Lew’s baitcaster— can’t remove spool

[Sodaksam]

Hello, ice is finally giving up.  I’m cleaning and lubing all my baitcasters.  I can’t get the spool out of my Lew’s reel.  Can’t remember the name. It cost about $120 2 yrs ago.  lFS I think. Speedspool.  I think I pull the spring loaded pin on the right side of the reel and the side plate should pop off like other reels. Ive watched YouTube videos. There’s pop right off.  Mine doesn’t. Any thoughts?  Thanks.  Kinda sad, my son had the the wave runner out on the half iced covered lake before I got the boat out. Stay healthy!

[Log Catcher]

On my Lews reels you have to pull the pin on the right side and twist up on the side plate on the left side. When you put it back on have the side plate raised up and twist it down in to place and the pin will lock it in.

[Sodaksam]

Thanks, I’ll give it a shot.

[Sodaksam]

It worked. Thought I did the same move before, but it worked like a charm just now. Thanks

[papajoe222]

Pull pin and twist side plate up (clockwise) then pull outward. Reverse steps to replace it. I was a little late with this response.  Glad to hear you figured it out.  Now get out there and do something about that wave runner!

[Sodaksam]

I hated those for years.  He and buddies have wave runner fishing tournaments now.  They bungee cord a cooler on the back for live wells.  They are annoying, but I don’t have to pull tubers anymore.