shimano slx vs lews mach crush

[niiickboy]

i’m getting my first baitcaster... which combo would be better? i want a overall workhorse reel... i will be mostly fishing t rigs and occasionally jerkbaits/cranks/chatterbait/spinner bait 

since both would be around the same price range with the slx rod and reel or the lews mach crush combo which is better for durability and performance? also is the lews mach 2 better than both of these for its slightly cheaper price point? 

[Tizi]

I have several SLX reels and have been very happy with them.  I can't comment on the Lew's since I don't have that model.  I have a Lew's Tournament MB which has been very good.

[niiickboy]

do you think the slx xt is worth the extra 30? or the slx is good in itself 

i’m between the slx/slx xt/ mach 2/ crush any advice or opinions over one or the other will be appreciated 

[dodgeguy]

I'm a Lews fan and would tell you don't buy the crush. The reason is it's not an aluminum frame. Go with an LFS for 99 or step up to an MP. You can get a tournament pro for 139nat sportsmans outfitters.

[niiickboy]

would you recommend LFS or SLX at the 99 price range? 

[Tizi]

the 10% applies to everything I believe, I know it works for the SLX combo.

[Log Catcher]

I would go with the SLX instead of the Crush. Like @dodgeguy said the SLX has the aluminum frame and the Crush is graphite.

[dodgeguy]

  On 8/22/2020 at 10:56 PM, niiickboy said:

would you recommend LFS or SLX at the 99 price range? 

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LFS .Can be bought at Sportsmans outfitters or other places for 85 to 88.

[niiickboy]

true that the slx combo is a steal plus the 10% off, but anyone have the slx and slx xt? i want to know if the xt combo is worth it.

also is aluminum that much better? 

[Bird]

SLX over the Crush anyday. 

LFS is one of my favorite under $100 casters I've owned. 

[niiickboy]

okay so definitely gonna choose an slx now. the question now is SLX or SLX XT... once i get some input on both i will decide and wait until the rods are in stock .. also anyone know the spec difference between the two hard to find on their website besides the external brake control

[Luke Barnes]

SLX XT all the way!! No doubt about it. Aluminum frame as mentioned, awesome rod, and smooth as can be. I have one in 7'2 H/F and and 8.2-1 reel for frogging amd jigging. I love it beyond measure and want to replace my Lews and Abu setups with SLX ones. 

[niiickboy]

  On 8/23/2020 at 4:28 PM, Luke Barnes said:

SLX XT all the way!! No doubt about it. Aluminum frame as mentioned, awesome rod, and smooth as can be. I have one in 7'2 H/F and and 8.2-1 reel for frogging amd jigging. I love it beyond measure and want to replace my Lews and Abu setups with SLX ones. 

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would a 7.2:1 and 7’2 MH be good as a versatile baitcaster... i’m gonna be throwing a little bit of everything but mostly T rigs like trick worms, flukes and etc 

[Str8BraidPowa]

I have two DCs, two XT's and three plain SLXs in all three gear ratios. I would pick the SLX over the XT looking back on it now. However if I was gonna pony up in the $200 price range for a combo I would step up to the DC. 

[Luke Barnes]

  On 8/24/2020 at 1:07 AM, niiickboy said:

would a 7.2:1 and 7’2 MH be good as a versatile baitcaster... i’m gonna be throwing a little bit of everything but mostly T rigs like trick worms, flukes and etc 

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That would be a very versatile setup. I would love to have that combo myself!!

[niiickboy]

  On 8/24/2020 at 11:21 AM, Str8BraidPowa said:

I have two DCs, two XT's and three plain SLXs in all three gear ratios. I would pick the SLX over the XT looking back on it now. However if I was gonna pony up in the $200 price range for a combo I would step up to the DC. American legacy had the DC SLX combo at 220 the last time I looked. This is the by far best bang for the buck.

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why would you pick the slx over the xt? i’ve heard only a few people say that

[Str8BraidPowa]

  On 8/25/2020 at 1:27 PM, niiickboy said:

why would you pick the slx over the xt? i’ve heard only a few people say that

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I find the six adjustable brakes in the SLX (opposed to the four brakes + infinity system of the XT) to be enough braking adjustment to throw 95% of baits, and for the other 5% I would step up to the DC. I have interchanged all three models on everything from a 7' medium to a 7'11" heavy flipping stick and about every thing in between. I would be fine with the SLX on any of those except the aforementioned 7' Medium rod I use for lighter baits, and my 7'4" heavy frog rod The DC model makes frogging somewhat easier. Below is a list of what I have tried them on. Each is own, this is just my experience. You wont be disappointed either way.

 

7'2" MHEF SLX / T-rig / spinners / buzzbaits

7'11" HF SLX / Flipping Stick

7'10" HF Bass X / Light swim baits

7'4" MHMF Bass X / whopper ploppers, treble hook baits

7'4" HF Bass X / frog rod (prefer the DC here)

7'MF St. Croix Premier / Sm. spinners, square bills, jerk baits (prefer the DC here)

765 Flip Dobyns Fury / Light flipping and jigs, large T-rigs, Swing head jigs

 

 

 

[niiickboy]

So as your saying i dont really need the slx even for lighter stuff like t rig worms and flukes? I mean im fine with saving a few bucks and spending it elsewhere like on lures and weights lol

[Str8BraidPowa]

I am saying the XT is a waste of $30, I would go with the SLX (works everywhere) or the SLX DC if I wanted to step up (I.E. my frog rod or light weight rod) 

[niiickboy]

it’s only 18 more on AL that’s like the only reason i’m considering... i wouldn’t pay 30 more just for that tiny feature, but i get what you mean 

  On 8/25/2020 at 6:28 PM, Str8BraidPowa said:

I am saying the XT is a waste of $30, I would go with the SLX (works everywhere) or the SLX DC if I wanted to step up (I.E. my frog rod or light weight rod) 

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