School Me On Lew's Reels

[Stingray23]

I've been a loyal Quantum buyer for over 20 years now and while I love them and have had zero issues with any of my reels, I'm really intrigued by the new Lew's reels. I've noticed a huge conversion of buyers from other brands to Lew's in the last few years. Can someone explain why? Are they that good? What do they offer that may be better then Shimano, Abu Garcia, and Quantum? Obviously, I know people are brand loyal as I am with Quantum, but I'm looking for an unbiased opinion. I'm interested in the Team Pro. Anyone have them? I noticed most have the Tournament Pro. BTW, I currently fish Energy PT's and Tour Edition PT's

[bmlum415]

i have a tournament pro, bb1 and tournament mg and love all of them more than any reel ive used including chronarchs,curados revo winch, revo stx.theyre insanely smooth and can cast a mile for me,they also have an amazing pricepoint

[*Hootie]

I have 6 Lews Tournament series reels. Been using them about a year and a half. They are AWESOME!!

Class Dismissed!

Hootie

[The Rooster]

Well, here's some homework for you. I noticed the weights of several Lew's models have been changed on their website from what they were previously stated to be. Particularly, the Speed Spool, the Tournament SS, and the Tournament MG. Cabela's still lists them under their prior stated weights though. Did the company do something to them to make them lighter, or just restate their weights to make them more inline with other competing reels?

Previously, the regular Speed Spool was 8.1 oz, now listed as 7.6

The Tournament SS was listed as 8.3, now listed as 7.9

The Tournament MG was listed as 8.4, now listed as 7.9

Considering weight reduction in fishing gear has become a trend, this would naturally make people see them differently when choosing a new reel. Every one of those models went from the 8 oz. range to the 7's, with almost 1/2 oz. shaved off. This isn't a big deal but I don't like when a company changes specs without changing the product. Makes me think it's marketing manipulation and I tend not to trust it. Of course, I know they reserve the right to make changes without notification and all that. I'm just wondering, does anyone know for sure?

[fishingman88]

Anyone have objective reasons for why Lews reels are "smoother" or "cast better"?  Just curious to see if the technical specifications are much better and in what aspect?

[*Hootie]

No, I couldn't give technical reasons. I guess my opinion is based strictly on genetics. The old Lews reels were great. So, when I saw the new ones, I just had to take a chance. So far, so good. I have not been disappointed, and now, don't expect I will be.

Hootie

[roadwarrior]

The simply analogy is a GMC version of a Chevy truck. The Lew's are built in the same Abu Garcia factory.

 

 

[dodgeguy]

the only thing was the gmc used the exact same parts!!!!

[down4ttown]

I love Lew's. I believe they offer a great reel in all price points. They put their best foot forward in trying to build the client base that Shimano and Abu have worked so hard to get. I believe their recent popularity could also be due to Shimano continually putting out inferior versions of supposedly the same reel each generation. Abu seems to have really done well with the new revos and rods. I am not a loyal fan by any means, but I do own two team lews and they are pretty sweet. Light, durable, built great, and cast like dreams. 

[upnorthbassin]

The simply analogy is a GMC version of a Chevy truck. The Lew's are built in the same Abu Garcia factory.

 

These days that doesn't mean much at all. There are factories in China that are making everything from the top of the line product to the worst quality product available. A lot of store brand products are made by these same companies but you don't hear them compared as much....because they are different. The way Chinese production is....this is a VERY common occurance. They build what they are being paid to build. If I had enough money I could probably have that same factory make me a reel that retails for $25. That doesn't mean it's going to be good because it's made in the same factory as a Revo. It also doesn't mean a Lews is a Abu either with a different tag on it either.

[J Francho]

These days that doesn't mean much at all. There are factories in China that are making everything from the top of the line product to the worst quality product available. A lot of store brand products are made by these same companies but you don't hear them compared as much....because they are different. The way Chinese production is....this is a VERY common occurance. They build what they are being paid to build. If I had enough money I could probably have that same factory make me a reel that retails for $25. That doesn't mean it's going to be good because it's made in the same factory as a Revo. It also doesn't mean a Lews is a Abu either with a different tag on it either.

 

What he means is, they are made with the SAME parts.  How do I know?  I've had them all apart on my bench.  Lews, Penn, Abu, Flooger, Mitchell, and Shakespeare are all divisions of Pure Fishing.  Revos, Floogers, and Lews share internal components, with slight variation in feature sets, and external styling.  The quality of each is roughly the same, if you compare similar price points.  

[flippin and pitchin]

I made the jump shortly after Lews introduced the Tournament and Tournament Pro models. I bought my first Lews in 1979.  I know it's an intirely different company and design but I had to see what they were doing.

 

The first thing I noticed was great ergonimics. They are very comfortable in the hand.  Reduced weight was another issue. After fishing one month the performance was obvious. They are great casters.  The drags have been solid.  No mechanical failures to date. What you get for the money makes them a great value. 

[Stingray23]

I'm gonna have to give them a try. I'll pick up one of the tournament pro's and try it out for a couple of weeks and see how I like them. Worst case, I'll sell it here on the site to someone.

[upnorthbassin]

What he means is, they are made with the SAME parts.  How do I know?  I've had them all apart on my bench.  Lews, Penn, Abu, Flooger, Mitchell, and Shakespeare are all divisions of Pure Fishing.  Revos, Floogers, and Lews share internal components, with slight variation in feature sets, and external styling.  The quality of each is roughly the same, if you compare similar price points.  

 

I have heard the bearings are not the same. Any truth to that?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

What he means is, they are made with the SAME parts.  How do I know?  I've had them all apart on my bench.  Lews, Penn, Abu, Flooger, Mitchell, and Shakespeare are all divisions of Pure Fishing.  Revos, Floogers, and Lews share internal components, with slight variation in feature sets, and external styling.  The quality of each is roughly the same, if you compare similar price points.  

 

x2. I don't see any siginificant difference in bearings or any of the other parts.

[rippin-lips]

I have 3 tournament pros

3 BB1 models 5:1:1 6:4:1 7:1:1

2 tournanent speed spools

For what you get vs what you pay the Lews are hard to beat. Especially the tp and bb1. I'd imagine that goes for the better models also. I haven't used them bc I'm a lefty. I'd steer clear of the regular speed spool,tournament mg and the laser mg. I think there are better options in the price range.

[J Francho]

I have heard the bearings are not the same. Any truth to that?

 

There are anti corrosion bearings in some higher end Revos, but pretty much it's like for like across the board.  FWIW, whatever bearings they are using, they clean up real nice, and there's a lot of speed in the stock bearings, if you clean the goop out.

[kadas]

I'm gonna have to give them a try. I'll pick up one of the tournament pro's and try it out for a couple of weeks and see how I like them. Worst case, I'll sell it here on the site to someone.

do not know what you are fishing now but my guess is if you fish a tournie pro for 2 weeks you will not be selling it---great reel JMO

[Brian Needham]

the TP is the best reel and value under $200, and don't let anyone tell you different.

 

the TP can be had new for $130 or so if you search.

[Stingray23]

do not know what you are fishing now but my guess is if you fish a tournie pro for 2 weeks you will not be selling it---great reel JMO

I currently fish Quantum Tour Edition PT's. The ones with the carbon fiber handle. Great reel. I hope the Lew's surpasses my expectations.

[Stingray23]

the TP is the best reel and value under $200, and don't let anyone tell you different.

 

the TP can be had new for $130 or so if you search.

$130 is a hell of a deal. I will look out for them when the time comes.

[Brian Needham]

$130 is a hell of a deal. I will look out for them when the time comes.

 

even without looking hard you can find them $145+/-

 

I used to get refirbs on the 'bay for $120, just like new but without all the overgreasing.

[bmlum415]

I'm gonna have to give them a try. I'll pick up one of the tournament pro's and try it out for a couple of weeks and see how I like them. Worst case, I'll sell it here on the site to someone.

if you do Im interested to purchase it if its a lefty

[kickerfish1]

As others noted I think their reels compete in the most popular segment of the market. Most of their reels are around $100-$250. I think outside of the Lexa Daiwa seems to be lacking in this range. The chronarch E seems to be the strongest shimano reel in this range since they have tweaked their lineup. Abu has really worked hard to produce lighter reels but their reels tend to be priced a tad higher when using the revo line as a guide. I would love to see some sort of sales data in terms of number of reels sold by the bigger reel manufactures in the $100-$250 range.

I have two Lews speed spool reels and love them. For a sub $100 casting reel they are my personal favorite for general bass fishing applications. Solid casting distance and to me the retrieve is smooth and the profile of the reel is comfortable in hand.

Their popularity has risen due to the reel being a great bang for your buck reel. Plus when they were re-introduced a few years ago the reviews were all mostly positive, leading to alot of folks wanting to see what the buzz was about. Most have enjoyed them and some didn't care for them.

Personally I think they offer good value, but I wouldn' sell my Daiwa and shimano reels to become a user of Lews only reels. Where Lews is lacking is in spinning reels. I would venture to guess they will probably expand their spinning reel lineup to around 4 reels sometime soon... but that is a discussion for another day.

[Stingray23]

even without looking hard you can find them $145+/-

 

I used to get refirbs on the 'bay for $120, just like new but without all the overgreasing.

 

$145 sounds good too! I'll keep an eye out for them. Ebay has always been VERY good to me.

if you do Im interested to purchase it if its a lefty

Sorry, righty only

 

As others noted I think their reels compete in the most popular segment of the market. Most of their reels are around $100-$250. I think outside of the Lexa Daiwa seems to be lacking in this range. The chronarch E seems to be the strongest shimano reel in this range since they have tweaked their lineup. Abu has really worked hard to produce lighter reels but their reels tend to be priced a tad higher when using the revo line as a guide. I would love to see some sort of sales data in terms of number of reels sold by the bigger reel manufactures in the $100-$250 range.

I have two Lews speed spool reels and love them. For a sub $100 casting reel they are my personal favorite for general bass fishing applications. Solid casting distance and to me the retrieve is smooth and the profile of the reel is comfortable in hand.

Their popularity has risen due to the reel being a great bang for your buck reel. Plus when they were re-introduced a few years ago the reviews were all mostly positive, leading to alot of folks wanting to see what the buzz was about. Most have enjoyed them and some didn't care for them.

Personally I think they offer good value, but I wouldn' sell my Daiwa and shimano reels to become a user of Lews only reels. Where Lews is lacking is in spinning reels. I would venture to guess they will probably expand their spinning reel lineup to around 4 reels sometime soon... but that is a discussion for another day.

Thanks. I wonder how the Quantum Smoke is compared to the Tourn. Pro? They're both the same price.