Looking for Lew's deep crank reel advice

[pauldconyers]

I'm thinking about getting a new deep crankbait reel, something to primarily throw 5 & 6 XD's and such. I have a 7'10" Tour KVD rod to pair it up and I am thinking 10/12 FC. I've got my eye on a couple of different Lew's models but I am swimming in reviews and YouTube videos trying to figure out which model to go with. I know a lot of you guys have fished Lew's for years and since a few of the models I am looking at are a few years old now I was hoping some of you guys could give me some advice and personal experience here. Here is the criteria I am looking at:

 

Metal frame
5.x:1 gear ratio (IPT 21" to 25")
Big enough spool
Probably 95 mm handles
brass gears
casts a mile

 

Also I am not SUPER particular on the braking system but I am kind of leaning towards something that has some sort of exterior control

 

I am kind of looking at these models:

 

BB1 (this has long been a popular model but the lack of exterior brake is kind of a pain)
BB1 pro
Tournament MB (really looking at this as they make it in a 5.6:1 but while I have certainly heard of this rod being popular I have not heard much about people using it as a deep crank reel)

 

Just hoping to get some advice, recomendations or things to considered as I know a lot of you guys swear by your Lew's!

[mc6524]

_{I have several Lews tournament MB reels and love them.  For me, they are a utility reel that can handle any type of fishing.}

 

_{I woule also suggest you don’t worry about having a big spool.  I put backing line on all of my reels with only 75-100 yards of main line.  All baitcast reels work better if they are full of line, and in reality if you don’t put backing line on the reel you are wasting a lot of line and money.  I just use an inexpensive mono as backing for my fluro line, or even my braid line on my spinning reels.}

[FLAGATOR49]

BB1 Pro or the BB1 Original, the bigger spool gives you more casting distance.

 

David Fritz uses the 5 speed BB1 original with no anti-reverse but for the BB1 pro (external control) you'll have to settle for a 6 speed. I bet Lew's could put a 5 speed pinon gear on a BB1 pro for you if you pay them and send it in.  

[NYWayfarer]

I would go with the Tournament MB I have the 5.x:1 gear ratio (IPT 21" to 25") model and it has a deep V spool. It is my deep cranking reel of choice. With the clearance sales going you can get one at a great price.

 

It has dual brakes. Magnetic control on the outside, 4 pin centrifugal system on the inside. I set my internals at 2 on 2 off and forget them. I adjust the mag brakes as needed.

[pauldconyers]

51 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

I would go with the Tournament MB I have the 5.x:1 gear ratio (IPT 21" to 25") model and it has a deep V spool. It is my deep cranking reel of choice. With the clearance sales going you can get one at a great price.

 

It has dual brakes. Magnetic control on the outside, 4 pin centrifugal system on the inside. I set my internals at 2 on 2 off and forget them. I adjust the mag brakes as needed.

Yeah, that was kind of how I envisioned setting the brake on a model like this. I guess I mentally was kind of thinking it was best to get a reel that was sort of "known" as being great at deep cranking, and the BB1 certainly has that reputation. It just looks like a lot of the features I am wanting come in the Tournament MB and maybe that is the route to go for me. I know this is a great all around reel but even though it comes in a 5 speed I had not heard a lot of people using it for a deep crank reel so your (or anyone else) perspective would be great! I really look for rocket casts and a feeling of power/stability out of a reel for this application. Does this fit the bill?

[NYWayfarer]

Stability and durability is what I think of when I think of the Tournament MB. It was my first Lew’s baitcaster and it is still going strong.

 

“Rocket casts” will depend on the lure weight and the rod you pair the reel with. I can cast a Berkley Dredger pretty far with my setup. 

[dodgeguy]

Lews Dual brake system will cast deep diving cranks really far. The tournament MB is a great reel. You might also want look at its updated version the MP.

[WRB]

3 hours ago, mc6524 said:

_{I have several Lews tournament MB reels and love them.  For me, they are a utility reel that can handle any type of fishing.}

 

_{I woule also suggest you don’t worry about having a big spool.  I put backing line on all of my reels with only 75-100 yards of main line.  All baitcast reels work better if they are full of line, and in reality if you don’t put backing line on the reel you are wasting a lot of line and money.  I just use an inexpensive mono as backing for my fluro line, or even my braid line on my spinning reels.}

Cranking reel spool size isn't about the line capacity it's about the spool diameter and width. Smaller diameter narrow light weight spools casts better however the IPT is reduced radically to about 50% after a 40 to 50 yard cast and increasing as you retrieve line.

Tom

[Vilas15]

37 minutes ago, WRB said:

Cranking reel spool size isn't about the line capacity it's about the spool diameter and width. Smaller diameter narrow light weight spools casts better however the IPT is reduced radically to about 50% after a 40 to 50 yard cast and increasing as you retrieve line.

Tom

Lews super duty wide spool is another good option for this reason. Not sure exactly how big it is but I think its about a 200 size since there is a 300 size super duty.

[pauldconyers]

2 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

Stability and durability is what I think of when I think of the Tournament MB. It was my first Lew’s baitcaster and it is still going strong.

 

“Rocket casts” will depend on the lure weight and the rod you pair the reel with. I can cast a Berkley Dredger pretty far with my setup. 

While it has an aluminum frame it looks like it has graphite side plates. Unfortunately none of the stores around here still have this model in store for me to hold and play with so I would have to buy it blind off the net. Some reels designed like this feel a little "hollow" and lack a feeling of strength and stability. I'd think if there were it would only be amplified by big crank baits that put off a lot of vibration. NOT so with this design/model, though?

[dodgeguy]

You might want to look at Lews super duty wide speed spool. 95 mm handle 14 lbs drag. Handle side aluminum sleep plate. High capacity spool. Brass gears. 5.1 ratio. Doesn't get much more classic cranking reel than that.

 

[mc6524]

On 1/5/2020 at 11:30 AM, WRB said:

Cranking reel spool size isn't about the line capacity it's about the spool diameter and width. Smaller diameter narrow light weight spools casts better however the IPT is reduced radically to about 50% after a 40 to 50 yard cast and increasing as you retrieve line.

Tom

Actually, casting distance is a combination of spool weight and resistance which relates to the reel’s bearings.  The point of having the spool full relates to the circumferance of the spool with full line.  There is a greate amount of line coming off of the spool with each spool rotation with it full.

[WRB]

IPT has nothing to do with the reels casting performance and everything to do with lure retrieve speed. My point is narrow small diameter spool reduces line capacity radically after casting off 50% of the line. When you start the retrieve with 1/2 full spool the IPT is reduced due to the reduced circumference.

The cast line reels hold line, both work together to achieve long cast.

Tom

14 minutes ago, mc6524 said:

Actually, casting distance is a combination of spool weight and resistance which relates to the reel’s bearings.  The point of having the spool full relates to the circumferance of the spool with full line.  There is a greate amount of line coming off of the spool with each spool rotation with it full.

Agree