Need help making a choice for reels(Lews or Daiwa?).

[Smallmouthkiller71]

I need everyone's help in making a decision. I have it narrowed down to two reels- the Bass Pro exclusive Lew's tournament speed spin tss200 or the new Daiwa Fuego LT 2500xh. Both are $99.

Which would you guys choose and why?

[optimator]

I'd go with the Daiwa. I like that they own their own factory's. They don't contract their work out. 

[LadiMopar]

10 hours ago, optimator said:

I'd go with the Daiwa. I like that they own their own factory's. They don't contract their work out. 

 

I'll second that, and add that in close to 40 years of Daiwa brand loyalty I've never been disappointed by their workmanship or performance. Many, many of the reels I've owned over those many years are still in service either on my own rods, or as "gifts" given to new anglers.

[Beetlebz]

,I have been really pretty impressed with the current daiwa lineup. I have never given daiwa a second look until recently but now that I have I'm becoming a convert. Daiwa or shimano is where my money goes.

 

So look at it feature to feature. The lews has a carbon drag, I believe the fuego has felt. Does it matter in a bass reel? No, not really, but it's a data point lol moot or not! The daiwa has a thread on handle. Some people can feel a difference, some can't. I like the feel of it alot but I'll be the first to admit that you completely forget it's there 10 minutes into fishing. I haven't put my hands on the lews, just comparing features. And based on the features, it doesn't really matter as far as I can tell. It seems like everybody knows somebody that's had a bad experience with something... get which ever one you want and fish it. Any manufacturer can put out a bad reel and any one of those manufacturers is going to replace it. Period. You can't make a super bad choice here. 

 

[nighthawk25]

I know firsthand that Lew's has excellent customer service and I'm pretty sure Daiwa would too.

[MassYak85]

8 hours ago, nighthawk25 said:

I know firsthand that Lew's has excellent customer service and I'm pretty sure Daiwa would too.

x2, at similar price points I like my Diawa's a little more (baitcasters), but Lews' customer service has impressed me in the past. 

[optimator]

9 hours ago, nighthawk25 said:

I know firsthand that Lew's has excellent customer service and I'm pretty sure Daiwa would too.

 

1 hour ago, MassYak85 said:

x2, at similar price points I like my Diawa's a little more (baitcasters), but Lews' customer service has impressed me in the past. 

Just curious why you guys had to use Lew's customer service?

[CroakHunter]

15 minutes ago, optimator said:

 

Just curious why you guys had to use Lew's customer service?

I've had to call customer service because my top top guide insert came loose and I called them to get a replacement. It was a short and sweet phone call which resulted in a new top sent out to me arriving in 3 days with no payment from me

[Boomstick]

I could say buy the Daiwa because I'm admittedly a Daiwa fanboy, but on the other hand, I doubt the Lews is a bad reel either.

 

Edit: I got a Daiwa BG for $75 on Amazon, which would probably be the way I would go.

[new2BC4bass]

It would appear not many have used Lew's spinning reels.  I fall in that category.  Also fall into the Daiwa fan category.  

 

EDIT:  I have 14# Berkley Fireline to try based on suggestions from a couple members such as fishnkamp.  Also have 6# Fins Windtamer to try on a finesse reel.

[MassYak85]

2 hours ago, optimator said:

 

Just curious why you guys had to use Lew's customer service?

Completely my fault. I was learning to service my own reels and was disassembling the magnetic braking system. Not fully understanding how the dial worked I forced a piece out and it broke. I called them up to order a replacement piece, fully expecting to pay for the part and shipping, and they sent it for free priority mail no questions asked. They even sent the entire braking sub-assembly not just the part I needed. 

[optimator]

Just now, MassYak85 said:

Completely my fault. I was learning to service my own reels and was disassembling the magnetic braking system. Not fully understanding how the dial worked I forced a piece out and it broke. I called them up to order a replacement piece, fully expecting to pay for the part and shipping, and they sent it for free priority mail no questions asked. They even sent the entire braking sub-assembly not just the part I needed. 

Nice ?

[Yudo1]

I'm biased so take my advice with grain of salt. I narrow down my decision-making process to "should I get the daiwa or shimano?" It simplifies things a bit for me.

[Angry John]

You should get themy both and fish every day until you get your money's worth out of them.

[freelancer27]

I have made great customer service experience with both companies.  I think over time Daiwa has a bit the edge in continuous performance. 

[ratherbfishin1]

Lews for sure

[Columbia Craw]

Fuego LT.  Lews bait casters are the strong point of the brand. The spinning reels are not.  The LT series from Diawa are nice. 

[Gundog]

My opinion is you're getting a quality reel with either brand. I don't own either reels but have owned both brands in baitcasters and quality of both are excellent. I may be partial but I really like the Lew's baitcasters and would probably go with their spinning reel. 

[nighthawk25]

On ‎5‎/‎18‎/‎2018 at 9:45 PM, optimator said:

 

Just curious why you guys had to use Lew's customer service?

Bought a refurbished reel off eBay that was defective. They sent a replacement in no time.

[burrows]

Diawa no doubt way more superior in their spinning reels.