Lew's Durrability

[stkbassn]

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.

Yes, thanks. I've already copped to that in the post above. I tried it one day and didn't go back...probably could have mastered it with patience and experimenting but found it easier to sell it and stick with what I know. I'm good with Shimano and Abu but I will give credit where it's due, Lews are nice reels.

[Hooligan]

Good review, though I cannot support your confidence and pronouncement of other reels.

What I will say is that your mileage may vary with Lews. They make a very good reel, however it will forever come to brand preference. For the record, as well, tolerances being what they are, I've seen as many poor examples from Lews as I have from others. Time, definitely, will be the judge. As I am only a year and change in to mine, I can't comment on long term. What I can say is that I have had a couple issues that were resolved by Lews quite quickly.

[GaterB]

Great write up. Some people take it way too personally when someone talks about one company being better than another. This was just one person's experience over the course of a long time, and they were impressed! Just take it for what it's worth, nobody is trying to make anyone change what they like!

[down4ttown]

Ranking my reels that I have currently-

 

1. Team Lew's Speed Spool (red)- Thing is a beast on my Dobyns DX. Casts smooth and flips even smoother.

2. Team Lew's Pro- Do not know why but it is a tad behind my other but still a dream to cast.

3. Shimano Curado 50E Supertuned- It switch this between my spinnerbait and cranking rods. Thing is awesome.

4. Abu Garcia STX gen 3 Revo- Just got this one but it is NICE! 

5. Shimano Chronarch 200E- This thing is a slower speed so it limits my usage to the colder months. Thing is built solid and is probably the most reliable. 

6. Lew's BB1- Topwater and this thing will cast a mile. Great for what it does. 

7. h2o Mettle- Used for frogs with 65lb braid. You can not backlash this thing. I can throw frogs a mile on this right out of the box for 29.99. Best value for newer fishermen.

8. BP PQ- Literally have these on a shelf as backups due to having mulitples of some of the reels above. Good reel but can not get it to cast as good as the mettle with my braid on it. May need to be cleaned out a bit. 

[stkbassn]

Lew's BB1; I see at least one person above that's praising that reel. Anyone else have experience with it? This is one I would consider simply because of the braking system....I've read good things! 

 

At $159 it's competing with Chronarchs (well only a bit less money...)

 

I may buy a Chronarch and a BB1.....

[down4ttown]

I like my Chronarch over the BB1. 

[PondBoss]

The only thing I don't like about all of my Lews reels is the paddle style knobs.  But I put the rubber grips on them and VIOLA' perfecto!

[J Francho]

Not sure how we can make any comments about durability for reels that haven't been out for more than two years.

[chromedog]

Not sure how we can make any comments about durability for reels that haven't been out for more than two years.

Exactly, not saying anything bad about any company, but a couple of years doesn't show me a history of longstanding quality or durability.  Not saying they aren't or can't be.  But I need more.  I have reels that the braid has been on longer than the testing phase on the reel.

[Hooligan]

The BB1 is the reel that I like most out of the lineup. I want to put more time on it before I pass judgement overall, however. I've spent less than four months with it so far.

[Shoalamfishin]

Another hot button issue.  A positive review about a product that isn't backed by the majority of people and is relatively new to the market is bound to stir up some commotion especially when it conflicts with the brand loyalty of individuals.  When brand loyalty is stirred up facts get mixed with opinions, baseless assumptions are drawn, insults are hurled, and side are taken; "you are either right or wrong," but that isn't so.  In many ways reviews can be helpful especially when one can take in information objectively, with an open mind, and from that form their own opinions based on the facts provided.  Often though reviews become grounds for conflict over who's opinion right.

 

I could give a glowing (well tested) review on Lew's reels (since they have come back onto the market) and their customer service, but given the conflict surrounding this topic thus far I will refrain from doing so. 

[J Francho]

assumptions are drawn, insults are hurled, and side are taken; "you are either right or wrong," but that isn't so.

 

 

Maybe you should reread this thread.  There aren't insults, there aren't sides, there are people offering their opinions.  Nothing more, nothing less. maybe you thought you were on a different forum?

[down4ttown]

I hope my lew's reels last a long time. Will they??? Not sure. Just like people buying a truck, we all have our favorites, but if you take care of it, it will last as long as you need it to. 

[Capt.Bob]

Not sure how we can make any comments about durability for reels that haven't been out for more than two years.

 

 

Exactly, not saying anything bad about any company, but a couple of years doesn't show me a history of longstanding quality or durability.  Not saying they aren't or can't be.  But I need more.  I have reels that the braid has been on longer than the testing phase on the reel.

 

 

Another hot button issue.  A positive review about a product that isn't backed by the majority of people and is relatively new to the market is bound to stir up some commotion especially when it conflicts with the brand loyalty of individuals.  When brand loyalty is stirred up facts get mixed with opinions, baseless assumptions are drawn, insults are hurled, and side are taken; "you are either right or wrong," but that isn't so.  In many ways reviews can be helpful especially when one can take in information objectively, with an open mind, and from that form their own opinions based on the facts provided.  Often though reviews become grounds for conflict over who's opinion right.

 

I could give a glowing (well tested) review on Lew's reels (since they have come back onto the market) and their customer service, but given the conflict surrounding this topic thus far I will refrain from doing so. 

Shoalamfishin in response to a lot of these fanboy fisherman, the kind that have fished few models but know whats best??? I have been accused of this. Probably because since the SUPER SPEED MASTER, and then the SYMETRE! I was shimano all the way for over 20 years, 2 years ago I went from Stradic and Symetre spinners and Calcutta, Curado,  Castiac, and Chronarc, I had over 22 outfits ready, with only 2 Abu 5500c's I was not a fan boy, I proved them.

 

Trust me Francho and Chromedog, I don't judge equipment in my reel shop, or on the family pond! I tried all other brands in these conditions and over the year's these reels I have used over the past 20 years prove to hold up to the rough treatment when other make's and models would not! I have been there, I have done that, and I refused to assume anything, these were HANDS ON RESULTS.! I was, (now retired) a lake Erie Charter boat owner and Captain, and a registered Ohio fishing guide. I know what conditions are, lake, river, stream pond, from the Great  Lakes, to the largest flooded tributary to the Great Lakes, you name it, and will assure anyone nothing, not even normal river fishing takes into account the conditions this gear is subjected to for 6 to 12 hour's a day 5 and 6 day's a week, 6 to 8 weeks a season, Trust me, after 40 years fishing this extreme fishing fonoma,  I have destroyed less expensive brands from all makers in these conditions in less than a season, and have none of the mid to top tier reels from any hold up for more than a year till I found the Symetre and Calcutta. My first reels I could clean when I was done with the run and lube and back to like new. These are extreme conditions you have to experience to understand. there are days that the river is low, but this whole season, the I prefer it easy fisherman are crying the blues, it is very hard on fisherman when you have to contend with extreme flood conditions every day, but I for one LOVE IT!!!, I took time years ago to figure it out,  the sissy's are home crying it's to high it's to fast, it;s to tough, they need a local stocked pond to be successful cause they don't want to work at it! That means I don't have to put up with know it all jerks that can't catch a cold but want to screw 20 other people up, and now I have it much more peaceful and very few arrogant people to contend with, with most at this time being reel fisherman that know how to fish without screwing up everyone around them, as I say "fish hard or go home"!  I have fished this run in these extreme rocky and turbid flood water conditions and throwing up to 1 1/2 oz. weight's on no stretch Synthetics and many times locked down drags just to keep from being stripped of 20 lbs. class braid. Believe me when you snag as many fish as you legally catch with the river full of egg suckers like Qillback, Carp, Buffalo, Suckers, Shad, you name it,  many 20+ lbs. Carp, Buffalo, and Cats, in water riddled with rocks and boulders to tie up and smash into, running hard enough that a fellow acquaintance with a new 15' Lowe john boat and a 25 horse Mercury w/jet drive can't run up it, trust me these conditions test equipment in less time with more abuse than most can put them through in 10 years! These are bass size reels for the most part.and like I said there will be those that say that ain't that big a deal and means noting, of course they are the ones that haven't seen flood stage conditions on this river in these waters the Walleye spawning ground's, but they know these conditions mean nothing they don't need to "be there do that", THEIR PSYCHIC!   Trust me folks I have fished most all better models by most makers over the years and why I now own over 25 outfits, (just got 2 more Team Gold's) all Shimano spinning Symetre to Sustain), and Lew's casting Tournament to Team), The mid quality tournament and BB1 are what I chose to test the lew's line, a mid level, and the second year, and why the last three Shimanos are getting sold, 2-400B Calcuttas, and one 200GTB Calcutta, I just got done receiving their replacements the two Team Gold and a BB1! These and my previous Shimanos are great reels and will give years of good service, so that should tell others the results I got from Lew's were,,,,, well maybe,,,,,,,,,been there done that?????????   

[down4ttown]

Shimano spinning reels are awesome. I will give them that. Not a fan of the Lew's spinning reels.

[J Francho]

Bob, you don't need to qualify your credentials.  I'm just saying that it hasn't been enough time to say that a Lew's will last as long as a Calcutta or Ambassedeur.  I fish the same stuff.  I use Daiwa.  They have held up.  Are they as good as Lew's?  Don't know.  They've certainly stood the test of time.  I've got a year on my Chronarchs, and two years on my CI4s, and they're holding up.  I can't say they are as durable as my three TD-Xs, though - I haven't had them for 5-6 years.

[stkbassn]

The BB1 is the reel that I like most out of the lineup. I want to put more time on it before I pass judgement overall, however. I've spent less than four months with it so far.

i'm going to buy one today though paying retail is a bit of a sore spot when I can order off Ebay for $118....

i hope I love it. I think I will. I handled it yesterday and it seems pretty sweet. I really love the handle. I'm going to chuck swimbaits with it on Sunday...eventually it will be an all purpose reel so I'm hoping it can handle lighter baits well....

[Capt.Bob]

Maybe you should reread this thread.  There aren't insults, there aren't sides, there are people offering their opinions.  Nothing more, nothing less. maybe you thought you were on a different forum?

Yes please do read all of it, I did not say my other reels were bad, quite the opposite as I said they were great, but we all see the fanboy post that just because someone is posting positive results on a brand they don't use, probably never owned, they draw a conclusion they can't be, did not say that at all, and why for the past 15, to 20 years loved the performance of the Curado Calcutta and Chronarchs, did not say there are others that wont hold up, as today I haven't fished a lot, and never said they are the best, although that opinion I will keep to myself, and say for the money I will say they can't be beat!! I have 4 Team reals the Original and 3 Gold's, for less than $170.00 buck's a piece! I can't buy a better reel for twice that. and anyone willing to pay over $330.00 for a baitcaster this size range outa be getting more than twice the reel and if it don't hold up better or run and feel better, well you call it what you want. I'm cheap, but the point is it work's! remember the reel I am telling my results with is one I bought new for $105.00!!! hard to beat! 

[lmbfisherman]

Yes please do read all of it, I did not say my other reels were bad, quite the opposite as I said they were great, but we all see the fanboy post that just because someone is posting positive results on a brand they don't use, probably never owned, they draw a conclusion they can't be, did not say that at all, and why for the past 15, to 20 years loved the performance of the Curado Calcutta and Chronarchs, did not say there are others that wont hold up, as today I haven't fished a lot, and never said they are the best, although that opinion I will keep to myself, and say for the money I will say they can't be beat!! I have 4 Team reals the Original and 3 Gold's, for less than $170.00 buck's a piece! I can't buy a better reel for twice that. and anyone willing to pay over $330.00 for a baitcaster this size range outa be getting more than twice the reel and if it don't hold up better or run and feel better, well you call it what you want. I'm cheap, but the point is it work's! remember the reel I am telling my results with is one I bought new for $105.00!!! hard to beat! 

I favor my Shimanos that is for sure, but I'm not brand loyal.  If I could buy one locally to try out I'd buy one.  Right now I can't seem to find anyone near me that sells them.  I guess on my next trip to NYC (visit family) I may have to pick one up.  Which one would be the best to try out first (keeping in mind I own mostly Curados) and probably can't spend more than 200? 

[Capt.Bob]

I favor my Shimanos that is for sure, but I'm not brand loyal.  If I could buy one locally to try out I'd buy one.  Right now I can't seem to find anyone near me that sells them.  I guess on my next trip to NYC (visit family) I may have to pick one up.  Which one would be the best to try out first (keeping in mind I own mostly Curados) and probably can't spend more than 200? 

Like I said the Team Gold is an exceptional reel, retails for $239 but I have yeat to pay over 165, for one on auction, but have been out bid on a few. It takes patience and last second reactions. But would assure you at that price you can sell it and recoup every dime. I seriously think the Tournament or better the BB1 would astound you, if you are only comparing to the Curado, and can be had for just over $100.00 again watch the auctions.

[lmbfisherman]

Like I said the Team Gold is an exceptional reel, retails for $239 but I have yeat to pay over 165, for one on auction, but have been out bid on a few. It takes patience and last second reactions. But would assure you at that price you can sell it and recoup every dime. I seriously think the Tournament or better the BB1 would astound you, if you are only comparing to the Curado, and can be had for just over $100.00 again watch the auctions.

Yeah that is the issue, most of the Auction guys are shipping from the US (live in Canada) and a lot of them have insane shipping prices.  The shipping prices are bad I know, but some of them add up to half the cost of an item at times. 

[kickerfish1]

I have 2 Lews reels. I like both of them though they don't see as much time as other reels due to the fact they are on less used technique specific rigs. Had them for about a year with no complaints. For what I paid I couldn't be more happy but there are other reels I have that I like more.

[rippin-lips]

Tournament pros for $135

Tournament speed spools for $108

Low ratio bb1's for $100

Higher ratio bb1*** for $110

All are new in box and I just buy them outright. Shipping is even included and no taxes. I'll put them up against any used $100 Curado.

No I haven't used or owned any high dollar reels $300+ I've used a lot in the $100-200 range. Shimano,Abu,daiwa,pflueger,Lews,bps,ardent ect. I like what I'm getting at the price I'm paying with Lews so I stick with Lews. Always seems like the Shimano crowd aren't willing to accept the fact that Lews are going to give them a run for their money. Just like the Harley guys arguing about jap bikes. Chevy Cobalts are also built in the same factory as a Chevy Corvette. This doesn't mean they use the same parts. That's for whoever that guy was.

[Capt.Bob]

Tournament pros for $135

Tournament speed spools for $108

Low ratio bb1's for $100

Higher ratio bb1*** for $110

All are new in box and I just buy them outright. Shipping is even included and no taxes. I'll put them up against any used $100 Curado.

No I haven't used or owned any high dollar reels $300+ I've used a lot in the $100-200 range. Shimano,Abu,daiwa,pflueger,Lews,bps,ardent ect. I like what I'm getting at the price I'm paying with Lews so I stick with Lews. Always seems like the Shimano crowd aren't willing to accept the fact that Lews are going to give them a run for their money. Just like the Harley guys arguing about jap bikes. Chevy Cobalts are also built in the same factory as a Chevy Corvette. This doesn't mean they use the same parts. That's for whoever that guy was.

Sounds like you must be getting seconds if you will only put them against $100.00 used reels!! They should do much better than that! Ive had both and know that hands down that is no comparison.

 

I have 3 Team Golds, and a Team, and have less than $170.00 in every one of them, and will put them up against any reel for three times that money, and most that cost 4x that, smoother, better casting and maybe not as heavy a max drag but every bit as smooth with as quick a start up.

The BB1 can be had for the $110 as you mentioned and I will do the same for that, take the reels with computer cast control,,,,(won't mention any brand's) and the BB1 reels will top em for smoothness, max drag and performance, and cast right with them if you are anywhere near efficient at casting a baitcaster!! I have a buddie who has one and he is sick seeing my BB1 outcast his ********DC I also have three Tournament models and at $100.00 will take them over any reel costing 3x that and will outperform most in every catagory, smoothness, drag power and performance, casting ease and distance, and probably more useable features, and they can be used or brand new!!

 

The only thing I started this thread about was the lack of most reels to stand up to a full season of the abuse this run put's on equipment!! I have seen a lot of high dollar equipment that is very nice and extremly smooth, expensive and very good on the pond, but be totally destroyed by the abuse this tributary puts on equipment at this time of year, as many of these fancy lightweight expesive reels are built far to lightweight to take this abuse. I have fished the fall salmon runs on the St. Joeseph and the Pierre Marquette, but those don't put the abuse on equipment this run does.  Everyone doubting these reels should spend $160.00 to $170.00 for a new Team Gold, and experience the truth!!!,,,,,, I think that is what they should have called them instead of Team Lew's Gold, they should have been Called  LEW"S GOLD TRUTH!!!!!  Or don't and you will never understand. I assure it will be the best reel you ever owned under $400.00 and most likely $600.00!!

[rippin-lips]

You pretty much missed the point of my entire post but ok. The reels I buy are new not 2nds. I didn't say I wouldn't put it against any other reel over $100. The curado is the one always brought up. I will however argue that the team Lews won't touch a $600 reel. $400 maybe but 6 no way!

Daiwa Steez is under 600 and embarrasses it.