Got one of these affordable tools?
Got one on my veritas and i love it. It's smooth, reliable and it doesnt hurt the wallet.
i picked up 2 of them in the last 6 months... a 7.1 ratio speed spool(frog setup) and an 6.4 ratio tournament speed spool(spinner and crankbait setup)... i have never owned nicer reels... have had no issues... but haven't had alot of time with them either...
Traded mine in for a Shimano Sahara and have not looked back...
I have never personally used them, but they are garnering a lot of positive feedback here, as well as on other forums.
I have the Tournament Speed Spool and it is the smoothest piece of equipment I have ever purchased.
I guess it depends on your definition of affordable. You could spend anywhere from 80 to 300 dollars. With that said, it seems that at any of the price range the reels are at least up to par. I have a Tournament SS and I like it a lot. I don't think you could go wrong with any of them.
On 12/25/2012 at 6:24 AM, Junkyard814 said:I have the Tournament Speed Spool and it is the smoothest piece of equipment I have ever purchased.
+1 I own several reels in that price range and the tournament speed spool is by far the smoothest.
I have one and most of my fishing buddies have at least one if not a few of them. Nice reels for the money but the ones with just the magnetic brakes seem to be very touchy about their settings. If they aren't set just right they will backlash very badly.
On 12/25/2012 at 2:51 AM, cast_and_destroy said:Got one on my veritas and i love it. It's smooth, reliable and it doesnt hurt the wallet.
This is the same setup I have and I love it!
for years ..... the BB1N have 3 when Browning made them or had their name on them. ... in 4.3 retrv. caught all my big bass on them 10-11 lbs. my fav. reel !
I have the 6.4:1 magnetic cast . I like it. I use it for my swim bait setup. Its really smooth and the paddle handles feel good on my fingers.
I have 7 of these reels. They are matched with my new Denali rods. The reels are great. Well worth the money.
6 of them here. SS Tournament series, on Dobyns Savvy rods.
Hootie
SO..this tells me tht i should buy one
On 12/27/2012 at 4:13 AM, J.W.1516 said:SO..this tells me tht i should buy one
Yes. ASAP. Just got the tourney pro, and I have demo'd others in the Lew's family. Quality of construction and smoothness of operation is excellent. If you can I would recommend test driving the one you're interested in or at least putting it in your hand and giving it a personal inspection. If at all possible mount it on the rod you'll pair it with. That way you know exactly what you're getting. Once again though, when it comes to quality, I have been thoroughly impressed with Lew's.
Being a Shimano guy, if......IF I were to buy a Lews, it would be the BB.
Keep in mind most most people here are talking about Bait Casting reels, is that what your also asking about OP? Because I found the Lew SS to be cheap as it was expensive, and echo my original post here.
I like Shimano..the citca would have to be my favoriteOn 12/27/2012 at 11:43 PM, LgMouthGambler said:Being a Shimano guy, if......IF I were to buy a Lews, it would be the BB.
All I use is a baitcaster..I first started off fishing with a baitcaster and thts all I use. spinnign gear makes me fell like im an amateur
On 12/28/2012 at 3:04 AM, J.W.1516 said:All I use is a baitcaster..I first started off fishing with a baitcaster and thts all I use. spinnign gear makes me fell like im an amateur
It shouldn't make you feel that way, as its a tool and with any tool it has pros that make it better suited for a situation. Funny I first started off with a stick and string.
I remember watching people do tht. they had no shame in there game.On 12/28/2012 at 3:42 AM, PABASS said:It shouldn't make you feel that way, as its a tool and with any tool it has pros that make it better suited for a situation. Funny I first started off with a stick and string.
What does this mean you dont like it or something?On 12/25/2012 at 2:55 AM, PABASS said:Traded mine in for a Shimano Sahara and have not looked back...
On 12/28/2012 at 3:04 AM, J.W.1516 said:All I use is a baitcaster..I first started off fishing with a baitcaster and thts all I use. spinnign gear makes me fell like im an amateur
You're missing out on a lot of fish that could be caught if you aren't fishing any spinning gear. Unless you fish nothing but heavy cover and dirty water there is no way I'd go fishing without at least a couple spinning outfits. A few of the lakes I fish I can fish all day and never pick up a casting rod because the fish are so finicky that spinning rods are the only way to present the baits they'll eat.
On 12/28/2012 at 3:04 AM, J.W.1516 said:All I use is a baitcaster..I first started off fishing with a baitcaster and thts all I use. spinnign gear makes me fell like im an amateur
I have found many people that think this lately and I don't know why? I guess today's pros are usually using bait casters so people feel if they don't than there not a good fisherman. I use a spinning reel almost as much as my bait caster with all the finesse lures I use it really comes in handy.
I have the Team Lew's Speed Spool and the Team Lew's Tourney Pro and they are some bad ass reels. The Team Tourney is 5.9oz and is like butter. The thing handles most situations with ease. I am about to purchase a chronarch to compare, but it will be tough to beat.
if need ill go down to 8 or 6 pound test on my baitcasterOn 12/28/2012 at 2:50 PM, Bluebasser86 said:You're missing out on a lot of fish that could be caught if you aren't fishing any spinning gear. Unless you fish nothing but heavy cover and dirty water there is no way I'd go fishing without at least a couple spinning outfits. A few of the lakes I fish I can fish all day and never pick up a casting rod because the fish are so finicky that spinning rods are the only way to present the baits they'll eat.
ive got 1 spinning reel tht my cousin just bought...i dont like emOn 12/28/2012 at 10:17 PM, Fishin24/7 said:I have found many people that think this lately and I don't know why? I guess today's pros are usually using bait casters so people feel if they don't than there not a good fisherman. I use a spinning reel almost as much as my bait caster with all the finesse lures I use it really comes in handy.
On 12/28/2012 at 11:32 PM, J.W.1516 said:ive got 1 spinning reel tht my cousin just bought...i dont like em
I think spinning outfits are a very important tool to cover the spectrum of fishing applications. I do think you can get by without them though. There are lighter power casting rods that you could pair with smaller reel like a Shimano 50e series and light line and do the same things you would with a spinning set up. I know some guys that only use spinning reels, I don't see why you couldn't use only baitcasting reels.
On 12/28/2012 at 11:31 PM, J.W.1516 said:if need ill go down to 8 or 6 pound test on my baitcaster
But how far could you send a 1/16 or 1/32 ounce lure? Not as far as I can with my spinning tackle, how I fish on my river you cant use a bait caster, sometimes being limited to by the bank just not enough room and the lures are very light. If you get into a situation where the bass want fineness you are limiting yourself in my opinion.
And yes I thought the Lews SS was not worth the price I paid, it was noisy, couldn't handle big smallies partly due to the lousy drag system. I would rather pay few more $$ and get a quality reel, I cant speak of the baitcasters, I know lots of people enjoy them here, however I am interested in there longevity, they seem cheap, but I have not tore one down and don't know what parts they use so I cant say.
@PABASS I understand what your saying...i probably eventually get one. Money tight.
On 12/28/2012 at 11:32 PM, J.W.1516 said:ive got 1 spinning reel tht my cousin just bought...i dont like em
If you limit your options, you limit your success. Spinning reels have their place in bass fishing. Don't limit yourself and keep an open mind.
On 12/28/2012 at 11:54 PM, PABASS said:And yes I thought the Lews SS was not worth the price I paid, it was noisy, couldn't handle big smallies partly due to the lousy drag system. I would rather pay few more $$ and get a quality reel, I cant speak of the baitcasters, I know lots of people enjoy them here, however I am interested in there longevity, they seem cheap, but I have not tore one down and don't know what parts they use so I cant say.
Is that the Speed Spin or the Speed Spool?
On 12/29/2012 at 1:51 AM, Fishwhittler said:Is that the Speed Spin or the Speed Spool?
I am talking about the Speed Spin, the spinning model. I was going to get the bait caster but after using the Speed Spin I lost confidence in there products and will stick with Shimano.
I know a pro who only uses spinning gear...The question is his mind limited too?On 12/29/2012 at 1:49 AM, flippin and pitchin said:If you limit your options, you limit your success. Spinning reels have their place in bass fishing. Don't limit yourself and keep an open mind.
Well in my opinion the pro who only uses spinning is probably very limited espically if he fishes a variety of different lakes. But it also depends on where you live and the style you fish. If you lived in Florida and always fish grass mats then you may not need a spinning reel and if you up north and drop shot you may not need a bait caster as much. Regardless if you only fish one reel you don't have as many options.
I have been looking at the Lew's as well since i am looking for a LH low gear ratio cranking reel.
As far as spinning reels go i use both baitcasters and spinning but like has been said, you can't fish certain techniques as effectively with a baitcaster. Also i know some people can do it but try skipping weightless plastics under boat docks or overhaning vegetation with a baitcaster then try with a spinning rod and i am betting you will have a spinning rod jsut for that technique should your area warrant that style of fishing.
Never was a spinning reel person, but recently acquiring one, it does help with very slow techniques. Now, normally I dont use these techniques, but lately have been experimenting with them. Plus the little Sienna on a M rod is fun to fish 4-5lb bass with.
Any Medium Light spinning set up is loads of fun to catch bass on. I line mine with 8 lb mono, and use it to catch smallies in the summer. Man is it fun, but boy can it be frustrating sometimes.
I have all Lews casting reels currently and love them. The tournament pro is by far the best bang for your buck. You can pick them up all day for $160 new. That being said don't waste your time on the regular speed spool or the lazer mg. I had the regular speed spool and sold it a few days later to a friend. It was noisy. I have a few of the tournament speed spool models and one tournament mg in the 5:4:1 model. I use left hand retrieve so my options were limited at the time but now the BB1 is on the market in a low ratio lh model.
I have one lews reel. It's the tourney pro model. I haven't had the chance to use it much but I can attest to the build quality and smoothness being excellent. It's super light too.
Me and 2 of my buddies each bought the speed spools last year. We have fished them A LOT, a couple are on spinner bait rods which we trough 50% of the time and they have held up great. We fish 4-6 days a week so these reels get a ton of use. They are just as smooth and tight as the day we bought them. I LOVE MY LEWS!!!!! I am going to try the tournament MG next, have one ordered now.
The Tournament Pro looks sweet! I'm still searching for two 7:1 gear ratio baitcasters for my lonely jig and worm rods. Frontrunners are the Lews TP and the Okuma Helios at this point, especially considering you can get both these reels NIB for around $150 shipped all day on eBay.
Still have 3+ months before fishing season starts, though, so no rush at the moment.
what a reel !! the new speed-spool .... I still prefer my older ones ... I think & if I had it to do over I still would have picked my Daiwa Crazy-Cranker .. Zillion series ... the ratio @ 4:9 is the "magical" retrv.
I just received the tournament pro speed spool and a new 6'6" saint croix medium fast action rod for christmas.
i have not yet fished with it.i have done some practice casting in the back yard using a 1/4 ounce practice plug.
this reel casts like a dream and is smooth as silk. I can't wait to wet a line with mine this season.
I have two tournament pros and just bought a bunch of Team Lew's speed spools TL1H. Upgrading most of my gear before I retire.
seems lik they work
Just received another 1 in the mail today and will be ordering another tournament pro this week.
On 1/5/2013 at 12:00 PM, basseditor said:I have two tournament pros and just bought a bunch of Team Lew's speed spools TL1H. Upgrading most of my gear before I retire.
Lews reels are great, plus, they look real good with retirement.....lol
Lews, retired, and loving it.... oh, Shimano too LMG. What the heck, everything goes better with retirement....lol
Hootie
I read the Lews, retired, and loving it part wrong at first, lol. To me it made sense, haha. I crack me up.On 1/8/2013 at 8:40 PM, hootiebenji said:Lews reels are great, plus, they look real good with retirement.....lolLews, retired, and loving it.... oh, Shimano too LMG. What the heck, everything goes better with retirement....lol
Hootie
I have the Lew's TP1H model. Excellent reel. I think the Tourney Pro versions are much better then the regular versions. Price difference is about $55-60, but you get a much better reel. You get more for your money. $155 shipped on ebay right now. It's not as good as my $250 Pfluegar Patriarch XT's, but it's the best $150 class reel I've fished. Just got a New Revo STX Gen 3 for $155 (eBay), so that may end up taking that title in the near future. Time will tell.
I have a Team Lews. It's a smooth and effortless caster, and is maybe my smoothest reel on the retrieve.
The only problem I have is the profile of the reel does not fit me great. Overall it's comfortable but the way I palm my reels I think is the problem. I do a full palm with my pointer finger under the level wind and my thumb on top. The lews have sort of a snub nose design( don't really know what we to call it) and the distance between my thumb and pointer finger is too much. Makes it uncomfortable for me. Don't know if that made any sense but those are my thoughts on the lews.