Lew' Over Shimano 2024
Sam reply :
I took my Pflueger PresidentWLP baitcaster to the gentleman in Powhatan County who services rods and reels and I asked him what is the best reel in the marketplace today.
Without a second thought, he replied, "Lew's."
I asked him why and he said that Shimano, his favorite for years, has stopped carrying parts for their reels, making servicing and repairs very difficult. In fact, he had to actually grind down a nut to fit a Shimano when Shimano told him they no longer carry the special nut and he found some Curado star drags that he is keeping for future use as Shimano no longer carries them.
He loved the old Curado's but he said times have changed at Shimano and getting parts is very difficult.
He went on to say that Lew's is easy to deal with and has all the parts needed to keep his client's Lew's reels in top condition.
He also likes the way the Lew's reels are constructed and their performance is outstanding.
So if you have a Shimano reel and it needs parts you may not be able to find them unless you purchase a duplicate reel on the Internet and steal parts off of it.
Anyone out there have any problems obtaining reel parts from Shimano? If so, let us know what happened.
Mobasser reply :
Interesting Sam. I haven't had to have any of my Shimano reels serviced for a while. If people are aware of this it could hurt Shimano sales. I've always liked them, casting and spinning, but it might be time to go with Lews or Diawa in the future.
PatrickKnight reply :
The only time I have ever had issues with parts is on older long discontinued models. I know Shimano stops making parts for a reel 5 years after they stop selling it. For my money Daiwa is at the top as of right now. Lews are decent reels in the lower price points but imo once you get over $150 MSRP they run out of steam. Keep in mind Lews, BPS, and Abu are basically the same reels made by the same company. As far as I know Daiwa and Shimano are the only two companies currently making there own reels.
OnthePotomac reply :
I won't knock Lews because I have never owned one, but that is an interesting story on Shimano parts I have never heard before. I have had Shimano reels for 18 years now and the only "parts" I have ever needed for older models are the tiny screws holding the handle cover on and they were sent using the part number for the respective model (Curado 100B in this case) and at no charge. I have also liked that many Shimano parts have been interchangeable on their other models. And yes, I have often heard of the 5 year parts availability after the model is discontinued. I hope DWT will comment on this.
MassYak85 reply :
I easily ordered some spare parts for my Cardiff 300 a couple years ago....but I looked on their website and they have broken the link for their online parts ordering. You may still be able to do it by phone I haven't tried, but if this is true that you can't get any parts anymore I surely will not be buying their reels going forward.
Also interesting to note, all the reels I clicked on on their site had the reel manuals removed when you clicked the link.
This is actually pretty disappointing because their online parts shop was in my opinion, THE best in the industry and very easy to deal with. You just open the schematic, find the parts number, and then press add to cart. Boom, done. No calling a help hotline, no waiting for emails. I'll reserve final judgement until someone who has had a more recent experience chimes in but overall a dumb move by Shimano if it's all true and not just them updating stuff temporarily.
On the topic of Lew's though. My one experience with their customer service department was fantastic and they gave me the parts I needed, plus more, and two day shipped them at no cost to me (and the issue I was having was 100% my own fault not on them). They aren't my favorite reels to fish but no complaints against the company itself.
Log Catcher reply :
If all of this is true it looks like Shimano is doing everything they can to lose business. I guess they want everybody to buy new instead of fixing the older reels.
Darren. reply :
I was looking for some bail parts for one of my Stradic FIs
and they're no longer carried. Plus the recent changes to
their website made it a headache to find their parts.
Doubt I'll change out my Stradics any time soon, though,
unless they break down and parts are no longer available.
MassYak85 reply :
Okay so doing a little more digging even though the link is broken in some parts of the website, if you go to their "fishshop" (https://fishshop.shimano.com/), you can get their parts under the "parts" tab. Although it looks like most of the reels in that shop are the newer ones, they might be scaling back on holding parts for older models (sounds like that is the case with the guy in the OP, maybe trying to get parts for older curados).
Darren. reply :
On 6/2/2018 at 10:25 PM, MassYak85 said:Okay so doing a little more digging even though the link is broken in some parts of the website, if you go to their "fishshop" (https://fishshop.shimano.com/), you can get their parts under the "parts" tab. Although it looks like most of the reels in that shop are the newer ones, they might be scaling back on holding parts for older models (sounds like that is the case with the guy in the OP, maybe trying to get parts for older curados).
Yes, I was going to post that link. In another thread that
was given to me as I couldn't find it after their site redesign.
grub_man reply :
Shimano built reels on the same frame out of virtually identical parts for about 20 years in the 90's and 2k's. It made taking care of those models very easy, because the same parts were used over and over. But when Shimano changed to the seasonal redesign model, things were bound to change. It makes the ability to keep replacement parts for the long term nearly impossible. It's a consequence of rapid release cycle with planned obsolescence. It works well in the tech, automotive, and other industries, and it's finally making its way to Shimano. Keeping reels in service for 30+ years just doesn't spur growth in product sales, and let's face it, companies are judged based on growth. A company that that is just big enough to pay its bills and keep its employees and customers happy isn't deemed successful.
I'll be keeping my old Shimanos going for as long as I can, but their pricing structure has moved my preferred models out of my budget, so as I look to expand and replace reels, I'll be looking across a larger spectrum of brands and models. My brand loyalty in casting reels is likely coming to an end.
There aren't many spinning reels that I've used over the years that I disliked, but casting reels were always a whole other issue for me.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
If Lews is the best constructed reel so is the revo, pflueger, PQ and others. It's easy to keep parts available when they fit 4+ brands and the basic platform is unchanged. The Shimano parts issue is for real.
greentrout reply :
Them were the days...Curado for 110.00 U.S. dollars...a tank...
Darren. reply :
On 6/2/2018 at 11:40 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:If Lews is the best constructed reel so is the revo, pflueger, PQ and others. It's easy to keep parts available when they fit 4+ brands and the basic platform is unchanged. The Shimano parts issue is for real.
What is the likelihood of repairing a Stradic 1000 FI that
has a bail which sticks and is worn down, doesn't close
well, etc. I imagine you'd need to take a look at it first....
grub_man reply :
On 6/2/2018 at 11:51 PM, greentrout said:Them were the days...Curado for 110.00 U.S. dollars...a tank...
The standard by which all reels should be measured! Not absurdly heavy, smooth, and reliable. Set the spool tension just tight enough to remove side to side play, turn 2 brakes on and go to work.
I'm really partial to the smaller 100b and the Citica 100dsv built on the Curado 100b platform.
Maico1 reply :
And the Bantam MGL is the next generation tank.....
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
On 6/2/2018 at 10:09 PM, MassYak85 said:
You just open the schematic, find the parts number, and then press add to cart. Boom, done. No calling a help hotline, no waiting for emails.
Still the way its done
https://fishshop.shimano.com/pages/low-profile
Pick a reel
pick the schematic
pick a part
order it
MassYak85 reply :
On 6/3/2018 at 1:11 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:Still the way its done
https://fishshop.shimano.com/pages/low-profile
Pick a reel
pick the schematic
pick a part
order it
Yea I found it in my last post, I guess they re-did their site recently some of their links are broken.
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
Can a person post/link where LEWS reel parts are this easy to order online???
Bass Turd reply :
On 6/3/2018 at 1:11 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:Still the way its done
https://fishshop.shimano.com/pages/low-profile
Pick a reel
pick the schematic
pick a part
order it
Yes but they are all newer models. Six months ago they still listed everything from D's on up. I ordered a bunch of parts to keep my D's going. But no more....
Darren. reply :
^^^This. No older models. Stradic FIs gone. I had priced
out what I wanted late last year. Gone.
The Bassman reply :
On 6/2/2018 at 10:19 PM, Darren. said:I was looking for some bail parts for one of my Stradic FIs
and they're no longer carried. Plus the recent changes to
their website made it a headache to find their parts.
Doubt I'll change out my Stradics any time soon, though,
unless they break down and parts are no longer available.
I agree. The numbers are out of sequence. I just look for the part name then apply the #. Makes no sense.
d-camarena reply :
Its business, they cant be living off old parts. Gotta make new reels and sell parts for newer reels so people can buy these new reels. I know some of us might not like it but in every business you gotta make money. Why sell somebody a $5 reel part when you can sell them a $150 reel?
Jrob78 reply :
Eh...availability of parts doesn't have anything to do with who makes the best reels.
kickerfish1 reply :
You can probably tell your friend to shove it. I don't know anyone that wouldn't take a mid to high end Daiwa or Shimano over anything Lews has to offer. I have zero issues finding parts for any of my Shimano or Daiwa reels. Sure when anything is discontinued it will be tougher to source parts. I sold off my Lews reels two years ago and have had zero desire to buy or recommend one again.
Your "reel guy" is entitled to his opinion like anyone else...
Graham reply :
@Sam thanks for the topic, definitely something to consider when deciding to buy older used shimanos. This reel guy in Powhatan, is he someone you can share his info with me?
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
Let me ask one simple question,
how old is Shimano reel that you cannot find parts and how old is lew reel we are talking here. Are we comparing apple to apple?
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
On 6/3/2018 at 12:40 AM, Darren. said:What is the likelihood of repairing a Stradic 1000 FI that
has a bail which sticks and is worn down, doesn't close
well, etc. I imagine you'd need to take a look at it first....
They're usually just dirty or the bail wire is bent and binding it up. What do you think is worn down?
Darren. reply :
On 6/3/2018 at 7:13 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:They're usually just dirty or the bail wire is bent and binding it up. What do you think is worn down?
I've cleaned the area thoroughly. What it sounds like is grinding
of plastic on plastic. When you remove the bail wire and inspect
those areas, the original paint/coating is worn off (which I assume
is normal wear and tear).
I did adjust the bail wire on my other FI (identical), and it works
much better. As well, you know the very tiny white plastic piece
that I assume is the clicker inside the mechanism? Well, the spring
under it popped out. I don't have the reel handy, else I'd take pix.
Perhaps I could send some to you in a PM at a better time when I
have it handy - and better lighting.
the reel ess reply :
I own three Lew's now and I've never owned a Shimano. But I had a 1983 Daiwa Procaster PMF1000 that they sent me parts for as recently as 2015. ABSOLUTELY FREE! That's the world champ of reel customer service as far as I'm concerned. I really should go with Daiwa now that I can afford some quality.
As for Shimano reels, BPS has parts for most reels, by any manufacturer. They would be worth a try. You can ship your reel there and most repairs cost $19.95.
new2BC4bass reply :
I have Shimano. I like them. I have Lew's. I like them. If I had to go with only one brand it would be Daiwa.
Sam reply :
On 6/3/2018 at 5:27 AM, kickerfish1 said:You can probably tell your friend to shove it. I don't know anyone that would take a mid to high end Daiwa or Shimano over anything Lews has to offer. I have zero issues finding parts for any of my Shimano or Daiwa reels. Sure when anything is discontinued it will be tougher to source parts. I sold off my Lews reels two years ago and have had zero desire to buy or recommend one again.
Your "reel guy" is entitled to his opinion like anyone else...
Hey Kicker, "Wayne" works on new and old freshwater and saltwater rods and reels and he is always ordering parts.
He once told me that Shimano's were the best out there and I have all Shimano's other than for one Pflueger, one Lew's and two Ambassadors.
"Wayne" has been keeping me up to date on the various reel's components changes and how plastic is being used more and more in reels. He also brought to my attention not to grease or get any grease on the anti-reverse on any reels.
He had a very old Shimano baitcaster that he just finished repairing and to see a reel that old working like new was a heck of a surprise. The guy who brought it in also brought it's twin, both in the original boxes, and Wayne got them up and running like new. I believe the guy found them at a yard sale.
"Wayne" also fixes and repairs broken rods, both salt and freshwater.
"Wayne" is the guy the local tournament guys and pros go to for help keeping their tackle in good working order.
Wish you were in the Richmond area so you could talk with him about rods and reels and baits and fishing and politics and life in general. I know he would love speaking with you.
On 6/3/2018 at 6:52 AM, JustJames said:Let me ask one simple question,
how old is Shimano reel that you cannot find parts and how old is lew reel we are talking here. Are we comparing apple to apple?
Mainly reels five years and older.
And yes, comparing apples to apples.
On 6/3/2018 at 8:57 AM, Darren. said:I've cleaned the area thoroughly. What it sounds like is grinding
of plastic on plastic. When you remove the bail wire and inspect
those areas, the original paint/coating is worn off (which I assume
is normal wear and tear).
I did adjust the bail wire on my other FI (identical), and it works
much better. As well, you know the very tiny white plastic piece
that I assume is the clicker inside the mechanism? Well, the spring
under it popped out. I don't have the reel handy, else I'd take pix.
Perhaps I could send some to you in a PM at a better time when I
have it handy - and better lighting.
I may have had the same problem with a Shimano Stradic 2500 MgFA. The small spring had sprung. "Wayne" replaced the spring and it works fine.
BaitFinesse reply :
This is an interesting topic. Lews reels are an OEM product and it is the OEM that designs and builds the reels so they are the ones with the parts. I would think that this would make it difficult for Lews, a customer of the OEM, to supply parts considering that they have no control over the manufacturing. If the OEM decides to discontinue a platform and stop making parts then there is nothing Lews can do about it. I would think this would make it difficult to source parts from discontinued platforms when going through the customer of that OEM. "Hey, [REEL BRAND] I need this part from a reel I bought from you 10 years ago that you bought from a Korean reel manufacfuter" vs "I need this part for this reel you made 10 years ago."
It doesn't appear to be any harder to locate parts for these OEM reels through the brand that bought the reel. I wonder if wear parts are common across many platforms from an OEM making it easy repair what appear to be many different types of reels. I would imagine any unique part for a discontinued reel would be difficult to source though.
MassYak85 reply :
On 6/4/2018 at 2:10 AM, BaitFinesse said:This is an interesting topic. Lews reels are an OEM product and it is the OEM that designs and builds the reels so they are the ones with the parts. I would think that this would make it difficult for Lews, a customer of the OEM, to supply parts considering that they have no control over the manufacturing. If the OEM decides to discontinue a platform and stop making parts then there is nothing Lews can do about it. I would think this would make it difficult to source parts from discontinued platforms when going through the customer of that OEM. "Hey, [REEL BRAND] I need this part from a reel I bought from you 10 years ago that you bought from a Korean reel manufacfuter" vs "I need this part for this reel you made 10 years ago."
It doesn't appear to be any harder to locate parts for these OEM reels through the brand that bought the reel. I wonder if wear parts are common across many platforms from an OEM making it easy repair what appear to be many different types of reels. I would imagine any unique part for a discontinued reel would be difficult to source though.
I'd imagine since parts are used across a large amount of platforms for OEM that even as one reel stops being produced others that share those parts still are and so the sharing makes it easier to keep parts around longer.
Capt.Bob reply :
I got slammed on this exact same topic 45 or 6 years ago! Eveb though I do this and have done reel repair and maintenance for dedcades as part of my Charter service for customers and other guides I worked around. Just like today when DVC says YES IT IS REAL! some think they know more. This is usually because they have limited experience with different models, most can't even tell you how many models of the Stradic there were, or Curado, Calcutta's etc et'c, those models have all been made for over 30 years, and have over a dozen models and year changes.
The new Shimanos are smoother, but in my experience less durrable as some earlier models, as some earlier models were less durrable etc, etc. There seemed top be a time when their reels got better and more robust, then they seemed to get more rfined feeling but that didn't seem to last as long.
I had over 15 Shimano baitcaster at one time, from Bantams to Calcutta's and spinners from Super Speed masters to Sustains. I used to call Shimano and at times just for a screw or friction ring I would get a whats your address and N/C, today a $0.30 screw will cost 6 to 8 dollars after shipping, that is if they even have it!
Today I own 2 Calcutta's and 8 Lew's. I sold the shimaos when it became obvious to me I could by a smoother, better casting reel for less money and buy just as good as the best shimano if not better in the Lew's line. I have and still do have times I call Lew's and if it is a lost screw, a brake shoe spring, a pin, etc, I usually get a we'll just send you a couple, other parts that are more than a few cents I have never been told we don't have them anymore.
But to all those who had all the answers and all those that told me I'd see in 3 or 4 years,, well it's been well over 3 or 4 year, and the Team Gold's, and MG's and BB1's, even my favorite Pike reel the Super Duty, are still going just as strong and smooth as the day I bought em, some over 7 years ago. For the same money, I will still expect better performance, and durability from Lew's!
I will stick with my Stradics, but can see a day like with my Mgfb's that parts wont be their, and if I can't make em, they will be what american's has shown they want with everything, throw aways instead of something that will last, and be serviceable. Kinda like my old 1999 Suburban,, today,, sorry chevy a station wagon SUV combo, should not were the name SUBURBAN! So go's with ShimaNO,,,,,
Until several years ago, Shimanos decades old had parts available to keep em going, but they have brain washed Americans into believing a decade old reel won't do what a new one will today, sadly manufacturers have done this with about everything.
Darren. reply :
On 6/4/2018 at 3:50 AM, Capt.Bob said:today a $0.30 screw will cost 6 to 8 dollars after shipping, that is if they even have it!
This is what floored me a month or two ago. I ordered a handle knob
seal for my CI4+ 1000. Was $1.65 for the part, $6 for the shipping!!
Absolutely crazy shipping cost for a tiny part the size of a thumb nail.
But at least my reel looks complete again! 
Capt.Bob reply :
This was one of the things that made me change several years ago Darren, would it be to much to ask to use a 50 cent stamp and eat the .005 cent envelope it would take to send it? Oh ya, there ain't enough money in the mark ip of the part,, so well charge 100X than we need to get it to ya? I figured if they can't think any more efficient than that about shipping something, how can think to engineer the best reels.......
Catt reply :
Lew's aint got nothing that can compete!
35+ years & aint changed a single part & yes parts are still available!
jbrew73 reply :
Wow, you guys get your panties all bunched up over such small things. Life's short, fish whatever reels you like best.
Capt.Bob reply :
You got to know Catt, sorry but I have an old 100B and there are some parts that are NOT AVAILABLE. I like that though, ain't changed a thing and the handle knobs ain't even wore, or the paint in the etching, no with all those years of rough use I gotta say that is impressive, you gotta use em a little to need parts as they do wear! 
I have no sword to carry against Shimano, but like I say, I have better options today that are less money!
blckshirt98 reply :
Shimano's been doing some strange things to their customer service the past few years, from no longer honoring warranties on older rods that had "lifetime" guarantees, to newer rods not having the lifetime guarantee altogether. I guess they're phasing out support for their older reels as well.
Catt reply :
On 6/4/2018 at 10:53 AM, Capt.Bob said:You got to know Catt, sorry but I have an old 100B and there are some parts that are NOT AVAILABLE. I like that though, ain't changed a thing and the handle knobs ain't even wore, or the paint in the etching, no with all those years of rough use I gotta say that is impressive, you gotta use em a little to need parts as they do wear!
I have no sword to carry against Shimano, but like I say, I have better options today that are less money!
While an OEM part may not be available aftermarket parts are & in most cases they are better parts. While Shimano may no longer carry a part does mean all Shimano parts have disappeared from planet earth.
Use em?
I have 3 Calcutta's, two 100A & a 50A, the only part I wore out was the paw on the 50. I will admit the paw was operator error, I used that reel for slow rolling spinnerbaits & would stop the spinnerbait by engaging the reel.
The two 100s have caught tens of thousands of Bass, Redfish, & Speckled Trout.
Lew's aint got nothing to compete with a Calcutta but neither does anyone else.
burrows reply :
On 6/4/2018 at 7:08 AM, jbrew73 said:Wow, you guys get your panties all bunched up over such small things. Life's short, fish whatever reels you like best.
This guys rite man fish shimano for life!
d-camarena reply :
I own daiwas, shimanos and lews. I love all 3 but i were rich i would only buy daiwas and shimanos
Capt.Bob reply :
On 6/4/2018 at 5:59 PM, Catt said:
While an OEM part may not be available aftermarket parts are & in most cases they are better parts. While Shimano may no longer carry a part does mean all Shimano parts have disappeared from planet earth.
Use em?
I have 3 Calcutta's, two 100A & a 50A, the only part I wore out was the paw on the 50. I will admit the paw was operator error, I used that reel for slow rolling spinnerbaits & would stop the spinnerbait by engaging the reel.
The two 100s have caught tens of thousands of Bass, Redfish, & Speckled Trout.
Lew's aint got nothing to compete with a Calcutta but neither does anyone else.
This why when it comes to round reels I kept my Calcutta's, no other reel will do what they do, but on my lightest, most sensitive finesse outfits are where the Calcutta's get left home. This is a fact and no other round reel has ever offered the quality of the Calcutta, to bad they don't put this much effort into the other baitcasters.
Their spinning reels I feel in the 1000 and 2500 size are unequaled, but you again pay for it, which I don't mind when it truely is as good as I can find.
But when I want the smoothest lightest reels with outstanding drag performance, I can have anything other companies offer for less than their compatible offering in the Lew's line. I would never say other reels can't match them, but for the price Shimano demands, and to not back them as well, and offer nothing better,, it's all about fan base!
Catt reply :
@Capt.Bob Light Calcutta's are not but they will do anything any lightweight low profile reel can do!
Now with that being said I have no issue with either Lew's or Shimano low profile reels. Both companies have impressed me since their early days when Shimano made Speed Spools. My first was a Shimano Bantam 100EX with rosewood handles.
Both companies reels have what I refer to as "personalities". Lew's require more thumb input than Shimano, which can an issue going from Shimano to Lew's.
In my opinion if y'all wanna see which company cares more about quality buy their low-end reels. I expect flawless performance out of a $400 reel but find it in a $100 reel.
I recently bought a Lew's Speed Spool LFS Series after using one to write a review.
Shimano better pay attention????
Boomstick reply :
As for parts, Pflueger and Daiwa make it simple to find replacement parts, but I don't think it has anything to do with who makes the best reels in terms of quality, at least in the short term.
That said, I like the Pflueger Supreme XT better than the Shimano Curado K, first it's as light as the Curado 70 but holds the line of the K, holds like of the K and has noticeably better brakes. And it's $50 cheaper in retail pricing.
It's not only Daiwa and Shimano make reels. Lews has some really good offerings at the $100 price point as well.
Gundog reply :
On 6/2/2018 at 11:51 PM, greentrout said:
Them were the days...Curado for 110.00 U.S. dollars...a tank...
I was at an auction where 2 lefty Curados used (faded paint, scratches) sold for $100 bucks each. 
related Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic
previous topic
most viewed Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.