Spinning: Shimano Vs. Lew's... What Say You??

[Master Bait'r]

Replacing a brand new and very squeaky Quantum Smoke reel (never again) and am pretty much torn between Lews and Shimano.  Both have great repore and I've heard lots of people say that the Lew's reels are some of the best bang for the buck out there. 

 

 

 

What are your opinions on this?  This is going on a lighter setup primarily used for weightless plastics and finesse baits fwiw.  My top choices are the Ci4 and the Lew's team gold, but would also appreciate any educated opinions on the Tournament HS as well.      

 

 

 

This will likely be spooled with light braid.  

 

 

 

Thanks for reading and any input is much appreciated!  

[loudcherokee]

I'm sure you'll get a lot of responses here from the shimano gang. I don't think the lews spinning reels are that popular. I love my Lews tournament mg baitcaster, and will soon be getting a tournament HS Spinning reel myself. I've decided that based on the success I had with their baitcaster, I'm going to put faith in the spinning reels.

LC

[roadwarrior]

Shimano has built a reputation as The Gold Standard in this category.

Depending on your pricing point, the higher end Pinnacle spinning reels

have had rave reviews.

 

http://www.pinnaclefishing.com/shop/s-7-Spinning.aspx

[MacP]

I don't think it's any competiton at that pricepoint.  Shimano wins every time.  That being said. I own only Pflueger spinning reels now.

[iabass8]

I don't think the higher end lews spinning reels have been out long enough to give any sort of opinion on them. Shimano spinning reels are kind of the "it" when it comes to spinning reels. fantastic reels.

[tholmes]

I've never used (or even handled) a Lew's spinning reel, but like RW and iabass8 sald, Shimano sets the bar pretty high in spinning reels.

 

Tom

[kingkong85]

Now days there are companies that makes quality gear. It comes down to preference and budget. I did a lot of research before buying my next baitcast reel. Lew's does offer the most bang for your buck. I didn't do any research on spinning gear so I can't say if that applies to spinning reels. You can't go wrong with either reel/brand.

On another note, I have had my shimano spinning combos for a 6-8 years now and still own them. They are still working flawlessly without any maintenance. Reason why I didn't do maintenance on them is because I didn't know any better and not because I was lazy.

[Hi Salenity]

Don't pass up the patriarch. There is a smokin deal on one in the flea market!

[Capt.Bob]

That verdict has been solid for some time,,,,,Shimano is the clear front runner in spinning reel's it would be fugal to argue that point!!! There may be those that prefer others, but not because there higher quality!! 

[SirSnookalot]

There are 40,000 BR members of which only a handful post reviews, compared to the world fishing population it's a small number.  Shimano makes a nice product and very popular on this forum but not all forums.  Other companies make fine products too and they are represented here as well.  I don't place any one manufacturer on a pedestal, I buy reel suited for where I'm fishing and what kind of fish I plan on catching.

There are a lot of people using all different kinds of reels, rods, lines and lures with success and having fun, I take this term "best" very lightly.

[thehooligan]

Dont remember the model, but i was playing with a lews spinning reel at the tackle shop and it felt very cheap and not smooth at all. Im a spinning guy and ive done my homework. Ive checked out almost every brand reel and heres how my list goes.

 

Shimano is by far the best. I would have a stella, but there way to expensive and the stradic fj - sustain fg are awesome. If you have a higher budget definitely get a sustain fg or ci4+. Amazingly light and smooth. On a tighter budget, go stradic fj. A little heavier but the smoothest reel ive ever used.

 

Daiwa fuegos are nice, if you can find one for $150 - 175 on ebay its a solid buy. Very light, well built. Really like the bail on these reels.

 

Pflueger. Awesome reels for the money. I got a used president on here for $20 bucks which i use for carp and catfishing. Ive played with the supreme, supreme xt, and patriarch. If i wasnt such a shimano nut id probally have an xt and patriarch in my lineup... Also love the bail on these reels as well. 

 

Hope that helps you a bit...

[Mike2841]

I've owned shimano (saros), pflueger (president and patriarch), and abu garcia (cardinal, orra s, revo s, and premier) and I am most impressed with abu. IMO spinning reels don't get much better as the price goes up, if I were to buy another reel is probably get another abu orra s, it works just as well as the others I've used and won't set you back too much money.

I will say that the patriarch is probably the best out of the ones I have used, it is the lightest and has a buttery smooth retrieve. My only gripe is that I occasionally get loops on the spool.

[mod479]

Never used a Lews, but their BCs seem to get good review, so the spinner might be decent?  I have had just about every other brand spinning reels in many price ranges short of a stella or steez money, most of them did not last more than a year of consistent use. Can say I've got 7 mid range shimano spinners that havent needed anything but bearing flushes and a bit of lube in 3 years though, the Sustain FGs have broken in nicely and are my favorites.

 

FJ, CI4(4), FG(2). They all perform very well.

[SirSnookalot]

I've yet to own a saltwater reel that hasn't needed repair: Shimano stradics and spheros, Penn Conquer, Daiwa tierra, Abu sorons and Quantum cabos, they all break down with continued salt use and handling powerful fish.

I've yet to own a freshwater reel that needed and kind of service ever:  Pflueger supremes, arbor and medalist( I use these 2 in saltwater and have been perfect since day one), Abu cardinals, Shimanos and a Shakespere agility.

 

As far as I'm concerned it's what you are catching and where it's being done that's going to determine durability.  I highly doubt I would ever spend more than 99 bucks for a freshwater reel, I don't see the demands being put on them and the conditions are not too harsh.

[BassinLou]

I have never tried a Lews spinner although I have one as a B/C. But when it comes to spinners, Shimano's are top notch. I own a few and they are nice smooth, reels that will not let you down.