new lews mach rod seems like a great deal

[nhpleasantlakebass]

 

-IM6 Blank with Carbon Nano Tube construction
-Lew’s SoftTouch Skeletal reel seats
-American Tackle “AIRWAVE” guide system
-WINN Inc. Dri-TEC, advanced polymer grips
-Lew’s built in trigger hook keepers

[Robert Riley]

My buddy got a mach1 combo about 2-3mo ago. It was a IM8 blank though, looks like it's got SiC guides. In fact, it looks a lot like my veritas. But regardless of components, it was a great deal. I loaned him a coupon from F&S and he got a Mach1 and a rod for $100. 

[fishnkamp]

I just got off the phone with Lews the new Mach 1 rods with the Airwave Guides and the Winn Grips will not be available until mid to late August early September.  Now that's not fair sorta teased us!  They look good.  I have two rods my custom rod builder put American Tackle comfort reel seats and a set of split Winn Grips on and they feel terrific. 

[Robert Riley]

Just realized this was just the rod and not a combo.... Those Winn Grips are nice. 

[fishnkamp]

Have you fished with any yet?   Here is what we did to my G Loomis rod. I had exchanged it thru the warranty program( dummy me broke it things happen) but they had gone to a plastic seat from the old metal one they used for decades. The new setup allowed my reel to come loose. Instead of using it till it broke, I decided to change the seat and cork handle totally. I liked what my custom rod builder did so much I had him do it to a second Loomis rod that still had the metal seat.  Here is a before and after.

 

[nhpleasantlakebass]

I have not fished with winn grips but all I here is good things. I also have the mach 1 combo I got it for under 90$ after coupons at dicks, and its a great combo even for the full retail price. I think the reel is worth the 100$ all day, so the rod is about free. 

[Robert Riley]

TW.com/icast16.html?ccode=LEWS16K

 

[fishnkamp]

Interesting did you notice the combo comes with a Mach1 white IM8 rod and the Mach Speed Spin reel. It will continue to get the guides you have on your rod. They do not list that rod on their website as being sold separately.

The new rod with the Airwave guides and the Winn grips is only an IM6 rod interesting. I am surprised they did not use the same graphite.  They also offer an im8 rod in the Lews Custom Lite Speed Stick and  the lews TP1 series.

[nhpleasantlakebass]

I did notice that the white rod is im-8 and the new rod is im-6. I was curious on that myself. maybe they had to go with a bit cheaper blank for the more high end components? its deff the only rod on the market with winn grips and microwave guides for under 80$

[.ghoti.]

fishnkamp, if you like that Aero reel seat, try it uplocking.

[fishnkamp]

Well for me the back of my hand is on the rear Winn grip. The palm of my hand is on the"comfort " section of the reel seat, the reel comes down between my second and third fingers and my thumb is on top of the fore grip. The seat works perfect for my hand in that configuration.  In your scenario I guess I would have to move the reel back between my third finger and pinky, something I would never call comfortable!  With my rig I use a rear drag reel that balances perfectly right at the middle of the fore grip.

[Grantman83]

Microwave guides and Winn grips are the new rage apparently as several companies are now offering them.  

 

I love lews stuff but man they are expanding the lineup to a point where even a guy who is ocd is having trouble with keeping up.  

Factor in all the store exclusive versions and it's even crazier.  My tackle shop has 79.99 platinum speed sticks which are awesome but aren't even on the website and wre the same price as the new Mach 2 rods.  

That and now they have serious overlap on several reels and rods.  

The Tournament Lite, Super Duty and New custom speed spool are all $179.99.

The Mach 1 speed spool is more than regular speed spool but has a graphite frame as opposed to aluminum.  Now they have the Mach 2 which is just a different frame.  

Confused much

 

 

[fishnkamp]

I have never been able to figure out the Lews marketing system. I love your "OCD" comment.  It does get really overwhelming to figure out which reel to but. I was not aware of any one else selling a production rod using the Winn grips and the MicroWave guides.  Who else is using them?

[Cgrinder]

Kistler's Magnesium 2. Winn grips and microwave guides. It's even green.

[nhpleasantlakebass]

No one else I have seen at such a low price point.

[Grantman83]

Regarding the microwave guides, carrot stix, enigma, and lews and now a Fitzgerald line have now incorporated them.

 

winn grips are on lews, castaway, kistler, and hammer rods that I can keep track of. 

[BassThumb]

I wouldn't be surprised if they're nice rods. I know the Mach spinning reels are an absolute steal at the lowest prices they're going for online. 

[racedad]

15 hours ago, Grantman83 said:

Regarding the microwave guides, carrot stix, enigma, and lews and now a Fitzgerald line have now incorporated them.

 

winn grips are on lews, castaway, kistler, and hammer rods that I can keep track of. 

The microwave guides must just started on the Mach rod for Lew's, because I recently purchased a Custom Lite and it has standard eyes.

[nhpleasantlakebass]

The custom lite is supposed to have standard guides.