Help Choosing Reels

[heyitzpetah]

Hi,

 

I'm new to the forum and i'd appreciate some help choosing a new reel. I have been debating between the Lew's Team lite, Tournament lite, and the Shimano Chronarch ci4. Though, if I go with the lews this will be my first lews reel ever. I've always been with shimano.  , I'd like to know if the price difference between the two lew's lite is worth the jump to get the team lite? Additionally, I would like to use my new reel for both fresh and saltwater fishing, so will the lews fair decently in salt water considering they're more known for freshwater applications? I appreciate any input and experience with these reels! Thank you

[The Great Blue Heron]

I ended up buying the Lew's Tournament Lite and it has been a joy to fish so far. But everyone that has a Team Lite says that it's their favorite reel! If I had it to do over, I'd grab the Team Lite. The new Chronarch seems nice too, but not better than my 50E.

My Tournament Lite and her first bass:

[heyitzpetah]

that's a hefty bass. Thanks for the input

[BASSPATROL247]

If youve always used shimanos then why change brands? You know what the shimanos will do for you? The tourney lites are sweet reels though

[SirSnookalot]

If a reel functions well in saltwater there will be no problem using it in fresh.  I'm not a fan of double duty reels, I prefer a saltwater reel having more line capacity along with more cranking power and drag, it's going to be a little larger reel. Not that it isn't doable.  Years ago I bought a sw 2000 reel, even caught a 35# snook with it, I did think it was too small so it's a freshwater reel now.  

Can't specifically comment on Lews nor do I make brand recommendations, buy a sw reel at least for more corrosion protection.

[heyitzpetah]

If youve always used shimanos then why change brands? You know what the shimanos will do for you? The tourney lites are sweet reels though

I hear a lot of great things about lews and well the tournament lite and team lite are quite affordable for being so lite at 5.7-.5.8 ounces. I'm a sucker for a light weight finesse setup that I will be able to fish with all day. Though, an inshore reel would definitely be a logical choice. I just don't like how heavy they are, although they work tremendously well for salt and fresh.

[Fisher-O-men]

 Though, an inshore reel would definitely be a logical choice. I just don't like how heavy they are, although they work tremendously well for salt and fresh.

Answered your own question!  Inshore is designed for salt which is over-kill for fresh.  The Revo Inshore has an insane amount of drag and is not that heavy.

[Hogsticker]

Take that 200 dollars, get on Japan lure shop Web site, and order an Alphas sv. This reel just keeps impressing me. I took it down to the river this morning. Casted a weightless 3 inch Senko, a 1/8 Oz swim bait jig head and 2.5 inch Lunker City grubster. All the way up to 5/8 Oz rattle bait. I'm starting to skip 4 inch Senkos with it. I turn the dial about half way. I don't even have to thumb the spool when the bait hits the water. I actually learned that by default.

[masterbass]

Take that 200 dollars, get on Japan lure shop Web site, and order an Alphas sv. This reel just keeps impressing me. I took it down to the river this morning. Casted a weightless 3 inch Senko, a 1/8 Oz swim bait jig head and 2.5 inch Lunker City grubster. All the way up to 5/8 Oz rattle bait. I'm starting to skip 4 inch Senkos with it. I turn the dial about half way. I don't even have to thumb the spool when the bait hits the water. I actually learned that by default.

The alphas sv is amazing. 

[BASSPATROL247]

I hear a lot of great things about lews and well the tournament lite and team lite are quite affordable for being so lite at 5.7-.5.8 ounces. I'm a sucker for a light weight finesse setup that I will be able to fish with all day. Though, an inshore reel would definitely be a logical choice. I just don't like how heavy they are, although they work tremendously well for salt and fresh.

You heard correct, lews are very mice reels IMO. Get a bb1 or bb2 inshore for the same price or ten more than the two team lews you mentioned. You said you dont like the inshore reels because of weight? Ones two ounces more and onesa little o er an ounce more, to me that would be pretty hard to notice such a slight weight difference..remember too that even with a little heavier reel that matched with the right rod makes any reel feel lighter, i never let weight determine what reel i buy, for me rod and reel balance is most important...most places if you take your rod with you will let you mount reels on it so you can see how they feel together..

[heyitzpetah]

Thanks for all the excellent suggestion guys. I'll be sure to check out the Alpha SV and the BB inshore series. Honestly, I thought i was confident in getting either the team lite or chronarch, but you guys definitely made me question my choices lol.

[SirSnookalot]

As I said in a previous post I don't care for double duty combos, but if I had to go that way it's spinning gear.  The last thing I would want is a reel with a level wind, just another moving part that can break or jam with a bigger fish on the line.  Inshore spinning rods usually have a foregrip, IMO a valuable asset.  Weight seems to be a concern with some, if that were the case for me I could select a spinning size 30 with 150yds/10# (more capacity with braid) 15-18# of drag weighing under 8 oz, some brands lighter than that.  A reel such as that mounted on a nice 7' or 7'6 mh rod is very comfortable formidable weapon.  As a double duty outfit in answers the bell IMO.