Lew's Durrability

[Capt.Bob]

Lew's is no fad, they are here to stay!!, and the big two, speaking of Diawa and Shimano better take heed! I have given these reels over a year and a couple I have beat the livin crap out of in big rivers, mud sand snags big fish in fast water, Buffalo Carp to 20 lbs. and medium Cat's to 12 or 15 lbs. not to mention the 100's of walleye and smallmouth. I am confident I can make an honest evaluation on at least the cheapest model I own,,, the Tournament, (TS1H).

 

I have been about a year and a half since my first Lew's reel, a Tournament. I sold all my Shimanos a year ago and have been 100% Lew's since. After a year of fishing the Tournament in river's and Streams mainly, I have been pounding it daily again this spring in the Largest tributary in all the great lake for a second season. I am very impressed the way this reel has held up, not one hitch. I throw literately 100's of cast a day with it and a new BB1, with the Tournament getting the bulk of the use. This a great test because the river is at or near flood stage every day, and with the boulder and timber flooded bottom it takes a toll when throwing 3/4 to 1oz. weights to keep your jigs on the bottom where the fish are, and you have to throw relatively heavier than needed to slow there travel through the extremely turbid and fast current, so the fish have time to react in the murky water. This puts bolting stops on the gears and anti reverse system, and with 20 lbs. test braid and 15 to 20 lbs. test leaders its like stopping a cable driven winch instantly. I have seen and used many many reels over the 40 years I have fish this extreme fishing finomina, very few are built to withstand a full season under these conditions, but I will assure you these Lew's reels are built to last. The Tournament has been my test reel, I have only torn it down flushed and lubed it once, when it first came. It is as smooth as the day I got it, and still cast farther than any spinning reels being used around me. If I don't catch a limb or brush behind me,(which happens often when wade fishing a flooded river) no backlashes, even when tossing as hard as I can to reach a distant spot that hasn't been covered. I opened it up last night finally and all I did, even after being submerged in the murky river at times, is wipe it off, add one drop of oil to three spool bearing's and buttoned it back up.

 

Now I am not saying other reels I have had wouldn't hold up, but I am saying they would not perform as well doing it! My Curado with it's anemic drag would never stop an 8 lbs Walleye in some of the turbid waters the Lew's did easily. Even the might Calcutta 200GTB I am so fond of would have required a lot of help from my thumb to turn that big Buffalo that was snagged in the tail, the Lew's did it with drag power to spare, a quick few clicks on the drag star and he was tamed! So this is why 2 more Team Golds are on the way to be delivered tomorrow, and my beloved Calcutta is going to auction to be replaced by the BB1, which is my favorite of all for throwing heavy gear, and will assure you, this reel will handle enough line and have the balls to fish for and tame Pike and Musky, it will as the others tame any freshwater species in any water way.

 

I am usually anal in my shopping for gear, and I would after owning nothing but Shimanos for years Spin, low profile, and round baitcaster's included, because they have in the past held up the best in these conditions. But when I decided to change I looked hard and long.before deciding to try the Lew's. I am so happy with these reels I am selling my 200GTB in favor of the BB1. I now own 1-Team, 1-Team Gold, 1-Tounament Pro, 1-BB1,   and 1-Tournament. I will have a 6.4-1 and a 7.1-1 Team Gold delivered tomorrow, because after over a year with the reels mentioned some used severely, and some used lightly, have had not one single complaint, or one single hiccup from any of them. They have displayed there strength by landing 20+lbs. Buffalo Carp in turbid flood stage rivers, and the drags and power of the gearing are as good as any reel I have ever owned, and superior to my beloved 200GTB, which cant compare to the stopping power of the Lew's drag. Sorry to say that those that have the idea there the same as the other reels that the company that produces these reels make, it ain't so! The guy's that own those other reels and have fish around and with me have all agreed, there is a difference, and they see and feel it, not one has failed to be surprised. These reels are for "REEL" and thats no pun!!   

[TNBassin']

Cool story bro.

[down4ttown]

I have two Team Lew's, Two Shimano's(Chronarch 200E, Curado 50E), and three Revos Gen 3. All have their strengths and weaknesses. I pitch with my lews, use my revos for misc, and use my shimanos for spinners and cranks. Love them all. Never bought into the whole brand specific fad. I use what is on sale that is of good quality. That is about the only way I can keep up ha ha. 

[roadwarrior]

WOW!

 

That is one heck of a testimonial.

 

 

[iabass8]

Cool story bro.

ha. Beat me to it.

[flyfisher]

Congrats on your new sponsorship with Lew's..........that was an infomercial, right?

 

 

[Rangerjoe]

Built in the same factory as the Revo and BPS, by the same people, with many of the same parts yet Lews are light years ahead. Ya

[*Hootie]

There's always at least one.......ho hum.....

Great review Capt. Bob.

Hootie

[Capt.Bob]

There's always at least one.......ho hum.....

Great review Capt. Bob.

Hootie

Thanks all!!,,,,,and I agree Hootie, always one, probably never owned either and definitely never owned both or would no that statement mean squat, as they would be educated enough after a year to see the definite difference, and definitely don't have a clue what specs and tolerances are, and aint willing to spend the time to discover the difference. But have infinite wisdom in there the same cause,,,,,, they came from the same manufacturer??? Shimano uses the same size spool bearings (all 3) as the Lews, the abec 7's in SS I purchased and installed, helped my Calcutta, put em in the Lews and saw no gain! those who know just cause parts interchange, or will fit don't mean there the same!! Napa sells starter's that fit you chevy for a couple different prices, they both do the same thing but one is half again as much and has a much better warranty, trust me,,,,,,,they aint the same!!!! Tolerances are another thing that many manufacturers change depending on what each buyer requires, yes the quality of the material and tolerances you are willing to pay for will determine the difference, and I can assure you Lew's is willing to pay for that climb to the top, but if your not willing to investigate the difference let your eyes do the shopping.  Like I have been told, time will tell!!   

[down4ttown]

Everyone has their favorites. I love any of the big three (abu, shimano, lews). I do not have any of the Big D's because I can not afford the higher ends. 

[ColdSVT]

Built in the same factory as the Revo and BPS, by the same people, with many of the same parts yet Lews are light years ahead. Ya

I suggest you quit making sense asap lol

[thehooligan]

I had a lews tourney pro and thought it was a great reel, but after ive had shimanos and daiwas in my hand theres no going back....

 

Nice review though  

[Bluebasser86]

I have one of the Lew's speed spools and really like it. It was kind of finicky at first getting it set but since I got it set right it's been great. The thing is smooth and casts a mile. Mainly use mine for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits along with bigger topwater walking baits. Only complaint is the goofy flat paddles on the handles, I've lost count of how many times I've lost my grip on the reel handles when a fish bites or I've just had a hard time getting a retrieve started because they are hard to get a grip on. 

[*Hootie]

I suggest you quit making sense asap lol

I was wrong Capt. Bob. There's two......lol

Hootie

[Rangerjoe]

I had two of the Tournament Pro's and numerous Gen 1, 2 and 3 Revo's. The only one I have keep is a  is a Gen 3 STX. I really have no dog in this fight, so all the Patch Pirates can keep drinking the Kool-Aid.

[stkbassn]

All my first Lews did was backlash every time I threw it....my Curados and Citicas won't backlash unless I do something dumb, which I do! ha. 

 

How do you set the thing up not to do so?

 

I really liked the Lews as far as weight and feel....I don't know that I like it more than my Shimanos but they are nice for sure.....My Curados and Citica E's are pretty darn sweet and I like them. My Revo S is great too. 

[rippin-lips]

All my first Lews did was backlash every time I threw it....my Curados and Citicas won't backlash unless I do something dumb, which I do! ha.

It sounds to me you've kinda answered your own question. Maybe the Shimano's and Abu's are more user friendly for someone who is still learning. I don't know your level of experience with casting gear so this is just a guess.

[Fishwhittler]

Magnetic brakes are harder to master, period.  Some are better than others such as Daiwa's mag brakes, but centrifugal brakes are always simpler to use because of the way they work.  Centrifugal brakes are most effective when the spool is spinning at high speed—magnetic brakes have the most effect later in the cast.  Unfortunately, the beginning of the cast is when most backlashes happen because that's when the spool is rotating most quickly.  That's why magnetic brakes are harder to learn, especially if you're not used to baitcasters.

 

You can't try to catapult the lure into orbit with mag-brake reels.  You'll just end up with a backlash that resembles an eagle's eyrie.  Set your spool tension so the spool just barely doesn't move back and forth, and then try casting with an easy motion.  Start with the brakes on full and back them off until you find the place that gives you the best balance of control and distance.

 

One other thing:  Braided line will help tame magnetic brakes.  I highly recommend braid if you're learning a baitcaster, especially if you're learning on a reel with magnetic brakes only.  Just remember to use mono or tape backing to keep the braid from slipping.

[down4ttown]

I have had zero problem with my lew's and backlashing. In fact, I rarely backlash unless it is my fault. I use curados, chronarchs, both team lews, and revos. 

[DINK WHISPERER]

I decided to try a couple of the Lews Tournament Pro after all the good reviews about the company. Since they are now made by the same people as my Abu reels i figured why not. Put it up against my favorite, the G3 Revo STX for heavy duty flippin, punching & frogging. NO WAY it is better in any one category. Especially the stopping power mentioned before. The Lews is definately a smooth reel and casts just as far but it has nothing on the strength of the Revo line. I liked mine a lot but wouldn't consider trading my Revos for them. Ended up selling them to a buddy who uses all Lews. So you are correct OP, just because they are made by the same people in the same factory they are NOT the same....

[down4ttown]

I decided to try a couple of the Lews Tournament Pro after all the good reviews about the company. Since they are now made by the same people as my Abu reels i figured why not. Put it up against my favorite, the G3 Revo STX for heavy duty flippin, punching & frogging. NO WAY it is better in any one category. Especially the stopping power mentioned before. The Lews is definately a smooth reel and casts just as far but it has nothing on the strength of the Revo line. I liked mine a lot but wouldn't consider trading my Revos for them. Ended up selling them to a buddy who uses all Lews. So you are correct OP, just because they are made by the same people in the same factory they are NOT the same....

I have the Gen 3 Revo STX and it is a nice reel, but is no way as good to me as a Lew's TP or Team Lew's reel. I guess it is all opinion and nothing more. 

[DINK WHISPERER]

I have the Gen 3 Revo STX and it is a nice reel, but is no way as good to me as a Lew's TP or Team Lew's reel. I guess it is all opinion and nothing more. 

That is mostly what it boils down to. But the strength/drag of a reel can actually be proved with testing. That was the main deciding factor for me since i use mine for some heavy duty cover here in FL. The Lews drag slipped on me many a time while punching. The Revos have yet to do it...

[down4ttown]

That is mostly what it boils down to. But the strength/drag of a reel can actually be proved with testing. That was the main deciding factor for me since i use mine for some heavy duty cover here in FL. The Lews drag slipped on me many a time while punching. The Revos have yet to do it...

I will give you that. The Revos drag is obscenely high compared to the Shimano and Lew's counterparts. 

[stkbassn]

Magnetic brakes are harder to master, period.  Some are better than others such as Daiwa's mag brakes, but centrifugal brakes are always simpler to use because of the way they work.  Centrifugal brakes are most effective when the spool is spinning at high speed—magnetic brakes have the most effect later in the cast.  Unfortunately, the beginning of the cast is when most backlashes happen because that's when the spool is rotating most quickly.  That's why magnetic brakes are harder to learn, especially if you're not used to baitcasters.

 

You can't try to catapult the lure into orbit with mag-brake reels.  You'll just end up with a backlash that resembles an eagle's eyrie.  Set your spool tension so the spool just barely doesn't move back and forth, and then try casting with an easy motion.  Start with the brakes on full and back them off until you find the place that gives you the best balance of control and distance.

 

One other thing:  Braided line will help tame magnetic brakes.  I highly recommend braid if you're learning a baitcaster, especially if you're learning on a reel with magnetic brakes only.  Just remember to use mono or tape backing to keep the braid from slipping.

 

That makes sense to me about the braking systems being different and this factor obviously plays a big part in style and what you get used to. In response to this post and the one by rippin lips, I am not new to fishing or baitcasting. I suppose it's just the fact that I'm used to the system in the Revos and the Curados more so than the Lews. I appreciate your suggestions and advice on how to go about learning how to handle that reel though. I don't know that I would ever go and buy another one but if I come across a great deal I might buy one just to learn it. 

Thanks for the input!

 

All this being said, I think the Lew's look and feel great. Definitely nice reels! 

[Teal]

All my first Lews did was backlash every time I threw it....my Curados and Citicas won't backlash unless I do something dumb, which I do! ha.

How do you set the thing up not to do so?

I really liked the Lews as far as weight and feel....I don't know that I like it more than my Shimanos but they are nice for sure.....My Curados and Citica E's are pretty darn sweet and I like them. My Revo S is great too.

Operator error.

My Lews reels are great, rarely backlash.

My speed spool (mag breaks) is definitly more finicky than the others but still isnt bad at all. I have had Curados, and still have a Citica and a Revo S and they ARE NOT light years ahead of the lews by no mean. I will say the Revo S is a casting machine, but still doesnt compare to the Tournament Speed Spool much less the Tourney Pro or Team Lews.