Wow Lews Bb1

[Rangerphil]

Well I got out yesterday for the first time on the boat this year and got to use my new bb1. This reel is amazing! I was casting a dt6 further than I have ever done before. The reel was easy to dial in(with help of another member on here) and was as smooth as butter! I have owned some good reels but this is ridiculous how far you can throw a crankbait! This one piece of equipment is going to change my overall catch ratio this season!

[skeet8]

  Just curious, what did you have to do differently to dial in?  I haven't taken mine out fishing yet. 

[MrSwimJig]

Thats good to hear. I keep hearing that this reel was made to be the best casting reel on the market.

[sarcazmo]

You know I was thinking the same thing the other day.  I bought one for cranking and couldnt believe how well it cast.  Much better than the TP imo.

[Grantman83]

I gotta say I wonder what I did wrong.  I have all Lew's reels and I couldnt get the bb1 to cast even without a backlash even with 4 brakes on and the tension tight.  Anytime I loosened it up I got a major backlash and I am not a beginner.  I have never had a problem with any other lew's reel be the the tournament, team lews, super duty, tournament pro.  I own them all and this one I couldn't dial in with 12lb fluoro. 

[rippin-lips]

I now own 3 along with all my Tp's and regular tournament models. At $110 I keep finding reasons to buy another

[down4ttown]

I am confused why Lew's would not put the BB1 Technology in all of their upper tier reels. Give the customer the best product and they will keep coming back. Again just my opinion. 

[rippin-lips]

I think the only technology is the 6 pin smart plus brake system. It's a very nice reel but just a tad under their higher level stuff. I'd but more Tp's if the price was the same but it's about $40-50 more so for a $110-130 reel it'll be hard to beat. I can launch a bare 3/8 jig head with no hook.

[21farms]

skeet8 and grantman83, yes, the BB1 is a different animal. here's the brake setting guide:

basically, you want to set the tension knob a little tighter than you normally would. so, instead of setting it so that your lures slowly falls when you release the clutch, you want the lure not to drop unless you jiggle the rod. then, when you cast, take it easy with smooth, controlled casts until you get used to it.

[J Francho]

If you have to set the spool tension that high, the braking system clearly isn't effective.

[Rangerphil]

This is how I set mine up. I had one of the two blue pins on and two of the four white ones on. The tension knob I set like any other reel which is let the bait fall smoothly to the ground, once it hits the ground the spool stops with no overrun. I was casting a dt6 with these settings with 10mph winds and just great results!

[Grantman83]

Interesting. I had bout it with the intent to use it for deep diving cranks but ended up switching it out for an mg and I can bomb them with the same line...

[Bass Junkie]

If you have to set the spool tension that high, the braking system clearly isn't effective.

Not necessarily, just different. If you notice, the number of brake pins in comparison to the recommended weight would seem to indicate that the system exerts less force per pin than, say a Revo. 

[rippin-lips]

Bare 3/8 jig head. 2 blue and 2 white on. Spool set so the bait falls smoothly and spool makes a 1/2 turn when it hits the floor. Thumb it.

[Nodda4me]

skeet8 and grantman83, yes, the BB1 is a different animal. here's the brake setting guide:

basically, you want to set the tension knob a little tighter than you normally would. so, instead of setting it so that your lures slowly falls when you release the clutch, you want the lure not to drop unless you jiggle the rod. then, when you cast, take it easy with smooth, controlled casts until you get used to it.

Is there a picture like this for the Tournament reel?

[J Francho]

Not necessarily, just different. If you notice, the number of brake pins in comparison to the recommended weight would seem to indicate that the system exerts less force per pin than, say a Revo. 

 

You don't adjust brakes for the weight of the bait, that is where spool tension comes in.  The brakes are for casting conditions and angler's ability.  My take, this was designed for David Fritz.  He's an old school kind of guy, low tension, little or no brakes.  Less unsprung weight in the reel = better casting distance (if you have the thumb), but with that comes a price.  Weak brakes. While this is an elegantly executed reel - very simple - I don't think it's a reel for the masses. 

[21farms]

Is there a picture like this for the Tournament reel?

if there is, i don't have it. i got this directly from lew's service manager who emailed it to me. we were exchanging emails because i wrote him with a question about the handles on the BB1. the part about setting the spool tension is directly from him too. if you have any questions, just email lew's directly...everyone i've dealt with there is extremely responsive and helpful.

[flippin and pitchin]

Phil,

 

You got a reel you were anxious to try out so you could maximize your efforts when you fish crank baits. That's part of the excitement of fishing. When you took it out you found out how use the adjustment features to maximize YOUR casting abilities and once you applied it, you had your expectations met or what seems to be well exceeded.  That's gravy.  Enjoy your stuff. It is working for you.  My BB1 works for me. This gig gets way too complicated.  Baskin Robbins has 31 flavors for a reason.

 

Doug

[bass1980]

Yeah it becomes a ticking contest after a while. I still think its silly for Lews on have 6 reels from 99.99-199.99. I still want to try a BB1 though and hope to buy one this weekend at the show.

[Rangerphil]

Doug, thanks for the help! Yes everyone is different and I am not trying to sell anyone on the reel I just wanted to let everyone know that I love it!

[J Francho]

I still think its silly for Lews on have 6 reels from 99.99-199.99.

 

If you count all the flavors, and left and right models, it's almost 30 models!  I actually might get one to try, but It's mind boggling.

[senile1]

I'm thinking seriously of getting one too.  I've read a lot of positive comments regarding the casting distance of these reels. 

[Dramer77]

i love my BB1 , mine is still set to factory out of the box, ive used up to 1/2 ounce lures and can cast them a mile... i was out last week with a buddy of mine who has a similar setup with the new revo SX and i was easily out casting him 15-20 feet.. using similar weight lures but i was using 10lb test to his 8lb...

[Dramer77]

You don't adjust brakes for the weight of the bait, that is where spool tension comes in.  The brakes are for casting conditions and angler's ability.  My take, this was designed for David Fritz.  He's an old school kind of guy, low tension, little or no brakes.  Less unsprung weight in the reel = better casting distance (if you have the thumb), but with that comes a price.  Weak brakes. While this is an elegantly executed reel - very simple - I don't think it's a reel for the masses. 

not quite sure what your tying to say, but on the bb1 you  you do change the pins on the braking system for heavier weight lures.. and i i wouldnt say old school or little to no brakes, the braking system on this works quite well and def isnt light and is quite well designed.. do you have any experience first hand with the bb1?

[GOOCHY]

Hahaha, I have to love the guys who regularly post on here (J Francho, roadwarrior) who will not give Lews a kind word no matter what.  Do they need to be a sponsor for you guys to buy in?