Shimano SLX or Lews Speed Spool LFS

[Otter17]

With my budget I’m looking to buy a $100 Baitcaster for general use Largemouth fishing. These are two of the reels I’ve come across. Which do you guys feel would be the better reel?

 

Also, for being a general purpose reel, what is the gear ratio I should be getting? Thanks greatly!

[casts_by_fly]

I use a 7:1 as my general purpose, but you can go lower or higher to whatever is your preference.

 

I'd be inclined to go SLX and get it as the SLX combo.  For $129 you get the rod and reel.  You might not want the rod now, but having a spare on hand is always a good idea.  Or, sell it for $50 a recoup some initial cost.

[Otter17]

22 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

I use a 7:1 as my general purpose, but you can go lower or higher to whatever is your preference.

 

I'd be inclined to go SLX and get it as the SLX combo.  For $129 you get the rod and reel.  You might not want the rod now, but having a spare on hand is always a good idea.  Or, sell it for $50 a recoup some initial cost.

Thankyou for that extra tip man! 

[Cbump]

7 gear for sure. Check out https://discountfishingdeals.com

 

I’ve bought multiple reels from him and it’s legit. 
Currently low on SLX but $88 when in stock. 

Here’s the Lews for $88

 

https://discountfishingdeals.com/shop/ols/products/lews-speed-spool-lfs-ss1sha-right-hand-baitcaster-751-ratio

 

Can’t go wrong with either. I’d get the Lews for $88

[PressuredFishing]

Slx, nothing wrong with the lews, slx will just be smoother, cast farther, and feel better longer. Lews has the fancy grips and is lighter weight. Diawa tatula for 30 more bucks is a good option, or the slx xt 

 

 

 

 

[Jar11591]

While I haven’t used the SLX, I can tell you that the LFS is a sweet reel for the $100 price point. I’ve also heard a lot of people on here say the same thing. 
 

For a general purpose reel, I think a 6:1 will suit your needs the best. 

[Pat Brown]

Daiwa Fuego is my recommendation.  I own and enjoy using the other two options you're comparing but at that price point I think the Feugo is a better reel.  I think you just need to get your hands on them all.

[PhishLI]

3 hours ago, Cbump said:

I’d get the Lews for $88

^X2

4 hours ago, Otter17 said:

With my budget I’m looking to buy a $100 Baitcaster for general use Largemouth fishing.

I've had two Fuegos for the past 5 years and brutally fished them both in choked out water with straight braid the entire time. Somehow, they feel pretty close to how they felt out of the box. Perhaps a little clackity compared to a really smooth reel, but there's no denying their endurance. They're easy to adjust, are reliably consistent casters, and easy to endorse.

 

My brother has owned 3 versions of the SLX and they've all lost their smoothness fishing the same waters. I could overlook their geary-ness, but my brother can't stand it. Probably because he's serviced them all several times a season and it just irks him.

 

The LFS is the only reel from a major at the price point that offers a fully supported pinion. Besides that, and regardless of how I typically feel about Korean MagTrax braking, it's a sneaky good caster. Also, they hold up quite well to use, and like the Fuego they're adjustable externally.

 

Any of the 3 will work out just fine. The SLX too, especially if you're not fishing jungle-thick water. Just choose which one feels better in your hand and don't think about it again.

[T-Billy]

11 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

^X2

I've had two Fuegos for the past 5 years and brutally fished them both in choked out water with straight braid the entire time. Somehow, they feel pretty close to how they felt out of the box. Perhaps a little clackity compared to a really smooth reel, but there's no denying their endurance. They're easy to adjust, are reliably consistent casters, and easy to endorse.

 

My brother has owned 3 versions of the SLX and they've all lost their smoothness fishing the same waters. I could overlook their geary-ness, but my brother can't stand it. Probably because he's serviced them all several times a season and it just irks him.

 

The LFS is the only reel from a major at the price point that offers a fully supported pinion. Besides that, and regardless of how I typically feel about Korean MagTrax braking, it's a sneaky good caster. Also, they hold up quite well to use, and like the Fuego they're adjustable externally.

 

Any of the 3 will work out just fine. The SLX too, especially if you're not fishing jungle-thick water. Just choose which one feels better in your hand and don't think about it again.

^^^Yep^^^

I've got a few Lew's LFS Speed Spools, and a few Fuego's. Zero complaints with either. I've only had the Fuego's one season , but I've been 100% happy with them so far. I have shallow braid spools on them, spooled with 20# braid. Mostly use them for light Trigs. That's a plus with the Daiwa's. You can get light shallow spools for them, adding to they're versatility. I've been unable to find aftermarket spools for Lew's.

 That said, my oldest $99 LFS has 4 full seasons under it's belt, and it's still smooth as the day I got it, as are the others. Very solidly built reels. They're not great with baits under 3/8oz IME, but from there on up they are solid performers.

 

[suzuki2903]

The Lews lfs is a proven winner and better than the slx . 

[PourMyOwn]

32 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

 

 

My brother has owned 3 versions of the SLX and they've all lost their smoothness fishing the same waters. I could overlook their geary-ness, but my brother can't stand it. Probably because he's serviced them all several times a season and it just irks him.

 

 

I had an SLX that was "geary" and I couldn't stand it either. For as much praise as the SLX had a few years back it was very disappointing. 

[Bird]

I have more expensive reels but my Shimano SLX is a flagship....a 4 year old could cast it.

[Catt]

I have a Lew's SS1H 6.8:1 & 2 ea SS1SHA 7.5:1, my grandson has a SS1SHA, & my youngest son has a SS1SHA.

 

All 5 are 3-4 yrs old with zero issues. 

 

My grandson & son throw 1/8 oz bullet weighted Speed Craws. One of mine I throw 50# braid & frogs.

[NavyToad]

I guess I’ll always associate Shimano with bicycle parts. I have more Lews (8 or 9) than any other brand for a reason - they do everything I want a reel to do. Lews all the way.

 

[Blaine Donders]

13 Fishing Inception beats both for smoothness. SLX for distance, Speed Spool for casting into the wind!

 

I have put this together by using them.

[Bankbeater]

I've never used  Lew's, but I have an SLX that is smooth and it will cast out a good distance.

[dodgeguy]

On 2/17/2023 at 1:53 PM, Cbump said:

7 gear for sure. Check out https://discountfishingdeals.com

 

I’ve bought multiple reels from him and it’s legit. 
Currently low on SLX but $88 when in stock. 

Here’s the Lews for $88

 

https://discountfishingdeals.com/shop/ols/products/lews-speed-spool-lfs-ss1sha-right-hand-baitcaster-751-ratio

 

Can’t go wrong with either. I’d get the Lews for $88

I second that. I had 2 of the previous generation problem free for 8 years and now my daughter has 2 more years on them still no issues. Only reason she has them is I upgraded to custom lites .

[GReb]

Lews has magnetic brakes and slx has centrifugal. Pick whichever brake system you prefer. Both great. 

[garroyo130]

14 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

I second that. I had 2 of the previous generation problem free for 8 years and now my daughter has 2 more years on them still no issues. Only reason she has them is I upgraded to custom lites .

 

I wonder if those are the better Lews LFS, made in Korea vs China. When I purchased an LFS it was right during the transition to China made and I was not very happy with overall quality. 

[PBBrandon]

Both are nice, I think the LFS is just a little bit better though

[NYWayfarer]

My vote is for the Lew’s LFS. 
 

I have 2 of them. The older one is without the P2 pinion support bearing and the newer one has it. Both are workhorse reels I have no complaints about.

[dodgeguy]

5 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

 

I wonder if those are the better Lews LFS, made in Korea vs China. When I purchased an LFS it was right during the transition to China made and I was not very happy with overall quality. 

every lews ive purchased was made in korea. not a single one says made in china on it. my 2 custom lites say korea also.doyo does have factories in china but a quick internet searcg shows no difference in quality control. some reels may have parts from both china and korea. It also makes no difference as Shimano and Diawa both buy parts from Doyo as previously discussed on this forum. It sounds like the 60s when people were saying not to buy Japanese products.

[T2DM]

So technically I can call Lew's and they should have parts that would fit most Shimano or Daiwa reels right?

[Pat Brown]

I don't think you're gonna be able to go wrong with most of the major competitors ~100$ offerings these days.  Each and every one of them is a marvel of technology and will catch you giant fish reliably.  I know because I have field tested them all and done just that.  I havent had a reel 'fail' yet and I fish pretty much every day of the year for bass.

 

I love my SLX and I love my LFS.  I also love many other reels at that price point.  The 13 fishing Inception and the Daiwa Fuego to make two that stand out. Just pick what seems cool to you and catch some fish!

 

Eventually you'll try them all do I say just jump in on the on that 'looks cool' to you and I'm sure you'll learn a lot and have fun.

[dodgeguy]

9 hours ago, T2DM said:

So technically I can call Lew's and they should have parts that would fit most Shimano or Daiwa reels right?

Yeah sure. And Toyota airbags fit Honda and Chrysler because they get them from the same manufacturer..