Calling all Lews Spinning Reel users

[Capt No Fish]

I am looking to hear from the Lews spinning reel owners or those with an open mind.  I know this forum is heavy Daiwa and Shimano lovers.  I have no doubt they are great.  I am the budget fisherman, middle of the road, best value for my buck kind of guy.  I fish with $100 rods and call them my "Nice" rods.  I just bough 2 new spinning rods and now need to equip them with reels.   I have a couple kast kings that I bought for $30 on amazon when just getting started and have served me well but looking to step it up a little.

 

Are Lews spinning reels really that bad as the forum makes them out to be.  My speed spool LFS are nice for $100 and I can't think that a company with the presence of Lews would be around as long as they are making junk.  I am not talking about the high end stuff I am talking about the $40 - $100 weekend fisherman stuff.  There is an online retailer that has the KVD spinning reels for $80.  They have aluminum body's and seem smooth in the store.  Am I wasting my time with them?  When you look at the $80 Daiwa and Shimano they use less support bearings and are carbon or some blend of synthetic materials are they really that much better?

 

I fish all 30 size reels because I read that they will cast better and it's better to have a larger spool am I wrong there as well. I like to keep it simple and have multipurpose tools.  I have a President that doesn't seem too bad but I am reading a lot of poo pooing them if you get one of the newer ones.  I can't believe that the Daiwa and Shimano are the only quality reel unless you are looking at the high end stuff.

 

Thoughts?

[Team9nine]

I have a Lew’s Mach I Speed Spin Spinning Reel, size 200 (but they make a 300) that I put a ton of use on for several years before the bail arm finally broke this winter - thousands of fish later. Cut it off and still using the reel ? I would certainly buy another. Lists at $70, but I think Amazon has them for $46 right now from somewhere. 

[islandbass]

I too prefer the largest spool I could get away with. I’d say give it a go. Also, $100 buys a whole lot of spinning reel if you catch my drift. Heck, even $80 does. The one plus of D or S is their very proven track record. Those here who are fans of either or both are so for good reason. They’ve been tested hard, proven and reliable. 
 

Longevity and parts availability are other factors to consider. S and D excel here too. 
 

With that said, the level/class of S reels I buy, also no more than $100 no longer have the AR lever and call me a big baby, that’s ticked me off (still love you, S, lol). I think I have to step down to a Sahara or lesser model that has the AR switch. Honestly, I’m not mad. I just haven’t had my coffee yet. 
 

IMHO, $80-$100 buys a whole lot of spinning reel. If Lews interests you that much, go for it.  

 

 

[Eric 26]

First off I’m right there with you as far as being a budget angler. For under $80.00 Daiwa offers the Legalis LT reels I don’t own one yet but will this spring. I know it’s not an aluminum body but it feels good. I spent a lot of my time fishing my Piscifun Carbon X reels (2000 & 1000) this past season and love them enough that I just purchased another one in 1000 size, composite body but zero flex under load. I have 6 different brands of spinning reels and if I were to use only one brand/model it would be these. As far as the Lews reels if the price is what you’re comfortable paying and you’ve felt them in store and are happy I say go for it.

[Mobasser]

My grandson bought a Lew's G spin two years ago. Cost was ,40.00. It's worked perfectly. His is a 200 size. But, you can get a 3000 size also.

[garroyo130]

4 hours ago, Capt No Fish said:

I can't think that a company with the presence of Lews would be around as long as they are making junk. 

[suzuki2903]

Lews has great products! They offer or cater to lower end more so the high end but again a lot of them are perfectly fine for just about anyone !   I’ve had a couple Lew cheap Walmart specials for several years for friends and relatives to use , never had a issue ! Personally I use on the custom pro speed spin for my finesse setups and never had a issue!  Problem with this site is if you don’t have what is considered “good” by their standards then it frowned upon easily …. Hate to say that but it’s the truth.    Now Lews also has by far the best warranty support! Even out of warranty they will often times help you or just send you parts …. Nobody else does that !   All that said, I have several Lews pro ti baitcasters but I do prefer my shimano metaniums more….  Buy what you can afford/ makes you happy and have fun on the water !!

[Kenny Yi]

im definitely a shimano guy now, but i still use my lews speed spin 300 more than any of my shimano spinning reels, i think if i wasnt such a shimano fan, lews would be my second pick for both baitcaster and spinning

[WC53]

I’ve fished their spin pro in salt for about 6 years now (only model at the time they recommended for salt) . It is held up fine and has a nice drag, 2K size.  But, A Nasci or Spheros is smoother and I believe less money now.  At 1/2 price, great deal, full price, meh.  I would also apply this to their casters for my usage. Ymmv

[Bird]

Hmmm, thought $100 reels were high end.

My boat always has a couple of Speed spins and Speed spools, really like them.

 

As someone who is not brand loyal, I've never bought a $100 reel that I wasn't very satisfied with.

 

Well except 1 about 30 years ago that started with a " Q ". Lol

[Alex Ball]

On 1/22/2022 at 10:37 AM, Team9nine said:

I have a Lew’s Mach I Speed Spin Spinning Reel, size 200 (but they make a 300) that I put a ton of use on for several years before the bail arm finally broke this winter - thousands of fish later. Cut it off and still using the reel ? I would certainly buy another. Lists at $70, but I think Amazon has them for $46 right now from somewhere. 

On sale right now on Amazon for 45 I think.

[Alex Ball]

I'm glad this thread got started. It's about time the entry/mid level guys got some threads going. I'm going to do one on show and tell setups under $200.

  As for the subject. I love Lew's Spinning reels and any of the MBS reels. Those have dual brakes. Me and my fishing buddy swear by Lew's, Abu and Kastking on reels. Rods is where it gets tricky. It's so personal for each person. 

  Some suggestions for reels by price under $100. All of these reels are high quality for the price.

Spinning

$20- Shimano FX

$30- Shimano Sienna/Kastking Centron

$40- Abu Max Z/ Lew's Xfinity/Lzr Pro/Laser SG/KK Valiant Eagle, Zephyr

$50-60- Pflueger President/ Abu Max STX/KK Megatron, Sharky/Piscifun Honor XT

$60-75- Lew's Mach Smash/Piscifun Carbon x/ KK Zephyr Carbon 

$75-100-Lews Mach 2,Smash,KVD, Custom SS/Abu Revo X/Pflueger President XT 

Casting 

$30-50- KK Royal Legend/Black Max

$50-75- Lew's Reactor/KK Megajaws,RLE/Piscifun Phantom

$75-100-Lews LFS/ 13 Fishing Origin 

Hope this helps.

Also, the Lew's Laser TXS is available on eBay right now for$50 -$70. Excellent deal. Dual brakes.