Lews Custom Pro vs Shimano Chronarch MGL

[MDbassin]

Been saving up some overtime pay and was looking to get one of these reels. 

 

If given the choice which would you choose? I have curados and lews tournaments and I like both Shimano and lews and I'd like to try the next step up in there lineups. Never fished a made in Japan Shimano all the Shimanos I've fished are the lower ones made in Malaysia or wherever I would assume the quality would be better out of Japan. I know all the lews are made in Korea but anyway now I'm rambling which would you choose?

[bigturtle]

Chronarch MGL is the only real choice there for me, since lews dont make anything other than the 7:1 in left hand retrieve.
If lews made all their ratios in left hand, I would still choose the chronarch because it looks better. I dont like all lettering on the lews. I like my reels slick.

[lmbfisherman]

Shimano, everyone raves that the Chronarch MGL is close to the Met in performance.  If so, I think it's a no brainer.  I don't have one but I do own mets.

[mrpao]

I've  had both reels.

Both are great reels.

The Lews is a little smoother  out of the box.

The Chronarch, once broken in is very smooth also.

To me, the Lews palms better because  of the SLP design.

The decision  is up to you.

 

[Yudo1]

Both are excellent reels, but I always choose shimano personally. 

[NHBull]

I have 1 mgl and will be getting 2 more asap 

[Airman4754]

You have to understand that this is Bass Resource and those two brands aren't allowed to be compared.

 

If it were a Lew's Spaceship and a Shimano Pinto the Shimano would be voted 70/30. It's Daiwa vs. Shimano only, everything else is for beginners or people that like to waste money, or something like that.

 

Seriously though this isn't the place to ask for reel advice outside of Shimano or Daiwa. If you have interests outside of those go check them out yourself and make a decision on what you like. I assure you they all will work.

[robster80]

Shimano all day 

[lmbfisherman]

1 hour ago, Mosster47 said:

You have to understand that this is Bass Resource and those two brands aren't allowed to be compared.

 

If it were a Lew's Spaceship and a Shimano Pinto the Shimano would be voted 70/30. It's Daiwa vs. Shimano only, everything else is for beginners or people that like to waste money, or something like that.

 

Seriously though this isn't the place to ask for reel advice outside of Shimano or Daiwa. If you have interests outside of those go check them out yourself and make a decision on what you like. I assure you they all will work.

It isn't just this board, FYI.  I beg to differ, if the guy asked to compare to a low end Shimano vs Brand X higher end I wouldn't say get the Shimano, but I will however say the comparison isn't apples to apples.  In you hypothetical assumption I would've said get the spaceship, but you didn't compare it to a Shimano Spaceship.  

[MDbassin]

2 hours ago, Mosster47 said:

You have to understand that this is Bass Resource and those two brands aren't allowed to be compared.

 

If it were a Lew's Spaceship and a Shimano Pinto the Shimano would be voted 70/30. It's Daiwa vs. Shimano only, everything else is for beginners or people that like to waste money, or something like that.

 

Seriously though this isn't the place to ask for reel advice outside of Shimano or Daiwa. If you have interests outside of those go check them out yourself and make a decision on what you like. I assure you they all will work.

 

50 minutes ago, lmbfisherman said:

It isn't just this board, FYI.  I beg to differ, if the guy asked to compare to a low end Shimano vs Brand X higher end I wouldn't say get the Shimano, but I will however say the comparison isn't apples to apples.  In you hypothetical assumption I would've said get the spaceship, but you didn't compare it to a Shimano Spaceship.  

I'd have to agree. I trust this forum to give honest opinion on a apples to apples comparison.

 

Yea sure there are fan boys out there and there are plenty of Lews fans on this site and have read in the past several times people suggest Lews over Shimano.

 

I think the reason lately you keep seeing mostly talks about Shimano and Daiwa and "vs" threads about them instead of Lews is cause they both have come out with recent additions/revisions to there line ups like the new tatula SV and the new Chronarchs, also the talks of the Curado price reduction and rumors of a new Curado etc.

 

Where as Lews has not other then there laser pro which is there low end series. So naturally people are going to want to talk about the newest and greatest things coming out just like storm lures were almost unheard of on here then bam the arashi line came out then everyone was talking about it then it died down again.

[Boogey Man]

Nope, you fellas got it all wrong. It's not Shimano, it's not Daiwa...

 

KastKing is now the official reel of BR?????

 

Seriously, I don't think you could go wrong. Both great brands. 

[new2BC4bass]

6 hours ago, Mosster47 said:

You have to understand that this is Bass Resource and those two brands aren't allowed to be compared.

 

If it were a Lew's Spaceship and a Shimano Pinto the Shimano would be voted 70/30. It's Daiwa vs. Shimano only, everything else is for beginners or people that like to waste money, or something like that.

 

Seriously though this isn't the place to ask for reel advice outside of Shimano or Daiwa. If you have interests outside of those go check them out yourself and make a decision on what you like. I assure you they all will work.

 

I've got to disagree with this.  Sure there are a lot of Shimano fans here....with good reason.  They have a history of not only performing well, but reel life over the long haul is excellent.  There are Diawa fans here.  Used to be guys with Abu only...not so sure of that anymore.  There are guys who use nothing but Lew's and claim they are smoother and cast further than any other reel on the market.  You want to get shut down, try mentioning Pinnacle or Okuma.  

 

OP:  Never used either reel.  I do have the Lew's Pro Z.  Beautiful reel.  However, based on what I have read I would get the Chronarch MGL now and pick up the Custom Pro later because you know you want both.  

[Airman4754]

As a disclaimer I use nothing but Lew's outside of one Revo MGX and some Calcuttas for swimbaits.

 

About half of the respenses when you compare any non Shimano or Daiwa reel with one of those two brands you get the responses that equate to it being a no-brainer even though they have no experience with the reel that is being compared.

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, Mosster47 said:

As a disclaimer I use nothing but Lew's outside of one Revo MGX and some Calcuttas for swimbaits.

 

About half of the respenses when you compare any non Shimano or Daiwa reel with one of those two brands you get the responses that equate to it being a no-brainer even though they have no experience with the reel that is being compared.

 

No doubt true in some cases.  I've fallen into the trap of recommending rods or reels I haven't used based on the fine reviews of others.  (From sites such as this...not from the manufacturer's site or reviews from Online stores.)  Normally I try to also mention that I have zero experience with that product.

 

Then we have the guy who buys his first baitcast reel.  Falls in love with it.  Bingo!  Best reel on the market.  

 

I don't have too many reels currently in production, but I own reels from Abu, Daiwa, Lews, BPS, Okuma, Pinnacle, Pflueger, Shimano, Penn, Cabela's and the unmentionable company...usually several models in each brand.  Can't say that I dislike any of them although obviously I have come to prefer some more than others.  The only ones needing repairs were the ones that came to me in that condition.  Some people shouldn't be working on their reels....or anyone's reels.  

 

OP:  As I stated before, I have never used either of those reels, but based on my experience with several models from both companies I'd have to say pick the one that interests you the most.  It is likely the gearing in the Shimano will hold up longer than in the Lew's if used heavily.  In my case that wouldn't be a consideration as 1) I rotate my gear so most see use, 2) I don't fish near often enough to wear out a reel if I did use the same one every time out and 3) I 'm not likely to live long enough to put a reel to such a test.  

[JDNKC]

Did you consider the curado 200i and more money for a rod?  They are a great deal for the money and will leave you money for more rod.  If not I have heard nothing but great things about both reels you suggest.

[MDbassin]

17 hours ago, JDNKC said:

Did you consider the curado 200i and more money for a rod?  They are a great deal for the money and will leave you money for more rod.  If not I have heard nothing but great things about both reels you suggest.

I already own 2 curados. I'm trying to step up in the lineups and try there other offerings. And I already own 8 rods so unless I come into a boat and get off the bank I have no use for more rods

[Master Bait'r]

I'd buy the Metanium ?

[sgibby88]

I don't own an mgl but I do own the chronarch ci4 and a met and I love both of them. And I would only imagine the mgl is better. Havent had my hands on one yet but it is on the wish list for me. Cant go wrong with the chronarch so that would be my purchase

[offsidewing]

I've proudly owned two Lews reels.  A BB1 pro and Tournament Pro.  I never really appreciated their value until I bought a Shimano (and now Daiwa) baitcaster.  There's nothing wrong with Lews.  

 

The Chronarch MGL is getting positive feedback from just about every corner of the internet.  I own a MET MGL and if the Chronarch is 80% as smooth as the MET you'll be tickled.

[fishballer06]

I'm now up to 4 Chronarch MGL's. I also own 2 Metanium's and one Metanium MGL. The 2013 Metanium's were my favorite reel until the MGL's came out. The amount of control I feel I have over the line and lure during a cast is something that I have never felt before. I'm even considering selling my '13 Metanium's to buy more Chronarch MGL's. As far as casting distance goes, it's superb. I can sling 1/4oz. rat-l-traps and Baby 1-'s further than any other reel I've owned. 

 

Below is my initial review with my first two Chronarch MGL's that I purchased. I've been fishing these reels for almost three months now. If you have any further questions on this platform, feel free to ask.