Lew's Team / Team Pro

[chelboed]

This is going to be an informational thread containing data on the Team Lew's genre of baitcasting reels. I am only writing this because of the lack of comprehensive data on the .net in one single location. I had to look in multiple places for information on these reels prior to buying mine.

If any of the data is in question, let me know. I'm just hoping that when people see a NOS Team reel for sale, Google will take them here for comprehensive data.



The Reels:
Team Lew's (2010/2011?)


Team Lew's Gold (2012)


Team Lew's Pro (2013)


Team Lew's Pro Z (2014)





Similarities:
-All 3 lines have metal frame AND side plates with shiny titanium deposition finish.
-All 3 are 10+1 bearing reels. (4x handle, 3x spool, 2x levelwind, 1x drive shaft, 1x instant anti-reverse roller on the drive shaft)
-All 3 utilize dual cast control "MSB" (Multi Setting Brake) with a 4-position on/off centrifugal and variable magnetic brake.
-They all have carbon fiber handles though the original Pro was 80mm. The newer "Z" labeled Pro is 85mm. (Grantman85)
-All available in 6.4 & 7.1 gear ratios.
-Same capacity 120/12
-All have Duralumin gears, worm, spool and crank shaft.

Differences:
-Drag: the Team and Team Gold were offered in 14# drag. The Team Pro was 10# drag until the newly released Pro Z version with the "Z" indication on the model number. (Ex: TLP1H vs TLP1HZ) They are now 14#.
-Handle Knobs: though they all share a carbon fiber handle, the Team & Team Gold are spec'd with Lew's Rubberized paddle knobs while the Team Pro use EVA foam.

The Pro and Pro Z can be quickly identified by the name on the palming plate and the side plate release. The original Team Pro (as labeled on the side plate) had an older style screw-in palming plate retainer. The new Pro Z (also labeled on the side plate) has a quick release "pull-button".

-Color: What looks obvious at first, becomes confusing if you have to shop on the web like me. Depending on the website image you see, there are several pictures floating around out there of the Team Gold with inconsistent representation of the appearance of the reel. Some images make the reel appear a creamy-grey color, while others are shiny titanium. The creamy grey color is an illusion due to reflection in the picture. See below:






I have some pictures of my Team that make the thing look like bright silver chrome...but it's just reflecting all of the light above it. My Dad came over today and I threw this one on a Speed Stick so he could palm it. Before he left, he asked "Where is that silver reel you sent me a picture of?" Hahaha...the finish is so smooth and shiny that it reflects the Heck out of the white sky, but the Team is really a neutral gloss titanium finish. See below:




Looks a little more "Ti" here:





Here's the Team next to the Pro...without a ton of ambient light to skew the image:


The Team Pro looks most like black chrome to me. The Team is more of a super shiny titanium. The Team Pro and Team Gold have gold accents and the Team is dressed up with red anodization.

There is a random picture floating around of the Team Pro that eludes me. (generally an eBay image) The non-drive side plate just reads: "Team Lew's" with no Pro / Gold designation, yet it's accentuated in gold. The star drag is ported on the arms. The spool appears to be silver and gold instead of black with gold lines. It almost looks like a Team Lew's Gold with some aftermarket EVA knobs photoshopped on. If you zoom the image, is obvious that the knobs are Photoshop hacked. They look like BPS knobs. I have asked around about this pic, but really gotten nowhere. See pic below:




-Weight: All 3 reels differ in weight, though the Pro is by far the lightest.
Team: 7.1oz
Team Gold: 7oz
Team Pro: 5.9 oz
Team Pro Z: 6.1oz

Pricing: As far as I can tell, MSRP on the 3 reels was:
Team-$249
Team Gold-$279
Team Pro-$299

At the time I'm writing this (1/2015) Team availability is nearly gone. Occasionally one will pop up in the $150 range on auction sites. Gold reels have been discontinued, but new ones are readily available for $200-220. Original Pro reels are scarce, but can be found occasionally for the low-to-mid $200's. The Pro Z is available anywhere from the upper $200's to $300.
(Crazy deals can be found, but not often)


Regarding "MSB":
I asked the tackle shop in Springfield associated with Lew's about the new ACB reels versus MSB. ACB is the 27 position centrifugal cast control versus the aforementioned ACB with on/off centrifugal plus magnetic.

Obviously, magnetic is mid to end cast control whereas centrifugal is beginning to mid cast control.

The reply I received was very helpful:

"The dual cast control is more forgiving and will cast better in adverse conditions. The externally adjustable centrifugal system will cast farther."


No matter which one you end up with, they are smooth as silk on the retrieve and cast well with little effort.
 

 

I prefer the MSB for casting light baits especially in the wind. Little bitty weightless 4" Senko's, Mepp's 1&2, and 1/10oz Ned Rig's are actually pretty doable with this setup. The Rat-L-Traps, Spinners, Tx Rig 5-6" Senko's, etc...cast a country-mile with the ACB setup. Compared to the new (at this point) Team Lew's LITE, the Team Lew's, Team Lew's Gold, Team Lew's Pro, and even the Tournament Pro still have a place in my arsenal. I actually have all 4 Team Models including the LITE, and love them all. It really just depends on where/what I'm fishing as to which one I prefer.


To be continued...

[DelcoSol]

Nice writeup. What are your thought on the new Team Lite?

[Grantman83]

The original team Lews also had an 80mm handle versus the new z designation with is supposed to have an 85mm handle.

[chelboed]

Good catch, Grantman. I'll add that above.

Delco: I'll know tomorrow, hahaha. It's on the way.

[TorqueConverter]

Seems a bit odd to offer 3 reels so similar at the same time.  Were these reels on the market at the same time or did they come out one after the other?  If it is the latter then the reel company, Doyo Korea, was probably playing games and changing the product at their whim forcing Lews to buy the reel 3 times.  If Lews specified that all 3 of them exist at the same time then that is just bizarre. 

[chelboed]

Only 2 at a time as far as I can tell. I think the Team came by itself. Gold replaced it. Then possibly the Pro was offered toward the end of the gold's availability.

I imagine the overlap occurred due to getting rid of the supply of previous models.

The $300 pro rendered the $280 Gold obsolete basically because it's the same reel but lighter. Why not pay $20 more to drop an oz with an all-metal reel, right?

[SenkoGuru]

 When I purchased Mine the Team Lew's was $279.99 and the Team Gold was $239.99. As far as I could tell they were the exact same reel but with Different colors. Later the Team Lew's was discontinued and the Team Lew's Pro took it's place, only to be replaced again by the Team Lew's Pro Z which I bought at $299.99.

[chelboed]

I read about Academy blowing out the Team Lew's prior to discontinuing it... in-store $129

Man I wish I would have been there for that.

The price tag on mine says $249.99 but I got a good eBay deal on that and my Pro.

[gator178]

I bought 5 of the Team Lew's when Academy was closing them out.  They did not have any on display and I asked if they

had any.  Guy pulled one from under the counter.  Asked how much, he checked and they were down to $69.  He had

5 in total, I took them all.  Just could not pass up that deal. One of the best deals I have ever got on a reel.

[chelboed]

$69!????!!!!#####

[chelboed]

Seems a bit odd to offer 3 reels so similar at the same time. Were these reels on the market at the same time or did they come out one after the other? If it is the latter then the reel company, Doyo Korea, was probably playing games and changing the product at their whim forcing Lews to buy the reel 3 times. If Lews specified that all 3 of them exist at the same time then that is just bizarre.

Thinking back about this post...Daiwa does this with their finesse reels. The Pixy, Alphas, ss air 8.1 Pixy SPR. There's not a huge difference between these. They already had the Pixy, yet the decided to make the Alphas and SPR...and still keep the Pixy. Life is choices, I suppose.

[bootytrain]

Thinking back about this post...Daiwa does this with their finesse reels. The Pixy, Alphas, ss air 8.1 Pixy SPR. There's not a huge difference between these. They already had the Pixy, yet the decided to make the Alphas and SPR...and still keep the Pixy. Life is choices, I suppose.

The SS is based off the Steez frame, its different than the Pixy\alphas frame.

[chelboed]

Ahh...cool to know. But I guess really doesn't change the purpose of the statement. Why have the SS if you have a Pixy? Or why have an alphas if you have an SS? Or any combination of the question really.

My opinion is...I love having choices. If they made a Team and Pro available at the same time, I still wouldn't mind having both.

My 6'6" M feels incredible with my 5.7 oz reel...but my 7' MH is slightly more nose-down. But with my 7 oz reel on it...it feels all balanced out again.

So in some cases, I like heavier, some cases I want lighter. Sometimes I like red, sometimes I like gold.

Whatever pushes the sport to the next productive level works for me.

[Bederckous]

Glad to see that at least someone has done the foot work on this product. Nice job. I just got my Pro Z over Christmas and it was a bit of a crap shoot given that there really is not a whole lot of material floating around out there on these reels. Thanks! It's a shame this wasn't around when I was looking for my lew's. I've had a few chances to fish my Pro Z this year and it's been a dream to fish with. Light, rugged, incredibly easy to manage the cast control with hardly any back lashes, looks incredible, and is as smooth as silk on the retrieve. It's my first lew's and has quickly become my favorite reel. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Don't put too much stock in the drag rating claims. The drag stack in all those as well as other brands and models manufactured at that factory hasn't changed in years. I don't buy the claims associated with ultra adjustable cent brakes either. I'd much rather have the basic 6 pin Cent. brakes. If I needed more the dual braking combo makes more sense to me. 

[chelboed]

Don't put too much stock in the drag rating claims. The drag stack in all those as well as other brands and models manufactured at that factory hasn't changed in years. I don't buy the claims associated with ultra adjustable cent brakes either. I'd much rather have the basic 6 pin Cent. brakes. If I needed more the dual braking combo makes more sense to me.

Sorry to necropost, but I will "respectfully" disagree. I respect your opinion, but in using them...I feel the on/off centrifugal brake often hits a point where is either too much or too little. Usually with light lures in the wind or really heavy lures you want to send to the moon. With the externally adjustable, I can click it up/down just a hair to reach my max casting distance without backlash.

The dual braking system is nice as well, but when casting things like 1/2oz lipless crankbaits...the centrifugal brake can cost me valuable casting distance as a bank fisherman.

The spool is spinning so violently that with 2 pins engaged, the centrifugal force pushes the brake shoes into the braking surface really hard. It's very audible.

If you back down to 0 pins...then you need to adjust the Heck out of your primary and give it gobs of mag. I went against factory recommendations and just engaged 1x brake shoe now and then. It is not recommended for some reason, but works out well. Still though...nothing like casting a lipless crankbait with an ACB setup. Rocket for miles.

Remember, the centrifugal is more of an early cast control and the mag leans toward end cast control...so when your flippy rod pops that heavy bait out there and the spool accelerates crazily due to the rod flip...use centrifugal.

When the wind kicks up and slows your bait down prematurely....Or you cast a bait with a lot of surface area:weight ratio like a weightless worm or really light weight floating square Bill etc...use more mag.

[carlm01]

Nice write up, I have 5 lews,, 2 lites and like them all I will say the lews lite TLL1H is a great all around reel .. It weights 5.7 oz and very comfortable ..

[chelboed]

I finally got my hands on a new Team Gold. Got a killer deal on it too! I bought it because I had a spare rod lying around and needed a 7.1:1 reel. I'll see how it stacks up to the Red and Pro.

[chelboed]

I got out last evening with the new Team Lew's Gold Speed spool and and happy with it.

 

Last year, I purchased a 7.1:1 standard Speed Spool (Made in China MSRP $99) but I got a good deal on it for $55. After using it for 4-5mos, I hated how "geary" it felt. I actually sent it back to Lew's and had them change it over to a 5.4:1 which made it smooth as butter b/c there's obviously not as much strain with the lower ratio and the pinion gear would have more teeth and larger diameter to make it feel smooth.

 

I was skeptical with doing another 7.1:1 reel, but I figured that the nicer Korean-made reel would be worth the effort. I wasn't disappointed. It was as smooth as my other gear ratios for sure. I had a Falcon 6'10" Heavy Bucoo sitting around to mount it to, so I wanted a reel that I could take to my In-Law's farm ponds and cast waaaaay out from the bank and work structures and holes in the weeds...but still get a good solid hookset, so the heavy rod was perfect with some heavier line than I normally use. The higher ratio just makes it that much quicker and easier to get my bait back to me so I can chuck it way back out there again.

 

I was casting around 35-40yd to a drainage tube and working it back only a few feet before getting a bite, so setting the hook with 30-35yd of line out.

 

 

Long story short...works like a champ and stacks up right next to the Team Lew's and Team Lew's Pro. I'd say the Pro still casts a little better. (probably marginally higher bearing spec) Over all, and work horse that should last me years.

 

None of these will replace the other, they all have a place in my arsenal:

Team Lew's : Tournament SL Speed Stick 6'6" Medium : Stren 12# Mono

Team Lew's Gold : Falcon Bucoo Micro Pitchin' Stick 6'10" Heavy : Stren 17# Mono

Team Lew's Pro : Team Lew's HM85 Speed Stick : 6'10" MH Fast : Stren 12# Mono

Team Lew's LITE : Tournament SL Speed Stick 7' MH Fast : Stren 14" Mono

[BASSPATROL247]

This is going to be an informational thread containing data on the Team Lew's genre of baitcasting reels. I am only writing this because of the lack of comprehensive data on the .net in one single location. I had to look in multiple places for information on these reels prior to buying mine.

If any of the data is in question, let me know. I'm just hoping that when people see a NOS Team reel for sale, Google will take them here for comprehensive data.

The Reels:

Team Lew's (2010/2011?)

Team Lew's Gold (2012)

Team Lew's Pro (2013)

Team Lew's Pro Z (2014)

Similarities:

-All 3 lines have metal frame AND side plates with shiny titanium deposition finish.

-All 3 are 10+1 bearing reels. (4x handle, 3x spool, 2x levelwind, 1x drive shaft, 1x instant anti-reverse roller on the drive shaft)

-All 3 utilize dual cast control "MSB" (Multi Setting Brake) with a 4-position on/off centrifugal and variable magnetic brake.

-They all have carbon fiber handles though the original Pro was 80mm. The newer "Z" labeled Pro is 85mm. (Grantman85)

-All available in 6.4 & 7.1 gear ratios.

-Same capacity 120/12

-All have Duralumin gears, worm, spool and crank shaft.

Differences:

-Drag: the Team and Team Gold were offered in 14# drag. The Team Pro was 10# drag until the newly released Pro Z version with the "Z" indication on the model number. (Ex: TLP1H vs TLP1HZ) They are now 14#.

-Handle Knobs: though they all share a carbon fiber handle, the Team & Team Gold are spec'd with Lew's Rubberized paddle knobs while the Team Pro use EVA foam.

The Pro and Pro Z can be quickly identified by the name on the palming plate and the side plate release. The original Team Pro (as labeled on the side plate) had an older style screw-in palming plate retainer. The new Pro Z (also labeled on the side plate) has a quick release "pull-button".

-Color: What looks obvious at first, becomes confusing if you have to shop on the web like me. Depending on the website image you see, there are several pictures floating around out there of the Team Gold with inconsistent representation of the appearance of the reel. Some images make the reel appear a creamy-grey color, while others are shiny titanium. The creamy grey color is an illusion due to reflection in the picture. See below:

I have some pictures of my Team that make the thing look like bright silver chrome...but it's just reflecting all of the light above it. My Dad came over today and I threw this one on a Speed Stick so he could palm it. Before he left, he asked "Where is that silver reel you sent me a picture of?" Hahaha...the finish is so smooth and shiny that it reflects the Heck out of the white sky, but the Team is really a neutral gloss titanium finish. See below:

Looks a little more "Ti" here:

Here's the Team next to the Pro...without a ton of ambient light to skew the image:

The Team Pro looks most like black chrome to me. The Team is more of a super shiny titanium. The Team Pro and Team Gold have gold accents and the Team is dressed up with red anodization.

There is a random picture floating around of the Team Pro that eludes me. (generally an eBay image) The non-drive side plate just reads: "Team Lew's" with no Pro / Gold designation, yet it's accentuated in gold. The star drag is ported on the arms. The spool appears to be silver and gold instead of black with gold lines. It almost looks like a Team Lew's Gold with some aftermarket EVA knobs photoshopped on. If you zoom the image, is obvious that the knobs are Photoshop hacked. They look like BPS knobs. I have asked around about this pic, but really gotten nowhere. See pic below:

-Weight: All 3 reels differ in weight, though the Pro is by far the lightest.

Team: 7.1oz

Team Gold: 7oz

Team Pro: 5.9 oz

Team Pro Z: 6.1oz

Pricing: As far as I can tell, MSRP on the 3 reels was:

Team-$249

Team Gold-$279

Team Pro-$299

At the time I'm writing this (1/2015) Team availability is nearly gone. Occasionally one will pop up in the $150 range on auction sites. Gold reels have been discontinued, but new ones are readily available for $200-220. Original Pro reels are scarce, but can be found occasionally for the low-to-mid $200's. The Pro Z is available anywhere from the upper $200's to $300.

(Crazy deals can be found, but not often)

Regarding "MSB":

I asked the tackle shop in Springfield associated with Lew's about the new ACB reels versus MSB. ACB is the 27 position centrifugal cast control versus the aforementioned ACB with on/off centrifugal plus magnetic.

Obviously, magnetic is mid to end cast control whereas centrifugal is beginning to mid cast control.

The reply I received was very helpful:

"The dual cast control is more forgiving and will cast better in adverse conditions. The externally adjustable centrifugal system will cast farther."

No matter which one you end up with, they are smooth as silk on the retrieve and cast well with little effort.

 

 

I prefer the MSB for casting light baits especially in the wind. Little bitty weightless 4" Senko's, Mepp's 1&2, and 1/10oz Ned Rig's are actually pretty doable with this setup. The Rat-L-Traps, Spinners, Tx Rig 5-6" Senko's, etc...cast a country-mile with the ACB setup. Compared to the new (at this point) Team Lew's LITE, the Team Lew's, Team Lew's Gold, Team Lew's Pro, and even the Tournament Pro still have a place in my arsenal. I actually have all 4 Team Models including the LITE, and love them all. It really just depends on where/what I'm fishing as to which one I prefer.

To be continued...

Actually i beleive the magnets help the end of the cast not the beginning, and the cc helps the beginning of the cast.. but thats with no cent. Brakes

[chelboed]

Funny...that's exactly what I said, hahaha.