Hogs4Dayz Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 So I was gonna buy a new reel, and I made up my mind that I was gonna buy a Lews BB1. But then, like always, I second guessed my opinion. I started looking again and so many people recommended the Curado which is one of the top reels on the market (apparently). But then other recommended the BB1s and speed spools again. So I want you guys to battle it out in this thread and figure out which is better lews or shimano, and who makes the better reels. Ya I know its pretty much impossible to declare "The Best" but i want you guys to try defend your end of the argument and prove why one is better than the other, now lets see it Quote
Super User QUAKEnSHAKE Posted December 22, 2015 Super User Posted December 22, 2015 lews better than shimano 6 Quote
Evan K Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 I have 1 Lews Speed Spool and 2 Tournament MBs. I absolutely love all of them, they've been terrific performers. Based on what I've seen with Shimano using bushings instead of bearings, I think I'd stick with Lews. But I doubt you'd be dissatisfied with a Shimano. Quote
bassin73 Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 You know, That's a matter of fact and opinion. I say if your dealing with facts, then lets compare. Reel weight Lew's 7.4 oz./ Curado 7.4 oz. that's the only tie between them both. Line recovery, Lews @ 6.4 to1 ratio 28", Curado @ 6.3 to 1 ratio 26" per turn. Ball bearings, Lews, 9+1 and Curado, 5+1. Max drag, Lews 14 lbs./ Curado 15 lbs., Price, Lews, $159.99/ Curado, $179.99. Opinion: I have both the Lew's, and Shimano I love them both. I cannot choose one over the other as far as performance goes. They are two of the better reels on the market. There are more expensive, and less expensive reels out there. But as for me, these two reels are all that a bass fisherman need. I say they are about as close as it gets to a tie. You cannot go wrong with either, and won't regret buying either one, once you use one or the other. I say watch Tackle Warehouse, BPS, or Cabelas, till free shipping AND they go on sale. Then buy. Dig? 3 Quote
thebillsman Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 Both great reels. I'm a lews guys.. performance is a wash, but the lews platform sits in my hand a lot nicer. 1 Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted December 22, 2015 Global Moderator Posted December 22, 2015 3 hours ago, thebillsman said: Both great reels. I'm a lews guys.. performance is a wash, but the lews platform sits in my hand a lot nicer. I'm a Curado guy because it fits in my hands better and I like the handle better. That's about what it comes down to once you get about the $150 range with reels, which feels better to you, sits nicest on the rod you're using, suits your needs the best, ect. You can't go wrong with either when it comes to performance though. 2 Quote
Rbm18 Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 I am also a shimano guy. I love my curados They just fell better in my hand. I don't think there is a wrong choice. It just depends on the person. 1 Quote
Super User BassinLou Posted December 22, 2015 Super User Posted December 22, 2015 I enjoy my Curado's and I enjoy my Lews reels as well. Quote
Preytorien Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 I had a Curado G, and was impressed. Then I bought a Curado I, and was blown away, it's the best I've had so far. I've tried Lews at a few stores around here and while they're nice looking, they just don't feel as refined. They feel like my Bass Pro Carbonlite, which feels substantially "cheaper" in as that it's not as solid feeling. I say go someplace that has both, pick them both up, palm them, spin the handles, simulate casting, and make your choice off of feel...not brand reputation. You're the guy who's going to make a million casts, it's got to feel "right" to you. 1 Quote
Super User Raul Posted December 22, 2015 Super User Posted December 22, 2015 11 hours ago, Evan K said: I have 1 Lews Speed Spool and 2 Tournament MBs. I absolutely love all of them, they've been terrific performers. Based on what I've seen with Shimano using bushings instead of bearings, I think I'd stick with Lews. But I doubt you'd be dissatisfied with a Shimano. How many Shimanos do you own ? Quote
Jon G Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 The Curados are fantastic. They palm fantastically, fantastic drag, extremely smooth, and cary Shimano's durability and longevity. The one thing about Shimano's that we can not say yet about Lew's yet is how long they are going to last down the road. So many people own some sort of Shimano that they bought 10+ years ago and is still working great today. Quote
Evan K Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 1 hour ago, Raul said: How many Shimanos do you own ? Oh, none. I just like my Lews reels. Like I said, I doubt the OP would be unhappy with either brand, I think they're both great. Quote
Super User Senko lover Posted December 22, 2015 Super User Posted December 22, 2015 I really want to get a Curado or the new Citica series, because I've heard so much about them. I love my Lew's Tournament Mg, it's been a great performer, but there are a couple things I don't like about it. One of them being the knobs. Quote
NJSalt Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 Have never fished the Lews, but am very happy with the 4 Curados I have. Heck, I'm happy with all my Shimano reels from my Sahara to my Metaniums and Aldebaran. My advice would be go somewhere where you can handle both reels. They will both perform well and it may just come down to what feels better in your hand. Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted December 22, 2015 Super User Posted December 22, 2015 If I see another Lew's vs Shimano thread I will quit fishing and throw all of my gear off a cliff. IBTL 4 Quote
k3bass Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 If you decide to get the curado I see if you can find the citica I cheaper. The Curado is not worth the retail price difference over the citica. Buy whichever one you can find cheaper. Quote
Super User K_Mac Posted December 22, 2015 Super User Posted December 22, 2015 16 hours ago, Jrob78 said: I think this just about sums it up. 1 Quote
Super User Big Bait Fishing Posted December 22, 2015 Super User Posted December 22, 2015 4 hours ago, Senko lover said: I really want to get a Curado or the new Citica series, because I've heard so much about them. I love my Lew's Tournament Mg, it's been a great performer, but there are a couple things I don't like about it. One of them being the knobs. knobs are easy to change out ! just about any Abu & diawa knobs will fit it, i have Revo EVA knobs on my Lew's reels .... Quote
Super User Big Bait Fishing Posted December 22, 2015 Super User Posted December 22, 2015 just my two cents - the BB1 PRO is the better choice - lighter , excellent braking system , and superior customer service ......... 1 Quote
Super User Maxximus Redneckus Posted December 22, 2015 Super User Posted December 22, 2015 The lews will stay the same.the curado will change 20 more times in 5 yrs with null product support vs the lews..if im buyin a shimano it would be a calcutta there low pros change as much as Obamas speeches weekly 3 Quote
5fishlimit Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 36 minutes ago, Maxximus Redneckus said: The lews will stay the same.the curado will change 20 more times in 5 yrs with null product support vs the lews..if im buyin a shimano it would be a calcutta there low pros change as much as Obamas speeches weekly How is Lew's a model of consistency? Please explain, because my experience is that they change and introduce so many new models that it's hard to keep up with them. The two Lew's reels I bought 2 years ago are no longer even available! The basic $99 Speed Spool, and the $149 Tournament Speed Spool. I know they have "equivalents" available in their lineup, but I don't see how this is any different than what Shimano does!?!? For the record, I am not a Shimano guy either. I ended up going down the road of Daiwa, but if presented with the option of having to pick between a Lew's and Shimano I would take the Shimano 100% of the time. 1 Quote
TorqueConverter Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 1 hour ago, Maxximus Redneckus said: The lews will stay the same.the curado will change 20 more times in 5 yrs with null product support vs the lews..if im buyin a shimano it would be a calcutta there low pros change as much as Obamas speeches weekly The only Lews thing about a Lews reel is the name on the outside. Lews reels are re-branded OEM reels and as such are subject to OEM changes. These changed include things such discontinuing a platform (remember those great Bionic/Extreme/Rick Clunn BPS reels that vanished) or Lews could jump ship from Doyo to say Banax as BPS seems to have done and Lews reels could become a different Korean OEM animal entirely. What LEws does very well IMO is stick with the right Korean OEM, Doyo and order reels from them with good bearings resulting is a smooth reel. Quote
Super User Maxximus Redneckus Posted December 22, 2015 Super User Posted December 22, 2015 Lews has only been on the market with the new.branded stuff 4 yrs or more shimano has had 20 plus yrs and had how many variations of the curado and many will say the best ones where the first 2,3,4 i think lews just improved there frame size and made them smaller .the curado seems to flucuate between small and mid sizes lews has all same size frames with diff spools,etc the lfs is here to stay and with great CS 2 Quote
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