Lews

[Mobasser]

My grandson got me started on Lews reels. Two years ago, Aiden bought a Lews G Spin at Academy for 39.95. I was impressed by the feel of this reel for the cost, so, I bought a Lews LFS casting reel. It's been a very good bass reel. Not too heavy, good casting distance, easy to set up, and smooth feel.                               This spring I picked up the black Lews Speed spin spinning reel. Some things I've noticed about Lews spin reels are that even the less expensive models have a thick bail wire, and all still have an AR switch , if you prefer one.                                            They have a little different " feel" than Shimanos I've used, but they're smooth, have a wide drag adjustment, and good line lay on the spool. As for the Lews LFS casting reel, I'm convinced its one of the best reels you can buy for around 100.00 dollars.                    It has just enoupgh features to make it work well, which makes it easy to dial in.                   So far, I've enjoyed fishing these reels. I'll be sticking with them for a while. For the Lews reels folks here, what models are you using, and are you happy with them? I think they're a great value for the dollar.

[Bass90]

I’ve owned two lews reels and wouldn’t buy them again. I have a tournament MB which is ok. It doesn’t cast light baits very well and the handle is too small in my opinion. I had an LFS speed spool that didn’t last one year. I’ll stick with shimano 

[jeffo21]

I have 2 LFS's 2 tournament MB's and 2 tournament Pro's love all of them never had any issues with any of them. I send them to lews and get them cleaned and serviced. mine are quiet and smooth 

[Catt]

Without a doubt the LFS is in my opinion the best $100 reel on the market. 

 

I have 3 LFS & a tournament MB & MP

 

As far casting light weights, my MB is on a Powell Inferno 703C & I'm throwing Wacky Rigged Trick Worms with it.

 

[NavyVet1204]

I only have two lews reels. A tournament SLP and my wife’s Mach Crush combo. Both are very good reels and have been worth the money. My SLP is very noisy on the cast and the retrieve but is very reliable and consistent. The noise sounds very gear related even though I keep them lubed. The Mach Crush is an amazing setup both rod and reel.

[galyonj]

I like my Lew's reels. I wish they'd etch or mold the numbers into the brake dial on the LFS reels instead of screen printing them. All the numbers are wore off mine because of the way I'm constantly rubbing on the dial when I palm the reel.

 

My MB took a little doing to get it dialed in -- almost certainly user error -- but once I got the brakes and tension set where I like, I've not really had to touch it since.

 

Noisy gearing on all of them now that they've got a few fish on them, though. I'm used to it now, and I've never felt a catch or a rough spot when I'm turning the handle, so I just don't worry about it.

 

I do have an American Hero casting reel that's got a weird issue. Every so often, on a hard cast, the clutch cam will trip the thumb bar back up into battery, causing an awful stripping/chattering noise as everything beats against itself. Feels and sounds like you'd imagine it does when a car's thrown into park while it's still moving at a pretty decent clip. That's the only reel I don't trust anymore, and it lives in the back of the closet now.

[Lead Head]

I have a 8.1.1 tournament mb that has absolutely been through the ringer. I use it for frogs and have no complaints. It is by far my longest casting reel. I've never measured it but with 50lb braid I can cast at least half the spool, its farther than I can get a reliable hookset with a frog. Its seen over 5 years of hard use (I never even serviced it until 2 years ago) and is still going strong. 

[bulldog1935]

I have 3 Lew's low profile reels, two LPS and one SLP (SP).  

Each reel is dialed into its niche just right.  The Super Duty (without P2 pinion) is the oldest, and has worked hardest.  

My drives are silky, and all work pretty hard, so I've never understood the noisy gears thing that many of you have reported.  

  

[K1500]

My American hero reels do the same thing, and it’s really annoying. Also, the mag dial numbers all wear off with a week or two of buying the reel. 

5 hours ago, galyonj said:

I like my Lew's reels. I wish they'd etch or mold the numbers into the brake dial on the LFS reels instead of screen printing them. All the numbers are wore off mine because of the way I'm constantly rubbing on the dial when I palm the reel.

 

My MB took a little doing to get it dialed in -- almost certainly user error -- but once I got the brakes and tension set where I like, I've not really had to touch it since.

 

Noisy gearing on all of them now that they've got a few fish on them, though. I'm used to it now, and I've never felt a catch or a rough spot when I'm turning the handle, so I just don't worry about it.

 

I do have an American Hero casting reel that's got a weird issue. Every so often, on a hard cast, the clutch cam will trip the thumb bar back up into battery, causing an awful stripping/chattering noise as everything beats against itself. Feels and sounds like you'd imagine it does when a car's thrown into park while it's still moving at a pretty decent clip. That's the only reel I don't trust anymore, and it lives in the back of the closet now.

 

[galyonj]

3 minutes ago, K1500 said:

My American hero reels do the same thing, and it’s really annoying.

 

For real. That is never a sound you want to hear a piece of machinery make.

[K1500]

I have generally been pleased with the mid range lews that I have (mach 2, etc). I have two American hero combos and they are low end for sure. I still use them but curse them when I do. 

[suzuki2903]

Lews is definitely a good brand and makes quality rods and reels ! But like any brand, you get what you pay for ! The best thing with Lews is their customer service ! Call them with a issue and they will take care of you ! Try that with shimano....        I have three pro ti bait casters and like them better then my curado dc or daiwa sv tw reels! Also have a mach 2 and severs other mid range Lews reels, broke one reel seat and called Lews, Less then a week later I had all the parts needed to fix it at no charge and out of warranty! 

[NYWayfarer]

I have a lot of Lew’s baitcasters and spinning reels.

 

In my opinion if you stick with their aluminum framed Baitcasters in the $100 plus range you are getting a good value for your buck. Especially the newer models that have the P2 pinion bearing.

 

Here is my honest opinions based on experience with these reels:

 

Baitcasters

 

LFS: Solid workhorse reel, casts great and is reliable.

 

Tournament MB: Same as the LFS but dual brakes

 

Mach 1, Mach 2 and Mach Crush: Graphite framed reels with nice paint jobs and Winn Grip knobs that drive the price up, stick with the LFS and save some coin. My Mach 2 and Crush do the same thing as @galyonj American Hero reel. Not a sound you want to ever hear. None of my aluminum framed Lew’s reels make this noise. 

 

Pro TI: Lew’s flagship reel. Light, casts like a dream, titanium coating is bulletproof. The reel looks like a work of art. The brakes are the best I have ever used. Very quiet reel.

 

Spinning

 

Mach 2 and Mach Crush: Aluminum framed mean they are a bit heavy but solid. I have been using mine for about 4 years now with no issues and little maintenance 

 

Carbon Fire Dick’s exclusive: Same as the Mach 2, less bearings and cheaper on your wallet, just as solid a performer.

 

Speed Spin: Graphite frame but still on the heavy side. It reminds me of the old Pflueger President reels. A great reel at a great price. Silver, gray and black colors match almost any rod. I like the 20 size reel so much I bought the size 30 combo and a 10 size as well.

 

Custom Pro: Lew’s flagship spinning reel. Aluminum frame and heavy. It is smooth and solid dependable reel. Good looking reel.

 

New for me this year are the LFS Inshore baitcaster and the Blair Wiggins Inshore spinning reel. 

 

 

 

[RDB]

I only have 2 Lew’s reels and both are BB-1 Pro’s.  Overall, I prefer Shimano and Diawa but the BB-1 is still my preferred cranking reel.

[David Austin]

I love my tournament pro speed spool lfs reel.

[Log Catcher]

I have several Lew's reels. I have  a BB1 and two Tournament MBs. The only problem is one of the MB reels gets noisier and a tighter feel to than it should have. I bought a Tournament MP and another BB1 during the Christmas sales. I haven't used the MP yet and the BB1 I put away for a backup when needed.

 

I don't even use the magnetic brakes on mine as it didn't seem like they were doing anything anyway.

 

I bought two Lew's Carbon Fire spinning reels last year from DSG. They are a DSG exclusive. So far they have been okay.