Vintage Lews BB1NG vs new models

[mheichelbech]

I recall how popular the old Lews Speed Spool BB1NG reels were back in the 90s, especially for crankbaiting.  A lot of anglers said it was more sensitive for feeling the hits, especially as the reels got some age on them and were "broken in".  I feel like I am starting to get that extra level of sensitivity with an old Shimano Chronarch I have.  The reel definitely has a lot of miles and fish on it.  I noticed yesterday using it while throwing a Keitech paddle tail swim bait, the fish we biting super light after that killer cold front blew through Sunday night, it just seemed like I could feel the fish sucking it in through the reel.

 

Has anyone else had experiences like this with older, broken in reels?  

 

Also, I am wondering how the old BB1NGs compare to the newer models.  I've been thinking about getting one of the old models to throw crankbaits and/or chatter baits with.

[WRB]

The 1st BB1's were introduced in 1973 and the 1st low profile baitcasting reel.

Shimano made the 1st BB1 reels that were heavy and stayed the same for decades. 

When Shimano came out with thier version Bantum 100 under license for Childre the Bantum was much lighter, smaller with improved design. Ryobi continued making the original BB1 design into the 90's  until the patent ran out.

Difference between vintage BB1 is lighter weight, improved design and drags. The original was a bullet proof reel, a work horse. I retired mine when the Bantum 100 & 1000 came out and never owned another Lew's reel since.

Tom

[mheichelbech]

1 minute ago, WRB said:

The 1st BB1's were introduced in 1973 and the 1st low profile baitcasting reel.

Shimano made the 1st BB1 reels that were heavy and stayed the same for decades. 

When Shimano came out with thier version Bantum 100 under license for Childre the Bantum was much lighter, smaller with improved design. Royobi continued making the original BB1 design into the 90's.

Difference between vintage BB1 is lighter weight, improved design and drags. The original was a bullet proof reel, a work horse. I retired mine when the Bantum 100 & 1000 came out and never owned another Lew's reel since.

Tom

Interesting, I never knew they were made by Ryobi.  So Lew Childre never made the reels?  I guess I was a bit off on my timeline, I think it was the early 2000's when they were so popular for crankbaiting, it was David Fritts I believe who helped make them so popular when he was burning it up on deep crankbaits.

 

I was like you...using the Shimano Bantams.  Wish I still had all those old reels...kind of like an old pair of Levis, not worth anything but fun to think about the old days with them.

[CountryboyinDC]

Definitely before my time, but I've read that they were also the first with a disengaging levelwind.

I do think that anglers liked them for cranking due to their slow retrieve, the distance between the spool and the line guide (casting distance), and them not having an anti-reverse.  The last feature is the only one that I can imagine making any difference in the ability to feel what a crankbait was doing.  I still use what Lews calls a BB1, but it's mainly because it's smooth, simple, and slow.  I don't know what could be causing more sensitivity in your case, maybe the gears have worn to a well meshed-together state?  I'm just guessing, I can't come up with a better rationale.

[mheichelbech]

3 minutes ago, CountryboyinDC said:

Definitely before my time, but I've read that they were also the first with a disengaging levelwind.

I do think that anglers liked them for cranking due to their slow retrieve, the distance between the spool and the line guide (casting distance), and them not having an anti-reverse.  The last feature is the only one that I can imagine making any difference in the ability to feel what a crankbait was doing.  I still use what Lews calls a BB1, but it's mainly because it's smooth, simple, and slow.  I don't know what could be causing more sensitivity in your case, maybe the gears have worn to a well meshed-together state?  I'm just guessing, I can't come up with a better rationale.

Yea, regarding the feel, I have no idea....I just know that fishing it this year, it does seem to be sensitive which is something I never associated with a reel.  It is by far the oldest reel I have.  It's the old "original" Chronarch, I think you can get them for about $70 on eBay now.  Been a great reel, never had a bit of trouble out of it except for the level wind screw cracked and had to be replaced once.

[WRB]

The older vintage reels with brass gears needed some TLC to quite the gears down. We used Colgate tooth paste to lap the gears smooth using a drill motor to spin the drive shaft. The anti reverse bearings were a big game changer in the early 90's followed by good drags we have today.

Tom

[Columbia Craw]

Comparing the two generations is like comparing a 1963 Chev 327 to the new 350 Vortec.  The both work work great.  One is much simpler in design.

[CountryboyinDC]

So the gears finally getting mated up well sounds like a reasonable explanation.  @WRB is definitely good at remembering relevant facts about bass fishing history.  I like to read about improvisation of the time - who would of thought that Colgate was the preferred lapping compound of the era.  I'm not one to hate technology, I've tried some reels from the BB1/OG Chronarch era and some saltwater reels from before.  The stuff we have today is pretty amazing looking back. 

[mheichelbech]

3 hours ago, CountryboyinDC said:

So the gears finally getting mated up well sounds like a reasonable explanation.  @WRB is definitely good at remembering relevant facts about bass fishing history.  I like to read about improvisation of the time - who would of thought that Colgate was the preferred lapping compound of the era.  I'm not one to hate technology, I've tried some reels from the BB1/OG Chronarch era and some saltwater reels from before.  The stuff we have today is pretty amazing looking back. 

I agree, always enjoy reading about the “inside” history on things like this.  What is always surprising to me is how things are not made by who you think they are.  Batteries and appliances pretty much all made by just a few companies from what I understand.

[rangerjockey]

Lew's never made rods or reels. As was said the reels were made by Shimano and Ryobi and I believe there was a third.

After Lew Childre was killed in a plane crash and the company was sold and I think Zebco also used the name for awhile.

The Lew's were a lower profile back in the day but I don't think they were ever as popular as the Abu's.

Guys liked them for cranking because as I recall they didn't have anti reverse so there was some slack in them when a fish would take the bait. How much difference that really made is open to argument.

The stuff today is Lew's in name only.

 

[Big-Bass]

3 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

Lew's never made rods or reels. As was said the reels were made by Shimano and Ryobi and I believe there was a third.

After Lew Childre was killed in a plane crash and the company was sold and I think Zebco also used the name for awhile.

The Lew's were a lower profile back in the day but I don't think they were ever as popular as the Abu's.

Guys liked them for cranking because as I recall they didn't have anti reverse so there was some slack in them when a fish would take the bait. How much difference that really made is open to argument.

The stuff today is Lew's in name only.

 

Was Lew killed?  I thought his son Casey was?  I have a basically new BB1N that is in stellar shape and smooth as butter.  Innovative reels for sure.

[mheichelbech]

That is sad to hear about it.  I always thought those old BB1Ns and NGs were cool looking reels.  They were different than anything on the market.  
 

I remember talking to guys that would hook up drills to the handle somehow, to get it to spin a lot of revolutions to break them in.  They clearly thought the more worn the reel was, the more sensitive it was for moving baits.  Could be it was just a confidence deal..who knows.

[rangerjockey]

Yes , He was killed in the late 70's  maybe 77 or 78 I'm not positive. My Dad fished the rods, they were pretty light for glass back in the day. I believe they were made by Fuji.

I still have one of the Tennessee handle spinning rods and a spinning reel..

It looks like a cross between a old Abu Cardinal and a Shimano.. I'm guessing made by Shimano.

If you ever get down this way Lew's headquarters has a really good tackle shop and a Museum in the same building that has a lot of bass fishing history in it.