Lews or Abu Garcia

[edfitzvb]

First, allow me to say how refreshing it is to see so many members say that both companies make an excellent product and stand behind their products. I have several Abus and several Lew's. My favorite reel is the Lew's Tournament Pro. It was purchased new last spring. I also have several Abu round reels, an STX that I absolutely have NO issues with, a new BB1 Pro, and several Lew's from 15-20 years ago. Either decision you make will be a good one, as long as you are looking at reels $150 and up. I don't have any over the $200 price point, because I don't fish for a living. Pick one and enjoy yourself. Tight lines

[Robert Riley]

I've felt they are mechanically very similar, but I like the feel and aesthetics of the Lew's,

[CashLovesBass]

They're made in the same factory. The reel "brand" takes a pre-existing template of one of the chinese brands' reels and orders a model to be made to their specifications, like a certain handle or printed name on the side plate. Lots of other brands, like Kastking and Favorite, do the exact same thing. Really, both companies price their reels similarly, so between the two, it's really a toss-up.

[CashLovesBass]

They're made in the same factory. The reel "brand" takes a pre-existing template of one of the chinese brands' reels and orders a model to be made to their specifications, like a certain handle or printed name on the side plate. Lots of other brands, like Kastking and Favorite, do the exact same thing. Really, both companies price their reels similarly, so between the two, it's really a toss-up.

[USMC22]

38 minutes ago, CashLovesBass said:

They're made in the same factory. The reel "brand" takes a pre-existing template of one of the chinese brands' reels and orders a model to be made to their specifications, like a certain handle or printed name on the side plate. Lots of other brands, like Kastking and Favorite, do the exact same thing. Really, both companies price their reels similarly, so between the two, it's really a toss-up.

Wow, this thread was from 2015 that you dug up...

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Get a abu 4600c3 u wont regret it ...

[CrankFate]

I have several abus. They can hold up to hard fishing with no maintenance. The corrosion resistant bearings need no maintenance. Lews reels are variations on abus. I have no idea what the insides of Lews look like, but if it’s anything like the better abus, they have to be good.

[Fishaholic7lbs]

On 12/29/2015 at 3:05 PM, Jrob78 said:

They're both built in same factory.  Pick the one that feels the best in your hands.  Quality shouldn't be a concern with either.

What he said.. I love my lews tournament mb i bought 3 in 2011 when they first came out i can remember there was only 4 lews reels to choose from 79.99-99.99-149.99- and a higher end one I went with the middle of the road at 149.99 which is the tournament mb. They are GREAT reels never had a problem with them and honestly never had to clean em i just like to clean them every year or so depends how much i fish a year. From there i bought some super duty reels one is a 5:1 gear ratio and I don’t believe they make it anymore and the other is a 7:1 i got for braided line. I also have more I acquired over the years but your not gonna find a bad lews product at least I haven’t yet

[dodgeguy]

On 12/29/2015 at 10:35 PM, Big Bait Fishing said:

 

That's ok I had a $350 Abu MGX which became a coffee grinder on retrieves.It was a great reel prior to that. The gears just sucked. No dirt or grit in the reel either.Abu fixed it them I dumped it and bought lews. 

[the reel ess]

Lew's. That is all. ABU Garcia might be quality, but they would not answer an email or answer the phone when I needed a part.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Did you account for any time zone difference? I always get right through and the staff is helpful. 

[NorthForNigthts]

I use a Lews Speed Spool on an Abu Garcia Veritas for my swimbaits. Love them both. Can't go wrong with either

[redmeansdistortion]

17 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Did you account for any time zone difference? I always get right through and the staff is helpful. 

Same here.  I order a lot of parts from them and never had a call go unanswered.  They've even been helpful enough to the point I was able to procure some parts they don't normally sell, like the stud for the anti-reverse pawl for instance.  I usually add the anti-reverse pawl to reels with the IAR bearing as a backup in case the IAR gives up the ghost.  The hole is already in the brake plate to accommodate it.

[the reel ess]

On 7/14/2019 at 9:47 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Did you account for any time zone difference? I always get right through and the staff is helpful. 

Yeah, email had nothing to do with time zone. I believe they had just been merged into one of the big parent companies.