Lews Mach 1 vs Mach 2

[Zakkennedy0]

I'm having trouble deciding which combo would be better for me. For anyone who's used both which would work best for fishing jigs and Texas rig senkos?

[fishnkamp]

The difference is this. The rods are similar in that they are both IM8 rods.  The Mach2 has some upgrades in the handle, they use the Winn Grips , and matching Winn products on the reel. The reel on a Mach2 is a slight upgrade as well.  The Mach2 has a dual brake system so it is a better system.  You are looking at a $30 increase in price roughly so I would go with the Mach 2.  TackleDirect has the Mach 2 for $160 

[Zakkennedy0]

1 hour ago, fishnkamp said:

The difference is this. The rods are similar in that they are both IM8 rods.  The Mach2 has some upgrades in the handle, they use the Winn Grips , and matching Winn products on the reel. The reel on a Mach2 is a slight upgrade as well.  The Mach2 has a dual brake system so it is a better system.  You are looking at a $30 increase in price roughly so I would go with the Mach 2.  TackleDirect has the Mach 2 for $160 

Thanks man I appreciate the response 

[d-camarena]

Mach2 is not im8. It is im6. I have one in my hands right now

[Airman4754]

18 hours ago, Zakkennedy0 said:

I'm having trouble deciding which combo would be better for me. For anyone who's used both which would work best for fishing jigs and Texas rig senkos?

 

Well, Mach 1 is roughly 716mph meaning Mach 2 is roughly 1,432mph. This of course can vary slightly as wind speed and atmospheric pressure brought on by current elevation shift the numbers from a vacuum at sea level.

 

On a related fishing note 2 is always better than 1. Get a 2.

[fishnkamp]

d-camarena I was reading the spec off the Lews website for the Mach 2 combo.

For some reason if you buy a Mach rod it is an IM6 rod.  I agree and their website agrees with you.  It disagrees with you when you read the Mach2 combo listing. I guess they make two different rods.

Take a look http://www.lews.com/rods-mach.php  and  http://www.lews.com/combos-mach2.php

[d-camarena]

Im pretty sure its a typo on the website. I have the combo and its im6. I also have a rod i bought seperate and it also says im6. But idk i may have gotten the wrong rod with my combo

[fishnkamp]

It is weird because both of the Mach 1 and Mach 2 say they are IM8.  Usually if you go up in price on a combo the rod does not go backwards in quality.  I am going to stop in my local dicks and check one out for you.

[d-camarena]

True. I would like to find out too. Although my im6 is an awesome rod honestly

[TX-Deluxe]

I look at it this way

 

IM6 was used by the pros years ago and they caught lots of fish. Yes there's better blanks out now however the prices dropped on the im6.

 

It's kind of like a Tiger Woods comparison . He can smoke you using $100 set of clubs

[fishnkamp]

Alright mystery solved! OR not!   I just got back from my local Dicks Sporting Goods.  The early Mach2 must have had an IM6 rod, but my store just received their shipment last week.  The Mach 2 combo rod now is indeed an IM8 rod, just like the website says.

 

I had a chance to fiddle around with a Mach 1 and the Mach 2.  I compared a 6'10 MH to a 7 foot MH Mach 2 combo.

Here is my opinion, just from messing with them in the store. Obviously I could not put line on them and cast them.

The Mach 1 rod felt heavier than the Mach 2 rod and the Mach 2 seemed to be more sensitive as well.  The Mach 2 rod spec'd  as medium heavy with a fast tip.  I would agree with that. It specs for lures from 3/16 to 3/4.  The combo that I held would make a very versatile setup to throw lots of different baits.

 

I was wrong about the Mach 2 reel, I thought I read it was a dual braking reel, they are both magnetic brake reels.   

I like the feel and balance best of the Mach 2 combo for sure.  I think Lews is still confusing us because if you look at the Mach2 rods on the website the rods still say IM6 and the 7 foot MH rods do not have the same lure rating as what I held. 

 

Bottom line I would expect the Mach 2 Combo will perform well for you.  Personally I like the feel of the Winn Grips both on the reel and the rod.  I also liked the blank being completely exposed on the bottom of the reel seat.  For $200+ I think there are better options, but for $160 I think you will be happy.  Make sure to go on their website click on the Mach2 combo and check store availability near you.  Now here is a way to save $10. Go to the store and buy something for a dollar or two. I sometimes buy a spinnerbait, or a jig, even a pack of gum from up by the front checkout area.  Go home and go onto their website ( the directions are on your receipt) and fill out their customer survey. Print your free $10 off coupon.  Instant $10 off.  There is no limit as to how often you can fill out the survey and get a discount  coupon, only one per sales ticket.

[d-camarena]

You are correct. But the mach 2 rods by them selves are all im6 still. Just check at my local store. So in summary- mach2 combo is im8. Mach2 rod is im6

[fishnkamp]

Weird, unless they have to get rid of a bunch of IM6 rods before they make the rod and combo use the same blank.

[Robert Riley]

Mach II. It's got a faster taper. 

[Greeni]

Sorry im a little late to this party and im sure youve already made your purchase. But i spoke with someone from Lews directly with the same questions. Its was confirmed to me by him that the only difference between the 2 combos is the color and the grips. THATS IT. So at the end of the day you can get either. ME being the savvy shopper i am. Ill get another Mach 1 combo for 30 less and buy the hassle free guarantee from dicks with that money. If you are unfamiliar with it. It is literally a no questions asked warranty. pole breaks they send you a a gift cert for exactly what you paid for it to get a new one. Reel busts, send it back and they send you a replacement or a gift cert for what you paid for it. To me thats a bigger value than grips, and the color black 

[DomQ]

On 24/04/2017 at 9:07 AM, Mosster47 said:

 

Well, Mach 1 is roughly 716mph meaning Mach 2 is roughly 1,432mph. This of course can vary slightly as wind speed and atmospheric pressure brought on by current elevation shift the numbers from a vacuum at sea level.

 

On a related fishing note 2 is always better than 1. Get a 2.

Ha you rock

[d-camarena]

4 hours ago, Greeni said:

Sorry im a little late to this party and im sure youve already made your purchase. But i spoke with someone from Lews directly with the same questions. Its was confirmed to me by him that the only difference between the 2 combos is the color and the grips. THATS IT. So at the end of the day you can get either. ME being the savvy shopper i am. Ill get another Mach 1 combo for 30 less and buy the hassle free guarantee from dicks with that money. If you are unfamiliar with it. It is literally a no questions asked warranty. pole breaks they send you a a gift cert for exactly what you paid for it to get a new one. Reel busts, send it back and they send you a replacement or a gift cert for what you paid for it. To me thats a bigger value than grips, and the color black 

I really doubt that person knew what he was talking about. I have both rods and they are not the same. Weight is different, taper is different, guides are different

[pauldconyers]

I'm looking at this Mach 2 combo. About the details that was mentioned about buying at Dick's - is this confirmed? Problem with reel, rod breaks,  whatever they replace or give a gift certificate no questions asked? Is there a catch? Any other store offer this???

[Robert Riley]

if it breaks within 30 days and you have a receipt yes. If you purchase the extended warranty, you call the number on the warranty receipt and they send you a gift card for the alotted amount.

[LxVE Bassin]

On 4/24/2017 at 8:59 AM, d-camarena said:

Mach2 is not im8. It is im6. I have one in my hands right now

 

You have a Mach Speed Stick which is IM6. I have the Mach II combo and the rod with the combo is IM8. 

@d-camarena

 

[d-camarena]

Yes the mystery has been solved. Mach 2 rod by itself is im6. Combo is im8

Guides are different. I prefer the im6 version of that rod

[Jxbro43]

I have the Mach1 Speed Stick combo and it's a MH Fast Taper IM8 7.5:1 

 

I'm curious as to the benefit of the fast taper over the regular taper? I've been trying to research it to no avail. I've had the combo for about 3 years now.

d-camarena I'm in Austin too! We should meet up and catch some!

[Jerry Withers]

December 27, 2021, OK I just came from Dick's in Lafayette, Louisiana. I purchased a Lew's Mach 1 Combo and it came with a IM8 Rod.

The Mach I sales for $89.99 and the Mach II sells for $139.99. I definitely 

can't see $50.00 difference. I always buy Dick's Warranty which was $20.99

for 2-years. I added 20# Yellow Power Pro Braided Line. Ready To Get The Line Wet REAL SOON.

[NYWayfarer]

Both the Mach I and Mach II combos have been redesigned since 2017 the date of the original post.

 

I have the original Mach I and Mach II combos. Broke the rod on the Mach II combo high sticking a catch while in my kayak.
 

Would I purchase them again if I had the chance. Probably not. The reels are graphite framed and have a habit of disengaging on a hard cast leaving the gears to make a horrible grinding noise. 
 

None of my aluminum framed Lew’s reels so this. a Lew’s TP 1 Black rod with a  Lew’s Tournament MP reel would blow any of the Mach combos out of the water.

[Deleted account]

On 4/24/2017 at 9:07 AM, Airman4754 said:

 

Well, Mach 1 is roughly 716mph meaning Mach 2 is roughly 1,432mph. This of course can vary slightly as wind speed and atmospheric pressure brought on by current elevation shift the numbers from a vacuum at sea level.

 

On a related fishing note 2 is always better than 1. Get a 2.

Boom!...