I'm the only person in the world who hates Lew's 2024
RichD913 reply :
That's a direct quote from my brother. To expand on it, it was "Yes, I know you hate lew's. I know you'll never buy another lew's reel again. I hear about it every time we go fishing. But you're the only person in the world who hates Lew's. Everyone loves them." Now, I know this is and exaggeration but I'm just looking for an idea and I'm not trying to bash Lew's or anything like that. Some backstory, my first Lew's reel was a Lew's Laser Speed Spool I got on sale from Cabela's marked down to $80 from $130. So regular price not a cheapo reel but not expensive by any means. Well a week after it started peeling whatever coating it had on it. I exchanged it for new at cabelas after being told by a fellow fisherman that it may not have been left in the ovens long enough (?). Lo and behold the next one started the same thing. Then the functionality problems came. Intermittent loud grinding while reeling. Reel handle just locking up for no reason. I clean it, oil it. I don't treat it bad, so why oh why does it treat me bad. I'll never know 
anyway, what are your thoughts and who is your go to reel company. Honestly, I have a Pass pro Johnny Morris reel I'm in love with but they only make them in right hand retrieve and I can't do that in all the applications.
roadwarrior reply :
There are many choices at every pricing point. Maybe you should focus on Shimano, Diawa, Pinnacle and Okuma.
bigfruits reply :
Not bashing any company (ive never tried a Lews) but ive learned if you buy "cheap" you end up spending more by buying again.
Check out Shimano's line of reels. The Curado/Scorpion 70 is a bit more expensive but is a great reel for the price. After I bought my first one, I sold my Curado 51E and two Chronarch 51mgs to replace with more Scorpions.
You cant go wrong with Daiwa either, Shimanos are just more ergonomic in my hands.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
Lews share general design, parts, tooling and platform with lots of other brands including the BPS and JM as well as Pure Fishing brands. Just keep that in mind if decide to jump ship. In general Lews compete well with other reels in given price points. Daiwas Tatula is a popular current offering can be had for $100.
crypt reply :
I've been fishing for over 45 years and have not "hated" any one reel company . just like some more than others. I like ambassadeurs, bass pro reels,lews,daiwa. but the only brand I have now are abu's and ambassadeurs.
kickerfish1 reply :
I don't dislike them I have just found them not to my liking. Right now I am exclusively using Daiwa and Shimano for all my casting reels.
lmbfisherman reply :
I've never had a desire to get one, I'm sure they work fine. Everyone gets a lemon now and then. I grew up with Shimano and have stayed with Shimano with most of my reels. I ventured a few times but I find myself always picking up a Shimano. 
WPCfishing reply :
On 2/5/2017 at 10:00 PM, RichD913 said:That's a direct quote from my brother. To expand on it, it was "Yes, I know you hate lew's. I know you'll never buy another lew's reel again. I hear about it every time we go fishing. But you're the only person in the world who hates Lew's. Everyone loves them." Now, I know this is and exaggeration but I'm just looking for an idea and I'm not trying to bash Lew's or anything like that. Some backstory, my first Lew's reel was a Lew's Laser Speed Spool I got on sale from Cabela's marked down to $80 from $130. So regular price not a cheapo reel but not expensive by any means. Well a week after it started peeling whatever coating it had on it. I exchanged it for new at cabelas after being told by a fellow fisherman that it may not have been left in the ovens long enough (?). Lo and behold the next one started the same thing. Then the functionality problems came. Intermittent loud grinding while reeling. Reel handle just locking up for no reason. I clean it, oil it. I don't treat it bad, so why oh why does it treat me bad. I'll never know
anyway, what are your thoughts and who is your go to reel company. Honestly, I have a Pass pro Johnny Morris reel I'm in love with but they only make them in right hand retrieve and I can't do that in all the applications.
Sorry to hear that.. Although I have a hard time believing. Post a pic to prove it.
MassYak85 reply :
I have a Speed Spool LFS and a BB-1 Pro and I have no complaints so far with either. LFS I've had a few years now and other than needing to replace a part in the side plate (completely my fault) it hasn't given me any issues. The Pro I got for like half off so it was purely an impulse buy, so far I like it but it hasn't seen much action.
RoLo reply :
Any brand of rod or reel that is worthy of hate, would likely disappear from the landscape.
Lews is not a brand that I normally consider, but it's probably safe to say
that they dominate specific niches within their price range.
Roger
lonnie g reply :
remember big stores buy them buy them in batches. I used to work for NAPA. and have seen issues where a whole batch of product was bad for what ever reason. it can happen. sorry to here you had problems I personal don't own lews ,but do personally know a couple of pro anglers that love them. DVT is correct some manufactures make for multiple brands. these guys have great recomendations for what ever price range you may want best of luck to you hope you find what feels good to you.
fvogel67 reply :
Mine did the same thing.
RichD913 reply :
On 2/6/2017 at 2:36 AM, fvogel67 said:Mine did the same thing.
Exactly! I was just about to take a picture as some people apparently can't believe that there can be anything wrong with a Lew's Reel. Anyway, the "I hate Lew's" statement came from my brother about my distaste for this reel and it put a sour taste in my mouth with Lew's. But man some people got triggered lol
On 2/6/2017 at 1:54 AM, WPCfishing said:
Sorry to hear that.. Although I have a hard time believing. Post a pic to prove it.
See above. Same thing happened to me. And I'm not hear to prove anything, I'm hear for advice. Thanks anyway.
LuckyHandsINC. reply :
I bought a team Lews pro when they first came out. It really did perform well but I just wasn't crazy about it. It also developed a bad/loud bearing after only a trip or two. Sold it after one season.
I used to hate when I would see people describe abu,Pflueger, Lews etc as "cookie cutter" reels, but now I totally understand it. Only 5 or so years ago I was all in on my cookie cutters now after a couple bad experiences I'm over it. All shimano and daiwa for me.
I still get a kick out of when when I hear someone say" I hate abu but man these Lews are the best thing ever". I don't usually call them out but I am always thinking to myself, they're basically the same reel.
Anyway to the op's point. I won't say I hate Lews but I'm sure I will never own another.
Big Bait Fishing reply :
On 2/5/2017 at 10:00 PM, RichD913 said:That's a direct quote from my brother. To expand on it, it was "Yes, I know you hate lew's. I know you'll never buy another lew's reel again. I hear about it every time we go fishing. But you're the only person in the world who hates Lew's. Everyone loves them." Now, I know this is and exaggeration but I'm just looking for an idea and I'm not trying to bash Lew's or anything like that. Some backstory, my first Lew's reel was a Lew's Laser Speed Spool I got on sale from Cabela's marked down to $80 from $130. So regular price not a cheapo reel but not expensive by any means. Well a week after it started peeling whatever coating it had on it. I exchanged it for new at cabelas after being told by a fellow fisherman that it may not have been left in the ovens long enough (?). Lo and behold the next one started the same thing. Then the functionality problems came. Intermittent loud grinding while reeling. Reel handle just locking up for no reason. I clean it, oil it. I don't treat it bad, so why oh why does it treat me bad. I'll never know
if i were you , i'd give a call to Lew's as they have a fantastic customer service
WPCfishing reply :
On 2/6/2017 at 2:39 AM, RichD913 said:
Exactly! I was just about to take a picture as some people apparently can't believe that there can be anything wrong with a Lew's Reel. Anyway, the "I hate Lew's" statement came from my brother about my distaste for this reel and it put a sour taste in my mouth with Lew's. But man some people got triggered lol
See above. Same thing happened to me. And I'm not hear to prove anything, I'm hear for advice. Thanks anyway.
Okay so now I believe you.. Unfortunately there are some new members posting garbage from time to time. Glad you aren't one of them. Contact Liz at Lews at: customerservice@lews.com
I'm sure she will make arrangements for you to get a new reel.
RichD913 reply :
I have reached out to customer service and they offered to replace the reel. That's when I just exchanged it because it was still early after the purchase and the second reel had the same problems. So it gets used until I replace it with another reel. Customer service was helpful though.
NickIL reply :
For basic cranking I have found the Lew's Speed Spool to be among the best. I will spend more when I need greater performance from a reel. Frankly, the basic Speed Spool, at around $100, meets my every need for a smooth, long casting, dependable drag reel.
fvogel67 reply :
I'm not concerned at all with the cosmetics of my Laser Pro,I use it fishing the Great Miami and its kind of my beater reel.It works great and I have no complaints at all with its mechanical performance
fishnkamp reply :
Again not really bashing but relaying a witnessed event. I fish in tidal Md waters. The bass share their home with huge stripers, big blue and channel cats, pickerel and snakeheads. These fish can tear up equipment.
I have sen a 15 pound blue cat destroy a Lews reel on my boat more than once. Personally I have switched to Diawa Tatula Type Rs and CTs. Many of the guys I know that fish regularly have made a switch to those reels as well. Most of them were fishing either Lews or BPS Pro Qualifiers. The Diawas are casting extremely smoothly and holding up well even in brackish tidal water.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 2/6/2017 at 6:44 AM, NickIL said:For basic cranking I have found the Lew's Speed Spool to be among the best. I will spend more when I need greater performance from a reel. Frankly, the basic Speed Spool, at around $100, meets my every need for a smooth, long casting, dependable drag reel.
See if they will let you upgrade to a Tournament MB for a little extra money. Let them know this is the second reel in a row with the same problem. Who knows.....maybe they will give you an upgrade for no charge. Otherwise switch to the Tatulas if you want to stay in the $95-$100 price range.
Yudo1 reply :
My first bait casters were Lew's and BPS PQ's. I liked them ok, but they didn't wow me. I bought my first shimano curado 51e and immediately sold everything and went totally shimano/daiwa. It sounds like you should do the same.
RichD913 reply :
On 2/6/2017 at 8:08 AM, Yudo1 said:My first bait casters were Lew's and BPS PQ's. I liked them ok, but they didn't wow me. I bought my first shimano curado 51e and immediately sold everything and went totally shimano/daiwa. It sounds like you should do the same.
I'm looking for a reel now to pair with the Tatula rod I ordered for worms and jigs, and have decided to go with shimano or Daiwa $200 would be the most I could spend and that's pushing it. I don't really know exactly what to look for. They all kind of boast the same thing.
Yudo1 reply :
Get a Tatula CT or if you want something a little more compact then try a curado 70.
RichD913 reply :
On 2/6/2017 at 8:32 AM, Yudo1 said:Get a Tatula CT or if you want something a little more compact then try a curado 70.
I am looking at the Tatula Tactical which is on sale. Was looking at the Curado 70 but am concerned about the line capacity.
new2BC4bass reply :
There is a used Curado I 200HG for $110 on another site. I kind of like Daiwas and would also suggest one of the Tatula models. I don't have a Pflueger Supreme XT, but some on here do and are very happy with the reel. I've got cheaper and more expensive Pflueger models. Pflueger baitcast reels seldom get mentioned here, but I've always felt they were under-rated and ignored for the more popular names. See if you can locate one of the older blue Patriarch XTs. Fine reels. Were $250 new...I think. Picked up my last one for $90. A steal. The Daiwa T3 1016s can be found for less than $200. Nice reels that cost a lot more new.
Jeff H reply :
On 2/6/2017 at 1:33 AM, kickerfish1 said:I don't dislike them I have just found them not to my liking. Right now I am exclusively using Daiwa <snip> for all my casting reels.
Same here, with one small change. 
Basswhippa reply :
Lews are $50 Chinese bubble pack Walker Mary throw away reels. Use it for a few months, chuck it, and buy another.
Nor-Cal Basser reply :
On 2/6/2017 at 10:45 AM, Basswhippa said:Lews are $50 Chinese bubble pack Walker Mary throw away reels. Use it for a few months, chuck it, and buy another.
Lew's are Korean, not Chinese. I have Lew's reels that are going on 3 years without issue, so I wouldn't call them throw aways. They just aren't my favorite. Daiwa and Shimano just fit what I prefer in a reel better than Lew's.
kickerfish1 reply :
On 2/6/2017 at 9:26 AM, Jeff H said:
Same here, with one small change.
I see what you did there!
Oklahoma Mike reply :
I am not married to any one brand and will buy what I feel is the best reel for whatever purpose I want it to serve. I have mid and high end reels from practically every manufacturer. One of these is a Team Lews Lite LFS, and it is on of my favorite reels. I like it every bit as much as the Aldebaran.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I had a Lew's Speed Spool for a few years and liked it. It was a noisy reel after the first year but still worked fine. Apparently it didn't make it home from one of my last kayak trips though. Loaded it into the back of the truck, wasn't there when I got home. Hopefully it wasn't too damaged to use whenever it's new owner finds it along the highway.
XF15-Loader reply :
Bought a Tourney MB last year and fished it exclusively on a daily basis. I have to say, it's a great reel. Smooth casting and retrieval and, it will cast anything. I've had people ask what kind of reel I was using because of how well I was tossing a toad.
Bought a Super Duty to use on my frog pole this year. I was able to get out and throw it a bit before the pond froze and it's just as smooth as the MB.
These reels may break down in the next year or two but I'd be surprised. They perform so well!
edfitzvb reply :
At the price point. I really like Lew's. My first was bought for me as a Christmas gift 20 years ago, and is now retired but still going strong. I have a BB1-Pro, a Tournament Pro, and a Laser Tournament Pro that are still going strong. I bought the Laser used for pennies on the dollar. I also own a Revo STX, 2 Curado 200 green reela, an Okuma Serrano, a BPS pro qualifier, and numerous other assorted reels in the 140-200 price range. I bought most of them used for 25-30% of original MSRP. All of my reels are at least 2 years old or older and all are still serviceable. The Lew's are my favorites. The only brand I can't speak to is Daiwa, but for me, Lew's stands up as well as any other brand, and any time I need a new pawl or whatever, customer service has been more than helpful. If I am buying a reel for someone as a present, I look for Lew's because of my experience with them. YMMV
SWMIBASSER reply :
On 2/5/2017 at 10:47 PM, bigfruits said:Not bashing any company (ive never tried a Lews) but ive learned if you buy "cheap" you end up spending more by buying again.
Check out Shimano's line of reels. The Curado/Scorpion 70 is a bit more expensive but is a great reel for the price. After I bought my first one, I sold my Curado 51E and two Chronarch 51mgs to replace with more Scorpions.
You cant go wrong with Daiwa either, Shimanos are just more ergonomic in my hands.
Not always. The cheapest reels I've owned were the most reliable and by far longest lasting
Maggiesmaster reply :
I've got three Lew's Tournament Pro reels and one Lew's 'ultralite' Tournament Pro(??) and they're all great. However, one of my favorites is an old 'gold' Carbonlite. It was less than half the Lew's price for about 60% of the reel. I've read the new Carbonlite's aren't as good. In any event, I'll stick with Lews.
JoeD320 reply :
I still am amazed that your speed spool gets out performed by my $100 LFS.
ww2farmer reply :
I don't hate anything, every brand has it plus and minus's.
What turns me off on one brand or another, believe it or not, is their marketing strategy. Obnoxious, in your face advertising has always been a turn off to me, as well as legions of "fanboy" prostaffers who shill for, and/or bash other companies like broken records.
Jacob Phelps reply :
My dad got a tournament MB at the beginning of last season and loves it. Has had no problems at all. I tried it and loved it. Just picked up a Custom Speed Spool SLP. As I have started watching more fishing content online, I have heard a few people recommend Lews. I don't think every model is created equal, but have heard many good things about the Speed Spool LFS, the Tournament MB, the BB models, and every review I have read on the model I picked up were positive. I can definitely understand why you would never go back though, after what happened to your first Lews.
ksfishinguy reply :
On 2/6/2017 at 8:41 AM, RichD913 said:
I am looking at the Tatula Tactical which is on sale. Was looking at the Curado 70 but am concerned about the line capacity.
I'm always puzzled by this. There's more line than you can cast off by far. I'm not chastising, just wondering what scenario you'd need more line for. Maybe trolling?
RichD913 reply :
On 2/7/2017 at 5:49 AM, ksfishinguy said:I'm always puzzled by this. There's more line than you can cast off by far. I'm not chastising, just wondering what scenario you'd need more line for. Maybe trolling?
I don't know. Lake Fork Guy said he was using 20lb Fluro with the Curado 70 and he cast out and his lure and all the line followed lol
lmbfisherman reply :
On 2/7/2017 at 6:45 AM, RichD913 said:
I don't know. Lake Fork Guy said he was using 20lb Fluro with the Curado 70 and he cast out and his lure and all the line followed lol
Uh who puts on 20 lb floro on a Curado 70 or even 50 size reels and cast it out? If I put 20 lb on a 70 it would only be used as a pitching and flipping setup. So silly.
I put 30 lb braid on mine, more than efficient for me to use for jigs and plastics without worrying about spooling my reel. You have to use common sense. FYI I fought big cats and pike with no issues about spooling my reel either.
Big Bait Fishing reply :
On 2/6/2017 at 10:45 AM, Basswhippa said:Lews are $50 Chinese bubble pack Walker Mary throw away reels. Use it for a few months, chuck it, and buy another.
Jeff H reply :
On 2/6/2017 at 10:45 AM, Basswhippa said:Lews are $50 Chinese bubble pack Walker Mary throw away reels. Use it for a few months, chuck it, and buy another.
I call them gumball machine quality.
RichD913 reply :
On 2/7/2017 at 9:07 AM, lmbfisherman said:Uh who puts on 20 lb floro on a Curado 70 or even 50 size reels and cast it out? If I put 20 lb on a 70 it would only be used as a pitching and flipping setup. So silly.
I put 30 lb braid on mine, more than efficient for me to use for jigs and plastics without worrying about spooling my reel. You have to use common sense. FYI I fought big cats and pike with no issues about spooling my reel either.
He does I guess lol
Jeff H reply :
I've put 17lb XT on a TD-Z w/1016 spool and was throwing jigs with it. I'm not a distance caster but there was plenty of line for me
Mosster47 reply :
I have 15 or so Lew's and haven't ever had the slightest problem with them.
I haven't had the slightest problem with any real I have ever spent more than $150 on new or used and that's A LOT of reels.
robster80 reply :
I HATE lews. I drank the Lews kool aid a few yrs back when i got into baitcasting reels. Everyone praised the tournament pro. So i ordered one and also a super duty. When the package arrived i almost thought it was some sort of strange joke when i held the reel. Just felt so cheap and fragile. Even the lews emblem was halfway peeled off. There was nothing great about performance either. Had issues with the braking system after a few days as well. After i realized they were made by pure fishing or whatever and share parts with tons of other reels i got rid of em and went to daiwa and shimano.
tander reply :
I got 6 BB1's and have 2 older 80's BB1s. Never had a problem out of any of them. You can get bad ones from any brand, customer service is what you need to look for when buying anything.
LEWITH reply :
Lews has come along way in the last few years. Anything above the tournament MB line you will be happy with. The tournament MB line is kind of the start to where their product becomes pretty high quality. If you havent tried a Team Lews Lite you are missing out. They make a great product everyone has their own opinions ford vs chevy here really. The top reel makers imo are Shimano, Lews, Diawa, Abu no real order.
JLWoodman reply :
I bought a Lews Tournament Pro and a BB1. Both perform flawless and nothing is peeling off them. I have owned them for over a year, no problems at all. I have owned 3 Shimano Curado's for a few years now...they perform just as well as my Lews, I like both companies a lot. I also take care of my reels and have them cleaned and lubed when needed.
That being said, there are some lower tier Shimano and Lews reels I would never pay for. I feel when it comes to this subject, you get what you pay for, in most cases.
I just purchased my first Abu Garcia reel, an Orra Winch for crank bait fishing. It was only 90 dollars but I hear they are great for crankin.
To each their own, I want to buy a nice Diawa next. I don't care about the name on the reel as long as it performs well and last a long time.
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