Spinning Upgrade

[HughCash]

Right now I'm using an old Pflueger Trion and it's been great over the years. 6'M, held up to the abuse. I'm looking to upgrade to a Lew's spinner, preferably the Team Gold or the Tournament High Speed. Now, I know my baitcasters, size, weight, and whatnot. Spinning gear is a crapshoot for me. My Trion is the 4730GX series, and I'd like to have a Lew's in the same size. And I'm looking to upgrade the rod as well. I've looked at a few Fenwicks, both the HMG and HMX, both 6'6" MF, and I've looked at the Cabonlite in the same specs. I'm just wanting everyone's opinions as to where to head with this. I plan on using either 15# Power Pro Super Slick braid or 8-12# Sunline Super Natural. Usually use the rod for smaller jigheads and jerkbaits.

[fisherrw]

I'd get a shimano Sahara symmetry or Saros before I got a pfluger

[HughCash]

You may want to reread the post. I said I have a Pflueger, and I'm upgrading to a Lew's. And no Shimano will ever be in my boat due to horrific customer service.

[Penguino]

I'd get a shimano Sahara symmetry or Saros before I got a pfluger

Lol have you ever used a pluefger before? I can say for a fact, that the Supreme and the older Supreme MGX are some of the best reels under 99$

[kickerfish1]

I am not sure there are alot of folks fishing the Lews spinning reels to the extent their casting reels. Lots of Shimano and Phfleuger guys on here with a few Daiwa guys sprinkled in when it comes to spinning reels. You may struggle to find a fair amount of opinions on Lews spinning reels from guys that actually use them.

Not really sure how much money you have to play with but a Phfleuger President or above and Fenwick Elite Tech or above on the rod would be a nice upgrade that isnt too costly.

[hatrix]

I would skip the HMX and go right to a HMG. The difference in price is only $10 and is a no brainier for such a minor price increase.

[HughCash]

Boys, I wish I had gotten back on here sooner. Got the Lew's Tournament HS and it's an amazing reel compared to my Trion, and it was already a good reel. Was seriously looking at rods, and even went to the BPS and ended up getting both the reel and the rod from a local shop. Paid retail for the reel, but obviously stole the rod, IROD IRA6101S...what a rod. Picking up some other stuff for our trip tomorrow, reel, rod, 300yd spool of 10# Super Natural, and a few packs of crappie grubs came to $237 and change. Got home, looked up the rod, lists at $249. I was amazed. I'll post pics tomorrow after we get back.

[Penguino]

Boys, I wish I had gotten back on here sooner. Got the Lew's Tournament HS and it's an amazing reel compared to my Trion, and it was already a good reel. Was seriously looking at rods, and even went to the BPS and ended up getting both the reel and the rod from a local shop. Paid retail for the reel, but obviously stole the rod, IROD IRA6101S...what a rod. Picking up some other stuff for our trip tomorrow, reel, rod, 300yd spool of 10# Super Natural, and a few packs of crappie grubs came to $237 and change. Got home, looked up the rod, lists at $249. I was amazed. I'll post pics tomorrow after we get back.

Nice. Give us a detailed a revew on the Tournament Speed spin. A lot of members on this board use the speed spools, but very few use lew's spinning reels.

[HughCash]

The BB1 and Team Lite are the reasons I went to the spinning tab on their website. Was supposed to go fishing this morning, but came down with something overnight. I'll give a review as soon as possible. Same goes for my Dixie Custom rod. Feels great and the cork is even better.

[new2BC4bass]

Boys, I wish I had gotten back on here sooner. Got the Lew's Tournament HS and it's an amazing reel compared to my Trion, and it was already a good reel. Was seriously looking at rods, and even went to the BPS and ended up getting both the reel and the rod from a local shop. Paid retail for the reel, but obviously stole the rod, IROD IRA6101S...what a rod. Picking up some other stuff for our trip tomorrow, reel, rod, 300yd spool of 10# Super Natural, and a few packs of crappie grubs came to $237 and change. Got home, looked up the rod, lists at $249. I was amazed. I'll post pics tomorrow after we get back.

 

Wow.  Great find.  I have zero experience with IRod, but at that rod's MSRP I don't see how it could be anything but good.  IRods seldom get mentioned on here.  Same thing goes for Quantum rods.  Lots of people like Quantum reels, but their rods never get mentioned.  I've got 6'10" HF rods in both the Superlite and Tour Edition models and a 7' MF Tour Edition (all casting models).  I like them a lot and feel others would as well if they were willing to give them a shot.

 

Looking forward to a review from you on both the rod and reel.

[HughCash]

Here she is in all her beauty.

[HughCash]

Ok...real update now. Got it out on the water and decided to toss a PopR and she handles really well. Doesn't feel like a 6'10 rod, especially next to my 7' Veritas 2.0. Great action. Held up to an explosive 2.53lb smallmouth. Almost lost him under the dock. Overall, if I used more than one spinning outfit, I'd be buying another one of these....especially at $120 below MSRP.

[tomustang]

Check out the lews team gold carbon if you want 2nd reel

[HughCash]

Felt it and wasn't impressed with it. It was a show model, could have had it's share of drops, but I have to go with what I can actually get my hands on. The only complaint with the Tournament HS is the fact that it's a bit tight as far as the handle goes, smooth, but tight. Then again, just a few uses, I expect it to be tight. Should be the perfect combo come next spring. It's already time to bust out the heavier combos in my neck of the woods.

[Dave Hopkins Jr.]

Hey fellas,

For my money, you can't beat a BPS brand (Viper with 10 bearings) spinning reel, a Quantum 50 or one of my old favorites, a Shimano Spirex. All those reels were under $60.00. The Viper was just under $30. The key for me is to spend less scratch on the reel and more on the spinning rod. I heard that tip at a seminar about 10 years ago. The converse is the same for baitcasters. Spend more on the reel than the rod. My Spirex is paired with a 6' 6" BPS Bionic Rod. It's a fantastic set up for shaky heads. For wacky rigging, I go with the Viper (In Red), paired with a 6'3" Abu Garcia Vendetta. The feel with that set up is unbelievable. With that combo, I'm in for less than a hundy. The Spirex and Bionic ran me about a buck ten. The Bionic was on sale or there was a special on the combo during the Spring Fishing Classic in 2008. Quality bass fishing on a reasonable budget.

[fishnkamp]

You got an incredible rod! I have two Irods ( both Genesis II rods). I love my 7 FT Gabes Rip Rap Special and my wife owns one of their heavier finesse spinning rods. She throws hollow bodied frogs on it. Matt builds a great rod. Of course you got the mack daddy Air series. It should play well for you.

[smalljaw67]

I have a 3000 size Lews Team Gold carbon spinning reel, I love it!! I was concerned about the carbon frame, I figured it was a nice way of saying graphite but a call to Lews eased my worries as I was told the carbon used is both lighter and stronger than the graphite used for less expensive reels and if I had a flexing problem I could return it for a full refund. So to make a long story short, I got it and now it has become a staple among my other spinning outfits. I don't know anything about the high speed you purchased but I can tell you the drag on my reel is smoother than my Daiwa Tierra and having a 3000 size reel that is lighter than most 2000 size reels makes for a comfortable and sensitive set up when paired up with a nice rod like the one you got, good luck.

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard, @Dave Hopkins Jr.! I've got two
Spirex reels, and they're solid. But my go-to reels
are Stradics.

To @HughCash, the deal on the irod Air is fantastic, and
the Lews with it looks like they were made for each other.

Hope the reel stays strong for you for years to come.
Everyone has experiences good and bad with brands,
and it is unfortunate Shimano didn't serve you well.