Help Picking Out The Best Lews Reel. 2025
tbone1993 reply :
I have an abu garcia Stx 6:4 which i have to get in to be repaired due to a faulty magnetic drag, paired with a 6'6 m fenwick hmg. I also have revo winch 5:4 paired with a 7' mh st croix mojo bass that needs to be sent in because of a busted guide. I am looking at getting the lews tournament pro reel because we are sponsored by them but I am not sure if I should buy that or just get two speed spools. I am going to be fishing a lot more tournaments but need more combos. Should I got with the tournament pro or hold off and just buy a few more combos? Does anyone with tournament experience have any input?
livewire84 reply :
The only thing I dont like about my speed spool is the spool tension and drag dont click when you adjust them
BASSHUNTER1961 reply :
Indexed tension knobs and drags serve no purpose anyhow.....
sarcazmo reply :
Does it have to be a Lew's? Not disparaging them I have a Lews TP which I think is a decent reel.
TNBassin' reply :
The STX has a magnetic drag????? 
Hi Salenity reply :
I have several TPs. You can buy them for around $150 NEW on Ebay, and at that price point they are my favorite reel.
skeletor6 reply :
On 10/13/2012 at 3:05 AM, livewire84 said:The only thing I dont like about my speed spool is the spool tension and drag dont click when you adjust them
My Lews tournament drag and spool tension clicks upon adjustments.
The best buy would either be the Lew's tournament or the Lew's TP. The TP is much lighter and is most likely the best buy. Get the 6.4 or 7.1 gear ratio since you have a gear ratio in the already. I am not going to discuss other reel options since your title is specifically asking about Lew's. They are making good reels right now, I have the regular tournament version and enjoy it. I heard the the regular speed spools are nice, but eventually if you keep fishing tournaments you will want to upgrade.
Since it sounds like you are running low on setups, having only 1 combo will really slow you down in a tournament. With that being said, it can be expensive to buy gear that you are later going to want to replace for better gear. I know because I am in the process of that right now. If you want to just build up a bunch of inexpensive combo's just to have a lot available to use buying a Lews TP would not be the best choice. You are best looking at sub $100 reels and rods.
If it were me though, I would want to buy something that I would not want to replace in the future. I have 2 H20 mettles that are nice reels that I got for very cheap. I would put them up against any of my buddies sub $100 reels (I dont see a huge difference). They certainly are majorly behind my Lews tournament and not even enjoyable after using my Curado 50e. Thus, I need to sell the mettles to upgrade. I had to buy them because I needed to stack up combos in a hurry. I regret that decision right now. The same can be said for some of my rod purchases as well. After buying a powell max it opened up the door to wanting many more things. A LTB, Loomis IMX, and finally an NRX. Now all I want is NRX's. It's a bad problem to have.
Just some insight from my own experience. Good luck in your tournaments BTW. You certainly don't need the best equipment to catch fish. It just has made it more enjoyable for me personally.
LgMouthGambler reply :
Im with Skeletor about buying the right reels now, and not replacing them down the road. In that case I would just get the Shimanos now, I joke I joke, I kid I kid. I would be looking into AT LEAST the Tourney Speed Spool.
*Hootie reply :
On 10/13/2012 at 5:22 PM, LgMouthGambler said:Im with Skeletor about buying the right reels now, and not replacing them down the road. In that case I would just get the Shimanos now, I joke I joke, I kid I kid. I would be looking into AT LEAST the Tourney Speed Spool.
Ya just can't resist can ya LMG. lol
Hootie
LgMouthGambler reply :
You know me, just cant help myself
JCiurej34 reply :
Get a tournament pro I have one, for now, and I love it.
Basswhippa reply :
If you want the best Lews, go to Ebay and get a Shimano built one. 
kickerfish1 reply :
A few things to keep in mind based upon what you shared...
1. Fishing tournaments will require different techniques throughout the year. While one all purpose outfit will handle most things it may not be able to convert them from bites to landed fish. With that said you can probably get by with 3 outfits for majority of your fishing needs. I would suggested a mh casting setup to be used for all bottom contact baits. Next would be a moderate action casting outfit for spinnerbaits, cranks, jerks, traps, and topwater but use mono on this setup. Last you may opt for a spinning outfit for weightless baits, shakeyheads, dropshots, etc...
2. You mention your magnetic brakes on your Abu had to be fixed. Despite the Lews sponsorship all of their reels utilize magnetic brakes and some use both magnetic and centrifugal brakes. Too avoid magnetic shimano may be worth a look as they don't wear out as fast IMO.
3. Best advice is to build an arsenal of outfits that will allow to fish the lakes in your tournament schedule in a way that will let you compete with the others in the club. You may need to adjust the outfits I suggested to fit your style and needs but if possible buy the best your budget will allow. You may also want to buy used gear that is in good condition as it may allow you to get gear that is a notch or two above what you would have bought new.
skeletor6 reply :
On 10/13/2012 at 5:22 PM, LgMouthGambler said:Im with Skeletor about buying the right reels now, and not replacing them down the road. In that case I would just get the Shimanos now, I joke I joke, I kid I kid. I would be looking into AT LEAST the Tourney Speed Spool.
Your biases are well known. I have to say that for now, I've switched over to the dark side. I understand you now LMG!
On 10/14/2012 at 12:29 PM, kickerfish1 said:A few things to keep in mind based upon what you shared...
1. Fishing tournaments will require different techniques throughout the year. While one all purpose outfit will handle most things it may not be able to convert them from bites to landed fish. With that said you can probably get by with 3 outfits for majority of your fishing needs. I would suggested a mh casting setup to be used for all bottom contact baits. Next would be a moderate action casting outfit for spinnerbaits, cranks, jerks, traps, and topwater but use mono on this setup. Last you may opt for a spinning outfit for weightless baits, shakeyheads, dropshots, etc...
2. You mention your magnetic brakes on your Abu had to be fixed. Despite the Lews sponsorship all of their reels utilize magnetic brakes and some use both magnetic and centrifugal brakes. Too avoid magnetic shimano may be worth a look as they don't wear out as fast IMO.
3. Best advice is to build an arsenal of outfits that will allow to fish the lakes in your tournament schedule in a way that will let you compete with the others in the club. You may need to adjust the outfits I suggested to fit your style and needs but if possible buy the best your budget will allow. You may also want to buy used gear that is in good condition as it may allow you to get gear that is a notch or two above what you would have bought new.
Great post and great advice! Your thumb can take the place of magnetic brakes, they aren't a big deal to me. I use them on my Lew's, but I am just fine without them on my Shimano. What rod are you looking to put this on?
tbone1993 reply :
On 10/13/2012 at 3:49 AM, sarcazmo said:Does it have to be a Lew's? Not disparaging them I have a Lews TP which I think is a decent reel.
^^ Well we are sponsored by lews so we get the tournament pro at around $120 so it seems like a steal. But I can also get another revo stx for the same price.
On 10/13/2012 at 4:41 AM, TNBassin said:The STX has a magnetic drag?????
Yep , magnetic and centrifugal.
On 10/13/2012 at 5:38 AM, Hi Salenity said:I have several TPs. You can buy them for around $150 NEW on Ebay, and at that price point they are my favorite reel.
I used one today and so far I like it a lot.
On 10/13/2012 at 2:24 PM, skeletor6 said:My Lews tournament drag and spool tension clicks upon adjustments.
The best buy would either be the Lew's tournament or the Lew's TP. The TP is much lighter and is most likely the best buy. Get the 6.4 or 7.1 gear ratio since you have a gear ratio in the already. I am not going to discuss other reel options since your title is specifically asking about Lew's. They are making good reels right now, I have the regular tournament version and enjoy it. I heard the the regular speed spools are nice, but eventually if you keep fishing tournaments you will want to upgrade.
Since it sounds like you are running low on setups, having only 1 combo will really slow you down in a tournament. With that being said, it can be expensive to buy gear that you are later going to want to replace for better gear. I know because I am in the process of that right now. If you want to just build up a bunch of inexpensive combo's just to have a lot available to use buying a Lews TP would not be the best choice. You are best looking at sub $100 reels and rods.
If it were me though, I would want to buy something that I would not want to replace in the future. I have 2 H20 mettles that are nice reels that I got for very cheap. I would put them up against any of my buddies sub $100 reels (I dont see a huge difference). They certainly are majorly behind my Lews tournament and not even enjoyable after using my Curado 50e. Thus, I need to sell the mettles to upgrade. I had to buy them because I needed to stack up combos in a hurry. I regret that decision right now. The same can be said for some of my rod purchases as well. After buying a powell max it opened up the door to wanting many more things. A LTB, Loomis IMX, and finally an NRX. Now all I want is NRX's. It's a bad problem to have.
Just some insight from my own experience. Good luck in your tournaments BTW. You certainly don't need the best equipment to catch fish. It just has made it more enjoyable for me personally.
I think I am going to hold off on these next tournaments and wait until spring because i am down on combos. Unless I can borrow a couple off some of the guys not fishing. I was told by that the Lews tend to blow up after extended use, especially lots of tournament fishing. Though in the long run I heard Abu lasted the longest ( except mine but that was operator error).
On 10/14/2012 at 12:29 PM, kickerfish1 said:A few things to keep in mind based upon what you shared...
1. Fishing tournaments will require different techniques throughout the year. While one all purpose outfit will handle most things it may not be able to convert them from bites to landed fish. With that said you can probably get by with 3 outfits for majority of your fishing needs. I would suggested a mh casting setup to be used for all bottom contact baits. Next would be a moderate action casting outfit for spinnerbaits, cranks, jerks, traps, and topwater but use mono on this setup. Last you may opt for a spinning outfit for weightless baits, shakeyheads, dropshots, etc...
2. You mention your magnetic brakes on your Abu had to be fixed. Despite the Lews sponsorship all of their reels utilize magnetic brakes and some use both magnetic and centrifugal brakes. Too avoid magnetic shimano may be worth a look as they don't wear out as fast IMO.
3. Best advice is to build an arsenal of outfits that will allow to fish the lakes in your tournament schedule in a way that will let you compete with the others in the club. You may need to adjust the outfits I suggested to fit your style and needs but if possible buy the best your budget will allow. You may also want to buy used gear that is in good condition as it may allow you to get gear that is a notch or two above what you would have bought new.
I have spinning combos and am good on the soft plastics. It really is a tough decision but I had a chance to talk to a friend who is going pro and he gave me some pretty good insight under the table.
TNBassin' reply :
I think you have "drag" and "brakes" confused.
tbone1993 reply :
Now I am giving free reign to you guys. I have $200 to spend on a reel. I have a low gear ratio. What reel should I buy that has the best warranty and will hold up for extreme use. For example I fished 20 hours in two days and that was a small tournament. I want this reel to be used for jigging and possibly frogging down the road.
skeletor6 reply :
On 10/15/2012 at 12:45 PM, tbone1993 said:Now I am giving free reign to you guys. I have $200 to spend on a reel. I have a low gear ratio. What reel should I buy that has the best warranty and will hold up for extreme use. For example I fished 20 hours in two days and that was a small tournament. I want this reel to be used for jigging and possibly frogging down the road.
Jigging and frogging makes me think you should get a high speed reel. Something like a 7:1 gear ratio. If you can get lews Brand New for $120 because of your sponsorship that makes it a really good deal. You can sell it down the road and be fine if you don't like it.
Either do that or get a Shimano curado/chronarch 200e7. You can find them under $200 and these reels come with great warranties and have been tested and proven by many.
There are many Lew's TP vs Curado/Chronarch debates. If you do a search you will get a lot of information on the two. There also is the Gen 3 revo's. I have no experience with them so I cannot give help there.
tbone1993 reply :
On 10/15/2012 at 12:44 PM, TNBassin said:I think you have "drag" and "brakes" confused.
I kept typing drag instead of brakes, that was my fault.
LgMouthGambler reply :
Chronarch 200E7.
*Hootie reply :
On 10/15/2012 at 6:10 PM, LgMouthGambler said:Chronarch 200E7.
You said you were going to try out that new 50E today.....GO!!!
Besides Lews don't make the Chronarch. lol
Hootie
LgMouthGambler reply :
Priorities: 1. Work 2. Ship rod and reel to Ninja 3. Fish the Chronarch 50E.
*Hootie reply :
On 10/15/2012 at 8:00 PM, LgMouthGambler said:Priorities: 1. Work 2. Ship rod and reel to Ninja 3. Fish the Chronarch 50E.
Sounds like a solid plan. I'm just anxious to get a positive no noise report on your 50E. I really want to get another one, a quiet one, like my 200E's.
You have a great day guy.
I kinda forgot about the work thingy, been retired for 5 years.
Hootie
Arv reply :
Definitely get the TP if you get it for 120. I have the Tournament Speed Spool and its my favorite reel.
TNBassin' reply :
A Lew's is in my future, but first they have to come out with some decent reels in a lefty.
tbone1993 reply :
Thanks guys I decided to buy 5 zebco 404 combos instead. Gotta love the push buttons.
Arv reply :
On 10/16/2012 at 10:34 AM, TNBassin said:A Lew's is in my future, but first they have to come out with some decent reels in a lefty.
They actually do have decent reels (at least decent by my standards) in left hand models. I think its only their more top end models that only come in right hand, and even then, the models that do come as lefty's, its not every gear ratio. So, not a ton to choose from. But you can get the Tournament Pro, Tournament and several others in left handed models, and I would definitely consider these decent reels.
Diggy reply :
On 10/16/2012 at 10:34 AM, TNBassin said:A Lew's is in my future, but first they have to come out with some decent reels in a lefty.
They have basically added new lefties to ...almost..... their whole line up now from what I see, many in 7:1 instead of 6 ratio which they were before.
Boogey Man reply :
I have Tournament Pro I have a love/hate relationship with. When I first got it, it was a casting freak. After using it for a few months, casting distance just died. I've cleaned it, soaked the bearings, relubed, etc. It's close to where it was when I got it, not quite. It also has an occasional annoying "rattling" sound on the cast and sometimes on a fast retrieve. Also, Lews needs to improve the clicking drag and cast control. Both have plastic clicking mechanisms and have both broken and quit working on mine. No biggie, it doesn't affect the function of either and I've used reels since before all the clickies, but still. But considering you can get them for around $150, I'd give another one a chance.
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