Lews Baitcaster Reels - Why So Many Models

[Thembones]

 

Does anyone know what all the differences are between the 28 Lews Reel Models.

Now two of those are round reels but what about the other 26

 

 

[MN Fisher]

Various features, minor changes between designs...that's a low number if you look to Daiwa and Shimano JDM offerings

Daiwa - 64 models

Shimano - 67 models

[dodgeguy]

Different body shapes. Different frame materials and spool sizes. Different brake systems. Different level wind offsets. Different colors.

[LootyDjibouti]

Lews naming convention for their reels always confused me. 

They all somehow sound exactly the same. 

[Bigbox99]

Because they can.  They don't actually design or develop any of their reels and order from an OEM.  Same with Bass Pro or any other house brand reel.   

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Bigbox99 said:

Because they can.  They don't actually design or develop any of their reels and order from an OEM.  Same with Bass Pro or any other house brand reel.   

Scheels is actually up front about their spinning reels - may have the Scheels name on it, but on the website it blatantly states "By Daiwa"...so their reels are renamed Daiwa reels.

[MediumMouthBass]

Ill save you the time, research, and energy.

Lews makes alot of reels, alot of different features and colors, but to keep things simple all thats needed from them are 3 reels, yes thats right only 3. The other reels while still are nice have features that arent needed at all for most people.

 

1. Base model LFS, goes on sale alot and will do almost anything. Comparable to reels that cost alot more.

2. BB1 Pro, exceptional reel.... Deep cranking is its #1 specialty but anything where casting farther is required it will do great, also makes a good 1-3oz swimbait reel too.

3. LFS Super Duty/Super Duty 300. These reels are a bit overkill and built like tanks, both are bigger swimbait reels but the LFS version will do amazing for just about anything that requires some strength, like flipping/pitching into the heavy vegetation. Oh also it has a flipping/pitching switch on it too, making that even easier.

 

The other reels are just based on the budget LFS with different colors, and better parts. Are they worth it? Thats up to the person buying, but when fishing with my $60 sale bought LFS i havent thought i needed it to be better once.

And heres just a tip when dealing with Lews, for some reason they put out alot of Youtube/social media influencer over hyped junk plastic reels that cost 2x-3x more than they are worth. Stick with the trusted and proven Lews reels.

[KP Duty]

TW lists 4 baitcasting reels under 'Best Sellers'.  3 Lews models and the Shimano SLX.  I was kinda surprised.  

[newapti5]

14 hours ago, KP Duty said:

TW lists 4 baitcasting reels under 'Best Sellers'.  3 Lews models and the Shimano SLX.  I was kinda surprised.  

 

Mt used Lews were selling like hot cakes, even faster than my S and D reels, so I, too, have been surprised before.

[bulldog1935]

Lew's love in Texas goes back to the '80s and fishing Mecca Roy's Bait & Tackle in Corpus (also Larry's Tackle Town in Rockport before Larry sold it), and the number of small pro shops that popped up around the state before BPS moved in.  We fished these for decades and wondered why anybody would want to buy a Revo, though we understood the $400 Calcutta urge.  

 

That said, Lew's love is alive and well, and it simply defines baitcaster for many.  

The only thing that ever sent me to Daiwa was the range of aftermarket spools made for SV reels, and the total dearth of equivalent spools for Lew's reels.  

I'm also beyond Meh on Lew's centrifugal brake, because I don't fish the weights that need it.  

 

Specific to the OP's question, Lew's builds off 2 basic frames using different MOC, 3 different brake systems, different spool capacities, finish grades including use of ball bearings to replace bushings.  While Doyo builds Lew's reels, and many parts interchange, you'll note many spec differences between Lew's reels and Doyo-built reels for other marques.  

Backing up to 1973, Lew's BB-1 was one of those paradigm changes in reel design that happen 3 times/ century and sent every reel maker scrambling, though he didn't patent it before he asked Shimano to build it for him.  If he had patented his design, Shimano (and Every other maker) wouldn't have copied it for 18 years.  

[Tennessee Boy]

When you buy a brand built by someone else and put it on products made by someone else it’s very easy to add new products to your lineup.

[Texas Flood]

17 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Scheels is actually up front about their spinning reels - may have the Scheels name on it, but on the website it blatantly states "By Daiwa"...so their reels are renamed Daiwa reels.

It's probably in the same vein as Kirkland's vodka is actually Kettle One but they have a deal to sell it under the Kirkland name.