Lews Vs. Shimano Baitcasters - Becomming a Lews Fan

[fishnkamp]

Big Bait have you thrown a tatula CT yet?  Oh guess not!!

[Big Bait Fishing]

46 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

Big Bait have you thrown a tatula CT yet?  Oh guess not!!

your tatula pitch was not even the relevent to the post , it was about Lew's and Shimano ...

by the way , people use what they use and like what they like , the tatula reel (any version) holds not the least bit interest for me . they feel cheap in hand , don't like the twing thing ,they are heavy reels , my Lew's weighs 5.6 oz. , why would i want a 7.2 oz. reel ???

[kickerfish1]

For me there are Shimano and Daiwa for casting reels and then everyone else. I had a several Lews reels and while they were decent I did get more phantom backlashes than I should be seeing. I sold both and haven't looked back.

 

[Robert Riley]

So I sell mostly Lew's and Shimano at work. I've found, from listening to customers and personal experience that Shimano is the best. But only if you are spending over $200. If you want to spend $100, the Speed Spool is the way to go. Lew's makes the best under $200, and Shimano makes the best over $200.

[fishballer06]

I wouldn't base my opinion over which brand is better after only owning one reel from each company. Especially if you aren't overly experienced or familiar with how casting reels work. 

I have a Chronarch e5 and it probably casts further than any of my other reels in the small/mid size category (large swimbait reels are a different story). Having a reel properly cleaned/lubed, proper braking, line, lure weight, and rod type would all greatly effect your casting distance. 

You mentioned shopping at Gander Mtn. I know that Shimano is notorious for packing their reels full of grease from the factory. I've seen it from the cheap Caenan, all the way up to the high end Metanium/Aldebaran line. They do this so the reels can sit on the shelves for years, and then be taken out and used upon being sold. I know last summer I found a DSG selling a Curado 201G on clearance for $50. I bought it, took it home and opened it up, and the grease inside was caked everywhere and was all dried/gummed up. I'm guessing this reel had sat on the shelf around 6-8 years (I peeled off 5 different clearance stickers from the box). I cleaned and re-lubed the whole thing and it was slinging lures like a champ. 

If you feel like your Chronarch is a dud, I, along with many other members on here, will assure you it is not a dud. I highly suggest sending it in to Mike at DVT for a good clean/lube if you are not familiar with how to do this. I've sent him numerous reels over the past few years and he does an excellent job for only around $20 per reel. 

[hoosierbass07]

Yeah, I bought that Lews at  Gander Mountain.  It has the Lews name on it and came in a black Lews box and all that.  My next baitcaster is definitly going to be a Lews. 

 I might oil that Shimano up.  But that Lews casts nice. 

[fishballer06]

57 minutes ago, hoosierbass07 said:

I might oil that Shimano up.

Throwing oil on the bearings might not do much. Chances are there is grease packed into the bearings, causing this issue. Hence why they need flushed, sonic cleaned, lubed, and reassembled. 

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, Robert Riley said:

So I sell mostly Lew's and Shimano at work. I've found, from listening to customers and personal experience that Shimano is the best. But only if you are spending over $200. If you want to spend $100, the Speed Spool is the way to go. Lew's makes the best under $200, and Shimano makes the best over $200.

Like BBF said  " people use what they use and like what they like ".  I think you could get a lot of disagreement with the above statement...especially from Daiwa and Abu lovers.  I've got at least 9 brands of reels.  I don't dislike any.  One of my favorite reels is one very few people here have used...and probably wouldn't buy one if given the chance to get one at a good price.  Love my Primmus Xi HS.  Nice looking, hand tuned at factory, light at 5.9 oz.,, casts like a dream and is very smooth.  It is a set and forget reel.

I have to agree with BBF that light reels are nice.  However, another favorite of mine is the Zillion 50th Anniversary at 8.3 oz.   Another set and forget reel.  Reel weight doesn't bother me, but the rod arm sure can get tired cranking spinnerbaits across the tops of weed beds after awhile.  Give me a few more years and weight might become more important, but at 68 I can fish from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (with a break for lunch) and not feel like the reel is weighing me down.

[5fishlimit]

My issue with the two Lew's that I have used are that they were great right out of the box, but after a few years of hard fishing they seem to wear out faster than any of my other reels.  My personal opinion is that they are not built for the long haul like a Shimano and/or Diawa would be.

[sgibby88]

I have both a shimano and a lews. I do like them both but am also rather new to baitcasters. Picked them up in the beginning of the season. Running a lews carbon fire and a shimano curado. So from how it seems I take it the chronarch is over rated and not worth the price? Curious as that is a reel on the wish list currently

[Robert Riley]

7 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Like BBF said  " people use what they use and like what they like ".  I think you could get a lot of disagreement with the above statement...especially from Daiwa and Abu lovers.  I've got at least 9 brands of reels.  I don't dislike any.  One of my favorite reels is one very few people here have used...and probably wouldn't buy one if given the chance to get one at a good price.  Love my Primmus Xi HS.  Nice looking, hand tuned at factory, light at 5.9 oz.,, casts like a dream and is very smooth.  It is a set and forget reel.

I have to agree with BBF that light reels are nice.  However, another favorite of mine is the Zillion 50th Anniversary at 8.3 oz.   Another set and forget reel.  Reel weight doesn't bother me, but the rod arm sure can get tired cranking spinnerbaits across the tops of weed beds after awhile.  Give me a few more years and weight might become more important, but at 68 I can fish from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (with a break for lunch) and not feel like the reel is weighing me down.

I've used a handful of Abus, the higher end ones are much nicer that the sub $200 Revos. I've got a STX currently (also have some NaCls and a Toro Beast), and I'd rather use a Lew's Speed Spool instead in all honestly. I can't say much about Daiwa or Quantum, I have used some cheaper Quantums and the Smoke. Smokes are solid. 

[hawgenvy]

I've actually broken the thumb lever on three casting reels: one was a Lew's Speed Spool LFS ($99) from a couple of years ago -- I won't get one of those again, and I may not get around to getting that piece of crap repaired, either. The other two were Shimano Chronarchs -- one from 12 or so years ago (they said the parts were unavailable), and a CI4+ from 2013. In the first two cases the thumb lever was supported on only one side; so now, bilateral support for the thumb lever is a must when I buy a casting reel.  Anyway, no more Shimano casters for me.  Or cheaper Lew's, either.

However, I have three or four Lew's ProG's and they're pretty smooth and haven't let me down, ever. I also have one of those Lew's Pro Magnesium Speed Spool casting reels. It's ridiculously light, and smooooth as butter, but feels kind of dead in the hand  -- guess it's the damping effect of the magnesium. I have a couple of MBs too, and they're okay so far, but the ProGs are my favorite.  Oh, yeah, I also have a Lew's BB2 Inshore for big snook and jacks and stuff -- its a real beast, strong as army tank. Would be great for big stripers. Pulled a huge snook from way under a dock last month, on 65 braid. The fish came outer there so easy the other snook were laughing at him. I also use the Inshore reel with an 8 foot broom stick for heavy duty punching through floating islands in Lake Okeechobee for bass. The BB2 inshore is a pretty heafty reel though (just over 8 oz.), so lately, the broom stick sports a ProG when the target is bass.

Lew's got a bunch of new casting reels that have just come out, but I don't know much about 'em. The ProG may get phased out -- so now you can get them really cheap on Amazon.

[ibobpeb]

On 10/3/2016 at 0:38 PM, Robert Riley said:

So I sell mostly Lew's and Shimano at work. I've found, from listening to customers and personal experience that Shimano is the best. But only if you are spending over $200. If you want to spend $100, the Speed Spool is the way to go. Lew's makes the best under $200, and Shimano makes the best over $200.

Agreed 100%

I love my Team Lite, Team Pro Z, and Tournament MB (Got them each for under $200 new). But I also love my Aldebaran and Met but they cost me $180-200 more. I've had the Curado I's and Casitas which is more in line with Lew's pricing but they don't have the same features as Lew's at that price point. 

[Travis Gasper]

I prefer Shimano for spinning and Lew's for casting, but that's just me. I have other brands too and they catch the same fish.

[Bluebasser86]

On 10/3/2016 at 3:44 PM, 5fishlimit said:

My issue with the two Lew's that I have used are that they were great right out of the box, but after a few years of hard fishing they seem to wear out faster than any of my other reels.  My personal opinion is that they are not built for the long haul like a Shimano and/or Diawa would be.

My Speed Spool was pretty worn out after a couple years of regular use. Meanwhile, I have 200B Curados older than some members on the forum that I've never done anything to but clean and they use to be my only couple baitcasters I had so they did all the work.

Lews makes a very nice reel and I'd have no issues owning another one. This "A vs B" reel argument is so subjective there's not really a way to determine which is actually "best". Someone could pick up the most expensive, lightest, fastest reel out there, but if it doesn't feel right or isn't comfortable to that person, then it's obviously not going to be the best. I can't fish Abu baitcaster because they don't fit my hands right, same thing with the 50 size Shimanos. 

Find what works for you and fish it, but trying to tell someone on the internet what the best baitcasting reel is works about as well as a good online political debate, it doesn't. 

[Robert Riley]

12 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

My Speed Spool was pretty worn out after a couple years of regular use. Meanwhile, I have 200B Curados older than some members on the forum that I've never done anything to but clean and they use to be my only couple baitcasters I had so they did all the work.

Lews makes a very nice reel and I'd have no issues owning another one. This "A vs B" reel argument is so subjective there's not really a way to determine which is actually "best". Someone could pick up the most expensive, lightest, fastest reel out there, but if it doesn't feel right or isn't comfortable to that person, then it's obviously not going to be the best. I can't fish Abu baitcaster because they don't fit my hands right, same thing with the 50 size Shimanos. 

Find what works for you and fish it, but trying to tell someone on the internet what the best baitcasting reel is works about as well as a good online political debate, it doesn't. 

So much does come down to the feel. I've got mostly Lew's and Abu's, and the Abu's just feel much cheaper in hand. Which I find especially weird considering they're made in the same factory. And those big green Curados are something else haha.

[new2BC4bass]

On 10/3/2016 at 1:38 PM, Robert Riley said:

So I sell mostly Lew's and Shimano at work. I've found, from listening to customers and personal experience that Shimano is the best. But only if you are spending over $200. If you want to spend $100, the Speed Spool is the way to go. Lew's makes the best under $200, and Shimano makes the best over $200.

I paid over $200 for very few reels.  I really like my Curado 201E7 and Chronarch 100B.  I like my Curado 51Es, but prefer a Diawa for lighter baits.  Love my Alphas reels and the TD-Z 105H reels.  My first pick would be either over the 51Es.  I wouldn't trade my 50th Zillion for any Shimano or Lews.  I've got 3 Lews.  A grandson grabbed my Tournament Pro so I haven't used it much because I normally leave it set up for him.  My Pro Z and Tournament MB are new this year.  Maybe it is because I haven't used them that much yet, but I don't understand the fanaticism for Lews.  All my Lews are nice, but aren't going to have me selling off other brands.

I read all the time how far the Lews cast and that they are almost backlash proof.  Couldn't prove either claim by me.  I am so good I can backlash any reel.    Distance wise I have several that cast as far or further than my Lews have...so far.  My first cast with my Helios Air had me saying "Wow!  This thing can cast."  That didn't happen with any of the Lews.  My Primmus is a fantastic reel...to me...and no way would I trade it for a Lews or Shimano.  I set it with 3 brakes on and very loose spool tension when I got it.  Haven't touched it since.  Can't say that about any other reel.

[hoosierbass07]

On 10/5/2016 at 2:02 AM, Robert Riley said:

So much does come down to the feel. I've got mostly Lew's and Abu's, and the Abu's just feel much cheaper in hand. Which I find especially weird considering they're made in the same factory. And those big green Curados are something else haha.

 

   Really?  Lews and Abu's are made in the same factory?  I've not given Abu reels much thought.  I'll have to look at them and compare them to the Lews reels the next time I'm at Gander Mountain. 

[Choporoz]

On 10/2/2016 at 8:01 PM, hoosierbass07 said:

OK, first off I'm a Shimano spinning reel fan.  I love their spinning reels......

. - 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 put the Lews reel on the Fenwick medium and what did I find?  It casts better than my Chronarch. 

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

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

Clearly, you cannot compare them until you have the Shimano serviced and are comprably competent at dialing each in.

 

BTW, not what you asked.....but this weekend, I threw into the trash the last Shimano spinning reel that I will likely own.  My Symetre which gave me binding trouble a couple years ago had been relatively smooth this year.  Until I got caught in a rain storm on Saturday and it was the only spinning reel I had with me in the yak....and of course, the bass were finicky-finessey....anyway, that d**n reel bound up tighter than a drum....to the point that it was totally useless.  I don't throw much away, but I won't risk that frustration again.

[Robert Riley]

9 hours ago, hoosierbass07 said:

Really?  Lews and Abu's are made in the same factory?  I've not given Abu reels much thought.  I'll have to look at them and compare them to the Lews reels the next time I'm at Gander Mountain. 

That's what I've heard. I trust my source. I feel a big difference between the two despite the same origins.

[Big Bait Fishing]

3 hours ago, Robert Riley said:

That's what I've heard. I trust my source. I feel a big difference between the two despite the same origins.

even though they are made at the same factory , they are designed individualy , meaning they are built to Lew's specifications and Abu Garcia's specifications , just built and manufactured in the same place .

[Kyle46N]

On 10/3/2016 at 11:17 AM, 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.

Not sure if there is a better reel for the price.  I have 4 of them.  And will buy more when I need another reel.  

[iabass8]

i like chinese food. fried dumplings are awesome.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

On October 6, 2016 at 2:56 PM, Choporoz said:

Clearly, you cannot compare them until you have the Shimano serviced and are comprably competent at dialing each in.

 

BTW, not what you asked.....but this weekend, I threw into the trash the last Shimano spinning reel that I will likely own.  My Symetre which gave me binding trouble a couple years ago had been relatively smooth this year.  Until I got caught in a rain storm on Saturday and it was the only spinning reel I had with me in the yak....and of course, the bass were finicky-finessey....anyway, that d**n reel bound up tighter than a drum....to the point that it was totally useless.  I don't throw much away, but I won't risk that frustration again.

Fwiw the reel you junked can be fixed for about $8 DIY 

[WPCfishing]

When I saw Lews in the thread title I had to jump in. 

One more and I'll be at a dozen.. they work for me. I'm sticking with them. Plus, the service is outstanding. I can't say I have a favorite. Each reel does exactly what I need from it. Go Lews!