Lews Questions

[dam0007]

Not familiar with their baitcasters at all. Was recommended a tournament mg 5.4:1 however saw the bb1 comes in 5.1:1. Any chance some of you guys could chime in on the major differences between the 2 and what advantages would be going higher in price to various models, as well as which models are newer vs older. Wanna try one out and don't know where to start. But will say I want lowest gear ration or least inches per turn in lefty.

Thanks!

[dam0007]

Read some of them have 'multi stop anti reverse' but can't find what that means. The tourney mg doesn't. Seems like the way to go? Any thoughts?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Not positive, but I think the Multi-stop refers to a redundant mechanical AR in addition to the one way clutch roller bearing. Nice feature but by no means make or break IMO.

[dam0007]

Not positive, but I think the Multi-stop refers to a redundant mechanical AR in addition to the one way clutch roller bearing. Nice feature but by no means make or break IMO.

DVT!

 

I have no idea what redundant mechanical means. I read a review on TT about the real and the way they made it sound, to me anyways, was like you can back reel a fish. Another review says its ideal for crankbaits and thats what I plan on getting it for. Idk... I dont want to shell out $200 right now on another chronarch so was looking at this or a Lexa. Already have Tatulas so figured try a quality Lews reel.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Modern reels use a one way roller clutch as the A/R. Older reels used a ratchet wheel with a dawg that would pivot allowing the crank to go forward but not back. One of the old time pros, I can't recall right now wrote about liking the old reels for crank baits because the old fashioned A/R had some slop and made for a slower hookset supposedly keeping from pulling the bait away from the fish. I believe Lew's took this ball and ran with it producing a new reel with the old style A/R. That may be what the Multi-stop means. FWIW, I don't buy it. IMO what happens is that fish eat and spit cranks more often and quicker than we realize. I sweep set on anything that disrupts the vibration of a crank and rely on the moderate action to simply keep them pinned, not keep me from pulling the bait away. As for the redundant AR I mentioned, Shimano used that on the E series. If the clutch failed the ratchet was in place as a back up. The Lews are good reels for the price.

[aavery2]

The reel does not have an ARB and relies on a ratchet and dog type system.  This allows the handle to have a certain amount of back play.   This is suppose to be useful to some for crankbait fishing, in that it allows the resistance of a fish or if the bait bumps structure through the handle of the reel as pressure.   I believe the original BB1 used this system of anti reverse and it was made popular for crankbaits by David Fritz.   IIRC this reel can also be purchased with standard a standard ARB.

[Grantman83]

David Fritts who is a crankbait legend had input on the bb1 series and wanted the multi stop anti reverse for his cranking reel. His BPS series reels also had this feature I believe. His rationale is that the extra slack lets the fish inhale re bait better, kinda the same idea as using a glass rod. Initially, all the 5.1:1 ratio bb1's had multiple stop anti reverse.

However, in the last few months, lews had relased 5.1:1 bb1s WITH an anti reverse bearing specifically model bb1z. Therefore you can choose a model either with or without this feature in the bb1 series.

[Capt.Bob]

The Tournament MG is the Low end entry level aluminum framed Lew's casting reel which comes with Magnetic only braking. The BB1 is the entry level medium framed Lew's with centrifugal only braking. Both of these reels are entry level for their particular style. Personally I would go with a Tournament MSB which offers mag and centrifugal braking and the lighter shallow wiffle spool @ around $110.00-$125.00  if you shop around. It will handle all baitcasting needs light to heavy with very good results. Personally for their small frame reel I would spend a few more buck's and get the Tournament Pro, witch is a great reel and unmatched at it's price range of $199.00 and it can be had for $150.00 with a little shopping, but is not available in the 5.1:1 gear ratio.

 

The anti reverse on the 5.1:1 BB1 is multi stop on the first reel's, such as all reels used before instant anti reverse most reels use today, the 5.1:1 is the only Lew's reel in there lineup with this kind of anti reverse, and all other speeds in the BB1 use the instant anti reverse roller bearing. Now you have your choice with the BB1's.

 

I have no experience with the 5.1 in the BB1 as i want instant anti revers and went with a 6.4:1 to get it it cast anything over 3/8 oz better than most reels at any price,a great carolina and shallow to mid crankbait reel. For my flipping pitching and large lure and deep cranking reel I wanted the instant AR and 5.1:1 gears so I went with the Super Duty, a much smoother and durable reel that is a step up with the mid frame size using mag only breaking, it is a fabulous flipping and pitching reel and also cast amazingly long distance with heavier lures. It is available for around $145.00 if you shop around. With a lot of patience and shopping around all these reels can be found even cheaper.

[dam0007]

Modern reels use a one way roller clutch as the A/R. Older reels used a ratchet wheel with a dawg that would pivot allowing the crank to go forward but not back. One of the old time pros, I can't recall right now wrote about liking the old reels for crank baits because the old fashioned A/R had some slop and made for a slower hookset supposedly keeping from pulling the bait away from the fish. I believe Lew's took this ball and ran with it producing a new reel with the old style A/R. That may be what the Multi-stop means. FWIW, I don't buy it. IMO what happens is that fish eat and spit cranks more often and quicker than we realize. I sweep set on anything that disrupts the vibration of a crank and rely on the moderate action to simply keep them pinned, not keep me from pulling the bait away. As for the redundant AR I mentioned, Shimano used that on the E series. If the clutch failed the ratchet was in place as a back up. The Lews are good reels for the price.

Ahh so its pretty much like the Chronarch E as well, but Shimano uses "Infinite Anti Reverse" as the moniker...

[dam0007]

Thanks all!

 

 

The Tournament MG is the Low end entry level aluminum framed Lew's casting reel which comes with Magnetic only braking. The BB1 is the entry level medium framed Lew's with centrifugal only braking. Both of these reels are entry level for their particular style. Personally I would go with a Tournament MSB which offers mag and centrifugal braking and the lighter shallow wiffle spool @ around $110.00-$125.00  if you shop around. It will handle all baitcasting needs light to heavy with very good results. Personally for their small frame reel I would spend a few more buck's and get the Tournament Pro, witch is a great reel and unmatched at it's price range of $199.00 and it can be had for $150.00 with a little shopping, but is not available in the 5.1:1 gear ratio.

 

The anti reverse on the 5.1:1 BB1 is multi stop on the first reel's, such as all reels used before instant anti reverse most reels use today, the 5.1:1 is the only Lew's reel in there lineup with this kind of anti reverse, and all other speeds in the BB1 use the instant anti reverse roller bearing. Now you have your choice with the BB1's.

 

I have no experience with the 5.1 in the BB1 as i want instant anti revers and went with a 6.4:1 to get it it cast anything over 3/8 oz better than most reels at any price,a great carolina and shallow to mid crankbait reel. For my flipping pitching and large lure and deep cranking reel I wanted the instant AR and 5.1:1 gears so I went with the Super Duty, a much smoother and durable reel that is a step up with the mid frame size using mag only breaking, it is a fabulous flipping and pitching reel and also cast amazingly long distance with heavier lures. It is available for around $145.00 if you shop around. With a lot of patience and shopping around all these reels can be found even cheaper

Yea I want the lower ratio, and its not available in the Tourney Pros. Basically its those 2 reels in Lefty. Guy who recommended it to me was basically saying the magnetic braking on the MG is outstanding. I'm primarily going to be chucking DT10s and 6XDs with this one.

[dam0007]

Ok just double checked all of their reels on their site..

 

So BB1L and TS1SLMG are my 2 options.

[dam0007]

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.

^copied from another thread... RL what do you think to throw on the endurance? BB1 or MG

[Capt.Bob]

for bigger baits the BB1L is hands down the reel I would choose without hesitation. 

[NorthFloBassin]

Lews makes the best reels on the market period. Just throwing that out there. It makes the abu's feel like Zebco 33

[aavery2]

Lews makes the best reels on the market period. Just throwing that out there. It makes the abu's feel like Zebco 33

So which of the Lews and Abu reels were you able to personally compare?

[rippin-lips]

^copied from another thread... RL what do you think to throw on the endurance? BB1 or MG

If these are the two you are set on then pick up the bb1. Good rod choice by the way.

[Bamacapsfan]

I like lews reels a lot. However, I recently got a BB-1 for Father's Day and am having problems setting it up. Getting a lot of backlashes compared to my other lower Lews reels. I don't know if it my casting or just having problems setting the brake system. Any advice?