Baitcast reel? I have an Amazon card from work to spend

[the reel ess]

I got a $100 Amazon gift card to spend. I'm thinking I need another baitcast ree because 5 is not enough for one kayak. LOL. Actually, I'm replacing an older, heavy BPS Johnny Morris reel with a worn out cast control. It will probably be a topwater/trebles lure combo, coupled with an older 7' MH Falcon rod.

 

I was thinking of the Lews base LFS Speed Spool reel, which comes in at $94. I've had good experience with 3 of the discontinued Tourney MB reels. But there are some reviews that compare this base LFS reel poorly to the Shimano SLX. Does anyone have experience with the Shimano SLX? 

[MN Fisher]

Fuego CT - Amazon price under $90

[BigAngus752]

3 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Fuego CT - Amazon price under $90

^^^What he said^^^

[dodgeguy]

Lews LFS is awesome. Sportsmans outfitters has them for like 89 dollars.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, dodgeguy said:

Lews LFS is awesome. Sportsmans outfitters has them for like 89 dollars.

He has an Amazon gift card for this - can't spend those at SO.

[Bankc]

Daiwa Fuego CT.  The brakes alone make it a better reel than either the LFS or SLX.  And, you can often find it for around $90 (they pop up about once a month at those prices these days, so if you don't see any, wait a few weeks.  I just bought one last week on Amazon for that price.).  The SLX is a bit smaller, if that matters to you.  Otherwise, between the two, the choice really comes down to your preference between centrifugal or magnetic brakes.  Both are well made, budget reels.  I don't think you'd be disappointed with any of them.  But the braking system on the Fuego is just about as good as it gets, and in my opinion, is even better than a dual brake system.  Plus you keep the aluminum frame.  And it you can often find it for about $10 less.  All of that makes it hard to pass up.  

[the reel ess]

Thanks, guys. I placed the order for the Fuego CT for $89. It has been a while since I owned a Daiwa baitcaster. Should be here Saturday, just in time to use it Labor Day morning.

[MN Fisher]

31 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

I would advise against running a lot of "cast control" on that reel.  Use the magnetic brake and run 0 spool tension.

Ditto that - both my Fuegos have the spool tension set to leave just a bit of play side-to-side...so 0 tension. I do all my cast control on those with the brakes only.

[the reel ess]

1 hour ago, BaitFinesse said:

I would advise against running a lot of "cast control" on that reel.  Use the magnetic brake and run 0 spool tension.

Thanks

46 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Ditto that - both my Fuegos have the spool tension set to leave just a bit of play side-to-side...so 0 tension. I do all my cast control on those with the brakes only.

Thanks

[Nelson Delaney]

4 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

He has an Amazon gift card for this - can't spend those at SO.

Sportsman’s takes amazon pay. He could use it there 

[MN Fisher]

18 minutes ago, Nelson Delaney said:

Sportsman’s takes amazon pay. He could use it there 

Ya, except he has a gift card and...

"Amazon.com Gift Cards cannot be used as a payment method to place an order using Amazon Pay. "

https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Pay/b?ie=UTF8&node=19185228011

[the reel ess]

1 hour ago, Nelson Delaney said:

Sportsman’s takes amazon pay. He could use it there 

It was about the same price on Amazon.

[kayaking_kev]

I like the LFS platform, they palm really well, the Fuego and SLX are built better though. The Fuego weighs a bit more than the SLX, but the SLX has internal brakes only. Out of those 3 for techniques where you will be cranking, I would choose the lighter, better built reel, the SLX. There are also a lot of people selling SLX XT reels that would probably trade you that $100 gift card for it.

[the reel ess]

27 minutes ago, kayaking_kev said:

I like the LFS platform, they palm really well, the Fuego and SLX are built better though. The Fuego weighs a bit more than the SLX, but the SLX has internal brakes only. Out of those 3 for techniques where you will be cranking, I would choose the lighter, better built reel, the SLX. There are also a lot of people selling SLX XT reels that would probably trade you that $100 gift card for it.

Thanks. I already ordered the Fuego CT. I know the Lew's reels are good. I have three of the Tournament MB reels. But those were $130 reels. 

[kayaking_kev]

28 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

Thanks. I already ordered the Fuego CT. I know the Lew's reels are good. I have three of the Tournament MB reels. But those were $130 reels. 

The Fuego will look good on that rod. I had two MB's that I got I think for $80 each on sale, a Fuego, and a SLX, but I sold them all. I regret selling the Fuego and MB's sometimes, but not the SLX, I still have the SLX XT, SLX DC, and SLX MGL 70.

 

[the reel ess]

16 minutes ago, kayaking_kev said:

The Fuego will look good on that rod. I had two MB's that I got I think for $80 each on sale, a Fuego, and a SLX, but I sold them all. I regret selling the Fuego and MB's sometimes, but not the SLX, I still have the SLX XT, SLX DC, and SLX MGL 70.

 

All three of the MB's are working like new. I'm frugal. I keep reels forever unless they quit working. The reel I want to replace I bought off eBay used for $50 probably 12 years ago. I just retired a Daiwa from the early 80's a few years ago. I got it for Christmas when I was about 13. 

[PhishLI]

6 hours ago, the reel ess said:

Thanks, guys. I placed the order for the Fuego CT for $89. It has been a while since I owned a Daiwa baitcaster. Should be here Saturday, just in time to use it Labor Day morning.

If you don't plan on removing, cleaning, and oiling the spool bearings, try to get few drops of oil on the bearing in the sideplate and under the spool tension knob. Aim it between the inner race and the shield. It'll get in there. It's easier to remove and replace the spool tension cap with the handle removed, but it's doable with the handle in place. Just be careful when threading it back on if you go that route. Anyway, the oil will cut the grease that's in the spool bearings and the reel will behave better right off the bat.

[Smalls]

If you can swing the extra $30, I highly suggest the SLX XT. It's an all around fantastic reel. I like my wife's SLX, but my XT's are worth every penny of the price difference. 

If you can't, the base is a really nice reel in that $100 range. 

[the reel ess]

10 hours ago, Smalls said:

If you can swing the extra $30, I highly suggest the SLX XT. It's an all around fantastic reel. I like my wife's SLX, but my XT's are worth every penny of the price difference. 

If you can't, the base is a really nice reel in that $100 range. 

Thanks. I already bought the Fuego CT. It should be here in time to fish with it Monday.

[Hammer 4]

21 hours ago, PhishLI said:

If you don't plan on removing, cleaning, and oiling the spool bearings, try to get few drops of oil on the bearing in the sideplate and under the spool tension knob. Aim it between the inner race and the shield. It'll get in there. It's easier to remove and replace the spool tension cap with the handle removed, but it's doable with the handle in place. Just be careful when threading it back on if you go that route. Anyway, the oil will cut the grease that's in the spool bearings and the reel will behave better right off the bat.

He could get lucky, and get a really good smooth Fuego like I did, spun up great right out of the box.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Hammer 4 said:

He could get lucky, and get a really good smooth Fuego like I did, spun up great right out of the box.

I'm running 50-50 - one spun up perfectly, the other needed a good cleaning/re-lube.

[Hammer 4]

4 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

Handle spin free sping has nothing to do with smoothness.  Smoothness is smoothness.  It is the absence of any mechanical feedback when turning the handle under load.  No vibrations.  Not ticks.  No gritty feelings.  Nothing.  As if the drag is backed all the way off.

I'm talking about how the spool spins, i.e. good long cast's, and being smooth during the retrieve..Spinning the handle isn't a sign that a reel will be smooth.

[the reel ess]

It came a day early so I can use it tomorrow!