Lew's KVD LFS Baitcaster Review

[Koz]

My favorite baitcaster reel in my arsenal, my Lew's Mach II SLP just hasn't been cutting it for me lately. It's really sloppy putting line back on the spool despite cleaning and lubricating and I've been fed up with it. Also, when the matching Mach II rod broke Lew's was kind enough to replace it with a TP1X all purpose rod and while it's a nice rod, to me it seems better suited for topwater fishing and lacks the sensitivity I prefer.

 

So it was either that or the Bait Monkey got me and I drove the hour to Academy Sports in Athens today to pick up the new KVD baitcaster with the 6:2:1 gear ratio and the matching KVD rod. My current baitcasters are all in the 7:x:x ratio and I wanted to slow things down a bit for some baits and presentations. The store was a zoo today and Academy puts their rows together so tightly I felt claustrophobic when I picked up some new line and some baits. Then I had to wait 20 minutes to get the reel because there were three or four people in front of me purchasing guns.

 

I finally get the reel but there the matching KVD rod was now sold out. So instead I picked up a 7 foot Dobyns Fury 703C MH/F. I figured I couldn't go wrong with that choice even though it was $20 more than I wanted to spend. So I get back and spool the line with 30 pound Power Pro because they were out of my preferred 40 pound test.

 

Although the reel cost the same as my Mach II, the quality appears to be much better. It's all aluminum instead of mostly plastic, and the dark red finish is a nice change from all black or all white. But the thing I noticed right away was how free and smooth the spool turned without feeling any bumps, stops, or grinding.

 

Normally when I spool up braid I pass the line through the holes in the spool and tie it off, but the line would not feed through the holes. And this is where I made a mistake that came to bite me later. I tied the braid off around the spool instead of adding any backing and then tying off. Can anyone guess what happened later? The line spooled on better than the Mach II, but like the Mach II it gets "snaggy" when it gets to the sides of the spool.

 

Out at the lake I put on a 3/8 oz spinnerbait and set the brakes to 8 so as to be cautious when dialing it in. That spool was so free and smooth I imaged that if I set it at my normal 3 or 4 I'd end up with a huge bird's nest on my first cast. I set  the tension and the drag and started fishing away.

 

I'll say right away that I like this reel. It's very smooth and quiet and casts well. While it does not have the Winn Grips that I liked on my Mach II, they are a traditional shape with a tiny bit of texture and give. In other words, they aren't shiny, hard plastic that tends to slip out of your hands. I toosed a spinnerbait, some chatterbaits with trailers, a crankbait, a weightless Senko, and a beetle spin and it handled them all well. But I didn't even sniff a bite.

 

As for the new rod, half the anglers on BR probably have or used to have the Dobyns 703C. It's a great rod and extremely lightweight. Unlike my TP1X, the comfort level was exceptional paired with the KVD reel and probably more comfortable than my old favorite Mach II. The feedback I received back through the rod was exceptional. Unlike the TP1X I could easily differentiate rocks, hard bottom, sticks, logs, and debris. I fished for almost 2 hours but in that time I never felt like that combo was getting heavier as the afternoon progressed.

 

So I switched it up completely with an AdMob Jr A-rig, but loaded it with only three, 2" Storm Wild Eyed Shad. Almost immediately I got a strike, set the hook, and the line blew threw the drag, slacked, and the small bass surfaced and shook free. So now I'm a bit ticked because I know I set my drag and this little bass blew right through it. I checked the drag and the line pulled easily. So I cranked the drag all the way down and it still pulled through. Even ripping a bait caused line slippage. I'm wondering how this can happen on a reel with 20 pounds of drag.

 

Did you figure out my mistake? I maxed the drag, thumbed the line and cranked and sure enough it was the braid slipping on the spool. I've never encountered that, but when I got back in I read all about it. So I need to pull the braid off, add some mono or hybrid backing, and then finish off with the braid.

 

I can't compare the KVD baitcaster to a $200 or a $400 reel because I've never thrown one of those. I'm frugal. But compared to the same priced, $139 Mach II reel it blows it away. Every bit of it looks like superior quality and feels like superior quality. If you're like me and throw $100-$150 reels you'll be blown away. If you throw $400 you'll probably say, "Meh", but remember the price point.

 

We've all been there where we spend some money, try it out, but then feel disappointed because what we bought falls short of our expectations. Not in this case. I have zero "buyer's remorse." I made a good choice. Lew's and KVD have a winner here. It's no wonder they are so hard to find.

 

I'll post more on this reel in the next few weeks as I put it through it's paces.

 

 

 

 

[bulldog1935]

I'm pretty proud of my clean Allbright knots, here attaching fluoro to small braid on new Lew's SP.  The fluoro and knots fit flush in the spool groove.  

[ironbjorn]

I have 2 Lew's KVDs. I love them. They're smooth, far casters, and user friendly. 

 

I disagree that they're quiet though, but that doesn't make them loud either.

[NorthernBasser]

Nice write-up. I also got a new KVD to try out this year, but have yet to get the chance,

 

I didn't hate the knobs, but still decided to change them out to Winn knobs. Here's how they look on it if you're curious.

 

 

 

 

 

[Scott804]

Good to hear that the reels are good, 140 is a good price point. I really like the color of the rod/reel set and will pick up the 6.2 and the squarebill cranking rod whenever they get back in stock. 

[Koz]

34 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

I have 2 Lew's KVDs. I love them. They're smooth, far casters, and user friendly. 

 

I disagree that they're quiet though, but that doesn't make them loud either.

 Try throwing their Mach II or American Hero ?

[bulldog1935]

The only Lew's reel that has disappointed me is the Custom Inshore.  

Spool mass with the old centrifugal brake add-on is excessive, especially for the 1/8-oz niche where I wanted it, and I can't get flat line lay.  

Seems every other reel they offer at the same price point makes a better inshore reel.  

My Super Duty G is a workhorse in 1/4+-oz niche.  The mag brake also gives a clean spool with no mass added for brake, and best reel I have for casting into the wind.  

My favorite double knobs are these EVA from SDS that replaced the paddles on my Tourney Pro

[Failed Fisherman]

I just picked up the same reel and paired with a Fury 734. Only casting I've done with it is to my swimming pool, which has become a great practice area for me.

 

You can get the line through the holes -- they're just at a bit of an angle.

[Koz]

2 hours ago, Failed Fisherman said:

I just picked up the same reel and paired with a Fury 734. Only casting I've done with it is to my swimming pool, which has become a great practice area for me.

 

You can get the line through the holes -- they're just at a bit of an angle.

I'll give it another shot. It's probably easier with mono or flouro, but I could net get the braid to feed through.

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, Koz said:

I'll give it another shot. It's probably easier with mono or flouro, but I could net get the braid to feed through.

Keep your braid tied on the spool and place a 1/2" x 1/2" square piece of electrical tape over the line. Place another piece 180 degrees on the other side of the spool and yer done. It won't slip no mo.

[Koz]

10 hours ago, Failed Fisherman said:

I just picked up the same reel and paired with a Fury 734. Only casting I've done with it is to my swimming pool, which has become a great practice area for me.

 

You can get the line through the holes -- they're just at a bit of an angle.

I found some extra patience today and managed to thread it at the correct angle. Despite the normal sized holes you can see that part of the inner workings block most of the holes.

 

I managed to fish for about 30 minutes tonight but again without a strike. But at least the braid is no longer slipping and the drag can take effect. I really want to see how this setup is actually catching a bass and not just casting and cranking!

 

But I will say again, the pairing of this reel with the Dobyn's Fury is fantastic - lightweight and low profile and not a strain on the wrist, arm, or muscles. Perfect!

[Ghostshad]

Most likely Vandamn didn't have nothing to do with that reel besides put his name on it.I've heard on fishing shows like Pro Team journal where they were using baits with his name on the package & they said that they did the testing on the bait not Vandamn.  Vandamn KVD spinning rod i heard Gerald Swindle say that he did the work on that KVD spinning rod.This has nothing to do if you like his rod & his reels. You like it thats the important thing but your buying his name & thats all. I'm not buying something just because he puts his name on it.

[Koz]

1 hour ago, Ghostshad said:

Most likely Vandamn didn't have nothing to do with that reel besides put his name on it.I've heard on fishing shows like Pro Team journal where they were using baits with his name on the package & they said that they did the testing on the bait not Vandamn.  Vandamn KVD spinning rod i heard Gerald Swindle say that he did the work on that KVD spinning rod.This has nothing to do if you like his rod & his reels. You like it thats the important thing but your buying his name & thats all. I'm not buying something just because he puts his name on it.

I don't buy anything because someone's name is on it. I buy things that I consider to be quality in my price range.

 

However, I will not buy a product endorsed by someone that I don't respect.

[NYWayfarer]

On 3/14/2021 at 10:18 PM, NorthernBasser said:

Nice write-up. I also got a new KVD to try out this year, but have yet to get the chance,

 

I didn't hate the knobs, but still decided to change them out to Winn knobs. Here's how they look on it if you're curious.

 

 

 

 

 

That’s awesome. I am waiting though for Lew’s to release the knobs seen in this video. Those thinner Winn Grips on the Pro SP reel KVD is using are exactly what I want.

 

 

[Chet C]

i just purchased a new SLX XT, wonder how would compare to the new KVD reel

 

chet

[NorthernBasser]

13 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

That’s awesome. I am waiting though for Lew’s to release the knobs seen in this video. Those thinner Winn Grips on the Pro SP reel KVD is using are exactly what I want.

 

 

Ohh yeah, I like the look of those!

[Koz]

11 hours ago, Chet Cognigni said:

i just purchased a new SLX XT, wonder how would compare to the new KVD reel

 

chet

If someone would like to send me a free SLX XT I will gladly write up a comparison ???

[Ben77]

On 3/15/2021 at 8:26 AM, bulldog1935 said:

The only Lew's reel that has disappointed me is the Custom Inshore.  

Spool mass with the old centrifugal brake add-on is excessive, especially for the 1/8-oz niche where I wanted it, and I can't get flat line lay.  

Seems every other reel they offer at the same price point makes a better inshore reel.  

My Super Duty G is a workhorse in 1/4+-oz niche.  The mag brake also gives a clean spool with no mass added for brake, and best reel I have for casting into the wind.  

My favorite double knobs are these EVA from SDS that replaced the paddles on my Tourney Pro

The tournament pro is my favorite! Nice job on those knob's looks good!

[Koz]

Just a quick update:

 

I've had this reel for two weeks now and love it even more. I'm sure there's a lot to be said about $250+ reels that make them great and worth every penny, but I'm a budget angler and my comfort zone is spending $150 or less on a reel. By far this reel is THE best I have purchased. I'm so impressed that I'm going to go out and buy the 7:5:1 reel to go along with this 6:2:1.

 

While I'm at it, I also want to mention that I LOVE the Dobyns Fury 703C MHF that I paired this with. I'm late to the Dobyns party, but now I'm a huge fan. I'll pair that next KVD with another Dobyns. The sensitivity is great all around and it's lightweight, meaning I get less tired when using it.

 

My only regret is that the fishing here has been slow and I haven't caught much on this new combo. I've caught some 1 pound black crappie and a few bass under 1.5 pounds. As luck would have it, all the bass I have caught over 2 pounds are on my old gear.

 

If you're a budget angler like me, I suggest checking out the KVD reel and the Dobyns. You won't be disappointed.

[Derek1]

5 hours ago, Koz said:

Just a quick update:

 

I've had this reel for two weeks now and love it even more. I'm sure there's a lot to be said about $250+ reels that make them great and worth every penny, but I'm a budget angler and my comfort zone is spending $150 or less on a reel. By far this reel is THE best I have purchased. I'm so impressed that I'm going to go out and buy the 7:5:1 reel to go along with this 6:2:1.

 

While I'm at it, I also want to mention that I LOVE the Dobyns Fury 703C MHF that I paired this with. I'm late to the Dobyns party, but now I'm a huge fan. I'll pair that next KVD with another Dobyns. The sensitivity is great all around and it's lightweight, meaning I get less tired when using it.

 

My only regret is that the fishing here has been slow and I haven't caught much on this new combo. I've caught some 1 pound black crappie and a few bass under 1.5 pounds. As luck would have it, all the bass I have caught over 2 pounds are on my old gear.

 

If you're a budget angler like me, I suggest checking out the KVD reel and the Dobyns. You won't be disappointed.

Cool, glad you like them. It’s awesome when new gear is a win.