Boogey Man Posted May 2, 2015 Posted May 2, 2015 I got this reel Thursday in the 6.8:1 gear ratio and had a chance to use it yesterday. Flushed the bearings and cleaned the grease off the brake race, it had a pretty heavy coating on it. Put it on a 6'6 inch Carbonlite. This reel is tiny, anyone who likes palming a smaller reel will love it. Smaller than the Tournament Pro. Casting distance is just as good as the Tournament Pro but for some reason it was a little easier to dial in than my TP. It doesn't have that buttery smooth feel the TP does, rather a nice, smooth "connected" feel, kind of like some Diawas. I used this reel with several different lures of varying weights. It handled a 3/16 oz. spinnerbait with no problems. The lure i used most was a Rapala F09 original floater which weighs 3/16 oz as well. Not the easiest lure to cast with baitcasing tackle but I was more than impressed. Casting into the wind with the Rapala was doable but I had to use a little more thumb. The biggest bass I caught was only about 13 inches so I was not able to test the drag. Just pulling line of the reel by hand the drag does feel smooth tho. Overall, very impressed with this reel and plan to give it a good workout in the next few weeks. For $40 less than the TP, I think this reel is just as good, maybe even a little better given its smaller size. For anyone looking for a great reel at good price, this would be a great choice. 2 Quote
WPCfishing Posted May 2, 2015 Posted May 2, 2015 Lews has a very good design team and there quality control is super. I don't think I've ever seen a bad review on a lews reel. Keep in mind the rods they offer these days are spot on too. Quote
Grantman83 Posted May 2, 2015 Posted May 2, 2015 I just picked up the 8.5:1 and I'm impressed as well. The only thing I prefer is the matte finish of the TP or super duty as opposed to the gloss of these. Other than they, it's great Quote
kingmotorboat Posted May 2, 2015 Posted May 2, 2015 I just got one the other day and can't wait to use it Quote
WPCfishing Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 Does the MB have the main gear service door? I like that feature. It's not on the Super Duty. Quote
kingmotorboat Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 Lol casting light weights I had to really tighten spool tension but man it still effortlessly flings them Quote
Boogey Man Posted May 5, 2015 Author Posted May 5, 2015 Lol casting light weights I had to really tighten spool tension but man it still effortlessly flings them What was the lightest lure you threw? I tried a 1/8th oz Strike King Mini King spinnerbait and was pretty impressed. I think Lew's has winner with this reel. To be honest, I'm liking this reel more than the Tournament Pro. Quote
kingmotorboat Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 What was the lightest lure you threw? I tried a 1/8th oz Strike King Mini King spinnerbait and was pretty impressed. I think Lew's has winner with this reel. To be honest, I'm liking this reel more than the Tournament Pro. I was throwing weightless and 1/8 oz weighted speed craws. It was a little finicky backlashed a ton. I have 2 centrifugal brakes on maybe I need 3? Quote
Boogey Man Posted May 6, 2015 Author Posted May 6, 2015 I was throwing weightless and 1/8 oz weighted speed craws. It was a little finicky backlashed a ton. I have 2 centrifugal brakes on maybe I need With lighter lures, i had to set the mag brake about half too. Might try that. Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted May 6, 2015 Super User Posted May 6, 2015 I just picked up the 8.5:1 and I'm impressed as well. The only thing I prefer is the matte finish of the TP or super duty as opposed to the gloss of these. Other than they, it's great I picked up a 7.5 and it fishes frogs and jigs with braid like a charm. I also am not the biggest fan of the gloss. But, I really like all the other features. Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted May 6, 2015 Super User Posted May 6, 2015 With lighter lures, i had to set the mag brake about half too. Might try that. How do you get in and change the centrifugal brakes on this? I haven't messed with them... Quote
Bassfink86 Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 i have two of them, both 7.5:1, and i love these reels, Lew's definitely got these right! Quote
Super User FryDog62 Posted May 6, 2015 Super User Posted May 6, 2015 I picked up a Lew's Lite SS at 5.7 ounces. Wow does that fit in the hand easily! Coupled with my new St. Croix Avid X I'm just under 10 ounces Quote
Boogey Man Posted May 7, 2015 Author Posted May 7, 2015 How do you get in and change the centrifugal brakes on this? I haven't messed with them...Pull out on the silver spring loaded plunger on the handle side, and twist the palming side up while holding the plunger out. It has four breaks, click them in to turn them off, or out to turn them on. 1 Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted May 7, 2015 Super User Posted May 7, 2015 Pull out on the silver spring loaded plunger on the handle side, and twist the palming side up while holding the plunger out. It has four breaks, click them in to turn them off, or out to turn them on. Ok, thanks. I'll have to sit down and mess with it tommorow evening. Quote
chelboed Posted May 8, 2015 Posted May 8, 2015 Ok, thanks. I'll have to sit down and mess with it tommorow evening. Yeah, it's super quick and easy...not much messin' to it. Sometimes I'll do it while I'm sitting wait for something to tap my bait because I didn't like the last cast or something. It's really quick now that they have the plunger type retainer. Quote
Nstd Posted May 8, 2015 Posted May 8, 2015 Are you guys refering to this reel? Lews Tournament MB Speed Spool https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-LEWREEL.html?from=basres Quote
chelboed Posted May 9, 2015 Posted May 9, 2015 Mini? The MB is built on the new LFS platform, so its the same size as the Team Lite. There's no "mini". The MB is on the'bay all day long for $115 Quote
bassinyea Posted May 9, 2015 Posted May 9, 2015 If you are throwing really light lures with this reel, say 3/16 to 1/4 oz turn all 4 of the centrifugal brakes on, set magnets about halfway and then adjust the tension knob a little tighter than you usually would. This reel to me feels just a little bit more free on the cast control than my other lews I have. You may have to sling it a little harder to cast these lighter lures but it will still get decent distance and you wont have to worry about backlashes. Quote
Grantman83 Posted May 9, 2015 Posted May 9, 2015 Mini? The MB is built on the new LFS platform, so its the same size as the Team Lite. There's no "mini". The MB is on the'bay all day long for $115 I believe he was saying this is a mini review ergo short, not that the mb was named mini... Quote
Boogey Man Posted May 9, 2015 Author Posted May 9, 2015 I believe he was saying this is a mini review ergo short, not that the mb was named mini... Yep, that's what I meant. Also describes most of the bass I catch, lol. 1 Quote
Nstd Posted May 10, 2015 Posted May 10, 2015 Ha! Me=doh! Haha I was fooled at first too! I actually googled it "mb mini." Quote
Boogey Man Posted May 10, 2015 Author Posted May 10, 2015 Sorry for the confusion, lol. I just hadn't used it enough to give it really lengthy review. I did have a chance to use it few more hours this morning, for the money it's an impressive little reel. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.