Lews Mach crush combo

[jasondaily]

Hey guys, I've been looking at the Mach crush but can not find a whole lot about specifics or any good video reviews. Does any one have any experience? Some sites says it's IM8 graphite some say IM6? What is the lure rating of the rod? Sensitivity ? Castability? It did win ICAST so it has to be good right? How do they determine a winner for ICAST? 

[NYWayfarer]

Its a graphite frame reel with a IM8 rod. It's a bit on the high priced side for what you are getting IMO

 

I think Lew's makes one of the better combos out there. You can buy both pieces individually if you want and that's a big selling point for me. Usually a combo has a decent reel or rod matched with a sub-par rod or reel.

 

I would stay away from the DSG exclusive Crush and Mach 1 Pearl combos though.

[jasondaily]

Thanks for the info. I have never used an expensive rod/reel set up. When buying $200 for a rod and reel combo what is the best way of choosing? sensitivity is going to change from person to person so reviews give you an idea but how do you know it will work for you? 

[JDV]

2 minutes ago, jasondaily said:

Thanks for the info. I have never used an expensive rod/reel set up. When buying $200 for a rod and reel combo what is the best way of choosing? sensitivity is going to change from person to person so reviews give you an idea but how do you know it will work for you? 

You'll learn what you like best and prefer only after trying out lots of different options, brands, powers, actions, lengths, speeds of reels, etc...   Reviews are beneficial for overall customer satisfaction, customer service when something goes wrong, and durability of product from long time users.   

For under $200 for a combo I think it'd be very tough to beat A Dobyns Fury/Sierra and a Daiwa Tatula CT or Fuego CT.   Dobyns rods are rated well, and their customer service is top notch.  Daiwa is a fantastic, reputable reel maker.  Frequently available on sale you can get a Fury/Fuego CT combo for under $150.  A Dobyns Sierra and Tatula for about $212 on sale is a slightly higher end option around that price point too, any combination of the 4 is going to get you a much superior rod and reel to a Mach Crush combo, however.

[NYWayfarer]

If you are planning on $100 or more for the reel part of the combo then look for a reel with an aluminum frame.

 

Personally if I am looking to buy a reel that costs $100 or more it can't be made of graphite.

[TylerT123]

Graphite frames flex under heavy load, causing the reel to pretty much go to junk. Don’t look into the IM8 ratings much, the only reason you should take it into consideration is when you’re looking at rods from the same company. One company’s IM6 would be another’s IM8, while in the same company, you know that their IM graphite ratings will be comparable. Also, you can’t tell how sensitive it will be from the graphite rating.

[LxVE Bassin]

Lew’s IM 8 rods hold up very well. I agree with what others have said. No need to pay more than 100 for graphite reels. I like Lew’s but there are way better $200 combos u could put together with aluminum reels.

[CTBassin860]

For 200$ you can do better. If you can find a Tatula CT or Fuego for 100$, there are a ton of good rods at the 100$ price point. 

[NYWayfarer]

I take back what I said about the DSG exclusive Mach Crush Combo. I handled one yesterday in store. Seems the exact same rod and reels as the Lews combos sold elsewhere. The exclusive part is they reversed the colors for the DSG combos. I actually like the black Winn Grips on the DSG versions better than the original.

 

It is worth noting the spinning combo sports an aluminum reel. I like it way better than the casting combo. It runs $160 and seems like a great value

[BrackishBassin]

You can get a Daiwa Tatula CT (anywhere from $82-$97 depending on the seller on eBay) and match with with a great rod of your choice for less than $200. I tried the combo route, then stepped up to matching a CT with a rod I liked. I’ll never buy another combo again. Too many good deals out there on quality equipment. 

[new2BC4bass]

Never handled that combo.  I see it can be had for $160-$200.  Got to say I would be more apt to purchase gear I already have faith in, or that has been getting great reviews.  You can buy the Fuego CT for less than $60.  I've read it is basically a Tatula without the T-Wing.  TT gave it a "Best Value Award".  Pair that with a Fury, Bucoo, Tatula or HMG and you would have a very good combo for $170 or less.  My preference would be an original Tatula which can be found for less than $100.

 

No idea how they determine an ICAST winner.

 

Choice is up to you.  The Crush combo might be great, but I would prefer to hear reviews from people on forums that have actually used it before spending my money on it.  Especially if you have limited funds.  If money isn't tight, then buy the combo, use it, and leave a review for the rest of us. 

[jasondaily]

Thanks for all the info. Seems like the diawa reels are the way to go. Seems like everyone is recommending those. 

[BrackishBassin]

12 hours ago, jasondaily said:

Thanks for all the info. Seems like the diawa reels are the way to go. Seems like everyone is recommending those. 

They’re just hard to beat at the prices you can buy them. Plenty of guys here like other reels, but it’s hard to find a comparable, say Shimano reel, at the same price point as the Daiwa stuff. 

[new2BC4bass]

Used is a great way to go if you know what you want.  There was an original Fuego in great condition (like 9.5/10) for $65 on another site.  I'd have bought it myself if I didn't already have 3 plus way more reels than I need.  This was a $229 reel and has always been way underrated by most.  May still be there.  I got an older blue Patriarch XT for the same price in similar condition...a $250 reel new.  I can run the brakes lower on the first one I bought than any other reel I own.  Very nice reels.  Pflueger baitcast reels have always been underrated.

 

Okuma is another brand that I think deserves more credit than it gets.  At least for the higher end ones.  I have 2 Helios Air and 1 Helios.  I like them a lot.  My first cast with the Air impressed me immediately.  There is a new Helios for $110 on that same site.

 

I've bought several used rods.....okay maybe more than several, but prefer to buy new on sale or closeout.  Walmart Online raises and lowers prices a lot on many rods.  Right now it is possible to get an Okuma Helios 7' HF (a $180 rod) for $90.13.  I liked the 7' MF enough to buy a second.  Very light rods.

 

Take your time, research, then spend some time looking for the best price on the rod and reel you decide to get.  Don't jump in and buy the first decent priced one you find....unless it is obviously a great deal.  $20 off is not a great deal.

 

EDIT: Read TT's review on the Helios 7' MF.  Sensitivity above normal.  Rated to 5/8 oz., but handled up to one oz.  Rod weight 3.4 oz.  Well put together.  They gave it a "Great" rating.  One guy's review mentioned he thought the hook keeper cheap.  I like it as I can put it wherever I want.

[slolane]

Two weeks ago I bought a Tracker boat and got a 250 dollar gift card with the boat. So Monday I went to buy a new rod and reel so bought a Tatula sv tw 103 and a Cabelas MXL baitcast rod. But I kept eyeing the crush combo and picked it up felt real good and the reel was very smooth.

 

I left without buying it but kept thinking about it. So all week I did a lot of research and watched all the reviews I could find on the combo. I did not see a negative review or post on the crush combo as a matter of all very positive. So Saturday I went back and bought one thinking what the heck, its got to be better than my 35 year old Berkley Lightning rods with 35 year old Shimano reels. Well its to cold here in Michigan to go out on the water to play with it but it works great in the back yard in the grass. No I did not catch any grass bass but I tried lol.

[PaBassMan13]

All this negativity on the Lew's Mach Crush Combo; haha. I did purchase both a baitcasting AND a spinning combo and let me tell you; they are worth every penny I paid for them. They are very lightweight; very smooth and the casting reel casts farther than any other casting reel I have ever owned. The rods are very sensitive and the winn grips are awesome. I could go on and on but then I would sound like a Lew's commercial. The bought the ML spinning combo for finesse baits and it's phenomenal (Ned Rigs, Neko Rigs, 4" Wacky Rigs); the MH casting combo is used for swimbaits and Whopper Ploppers and handles them very well. 

 

As per a previous comment; "but I would prefer to hear reviews from people on forums that have actually used it before spending my money on it"; so this is my quick review. I personally wouldn't trade these combos for anything else; that's how much I love them (plus they look pretty darn cool as well, haha).

[FishStickHunter]

For $200 from Cabelas you could get a Diawa Tatula and St Croix Premiere split grip or a St Croix Bass X.  I'm very tempted to pick up this combo myself 

[slolane]

I have to say I love the crush combo!! I bought a Diawa Tatula sv and put it on a MXL m/h f rod and the Crush combo throws the same weight bait farther than the Tatula. Both reels are smooth and I like them both but the Crush combo is the first one I grab. I might have to pick up a spinning combo in the near future.

[ratherbfishin1]

27 minutes ago, slolane said:

I have to say I love the crush combo!! I bought a Diawa Tatula sv and put it on a MXL m/h f rod and the Crush combo throws the same weight bait farther than the Tatula. Both reels are smooth and I like them both but the Crush combo is the first one I grab. I might have to pick up a spinning combo in the near future.

You know why...  Lews > Daiwa?

 

I was one that didn't jump on the whole daiwa thing... I don't see anything special about them or anything they are better than Lews at; people can argue that they are a better value if I had a $100 I would go for the speed spool lfs over a tatula any day because lews are lighter and I feel like they fish so much better.

 

That's just my opinion and many can disagree and that's totally fine with me.?

 

+1 vote for the Mach Crush

[FrankN209]

Daiwa Tatula CT and Powell Diesel..

[d-camarena]

No doubt the tatulas a great rods, but i have pleny lews combos i love them cant go wrong

[Lead Head]

Can't speak for diawa (yet, trying out a fuego ct soon) but for just a little bit more than a crush combo you can have a lews tournament mb on a dobyns fury. I have fished with both the crush and mb/fury combo and in my opinion the mb/fury is FAR superior. 

[sdsc357]

I don't have the crush but I do have the Mach 2. I paid $140 for the combo. The rod is im8 and feels fine. Not very sensitive. The reel feels cheap.

 

IMO, get yourself a casitas or fuego ct off ebay and pick a good $100 rod.