking to buy a quality product that I'll be using for a long time. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

I can't comment on the other two, but I recently purchased a Lew's Tourney pro and can give some thoughts on it.

Prior to the Lew's all my experience was with a BPS Pro Qualifier which I love. That being said there are a lot of similarities between the two. Similar dual braking system although the PQ has a couple more centrifugal brakes you can activate.

The Lew's is definitely lighter and more 'solid' feeling if that makes sense. Its smaller profile also makes it easier to palm in my hand. Your results will vary based on your anatomy. Making adjustments is super easy with the lews. One thing I dont like is the click based spool tensioner. 1 click in either direction makes a HUGE difference. I dont know why but when I hear a click I keep thinking I need to go up or down a whole lcick to make an adjustment. Its very sensitive so 1/4 or even 1/8th of a 'click' can make a big difference.

Casting the Lews is about as easy as any other baitcaster and the retrieve is nice and smooth. I can also comment that the drag on mine is REALLY nice.

If I had to give it a rating I'd go 3.5/5. I purchased mine off that auction site for well under retail. If I was to purchase something for full price in that range I'm not sure it would have been quite worth it.

I just picked up a Helios from the same site for less than I paid for the Lews. Havent fished with it yet but d**n so far i've been super impressed just messing around with it. Might want to look into one of those as well.

[Arv]

I love my Lews. Never used a Chronarch but I also really like my Citicas. Don't think you can go wrong with either one. Try them out if you can, especially if you can mount it on the rod and see which you like.

[TNBassin']

I've been wanting to try out a Lew's, but all of the ones I want are only offered in a RHR. I'm a lefty, so Lew's doesn't offer much for me. For $129, you can't go wrong with the Gen 2 Revo SX.

[GaterB]

Thanks for the help! Ive heard only positive reviews about the Lew's, but they didn't have them at basspro when i went, so I couldn't actually hold it, which I wanted to do. I def like the idea of mounting it on the rod.

I can't comment on the other two, but I recently purchased a Lew's Tourney pro and can give some thoughts on it.

Prior to the Lew's all my experience was with a BPS Pro Qualifier which I love. That being said there are a lot of similarities between the two. Similar dual braking system although the PQ has a couple more centrifugal brakes you can activate.

The Lew's is definitely lighter and more 'solid' feeling if that makes sense. Its smaller profile also makes it easier to palm in my hand. Your results will vary based on your anatomy. Making adjustments is super easy with the lews. One thing I dont like is the click based spool tensioner. 1 click in either direction makes a HUGE difference. I dont know why but when I hear a click I keep thinking I need to go up or down a whole lcick to make an adjustment. Its very sensitive so 1/4 or even 1/8th of a 'click' can make a big difference.

Casting the Lews is about as easy as any other baitcaster and the retrieve is nice and smooth. I can also comment that the drag on mine is REALLY nice.

If I had to give it a rating I'd go 3.5/5. I purchased mine off that auction site for well under retail. If I was to purchase something for full price in that range I'm not sure it would have been quite worth it.

I just picked up a Helios from the same site for less than I paid for the Lews. Havent fished with it yet but d**n so far i've been super impressed just messing around with it. Might want to look into one of those as well.

What auction site was it you mentioned?

[GaterB]

I've been wanting to try out a Lew's, but all of the ones I want are only offered in a RHR. I'm a lefty, so Lew's doesn't offer much for me. For $129, you can't go wrong with the Gen 2 Revo SX.

Don't understand why they don't make more LHR. I am a righty, but I have a few LH fishin buddies and they mostly use spinning gear because of the limited LHR casters. I understand they sell less, but they should still produce them in every model!

[TNBassin']

I saw a nice lew's speed spool combo on a speed stick at wal mart for $100 and it was amazing for the price. It was a RHR so I didn't get it, but I went online to see if I could just order it, and I think only 2 models of their reels were lefty.

[j.bruno]

Ive been hearing the tournament pro will soon be available in all the gear ratios for leftys. I heard it on the LEWS FB page from them about a month ago.

[LgMouthGambler]

I dont think Im allowed to comment on this.

[roadwarrior]

The Chronarch comes in a left-hand version:

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/articles/shimano_takes_chronarch.html

[jj'sbassinforfun]

Ive been hearing the tournament pro will soon be available in all the gear ratios for leftys. I heard it on the LEWS FB page from them about a month ago.

That's good to hear. I have been checking them out, But the ones that interest me aren't in left hand.

LMG, I'll break the ice for ya!

I'm surprised there isn't more comments on the Chronarchs? If I was to brag on an "S" reel this would be the one. Next TW sale, I'll be in for a 51e and a 201E5!!

[*Hootie]

I dont think Im allowed to comment on this.

Thats right LMG, stay out! lol. By the way, lovin my little 50E. A little noisy on the retrieve compared to my Lews, but I figure that will deminish as it gets broken in.

Hootie

[new2BC4bass]

Thats right LMG, stay out! lol. By the way, lovin my little 50E. A little noisy on the retrieve compared to my Lews, but I figure that will deminish as it gets broken in.

Hootie

My Curado 51E is quiet on the retrieve, but a bit noisy on the cast. DVT cleaned it for me before using. The author of one of the first reviews I read on the Curado 50E complained that he felt the machining tolerances weren't held as tight as on the better Shimano reels. Don't know about that, but I'm lovin' my 51E as well. Handles light lures quite well.

OP, I have the Lews reel you are looking at, and like it a lot. Can't comment on the new Chronarch. My 2 Chronarchs are older...a 101A and 100B.

[LgMouthGambler]

Thats right LMG, stay out! lol. By the way, lovin my little 50E. A little noisy on the retrieve compared to my Lews, but I figure that will deminish as it gets broken in.

Hootie

For me they arent lubed enough. I tear mine down after a months use, and give them a good flush and lube.

[drew4779]

I've never used a smoke or lews but I love my chronarch 200E7 and 50. Definitely worth the cash. I fish a lot of creeks and pressure waters where scaling down a size or two in regards to lure size really pays off. I've never had a baitcaster that throws light lures like my chronarch. I've always heard great things about lews and my old quantum pro tour was very nice (my best comparison to the smoke). I'm sure you can't go wrong with any of those choices.

[MT2]

I cant say much about the exact reels your asking about. But Im taking the oppurtunity to jump on the Lew's wagon. I use the $100 Speed Spool model, bought 1 liked it alot, bought 2 more continued to really like so I bought another. Previously I was using BPS Pro Q's, and they are very similar imo I just like how the speed spool feels in my hand a little better. Plus Ive gotten mind off ebay for $80 new. Its like Pro Q's on sale all the time!

[sarcazmo]

Thanks for the help! Ive heard only positive reviews about the Lew's, but they didn't have them at basspro when i went, so I couldn't actually hold it, which I wanted to do. I def like the idea of mounting it on the rod.

What auction site was it you mentioned?

Ebay.

I put the helios on my veritas and took it out this morning. I'll be buying another one for sure.

[new2BC4bass]

Ebay.

I put the helios on my veritas and took it out this morning. I'll be buying another one for sure.

Sure, bait me why don't you? Guy I bought my Tournament Pro from was selling a couple so he could try the Helios. After reading the specs on the Helios and Komodo I have a hankering to try them as well. What little I have read on them has all been for the good.

[sarcazmo]

Sure, bait me why don't you? Guy I bought my Tournament Pro from was selling a couple so he could try the Helios. After reading the specs on the Helios and Komodo I have a hankering to try them as well. What little I have read on them has all been for the good.

Yeah I was looking around and it seems the helios only comes in one gear ratio? Pretty good deals to be had on the komodo on fleabay as well it seems.

[Capt.Bob]

Well Since LMG kept his mouth shut so will I, besides looks like the word on the Lew's Tournament Pro has been well distributed!