Current Consensus on Lew's?

[dnullify]

Hey all,

I've lurked here for a bit, and decided to join up because i have a question .

What is the general consensus concerning Lew's reels?
I recently checked out Lew's product line at my local tackle store, and I was seriously impressed by how smooth, light, and connected the tournament pro is. I've been reading up on it, the result being confusion.

Having handled the reels i believe the words of praise, however there are quite a few conflicting opinions out there.

Firstly the review on this site is quite positive.
Some say that it performs higher than it's price-tag; still operational, smooth, not a single problem after fishing hard; durable; good customer service; replaced all other reels with speed spools.

However, others write that they are swept off factory floors; only smooth for a few weeks; useless customer service; cheaply made; identical to BPS reels; and


Personally i can't figure difficult to believe that a reel that smooth and solid could be bad, but now i'm wondering whether it is just a really spec'd out one-season-wonder.

I know there was a similar post, but I figured that more time has passed since their reels have been out and I might get better answers.


Another question i had was whether a duralumin drive gear would be more durable than a brass gear. according to their website, their lower-end models have brass gears, while the tournament pro and up have duralumin gears. As far as i understand, gear material plays a big part in how long it would last.

If you've had a reel for a while, i'd really appreciate your input.
thanks for reading.

[bemo]

You may want to read the customer reviews on Lews TP on Tacklewarehouse. I own several of these reels and absolutely love them. I have only fished 1season with these reels so I can't comment on durability. Buy one and you won't be disappointed.

[NYBASSIN]

I would say the consenus is not just good but great. I have team lews and its probably my best distance caster,and throws light stuff pretty well. The tourney pro gets a ton of love from everything I've seen and even the cheaper one get great feedback.

I've read a lot about them in many places and to honest I'm suprised you've been able to find any negative feedback anywhere. The only negative thing I recall is the Tackletour review said the drag was occasionally a little sticky but overall performed well. It even got their best value award.

[smalljaw]

No matter what the brand you are always going to have negative reviews and depending on which review and where they where it was made must be taken into consideration. I trust TW customer reviews, you do see some bashers but most are genuine, Cabelas and BPS need to be taken with a grain of salt, I've read review on products there that you know the peronr writing the review is either 12 years old or doesn't really fish much or is a bobber and hook worm drowning angler. I read a review on BPS about the Quantum Smoke and there was a bad review and it didn't seem like the person was talking about the right reel and then I went and looked and every single Quantum reel had the same person writing the same thing about every reel when he didn't even own most or any of them. I trust TT and the customers on TW and from those 2 sources I'd say the Lews are a good bet, the Tourney Pro is going to be my next reel for cranking.

[NYBASSIN]

Smalljaw, I feel the same way about the reviews. For some reason I trust TW more than the other sites. Maybe its the mainstream status of places like bass pro or cabelas I don't really know why but I agree to take BPS reviews with a grain of salt.

[Big Al]

I used a Team Lews a few times and also a Tournament Pro. The Team Lew's will compete with the best. t was tight and smooth like any Chronarch I've owned and I think the Cronarch's ( A, B and D) were the best. The TP is a good reel in its price class but needs to be proven over the long run like the Curado or Daiwa Fuego. As far as reviews go, I would take BPS reviews as a guide. I used their Carbonlite reels and felt they are the best deal for the price. The reviews are right on IMO. I would easily go head to head against the higher priced Curado and since the Fuego is gone Daiwa has nothing to compete against it.

[falcon]

I had the sub $200 model that came with the carbon handle. I like everything about the reel but felt the breaking system was to inconsistant so I sold it.

[dnullify]

I'm only inquiring because i was pretty intrigued by the reel when i was handling it.

There are a few bad reviews, but i guess it's all opinion. And the greater opinion is more than positive.

I guess it's worth a try, looks like the tourney pro is on the next-to-buy list.

might have to wait for the bite to pick up before i can justify another reel to myself.

[i_am_R2]

I had both the Team Lews and the Tournament Pro and really wanted to like them but had issues with both of them.

The Team Lews was really smooth and a great caster but would every so often reengage during a cast which freaked me out because I don't want to snap off a lure. I would double check my hand positioning as well as the position of the handle to make sure I wasn't accidentally hitting anything and causing the reel to enage on my own. After experiencing this a few more times I got rid of it.

As far as my issues with the Tournament Pro, I received one where the spool tension didn't click. I took it apart and reassembled it but still no clicking. I received another, and like Falcon said the braking was a inconsistent. I would bomb a cast, and the next one would go about half the distance. Also, after approximately 150 casts, it started squealing during casts. After that I got rid of it also.

Not bashing Lews by any means, but I expect more from reels at this price especially when new. I am sure they are great reels if you get a good one, and it could have just been my luck, but for me it looks like some kinks still need to be ironed out.

[dnullify]

Ugh... that's what i was afraid of.

So many good reviews, but a couple of bad experiences. Do they generally go bad when fished hard? Or are there just some bad ones out there?

[RWSCHMITZ]

I have 3 TP1S reels, that I use for Pike in Canada, and the reel is one of the BEST REELS I have used. They will cast great, I cast alot of 1-2oz spinner baits, and the reel dual brake system is one of the best I have used, 2 spool brakes on and then I can fine tune with the Mag brakes. The reel spool cap is 150yds of 12lb test and I use 65lb braid. The 5.4:1 gears will bring in size 6-8 blades like nothing. I have used them on 2 trips last year and they feel like they did out of the box. On the TP1S it has a 95mm handle which is great for hard pulling baits like spinner baits. The drag is Carbontex and is very strong, will handle 20lb plus Pike. I got my on Ebay for under $150.00 !!!!
sold off 3 Zillions after I got the 1st TP1S !!!!!!

[e_bassfisher]

imho, they are really good reels for the $...had one of the Tournament Speed Spool since they came out, can't kill it...

[5bites]

The reel spool cap is 150yds of 12lb test...

This is a dumb question but did you mean reel or real? The reason I ask is I thought they were rated at a lower capacity.

[RWSCHMITZ]

The reel spool cap is 150yds of 12lb test...

This is a dumb question but did you mean reel or real? The reason I ask is I thought they were rated at a lower capacity.

The TP1S is 150yds of 12 lb, I think all the 5.4:1 models have the larger spool, the std spool is 120yds of 12lb.
I have about 100yds of 65lb braid on my 3 reels with 10yds of mono backing

[5bites]

Ooooooooh ok. I thought you might have been implying that there was a discrepancy in the advertised capacity. I see what you mean now.