tbone1993 Posted October 12, 2012 Posted October 12, 2012 I have an abu garcia Stx 6:4 which i have to get in to be repaired due to a faulty magnetic drag, paired with a 6'6 m fenwick hmg. I also have revo winch 5:4 paired with a 7' mh st croix mojo bass that needs to be sent in because of a busted guide. I am looking at getting the lews tournament pro reel because we are sponsored by them but I am not sure if I should buy that or just get two speed spools. I am going to be fishing a lot more tournaments but need more combos. Should I got with the tournament pro or hold off and just buy a few more combos? Does anyone with tournament experience have any input? Quote
livewire84 Posted October 12, 2012 Posted October 12, 2012 The only thing I dont like about my speed spool is the spool tension and drag dont click when you adjust them Quote
BASSHUNTER1961 Posted October 12, 2012 Posted October 12, 2012 Indexed tension knobs and drags serve no purpose anyhow..... Quote
sarcazmo Posted October 12, 2012 Posted October 12, 2012 Does it have to be a Lew's? Not disparaging them I have a Lews TP which I think is a decent reel. Quote
Super User Hi Salenity Posted October 12, 2012 Super User Posted October 12, 2012 I have several TPs. You can buy them for around $150 NEW on Ebay, and at that price point they are my favorite reel. 1 Quote
skeletor6 Posted October 13, 2012 Posted October 13, 2012 The only thing I dont like about my speed spool is the spool tension and drag dont click when you adjust them My Lews tournament drag and spool tension clicks upon adjustments. The best buy would either be the Lew's tournament or the Lew's TP. The TP is much lighter and is most likely the best buy. Get the 6.4 or 7.1 gear ratio since you have a gear ratio in the already. I am not going to discuss other reel options since your title is specifically asking about Lew's. They are making good reels right now, I have the regular tournament version and enjoy it. I heard the the regular speed spools are nice, but eventually if you keep fishing tournaments you will want to upgrade. Since it sounds like you are running low on setups, having only 1 combo will really slow you down in a tournament. With that being said, it can be expensive to buy gear that you are later going to want to replace for better gear. I know because I am in the process of that right now. If you want to just build up a bunch of inexpensive combo's just to have a lot available to use buying a Lews TP would not be the best choice. You are best looking at sub $100 reels and rods. If it were me though, I would want to buy something that I would not want to replace in the future. I have 2 H20 mettles that are nice reels that I got for very cheap. I would put them up against any of my buddies sub $100 reels (I dont see a huge difference). They certainly are majorly behind my Lews tournament and not even enjoyable after using my Curado 50e. Thus, I need to sell the mettles to upgrade. I had to buy them because I needed to stack up combos in a hurry. I regret that decision right now. The same can be said for some of my rod purchases as well. After buying a powell max it opened up the door to wanting many more things. A LTB, Loomis IMX, and finally an NRX. Now all I want is NRX's. It's a bad problem to have. Just some insight from my own experience. Good luck in your tournaments BTW. You certainly don't need the best equipment to catch fish. It just has made it more enjoyable for me personally. Quote
Super User LgMouthGambler Posted October 13, 2012 Super User Posted October 13, 2012 Im with Skeletor about buying the right reels now, and not replacing them down the road. In that case I would just get the Shimanos now, I joke I joke, I kid I kid. I would be looking into AT LEAST the Tourney Speed Spool. Quote
Super User *Hootie Posted October 13, 2012 Super User Posted October 13, 2012 Im with Skeletor about buying the right reels now, and not replacing them down the road. In that case I would just get the Shimanos now, I joke I joke, I kid I kid. I would be looking into AT LEAST the Tourney Speed Spool. Ya just can't resist can ya LMG. lol Hootie Quote
Super User LgMouthGambler Posted October 13, 2012 Super User Posted October 13, 2012 You know me, just cant help myself Quote
JCiurej34 Posted October 13, 2012 Posted October 13, 2012 Get a tournament pro I have one, for now, and I love it. Quote
Basswhippa Posted October 14, 2012 Posted October 14, 2012 If you want the best Lews, go to Ebay and get a Shimano built one. Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted October 14, 2012 Super User Posted October 14, 2012 A few things to keep in mind based upon what you shared... 1. Fishing tournaments will require different techniques throughout the year. While one all purpose outfit will handle most things it may not be able to convert them from bites to landed fish. With that said you can probably get by with 3 outfits for majority of your fishing needs. I would suggested a mh casting setup to be used for all bottom contact baits. Next would be a moderate action casting outfit for spinnerbaits, cranks, jerks, traps, and topwater but use mono on this setup. Last you may opt for a spinning outfit for weightless baits, shakeyheads, dropshots, etc... 2. You mention your magnetic brakes on your Abu had to be fixed. Despite the Lews sponsorship all of their reels utilize magnetic brakes and some use both magnetic and centrifugal brakes. Too avoid magnetic shimano may be worth a look as they don't wear out as fast IMO. 3. Best advice is to build an arsenal of outfits that will allow to fish the lakes in your tournament schedule in a way that will let you compete with the others in the club. You may need to adjust the outfits I suggested to fit your style and needs but if possible buy the best your budget will allow. You may also want to buy used gear that is in good condition as it may allow you to get gear that is a notch or two above what you would have bought new. Quote
skeletor6 Posted October 14, 2012 Posted October 14, 2012 Im with Skeletor about buying the right reels now, and not replacing them down the road. In that case I would just get the Shimanos now, I joke I joke, I kid I kid. I would be looking into AT LEAST the Tourney Speed Spool. Your biases are well known. I have to say that for now, I've switched over to the dark side. I understand you now LMG! A few things to keep in mind based upon what you shared... 1. Fishing tournaments will require different techniques throughout the year. While one all purpose outfit will handle most things it may not be able to convert them from bites to landed fish. With that said you can probably get by with 3 outfits for majority of your fishing needs. I would suggested a mh casting setup to be used for all bottom contact baits. Next would be a moderate action casting outfit for spinnerbaits, cranks, jerks, traps, and topwater but use mono on this setup. Last you may opt for a spinning outfit for weightless baits, shakeyheads, dropshots, etc... 2. You mention your magnetic brakes on your Abu had to be fixed. Despite the Lews sponsorship all of their reels utilize magnetic brakes and some use both magnetic and centrifugal brakes. Too avoid magnetic shimano may be worth a look as they don't wear out as fast IMO. 3. Best advice is to build an arsenal of outfits that will allow to fish the lakes in your tournament schedule in a way that will let you compete with the others in the club. You may need to adjust the outfits I suggested to fit your style and needs but if possible buy the best your budget will allow. You may also want to buy used gear that is in good condition as it may allow you to get gear that is a notch or two above what you would have bought new. Great post and great advice! Your thumb can take the place of magnetic brakes, they aren't a big deal to me. I use them on my Lew's, but I am just fine without them on my Shimano. What rod are you looking to put this on? Quote
tbone1993 Posted October 15, 2012 Author Posted October 15, 2012 Does it have to be a Lew's? Not disparaging them I have a Lews TP which I think is a decent reel. ^^ Well we are sponsored by lews so we get the tournament pro at around $120 so it seems like a steal. But I can also get another revo stx for the same price. The STX has a magnetic drag????? Yep , magnetic and centrifugal. I have several TPs. You can buy them for around $150 NEW on Ebay, and at that price point they are my favorite reel. I used one today and so far I like it a lot. My Lews tournament drag and spool tension clicks upon adjustments. The best buy would either be the Lew's tournament or the Lew's TP. The TP is much lighter and is most likely the best buy. Get the 6.4 or 7.1 gear ratio since you have a gear ratio in the already. I am not going to discuss other reel options since your title is specifically asking about Lew's. They are making good reels right now, I have the regular tournament version and enjoy it. I heard the the regular speed spools are nice, but eventually if you keep fishing tournaments you will want to upgrade. Since it sounds like you are running low on setups, having only 1 combo will really slow you down in a tournament. With that being said, it can be expensive to buy gear that you are later going to want to replace for better gear. I know because I am in the process of that right now. If you want to just build up a bunch of inexpensive combo's just to have a lot available to use buying a Lews TP would not be the best choice. You are best looking at sub $100 reels and rods. If it were me though, I would want to buy something that I would not want to replace in the future. I have 2 H20 mettles that are nice reels that I got for very cheap. I would put them up against any of my buddies sub $100 reels (I dont see a huge difference). They certainly are majorly behind my Lews tournament and not even enjoyable after using my Curado 50e. Thus, I need to sell the mettles to upgrade. I had to buy them because I needed to stack up combos in a hurry. I regret that decision right now. The same can be said for some of my rod purchases as well. After buying a powell max it opened up the door to wanting many more things. A LTB, Loomis IMX, and finally an NRX. Now all I want is NRX's. It's a bad problem to have. Just some insight from my own experience. Good luck in your tournaments BTW. You certainly don't need the best equipment to catch fish. It just has made it more enjoyable for me personally. I think I am going to hold off on these next tournaments and wait until spring because i am down on combos. Unless I can borrow a couple off some of the guys not fishing. I was told by that the Lews tend to blow up after extended use, especially lots of tournament fishing. Though in the long run I heard Abu lasted the longest ( except mine but that was operator error). A few things to keep in mind based upon what you shared... 1. Fishing tournaments will require different techniques throughout the year. While one all purpose outfit will handle most things it may not be able to convert them from bites to landed fish. With that said you can probably get by with 3 outfits for majority of your fishing needs. I would suggested a mh casting setup to be used for all bottom contact baits. Next would be a moderate action casting outfit for spinnerbaits, cranks, jerks, traps, and topwater but use mono on this setup. Last you may opt for a spinning outfit for weightless baits, shakeyheads, dropshots, etc... 2. You mention your magnetic brakes on your Abu had to be fixed. Despite the Lews sponsorship all of their reels utilize magnetic brakes and some use both magnetic and centrifugal brakes. Too avoid magnetic shimano may be worth a look as they don't wear out as fast IMO. 3. Best advice is to build an arsenal of outfits that will allow to fish the lakes in your tournament schedule in a way that will let you compete with the others in the club. You may need to adjust the outfits I suggested to fit your style and needs but if possible buy the best your budget will allow. You may also want to buy used gear that is in good condition as it may allow you to get gear that is a notch or two above what you would have bought new. I have spinning combos and am good on the soft plastics. It really is a tough decision but I had a chance to talk to a friend who is going pro and he gave me some pretty good insight under the table. Quote
TNBassin' Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 I think you have "drag" and "brakes" confused. Quote
tbone1993 Posted October 15, 2012 Author Posted October 15, 2012 Now I am giving free reign to you guys. I have $200 to spend on a reel. I have a low gear ratio. What reel should I buy that has the best warranty and will hold up for extreme use. For example I fished 20 hours in two days and that was a small tournament. I want this reel to be used for jigging and possibly frogging down the road. Quote
skeletor6 Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 Now I am giving free reign to you guys. I have $200 to spend on a reel. I have a low gear ratio. What reel should I buy that has the best warranty and will hold up for extreme use. For example I fished 20 hours in two days and that was a small tournament. I want this reel to be used for jigging and possibly frogging down the road. Jigging and frogging makes me think you should get a high speed reel. Something like a 7:1 gear ratio. If you can get lews Brand New for $120 because of your sponsorship that makes it a really good deal. You can sell it down the road and be fine if you don't like it. Either do that or get a Shimano curado/chronarch 200e7. You can find them under $200 and these reels come with great warranties and have been tested and proven by many. There are many Lew's TP vs Curado/Chronarch debates. If you do a search you will get a lot of information on the two. There also is the Gen 3 revo's. I have no experience with them so I cannot give help there. Quote
tbone1993 Posted October 15, 2012 Author Posted October 15, 2012 I think you have "drag" and "brakes" confused. I kept typing drag instead of brakes, that was my fault. Quote
Super User LgMouthGambler Posted October 15, 2012 Super User Posted October 15, 2012 Chronarch 200E7. Quote
Super User *Hootie Posted October 15, 2012 Super User Posted October 15, 2012 Chronarch 200E7. You said you were going to try out that new 50E today.....GO!!! Besides Lews don't make the Chronarch. lol Hootie Quote
Super User LgMouthGambler Posted October 15, 2012 Super User Posted October 15, 2012 Priorities: 1. Work 2. Ship rod and reel to Ninja 3. Fish the Chronarch 50E. Quote
Super User *Hootie Posted October 15, 2012 Super User Posted October 15, 2012 Priorities: 1. Work 2. Ship rod and reel to Ninja 3. Fish the Chronarch 50E. Sounds like a solid plan. I'm just anxious to get a positive no noise report on your 50E. I really want to get another one, a quiet one, like my 200E's. You have a great day guy. I kinda forgot about the work thingy, been retired for 5 years. Hootie Quote
Arv Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 Definitely get the TP if you get it for 120. I have the Tournament Speed Spool and its my favorite reel. Quote
TNBassin' Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 A Lew's is in my future, but first they have to come out with some decent reels in a lefty. Quote
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