Love the Lew's. I will buy an old greenie, to have, if i find one.
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I have some daiwa tatulas that will outcast those Lews. Does that make it the best real? A casting contest?Originally posted by Ragin' View PostComment
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I bought one, I've always liked Daiwa but its pretty sweet reel. Great at that price.Originally posted by DKirk View PostComment
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My nephew ditched his Curados after he tried my Lews American Hero.Comment
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Lews for me
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I like and have bothComment
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My 10 year old is a Lew's fan. I have always had the old green curados, but fishing with his Lews has convinced me that when I need some new gear I will be buying Lews.
He just got the new Mach II combo and it is pretty sweet... Yes, he has better gear than I do. I think he has 4 different Lews reels.Comment
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Have used both... in my opinion the shimanos hold up WAY better. Lews are butter when new but bearing replacment within 12 months of buying... also they are made with mostly revo parts but not all revo parts, replacments can be a painComment
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I have not had a chance to fish with a Lews, but i did win nice Citica at the Oilmans down in matagorda a couple years ago. Its the most expensive reel i have, lol. I mostly fish with cheaper, more replaceable equipment because we are so rough on them. Every chance i get to get into the marsh, we are fishing 8-9 hours a day for several days straight in Louisiana.
So far, that freebie Citica is the best reel i have ever fished with. Its not saying much because i usually use the $60-$100 diawa combos you can get from academy.
I guess im in line for a custom rod and a new Lews if they are as durable as some say they are.
Haven't had any issues with my Citica getting dirty and not performing. Usually just hose them down with fresh water when i get home and call it good. Ben casting great for the last two yearsComment
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Lews reels are made by Doyo Engineering in south Korea. The bearings are made by Ryobi. Doyo also makes other brands each a different design inside and to whatever spec is called for. Shimanos are made in Japan and China. Some high end BPS reels are made by Doyo. 99% or fishing reels are now produced in Asia somehere. ABU C3's are still made in Sweden-----I think?Comment
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I'm moving from Shimano to 13 Concept's
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I'm still a shimano guy, my partner throws lews, and I'm just not that impressed. Don't get get me wrong, they're nice reels, but not nice enough to make me switch.Comment
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Lew's changed their BB1 & BB2 Inshore Speed Spool Series reels (saltwater) setup. They now only come with magnetic cast control only, dropping the multi-setting casting brake drag on their initial 2013 model release.
You can still find the original BB1 & BB2 Inshore series reels, with the dual cast braking system, but they are now getting harder to find. The BB1 is sized comparable to a Shimano 200E7 Greenie and the BB2 is sized comparable to a Shimano 300E7 Greenie.
That first dual casting brake system, on the BB1 Inshore, had magnets with external controls and a 4 pin on/off internal centrifugal brake system that used spring loaded weights, to back off the mechanical pins, as the reel started to unwind down range. The 4 pin brake are internal. This system was super cool in windy coastal scenes, making casts into the wind, so easy to control. Mechanical brakes worked inside, as you first launched the cast - that moment when the reel is the most prone to experience over-run. Then the springs kicked in, pulling those brake blocks off and out of the cast, letting the magnets take over.
The new Inshore series Lew's are only Magnets.
So I purchased the new 2017 model Lew's Tournament MB Speed Spool LFS Series reel, which still has both cast brake systems on board. It doesn't have the 3 drain ports as the Inshore series reels have, but I don't plan on having to worry about draining saltwater out of the reel on outings. I'll just break it down and clean it up when I get home after trips to the coast.
The new Lews LFS series reels are even smaller and lighter. This reel weighs only 6.7 ounces and it's profile, sits even lower on the rod blank. Hard to imagine since the BB1 Pro and Inshore series were small and low as is.
The Speed Spool LFS Series features:
10 bearings
Multi setting casting brakes (mags & spring loaded mechanicals)
One piece aluminum frame
Carbon fiber drags to 14 lbs
Click audible star drag (I like to hear clicks)
Zirconia line guide (like a super slick SIC guide ring)
External lube ports
I found one on sale for 108 bucks - SNAG!
Once it gets here, I'll give a report on the reel.
Shimano Curado's started out as builds for Lew's Speed Spools during the late 1970s. Lew's put them on the map with the Bantam 100. I have one Bantam 100 still, which still casts and works fine but, it's a dinosaur compared to now.
Doug and I fished the Laguna this day, over 50 specks or so, casting all day long. Lews BB1 Inshore (2013 ICAST Winner model), still fishes and casts strong. I haven't had to do squat to this reel, excluding regular cleanings and oilings. It still casts way farther than my souped up Shimano Curado 200E7 Greenies and it's cousin, the all aluminum Curado 200. The BB1 is small and low and such a joy to palm and fish. And the new LFS is lower and lighter, hard to imagine.
The E7 Greenies still see some fishing time, both rigged vertically on my skiff. The Lew's BB1 is in the Port beam rod holder. And a green Galvan 8 wt fly reel, lays rigged near my push pole on the starboard bow. The E7s are not comparable to the BB1, even with ceramic bearings or superfree Shimano stainless bearings. They cast shorter on the same rod, as the Lews, with the same bait setup.
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Lew's Tournament MB Speed Spool LFS Series reel came in this week.
Center reel in the image.
TOP
Curado 200E7 with Boca Bearings top 7:1 retrieve, 7 bearings, mechanical fixed brake blocks (requires opening to adjust) and 7.1 ounces. 140 bucks
CENTER
Lew's Tournament MB Speed Spool LFS center: 8:1 retrieve, 10 bearings, mechanical (spring loaded) plus magnetic brakes (adjustable outside housing) and 6.7 ounces. 140 bucks - I found a new one at 103 bucks online.
BOTTOM
Lew's BB1 Inshore Speed Spool: 7:1 retrieve, 8 bearings, mechanical (spring loaded) plus magnetic brakes (adjustable outside housing) and 7.8 ounces. 199 bucks.
It's hard to compare older Shimano technologies to Lews latest advances in reel technologies. The guide ring itself is a SIC ring on the level wind - less drag resistance. With dual casting brakes, highly tuneable and they come with more bearings and a zero reverse, one way bearing for holding strength under load.
Shimano Curado's first hit the market as Bantam 100's - built for LEW'S in 1977. This was Shimano's first launch into the ripe inshore and freshwater baitcasting market.
Small differences. The level winds on the Lew's are extended further out away from the spool. This let's line tracking in and out a smoother flow with less line drag during the cast and, it's easier to thread line through the level wind, when spooling the reel. Smoothness of the extra bearings, it's very noticeable. I have ABEC 7 Ceramics in the Curado, it's simply not as smooth.
The little Greenie is casting shorter by 10 yards or so, no matter what I do. Same weight on the same rod, and it's more touchy casting into the wind as well. Magnetic cast control with spring loaded brake blocks on the Lew's, they work extremely well controlling over run into the wind. You can get away with more, with less thumb control.
Top Lew's Tournament MB, Center Lew's BB1 Inshore and bottom the old standby, Curado 200E7.
Last edited by AtTheWall; 12-30-2016, 12:50 PM.Comment
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Lews is a BAD @$$ rig! I love mine!Comment
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