cranking reel..Revo Winch, BB1 Pro or Tatula HD

[mojojojo]

Looking to get a solid cranking reel for a light/medium swimbait rod (1.5-3oz baits) and for a regular cranking rod for deep divers in a 5:x gear ratio. 

Im either going to get the Abu Revo Winch, Lews BB1 Pro or the Tatula HD

The Revo Winch is designed for this and has a 100mm cranking handle and I like the big EVA knobs

I own a Tatula Tactical that has the 100mm handle and I really like this reel but it only comes in a 7:3

All three reels can be found on ebay for some nice deals, especially the Tatula HD 

The Tatula HD doesn't come in a 5 gear ratio but in a 6:3:1. Id be ok with that if its going to be the best reel for the money ($120 on Ebay)

Lew BB1 Pro: $155

Tatula 200 HD $120

Abu Garcia Revo Winch $147

[tbone1993]

Can't beat the lews bb1 pro and  Dobyns 765cb glass for Deep Divers.  For $155 I would jump on that price.  That being said if you want to throw 10xd's go with the 806cb. 

[mojojojo]

2 hours ago, tbone1993 said:

Can't beat the lews bb1 pro and  Dobyns 765cb glass for Deep Divers.  For $155 I would jump on that price.  That being said if you want to throw 10xd's go with the 806cb. 

I already have the rods just can't decide on the reel, thanks

[S. Sass]

Lew BB1 Pro in 5.1:1 gets my vote. I dont have a BB1 but the other Lew's I have have been great. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The lews bb1 and winch are the same reel for all practical purposes. I have a winch and like it. Choose the one you can get the best deal on. 

[Nick S]

1 hour ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

The lews bb1 and winch are the same reel for all practical purposes. 

How do you figure? Different gear ratios, different frames, different spools, different braking system, different weights, different handles.... 

[CarolinaBoy4Life]

I have the Revo winch on my deep crankin setup and Pro Qualifier on my medium to shallow. I like the winch not had any issues or complaints. But to be honest the PQ does just as good

[OkobojiEagle]

The Winch felt better to me reeling heavier, more resistant baits while my BB1 cast lighter baits better.  I haven't fished a Tatula

 

oe.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

45 minutes ago, Nick S said:

How do you figure? Different gear ratios, different frames, different spools, different braking system, different weights, different handles.... 

They're made in the same factory with many of the same parts. Same basic platform. Weight difference is .2 oz negligible. Both have centrifugal brakes, maybe different versions but they'll act similarly. The .2 difference in ratio is minimal. I wouldn't expect ipt to differ much.  My point was that you shouldn't expect much difference in performance or durability. Both good reels.  

[Nick S]

33 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

They're made in the same factory with many of the same parts. Same basic platform. Weight difference is .2 oz negligible. Both have centrifugal brakes, maybe different versions but they'll act similarly. The .2 difference in ratio is minimal. I wouldn't expect ipt to differ much.  My point was that you shouldn't expect much difference in performance or durability. Both good reels.  

Here's the two reels braking system side by side. Don't see how you could possibly compare them. The abu has a magnetic and centrifugal brakes while the lews had an externally adjustable centrifugal only braking system.  The Lew's bb1 pro is available in 4 different gear ratios, non of which are the same as the winch. "Same basic platform" ?? I don't know what you even mean by that. Don't know where you got the .2 oz difference lews is 6.5 abu is 6.9. 

 

[S. Sass]

I think what he was getting at is if you could fish both with brown paper bags over them 99% of the guys using them would not be able to tell the difference.

This is exactly what is happening in this industry one bait gets a single rib more plastic or less and they call it a new breakthrough in baits. The same with reels one gets .4 oz weight off and all of a sudden everyone can measure that down to the .1 of a oz by hand no scales needed. I could do this for days with the insane 1" incriments in rod lengths. They are blowing smoke to sell. Same with the brakes both companies are very reputable I seriously doubt either of those brakes are junk. 

Nick if you like the winch great. I don't think DVT meant it was bad or wasn't even different just in the real world it was a wash. 

 

[Nick S]

12 minutes ago, S. Sass said:

I think what he was getting at is if you could fish both with brown paper bags over them 99% of the guys using them would not be able to tell the difference.

This is exactly what is happening in this industry one bait gets a single rib more plastic or less and they call it a new breakthrough in baits. The same with reels one gets .4 oz weight off and all of a sudden everyone can measure that down to the .1 of a oz by hand no scales needed. I could do this for days with the insane 1" incriments in rod lengths. They are blowing smoke to sell. Same with the brakes both companies are very reputable I seriously doubt either of those brakes are junk. 

Nick if you like the winch great. I don't think DVT meant it was bad or wasn't even different just in the real world it was a wash. 

 

I'm not saying I like either one of them better. I'm just saying there's a big difference between the two reels. Just because they are made in the same factory doesn't mean they are the same. I guarantee anyone could tell the difference between the two reels blindfolded because they are not the same reel. What's so hard to understand about that?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There are too many lews variations for me to keep track of. The bb1 I commented on is advertised as centrifugal braking. The pic there is dual brake. By same platform I mean that the internals are nearly identical and many shared parts and tooling. They're both fine reels. Pick the one that appeals to you and fish with confidence . 

[Nick S]

8 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

There are too many lews variations for me to keep track of. The bb1 I commented on is advertised as centrifugal braking. The pic there is dual brake. By same platform I mean that the internals are nearly identical and many shared parts and tooling. They're both fine reels. Pick the one that appeals to you and fish with confidence . 

It's not a dual braking system. It's a centrifugal braking system that is adjustable externally without opening the side cover. No magnets. 

I'm not saying either reel is superior and I realize lews and abu reels are made in the same factory and share a lot of parts. Some of the reels are nearly identical but not these. 

[mojojojo]

On May 6, 2016 at 2:17 AM, tbone1993 said:

 

Nick S is right. They are very different. Ive had them both in hand and Id be able to tell immediately which one is which blindfolded. (maybe just because of the Winch's longer handle and bigger EVA knobs..but I wouldnt be able to tell a .4oz weight difference at all)

The Lews BB1 Pro does not have a duel braking system like the Revo Winch.

They both feel like very well made quality reels and are priced the same and both come in a 5:X gear ratio for cranking which is why I can't decide on which one

[Nick S]

I have the bb1 pro and it been a great reel so far. But I've never used the winch or the daiwa so I can't really say which reel is best. I will say that lews has unmatched customer service the few times I've needed a part for my other lews reels. 

[Jrob78]

I would get the regular Tatula in 5.4:1 for $95 and be done with it.  Not sure why you would need the HD.  You could also get the Tatula CT if a high capacity reel isn't a requirement.

[lakeannaangler]

I don't own one but from my experience with lews the BB1 should be a good reel.

[desmobob]

I tried some of the lower priced cranking reels that are available in left hand retrieve; a couple of ABU Orra Winches and two Lew's BB1Ls.

The BB1 has a much better feel to me and, in head-to-head casting comparisons, out-casts the ABU.  I believe the Lew's BB1 is the longest casting reel I own.  It has an interesting centrifugal braking system with four conventional spring-loaded brake pins plus two non-sprung pins.  It works great and can be had for a very good price.

The BB1 Pro has a totally different braking system... one that I'm looking forward to trying at some point.  

I have always been very happy with the Lew's reels I've purchased and even prefer them to some of the higher-priced reels I own.  I consider them an excellent value.  I feel the same way about the Daiwa Tatula reels,  I have two of them and don't think they can possibly be beat for the price.  I have not tried one in a cranking ratio.

Tight lines,

Bob

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

On May 7, 2016 at 5:09 PM, mojojojo said:

Nick S is right. They are very different. Ive had them both in hand and Id be able to tell immediately which one is which blindfolded. (maybe just because of the Winch's longer handle and bigger EVA knobs..but I wouldnt be able to tell a .4oz weight difference at all)

The Lews BB1 Pro does not have a duel braking system like the Revo Winch.

They both feel like very well made quality reels and are priced the same and both come in a 5:X gear ratio for cranking which is why I can't decide on which one

I stand corrected on the braking piece. I forgot the gen 3 got dual braking. You can't go wrong either way. 

[Robert Riley]

As far as Abu and Lew's go, I always prefer Lew's, the Abu's feel very cheap in my hands, and that's just purely preference. I'd only recommend the BB1 Pro if you plan on throwing a variety of different sized baits. 

[tbone1993]

Going to chime in here and say that once you reel a BB1 Pro in a 5.5.1 ratio you will realize that it is a multi-stop reverse which is different than the Revo winch. I've broken too many new revos to recommend them or buy them again.