All purpose BC reel - Lews Speed Spool LFS or 24 Tatula 100?

[Recurve1]

Looking for one reel to use for all types of cast and retrieve lures on rocky creeks/ rivers for smallmouth - topwater, flukes, crankbaits, etc.  I know very little about BC reels and use them about 1/3 of my fishing time.

Which of these 2 do you like and why?

Thanks

[PBBrandon]

I haven’t used the 24 model tatula but the previous generation models are good. The LFS is a good reel too. Can’t go wrong with either.

 

I’m a Daiwa guy so I would say the tatula. But YMMV. Any reel made by Lews, Daiwa or Shimano over 100 bucks are good.

 

i will say, if you want the best deal, you can get a Daiwa Alphas SV from Japan for around 150 bucks. A 7 speed one of those would be a great all round reel, and rival the best reels on the market

[GReb]

That’s not really a fair comparison. The Tatula is nearly twice the price and definitely better. However the LFS is a perfectly fine reel. 
 

The $150 Alphas is a different league. Definitely the Best Buy under $200 unless you need a lot of line capacity 

[Recurve1]

3 minutes ago, GReb said:

That’s not really a fair comparison. The Tatula is nearly twice the price and definitely better. However the LFS is a perfectly fine reel. 
 

The $150 Alphas is a different league. Definitely the Best Buy under $200 unless you need a lot of line capacity 

Edit for clarity - looking at the 24 Tatula 100, around $110 on the Japanese amazon site.

 

Have read that the lew is pretty good.

 

Lure weight ranges about 1/4 - 1/2 or 5/8 at most.

[nso123]

Don’t forget the Shimano SLX in that price range too. 

[GReb]

7 minutes ago, Recurve1 said:

Edit for clarity - looking at the 24 Tatula 100, around $110 on the Japanese amazon site.

 

Have read that the lew is pretty good.

 

Lure weight ranges about 1/4 - 1/2 or 5/8 at most.

Same reel retails for $180 in the US. Everything on JDM market is discounted due to exchange rate. Take advantage of it  and get the best JDM reel you can for your budget 

[ABU is overpriced]

If you can get to $150 the alphas is unbeatable. If you can get it to $200, the zillion is king. Forget the tatulas, slx's, curados and all of this shovelware. Yen is low, JDM reels feast is high.

[new2BC4bass]

Right now the LFS can be had for $75 and the MB for $96.  The Tatula 100XS for $101.50.

 

Can't help with your decision.  My only LFS is the Tournament Pro.  Besides the SV model, my other Tatulas are the original Type R.  Not an apples to apples comparison with the reels you are asking about.

 

I like the few Lew's reels I have, but admit I am a bit biased towards Daiwa.  I don't have the new Alphas, but really like my older models.  Only been out once with the new Zillion.  Like all Daiwas it is a piece of cake to dial in.

[MiceNReets]

I’d go with the tatula 100.   Really enjoyable to fish with and it is zillion smooth!

[Catt]

Easy choice 😉

 

Lew's LFS SS1SHA 

Handle anything you wanna throw from Wacky Rigs to frogging/punching. 

[TNBankFishing]

The new Tat with the hyperdrive hardware is the easy choice. I’ve owned some Lews reels and they were always solid but after having some zillions and spending time with an alphas for the money Daiwa is king. 
 

The SLX can’t compete and the fact the two I’ve owned both went geary within a year means I’d stay away. My Bantams, and Met are going strong after years but the SLX isn’t moving the needle for me. 
 

[dodgeguy]

3 hours ago, Catt said:

Easy choice 😉

 

Lew's LFS SS1SHA 

Handle anything you wanna throw from Wacky Rigs to frogging/punching. 

I second that

[Recurve1]

Thanks folks - going to the local sporting goods store this weekend to actually hold them and compare.

[evilcatfish]

I vote Tatula or any Daiwa with an sv spool. Since you mention not knowing much about baitcasters, the sv spool will definitely help you become more accustomed 

[Bigbox99]

16 hours ago, GReb said:

Same reel retails for $180 in the US. Everything on JDM market is discounted due to exchange rate. Take advantage of it  and get the best JDM reel you can for your budget 

It's also that cheap on Aliexpress priced in USD.

[JackstrawIII]

The Tatula is a lot more reel, but also costs more unless things have changed recently. 

If this helps, I learned baitcasting on Speed Spools, but have since moved on and don't use any of them anymore. It's all Tatulas and Shimanos now. 

[LCG]

I don't think there is a bad choice here. I have had Shimano, Daiwas, lew's, and a few others over the years. I am quite happy with the lew's Speed spool Lfs reels. Shimano and lew's customer service and parts is excellent in my experience, Daiwa less so here in Canada.

[Texas Flood]

Lew’s LFS for sure. Every domestic Daiwa I’ve had has broke. Now if you’re ok with a JDM, then I say Daiwa all the way. 

[new2BC4bass]

On 6/29/2024 at 10:34 PM, Texas Flood said:

Lew’s LFS for sure. Every domestic Daiwa I’ve had has broke. Now if you’re ok with a JDM, then I say Daiwa all the way. 

You are one unlucky dude!  I've got something like 50 Daiwa reels from the TD-S to the new Zillion.  Purchased a 'blem' that wasn't a 'blem', but a defective reel.  Purchased a used one that had a couple washers missing.  Other than that I've had no problems with my Daiwas.

[Functional]

My lews LFS SS reels are probably my favorite reel I own. It just works and is easy to use. Unless I'm dock skipping its still my choice over my Tatula SV. 

[Texas Flood]

3 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

You are one unlucky dude!  I've got something like 50 Daiwa reels from the TD-S to the new Zillion.  Purchased a 'blem' that wasn't a 'blem', but a defective reel.  Purchased a used one that had a couple washers missing.  Other than that I've had no problems with my Daiwas.

It sure seems that way. It’s funny, most of my reels are JDM Daiwa’s and I absolutely love them. 
 

Figure it out America!

[KP Duty]

5 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

You are one unlucky dude!  I've got something like 50 Daiwa reels from the TD-S to the new Zillion.  Purchased a 'blem' that wasn't a 'blem', but a defective reel.  Purchased a used one that had a couple washers missing.  Other than that I've had no problems with my Daiwas.

You need to post up a few reels a day in the 'show and tell'.  We're all bored and would like to see them.

[new2BC4bass]

2 hours ago, KP Duty said:

You need to post up a few reels a day in the 'show and tell'.  We're all bored and would like to see them.

Most of them are still in a big box from my move to Florida.  Surprised me how heavy the box is considering how light reels are.  Have thought about laying a blanket on the floor and removing the reel covers for a picture of all of them.  Don't think depth-of-field could put them all in focus.  As you suggest, something like 20 at a time might work best.  Problem is I've lost most of my ambition since retiring and wife passing away. 

 

 

[Recurve1]

Some follow up - I ended up with a Lew's speed spool LFS mostly because the local sporting goods store had them marked down to $50 and they had a left hand wind 6.8 speed so I couldn't pass it up.  I have about 20 some smallmouth on it, using 10 lb mono casting 1/4 - 1/2 oz lures on a daiwa tatula xt 7' medium and BPS cranking stick ML and it works just fine for my river/creek smallmouth fishing.

[KP Duty]

The new Daiwa reels with hyperdrive feel more refined vs other brands.