Lews Vs. Shimano Baitcasters - Becomming a Lews Fan

[hoosierbass07]

OK, first off I'm a Shimano spinning reel fan.  I love their spinning reels and they are all I really need for bass fishing.  Now I have two baitcasters - one Shimano Chronarch 200e6 that I have owned for three or four years (my first baitcaster) and a new Lews Tournament SK that I bought about a month ago. 

 I have the Lews reel on a medium fast baitcaster rod (1/4 to 5/8) *** Black.  I have the Shimano on a medium heavy fast rod (3/8 to 1oz) Fenwick HMG and also a medium fast rod (1/4 to 3/4) Fenwick HMG.  

 So far the Lews reel on the *** black rod casts like a dream.  I've been really impressed how easy it casts, how it keeps backlashes down and how easy it is adjust the magnetic brakes with the dial on the side.   

 I've never been too impressed with the Shimano Chronarch though.  I hate saying that because I love their spinning reels.  So today I put the Lews reel on the Fenwick medium and what did I find?  It casts better than my Chronarch. 

I paid around $200.00 for that Chronarch a few years ago.  I bought that Lews a few months ago and only paid $130.00 at Gander Mountain. 

I will admit the Chronarch is build like a tank but the Lews seems to have more parts and more advanced.  So I'm wondering, are all the Lews reel as good as my Tournament SK?  Are they all better than all the Shimanos? 

I'm impressed with the Tournament SK so do you think I will be impressed with the $200.00 Lews reels?  The Shimano casts like its dead or something.  When I cast with the Lews reel that spool seems to spin quickly with no backlashes.  It starts right up and with the four pins inside, magnetic brakes and tension nob adjusted it keeps the backlashes down.  When I feel the line start coming off the spool I will adjust the magnetic brakes on the next cast and no more line feathering off the spool.  So quick and easy to ajdust. 

 Also, I've noticed the Lews cast further than the Shimano. 

 Anyway, I've been really impressed with that Lews reel. 

 

 

 

[Molay1292]

I prefer vanilla over chocolate so does that make it better....

[Yudo1]

Have you ever flushed and properly lubed the spool bearings in chronarch?  Lews make good reels, but I prefer shimano and daiwa.  

[hoosierbass07]

1 minute ago, Yudo1 said:

Have you ever flushed and properly lubed the spool bearings in chronarch? 

 

 Nope. 

[Yudo1]

I'd send it to dvt for a cleaning and super tune.  

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A good cleaning and tuning will breathe new life into an already good reel. 

[Poolshark]

I own both and they cast similarly to me. Also, consider the rods that they are on and what weight/type lures you are using with them. Two identical reels on different power rods with different lures may cast differently. It's also time to service the curado if you haven't done it yet, it's casting performance is being hindered if it hasn't been cleaned thoroughly and lubed at its age. 

Otherwise, I think performancewise, lews are a great value for the price. They are effortless casters and light in the hand. 

I've owned seven curados now over the last 14 years and they are all in excellent condition still. That says something in itself. 

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

Occasionally you can get a reel from any company that doesn't measure up to the norm. A good cleaning can make a noticeable difference. If the Alphas SV105 had been my first Daiwa....and I hadn't sent it to a professional for cleaning and upgrades....I probably wouldn't have bought a second Daiwa. 

[Big Bait Fishing]

what's the tournament SK ??? , what model are you actually talking about ?

[drew4779]

I'd consider taking that chronarch off your hands. 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I bought a Daiwa a Shimano and a Lose at the same time. The Lose had issues the first outing and continued to get worse over the next few weeks. Returned the Lose kept the Daiwa and Shimano they have been trouble free.

[davecon]

I prefer Shimano spinning reels hands down. Tried 2 Lews spinning reels - not impressed at all. After a few months both were garbage. On the other hand I have both  Lews mid range baitcaster and a Shimano Curado E7 that has been super tuned. While I like them both I give the nod to the Lews.

[fishnkamp]

I just sold a Chronarch 200E7 because it was okay but I think they are over rated. I sold it and replaced it with a new Diawa Tatula CT. I presently own a bunch of BPS Extremes and 6 Diawas (1 Exceler and 5 Tatula, Tatula Type Rs, and now this CT). I guess I really did not find the Shimano cast any better than the Extremes and not as well as the Tatulas. Yes I did have the Shimano cleaned professionally.  I also prefer the drag adjustment on the outside instead of removing the side plate, moving the tiny little plastic brakes and closing up the reel.   There are plenty of people addicted to these Chronarch reels so if you decide to sell it you ill get plenty to get another Lews or a Diawa Tatula CT. I got $175 for mine just this week, ordered the CT to replace it and had cash left over.

My favorite spinning reels hands down have to be the Pflueger President. I have 7 of them for my wife and I, some less than 2 years old and others as old as 10 years. Not once have they disappointed me.

[new2BC4bass]

50 minutes ago, Big Bait Fishing said:

what's the tournament SK ??? , what model are you actually talking about ?

Never heard of that model either.  A search turned up that model at Gander Mountain.  I wonder if it isn't a Lews model made specifically for them.  BTW, they are currently on sale for $99.99. The OP should buy a couple more if he likes them that well.   

EDIT:  Personally I think I'd pass as they are made with a one-piece, lightweight graphite composite frame and side plates.  You can get aluminum frame reels for less than that.

[fishnkamp]

For that he can get a Tatula and for the $130 he spent he can get a Tatula CT, which would be my suggestion. The T wing system really works on the CTs even better than on the regular Tatula and Tatula Type Rs.

[timsford]

I'd keep an eye out and see what I could get. I've seen basically new t3 MX reels and t3 1016's sell for 140, and I've seen a few tdz's and of zillions go for the same price. If I was gonna get a Lew's reel then the tournament MB has the dual braking and an aluminum frame for 108 and you would still have enough for line with a 130 dollar budget

[Airman4754]

The Calcutta has no equal for round reels, but for low profile I am Lew's all the way. Except for my Revo MGX they are all I use now. 

[Big Bait Fishing]

4 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Never heard of that model either.  A search turned up that model at Gander Mountain.  I wonder if it isn't a Lews model made specifically for them.  BTW, they are currently on sale for $99.99. The OP should buy a couple more if he likes them that well.   

EDIT:  Personally I think I'd pass as they are made with a one-piece, lightweight graphite composite frame and side plates.  You can get aluminum frame reels for less than that.

i think if he tried a regular Lew's reel he would really love it as i find the MSB brake system works good but the ACB braking system is phenominal !! Lew's reels are small , strong ,compact , and smooth . even the graphite framed reels are strong .

3 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

For that he can get a Tatula and for the $130 he spent he can get a Tatula CT, which would be my suggestion. The T wing system really works on the CTs even better than on the regular Tatula and Tatula Type Rs.

 big heavy Tatula's aren't in the same class ...

[jbrew73]

hoosierbass,.   stick with lews casting reels if you like them and the shimano and daiwa fan boys can stick their reels......oh nevermind. lol. 

i will say that lews spinning reels are not nearly the quality of similarly priced daiwa reels.   i have a few cheaper shimano spinning reels that are about the same quality as lews though.. 

[lakeannaangler]

I really like my tournament sk. Even though it's doesn't have an aluminum frame it is still a really good strong reel. The reel cast really good even with lighter weight baits.

[Big Bait Fishing]

3 hours ago, lakeannaangler said:

I really like my tournament sk. Even though it's doesn't have an aluminum frame it is still a really good strong reel. The reel cast really good even with lighter weight baits.

that it works for you is all that matters !

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, lakeannaangler said:

I really like my tournament sk. Even though it's doesn't have an aluminum frame it is still a really good strong reel. The reel cast really good even with lighter weight baits.

Materials keep getting better.  However, a Tournament MB can be had for under $110.  It also has dual braking so you aren't losing anything there.

[lakeannaangler]

17 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Materials keep getting better.  However, a Tournament MB can be had for under $110.  It also has dual braking so you aren't losing anything there.

I really like my tournament mb also, it's my favorite reel. I got the tournament sk at a heavily discounted price and I have grown to like it. 

[new2BC4bass]

Just now, lakeannaangler said:

I really like my tournament mb also, it's my favorite reel. I got the tournament sk at a heavily discounted price and I have grown to like it. 

Good deals are hard to pass up.  Know that feeling well.    I see no reason why the reel shouldn't last a long time as long as it doesn't get used for something like hauling 10# bass and 20#s of weeds back to the boat (or shore).  I have enough reels that I could relegate it to a Medium or ML power rod, and still be able to will it to a grandson.

[Big Bait Fishing]

4 hours ago, lakeannaangler said:

I really like my tournament sk. Even though it's doesn't have an aluminum frame it is still a really good strong reel. The reel cast really good even with lighter weight baits.

 i have a Tournament Lite and have no problems with a non aluminum frame , the reel is super smooth and strong