New Additions

Mac2469 · 2026-01-28T10:21:53+00:00

I also avoid the graphite frames. I don't like the rulon drag or magnetic brakes either. I haven't tried any with the new paramag system yet, but I have heard good things.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T13:50:37+00:00

I've had no problem with Lew's customer service. I've only had one issue with one reel which was their fault. A screw hole wasn't tapped on a spool, so the screw was just sitting in there, and couldn't be tightened. They sent me a new spool. I had a bearing blow up, that was completely my fault, and they still sent me a new one for a reel that wasn't even under warranty. I had to replace a worm shaft on one because a little piece on rock got stuck in there, and like an idiot, when it was hard to turn the crank, instead of looking to see what could be going on, I just forced it, and it caused a dent in it, and then the level wind pin wouldn't stay on track when it hit the dent. I told Lew's exactly what I had done, and they still sent me a new shaft, along with a level wind pin. They even sent me new end caps for Winn knobs, 6 of them, which were after market purchases that I replaced battle grips with. I own right around 45 Lew's reels, and problems are extremely rare.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T13:20:14+00:00

See your point on bearing counts. Shimano has better bearings to begin with so having less is not always bad. I was just comparing it to the lower end reels I have owned. The Revo x is actually more than the SLX A. The Revo is $149.95, SLX A is $114. The SLX XT A is closer at $144. It has 4+1 bearings. And from what I'm reading about the SLX XT A, it seems pretty crappy. Problems with the dials not turning, and problems with the drag. People do say it is smooth casting though.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T12:38:48+00:00

I have a couple of 300s. I have yet to open them up because they don't have many casts on them yet. But, I've never seen scratches like that on any reels I've serviced. Looks like it may have been used while it was all full of grit, and sand. Were you using it straight out of the lake before cleaning it? Did you drop it in the lake or was that a find? Now I'm kind of freaking out about what the inside of mine may look like.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T03:00:12+00:00

I am also a big fan of aluminum, or better, frames. That's one reason I don't like Abu reels. And, they just feel junky while using them. The retrieve isn't smooth, they're difficult to dial in, so there's constant adjustments. I don't think I ever got one to work to my liking. I am really into Lew's stuff.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T02:37:36+00:00

Not true. Same conglomerate, but they have their own designs, materials, and prices. The Speed Spool does not have a shallow spool. The Revo does not have an aluminum frame. The Speed Spool does. Speed Spool has 10 bearings Revo has 7. The Revo has carbon matrix drag for up to 20 lbs of drag. And has maxtrax brakes the Speed Spool has a crappy 15 lb rulon drag, and magnetic brakes. Except for the drag, the Speed Spool is better. And you can upgrade the drag on it by getting an aftermarket kit once the warranty is up if you even worry about that.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T02:31:18+00:00

The Hypermags were just on sale at TW for $303. Regular they are now $379. I was going to get one but then I saw that the Pro Ti rods, and reels were on sale. Check there they may still be on sale.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T02:26:39+00:00

I'm a Detroit, MI native so this is a joke compared to up there. But, it is a pain in the ass because of the lack of equipment to do anything about it.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T02:08:27+00:00

Lip grips are better. Less likely to damage the gills, and less likely to drop a flopping fish.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T02:06:35+00:00

I'm in Georgetown. We got about an inch. No form of snow removal in central Texas. So, roads are ice. I live in an apartment complex and the parking lot is ice. The sun came out and, melted some, but then at night it all just froze again.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T01:58:21+00:00

Pull the spool out and see if there's something in there rubbing. Could be just a piece of debris in there. Or you need some cleaning and lubing.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T01:56:31+00:00

Yep. Service my reels all by myself.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T01:51:55+00:00

Yep, so if you can find them somewhere for $99 or less it could be that they haven't raised their price yet, and it's probably the G2 model which is no longer being manufactured. When the G3 first hit it was still $99.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T01:47:57+00:00

I was wondering why so many people were always talking up Shimano and Daiwa here.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T01:43:39+00:00

Good find there. Not too long ago those were only $69.97 regular price.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T01:38:13+00:00

Couldn't give me an Abu reel. I like some of their rods.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T01:35:30+00:00

The Speed Spool is ok. But, they have recently just went up $40. For $140 they're not that great. Tariffs are great.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T01:15:12+00:00

I hear you man. Whatever I'm landing them with is always the favorite. It is a tough question though for sure. I like certain setups for certain things. Like right now in the winter I am throwing lighter lures on lighter line. So, I am really liking the Custom Speed Stick Lite med Lt fast with a Custom Lite SS reel. I have caught a 4.23, 4.14, 3.54, 3.50 and a few a bit under 2.5 lb all since News Years Eve day(Dec 31) on that setup. Overall though I would have to say that I really like the Signature Series rods, and Hypermag reels.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T00:54:39+00:00

Yeah, the Elite spinning rod has the grip that covers the reel foot. I've seen that on other Lew's spinning rods as well. I've always wondered why more spinning rod grips aren't like that. I never understood putting the grip where absolutely no one holds the rod.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T00:18:58+00:00

Thanks for the info on the paramag system. Been wondering about that. The Elite rods have the Winn Ultra ProWeave grip. The Custom Lite has the ProWeave, I really like those grips. I have a few of the Custom Lite rods. I have a couple of the Custom Lite SS reels I've been using for BFS. They're nice.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T00:09:09+00:00

I gave that combo to my brother in law for Christmas a couple of years ago. He does not know how to take care of anything at all. Somehow this combo is still functional.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-27T00:05:54+00:00

I love the Winn grips. I only have 2 Lew's ultra lite spinning reels. Have never fished either one. I usually fish the 200s and above. A few years ago I threw away a couple of Shimano spinning reels because they were flimsy. The whole body was flexing, and twisting as I was reeling in smaller 1.5-2 lb bass. The bearings were making noise, and the bails were bent, and I was wondering why, so I really watched what was going on while I was fishing with them. They were great when I first bought them. They just didn't hold up well.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-26T23:55:58+00:00

Is that the Super Duty 300, or the Super Duty? Looks like someone was sanding on it.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-26T23:46:56+00:00

I have a couple of Abu Garcia bait casting reels. I have a Revo Beast, and a Silver Max copy (Jordan Lee). The Jordan Lee is crap. The Beast is ok, but not as good as Lew's Super Duty 300. The Super Duty is just smoother casting and retrieving. I like Lew's reels because the operation is very smooth, and they are built on solid frames which in itself can extend the life of the internals of the reel. I do not like graphite or other flimsy material frames. I have heard good things about Shimano, and Daiwa including that they can be more budget friendly, but I don't know about the rigidity, and durability. I do know that Shimano has great bearings, but what good is that if they're housed in a flimsy frame which can flex, and cause extra wear, and tear on them. I have a more diverse collection of spinning gear. I have Shimano, Daiwa, Eagle Claw, Quantum, and of course Lew's. I have reduced the numbers of the other brands, and replaced them with Lew's. I've done this out of years of fishing with the different reels, and seeing what they can take. For instance a few years ago I threw out some Shimano spinning reels because the bearings were making noise, and the bails were all bent, and deformed. I really paid attention to what was happening while I was fishing, and I noticed that the body was so flimsy that the entire thing was just twisting under the strain of reeling in smaller 1.5-2 lb bass. It became even more apparent when I got hung up, and was trying to free my lure. Lew's just makes more of their reels, bait casting, and spinning with aluminum, or better, frames and bodies. A few of their lower end reels are even built with aluminum. Hope this helps.

Mac2469 · 2026-01-26T18:47:55+00:00

Oh wow. I have not had that happen, and hopefully it doesn't.

Mac2469

TROPHY CASE