Shimano vs. Lew's Reels

[Cody28]

45 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Different applications. If you're interested in any given model go to TW and read the product description.

I don’t believe they’re as different in application as you think. The MGL spool is made for pitching/flipping/target casting just as much as it is for light baits according to videos I’ve seen from Shimano reps. 

[dodgeguy]

Lews Pro slp 169.99 @ sportsmans Outfitters

[PhishLI]

1 minute ago, Cody28 said:

I don’t believe they’re as different in application as you think. The MGL spool is made for pitching/flipping/target casting just as much as it is for light baits according to videos I’ve seen from Shimano reps. 

Ignore reps. I've actually fished with one long term, so I know what it can do and how it behaves. It also holds quite a bit more line than the Pro SP.  The SP's spool is super shallow, so it's not a great choice for long casting with much more than thinner lines. The SP's spool is 2.5 grams lighter than the MGL and it's actually BFS capable. The SLX isn't. In addition, SVS isn't great for very light weights or Shimano would use it in their BFS reels, but they don't. They use magnetic FTB instead. SVS is touchy here. 

 

The SLX MGL is the best reel in that series, but several in my orbit got geary feeling rather quickly. My 2020 Lew's Tournament Pro LFS also has a 10 gram spool, but it's 150 size, so you have all the line you'll ever need. Plus, you'll never have to open the side plate to adjust brake blocks. The Quantum Vapor PT shares the same spool weight and line cap as the TP Pro and also has externally adjustable Centrifugal brakes. Oops! I meant "friction brakes". Sorry @QED! Also, both of these reels have a fully supported pinion, and neither has gotten geary fishing tough waters with good fish.

 

But hey, buy what you want and find out for yourself. I've already posted a pile of Shimano reel boxes in this thread, so I'm not against the SLX. I'm just kickin' it real, broski. 

[Cody28]

31 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Ignore reps. I've actually fished with one long term, so I know what it can do and how it behaves. It also holds quite a bit more line than the Pro SP.  The SP's spool is super shallow, so it's not a great choice for long casting with much more than thinner lines. The SP's spool is 2.5 grams lighter than the MGL and it's actually BFS capable. The SLX isn't. In addition, SVS isn't great for very light weights or Shimano would use it in their BFS reels, but they don't. They use magnetic FTB instead. SVS is touchy here. 

 

The SLX MGL is the best reel in that series, but several in my orbit got geary feeling rather quickly. My 2020 Lew's Tournament Pro LFS also has a 10 gram spool, but it's 150 size, so you have all the line you'll ever need. Plus, you'll never have to open the side plate to adjust brake blocks. The Quantum Vapor PT shares the same spool weight and line cap as the TP Pro and also has externally adjustable Centrifugal brakes. Oops! I meant "friction brakes". Sorry @QED! Also, both of these reels have a fully supported pinion, and neither has gotten geary fishing tough waters with good fish.

 

But hey, buy what you want and find out for yourself. I've already posted a pile of Shimano reel boxes in this thread, so I'm not against the SLX. I'm just kickin' it real, broski. 

I appreciate the info. I have a few tournament pro LFS reels and really like them. Just thinking maybe I should branch out a bit after reading everyone’s posts. In your opinion what’s the best use of the SLX Mgl then if it’s not great at light baits but also not great for pitching/flipping/etc.? 

[PhishLI]

9 minutes ago, Cody28 said:

I have a few tournament pro LFS reels

You have the 2020 model?

10 minutes ago, Cody28 said:

Just thinking maybe I should branch out a bit after reading everyone’s posts

If you have the cheese buy and try whatever you can and find out what's true for yourself and your casting mechanics.

12 minutes ago, Cody28 said:

In your opinion what’s the best use of the SLX Mgl then if it’s not great at light baits

Never said it wasn't capable with light baits. 12-ish gram MGL spools aid in slinging light baits very, very nicely, but they're expert class reels. You'll hear nobody say that SVS Infinity is a forgiving system. You'd better be a sharp caster. I said that there are more capable reels for lighter baits near the same price range that are more easily adjustable to a range of baits, and more convenient to adjust. Also, once you've clicked the thumbar the capability of the spool to behave well with lighter baits comes right down to spool weight and your ability to manage the cast. The rest of the reel, including brand, is incidental apart from the braking system and line guide placement in relation to the spool's centerline. In general lighter spools have an advantage as bait weights go lower, so a 2 -2.5 grams lighter spool has real in-use meaning here if throwing lighter baits as well as a wide range of baits is your goal.

[Cody28]

40 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

You have the 2020 model?

If you have the cheese buy and try whatever you can and find out what's true for yourself and your casting mechanics.

Never said it wasn't capable with light baits. 12-ish gram MGL spools aid in slinging light baits very, very nicely, but they're expert class reels. You'll hear nobody say that SVS Infinity is a forgiving system. You'd better be a sharp caster. I said that there are more capable reels for lighter baits near the same price range that are more easily adjustable to a range of baits, and more convenient to adjust. Also, once you've clicked the thumbar the capability of the spool to behave well with lighter baits comes right down to spool weight and your ability to manage the cast. The rest of the reel, including brand, is incidental apart from the braking system and line guide placement in relation to the spool's centerline. In general lighter spools have an advantage as bait weights go lower, so a 2 -2.5 grams lighter spool has real in-use meaning here if throwing lighter baits as well as a wide range of baits is your goal.

Yep it’s the newer model. I got into bass fishing fast and furious and got some reels through gifts, some on huge sales, etc. I wish I had money to throw around and just try things but I don’t. Whatever I end up getting with the little bit of play money I currently have I’ll have to use. 

[PhishLI]

21 minutes ago, Cody28 said:

Yep it’s the newer model. I got into bass fishing fast and furious and got some reels through gifts, some on huge sales, etc. I wish I had money to throw around and just try things but I don’t.

So in my opinion you'll gain nothing by spending on the SLX MGL. Certain posters on the web rave about product and inch up to nearly deifying brands and models. You've read that hyperbole and expect nirvana. Many of us have fallen for the noise at one point or the other.

 

Spend your play money on something other than what at best might be considered a lateral move to some people, but not to me. If you just have to try a Shimano then the Curado 150 MGL might be a closer match for the TP Pro because of it's build, but it's not blowing it away at all, and you'd need to spend way more if casting performance and ease of use is your goal.

[Phil77]

1 hour ago, Cody28 said:

Yep it’s the newer model. I got into bass fishing fast and furious and got some reels through gifts, some on huge sales, etc. I wish I had money to throw around and just try things but I don’t. Whatever I end up getting with the little bit of play money I currently have I’ll have to use. 

You don't need the top tier reels to be successful. Fish what you can afford. When you find the platform you like most of the top end reels are just higher bearing count versions of the lower end models with a fancy finish.

[QED]

36 minutes ago, Phil77 said:

You don't need the top tier reels to be successful. Fish what you can afford. When you find the platform you like most of the top end reels are just higher bearing count versions of the lower end models with a fancy finish.

The high end models often use more exotic materials that can result in lighter overall mass and better fit and finish.  But it is clearly a case of diminishing marginal returns.  One would be hard pressed to demonstrate that a $720 reel is ~3x better than a $240 reel.  But as with all hobbies, it is nice to have some esoteric options.

[soflabasser]

On 12/6/2021 at 9:39 AM, newapti5 said:

After you open enough reels, you will see the differences.

I have fished long enough and opened enough reels to know to tell the difference between a well made reel and one that is cheaply made. I prefer fishing with well made reels on days I am targeting big powerful fish.

On 12/6/2021 at 9:39 AM, newapti5 said:

Shimano and Daiwa are large companies that have their own factories. That's a huge deal from business viewpoint. No matter located domestically or oversea, these factories could control manufacturing quality much better. 

There is a reason why so many experienced fishermen prefer Shimano and Diawa reels over the cheap stuff.

On 12/6/2021 at 9:39 AM, newapti5 said:

On spinning reel and saltwater reel market, it's a no brainer which brand wins. Those are the fields that really put a trial on reels' build quality.

I mostly fish with spinning reels and quality is very important for me since I use my spinning reels for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. One day I can be fishing for bass, another day I can be fishing for big powerful saltwater gamefish that will test the quality of any reel. My Shimano and Penn spinning reels easily handle fish that will destroy most bass baitcasters. There are times I fish with cheap reels when I am fishing for small fish but I never fish with cheaply made reels when I am specifically fishing for trophy fish.

[OldManLure]

If the Lews haven’t let you down and you like them, what more could you ask for?