Lews Speed Spool Vs. Shimano Curado 2025
BrianSnat reply :
I've been seriously considering getting a baitcasting outfit. I was pretty set on the Shimano Curado because of all of the great things I've heard about it here and elsewhere. Then recently there was a thread here on the Lews Speed Spool and some people seemed to really like it.
I was still leaning toward the Curado until I got to play with both at Cabelas last week. The Lews just seemed to be more substantial and better crafted. The Curado seemed almost toy-like compared to the Lews. And considering that the Lews is a bit more than half the price of the Curado it looks like I might be leaning Lews now. I would have bought one on the spot if they had a left handed crank model but they were out of them.
Any thoughts here regarding Lews vs Curado?
The American reply :
I have a Lews Tournament MG, and a Shimano Curado E series. I picked both of them up for ~$130 each. The Curado you were looking at in the store was probably a G series, and the Lews was probably the $99 Speed Spool model.
As you can tell, I have absolutely no experience with either reel, but I love both my MG and my Curado E, and both manufacturers make great products.
Many people hate on the Curado G series, so my advice to you would be to go on Ebay or the flea market and find an older E series Curado, or spend the $100 on the speed spool or a BPS Pro Qualifier and spend the rest on tackle.
Hi Salenity reply :
Look on Ebay for a Lews TP (Hint; don't look for a Lew's TP)
If you don't get the TP model I'd vote foe a E series Curado.
Kevinator1 reply :
I've got Shimano Chronarchs, Abu Garcia Revos and now the Lew's Speed Spool. I bought the Lews just to see how it would compare. ($99.00 model) So far I can honestly say that the Lews has performed as well as the Shimanos and the Garcias. So much that I bought 2 more of the Lews. I can't believe what you get for $99.00. A steal if they last for years. And I have worked my first reel very hard so far.
BrianSnat reply :
On 6/2/2012 at 10:26 PM, USMA2015 said:I have a Lews Tournament MG, and a Shimano Curado E series. I picked both of them up for ~$130 each. The Curado you were looking at in the store was probably a G series, and the Lews was probably the $99 Speed Spool model.
As you can tell, I have absolutely no experience with either reel, but I love both my MG and my Curado E, and both manufacturers make great products.
Many people hate on the Curado G series, so my advice to you would be to go on Ebay or the flea market and find an older E series Curado, or spend the $100 on the speed spool or a BPS Pro Qualifier and spend the rest on tackle.
That's pretty much what I was looking at but I think the Lews was $79
MarkM reply :
On 6/3/2012 at 2:22 AM, briansnat said:That's pretty much what I was looking at but I think the Lews was $79
You were looking at the Laser MG Speed spool....the least expensive of the Lew's reels. The $130 reel USMA2015 mentions is the Tournament MG. The Tournament MG has 2 additional ball bearings with an aluminum frame instead of graphite side plates. I know the Tournament MG has magnetic cast control, not certain about the Laser MG.
LgMouthGambler reply :
Yeah, the model you looked at was the G series Curado. Do some research and get an E series and save yourself the trouble of making a mistake with any other reel, unless its a Chronarch E.
msolorio reply :
lews wins, no contest in my opinion. ive had about 5 of my gungho shimano buddies switch to lews after trying mine. they got rid of e series curados and new chronarchs btw.
LgMouthGambler reply :
lets see what happens after 5 years when the Shimanos are still reeling and the Lews are scrapped. J/K, Ive heard very good reviews of Lews, and I want to see how they hold up to the test of time.On 6/3/2012 at 9:06 AM, msolorio said:lews wins, no contest in my opinion. ive had about 5 of my gungho shimano buddies switch to lews after trying mine. they got rid of e series curados and new chronarchs btw.
msolorio reply :
yea i agree. i love every single one of my lews reels and theyve performed phenomenally every tournament and fun day. they feel like theyll hold up just fine but only time will tell. as for now, im all lews.
steelslinger86 reply :
I love my lew's speed spools ( $99 model). You won't go wrong with shimano or lew's in my opinion. But, with the speed spool, I feel you are getting a heck of a lot quality for $99.
*Hootie reply :
On 6/3/2012 at 9:41 AM, LgMouthGambler said:lets see what happens after 5 years when the Shimanos are still reeling and the Lews are scrapped. J/K, Ive heard very good reviews of Lews, and I want to see how they hold up to the test of time.
5 years when the Lews are scrapped? WOW!!! How do you know that! I am impressed! By the way, what wiil be KVDs standing be in 5 years? Will the economy be better? Just trying to make some future plans.
Hope you know I am just kidding. You are right, time reveals all the cracks.
Hootie
MrSwimJig reply :
I have several Lews Tournament Pro reels and have been using them for the past 2 years and have had no problems with them at all. I also have a couple for the Curado E series reels and have had no problems with them either. The Curado G series to me from what I have seen of them in the store it feels and looks like a green Citica, not impressed with them at all.
I have never fished the Speed Spool but I have heard nothing but good things on these reels, for that matter I have heard nothing but good things about all of the Lews reels.
GOOCHY reply :
I just bought a Lews Speed Spool from TW during the Memorial Day 15% off sale. $85 shipped. Had a chance to use it today for the first time and it is truly a winner. This thing is solid. Time will tell, but I'm pretty sure I like it better than my Shimano Citica E.
Basswhippa reply :
I have 6 Shimano Calcuttas, 4 Curado 200 B's and 4 Citica E's and a host of other reels. I love the older Shimanos. I'm not sure about this G series. The sideplates on them wiggle. It feels like crap. The Lews feel awesome in the store. If they hold up and you can get parts, they will be very good reels for and give Shimano a run for their money.
Why the heck Shimano got rid of the Curado B I'll never know. I wish some other manufacturer would just copy the thing since apparently it is useless to Shimano anymore. I'd buy the Curado B no matter where it was made. Most all reel mechanics will tell you that the legendary reel is their favorite to work on and most often they will tell you it is their personal favorite. Shimano has been putting out a new Curado basically every two years since discontinuing the original. It's like they are running around like a chicken with their head cut off. They don't know what to do. They put something out it's too heavy. They put another out and they can't make money at $179.00. Then they put another out, make it in Malasia to save money, and the sideplates are loose(Citica G's too)
Now we get them that the sideplate moves in your hand. Don't think I'lll buy it. If feels cheap.
Vote with your money. The Lews are getting rave reviews and the guy that is running it seems top notch. He actually seems to know what he's doing and Shimano who seems to being putting out Curados every two years does not seem to know what they are doing and maybe even somewhat clueless. If you can get Lews serviced, and it holds up like what some people are beginning to say, well it could be a legend again.
*Hootie reply :
On 6/4/2012 at 11:42 AM, Basswhippa said:The Lews feel awesome in the store. If they hold up and you can get parts
Lews are going to be so great you wont have to worry about parts, the parts will never wear out. Sorry Shimano lemmings!!!
HAHA!!!
Hootie
Bankbeater reply :
For me, I would choose the Curado.
Capt.Bob reply :
Been there done that! I had Curados and Castiacs, "TILL" I bought one tournament MCS and within a week sold all my Curados and Castiacs, and replaced them all with Lews, the Tuornament Pro is definitely the best bang for the buck. The Tournament MBS is the cheapest I would go with, it and the other the top three give you the bigger drag 14 pound and the choice of dual casting control, centrifugal or magnetic. As for the one more bearing in the team and TP, I can't tell the difference. All these have one piece aluminum frame, the only Lews with aluminum side plates are the Team, I'll take the TP over it any day!
Basswhippa reply :
I've read up on the Lews. They clutches apparently are plastic and there are few if any parts available. I might just stick with Shimano if I could decide that the wobbly sideplate is designed that way for a reason. At least you can get parts.
hatrix reply :
On 6/8/2012 at 8:42 PM, Basswhippa said:I've read up on the Lews. They clutches apparently are plastic and there are few if any parts available. I might just stick with Shimano if I could decide that the wobbly sideplate is designed that way for a reason. At least you can get parts.
I think for the most part all reel companies use basically the same parts. Well at least on comparable reels of the same level. IIRC it's been a while but I think there is plastic stuff inside all reel (I'm sure DVT knows). As for parts I am sure they are available and if any thing happened they will probably fix it for free. I sent in a Speed Spool (never filled out a warranty) and wasn't fully happy when I got it back. I talked to the guy in charge or service personally and he sent me a tournament speed spool and wrote me a little letter of apology. I was kinda put off originally when I got the reel back but I understand you can't win them all and oversights or mistakes are made sometimes. When I first called he wasn't in and the lady said she would have him call me. He called me back later that day on my cell and we worked everything out. I didn't have to chase him around and leave messages or wait forever to hear back so that was great in my opinion.
rubba bubba reply :
In the end, only you (the OP) will be able to decide which is the better reel (for you). The Curado is a proven reel that performs extremely well. The Lews is a great reel as well. It'll just come down to your preference and you'll never know for certain unless you actually fish them both. The good news is you won't have a bad experience with either reel and the resale value for both will prevent you from being out much $$ if you decide you want to try something different than the one(s) you get.
Hi Salenity reply :
Last year Lew's was having swag rebates with the purchase of reels... I sent in 3 receipts from reels I had bought on Monday and had my stuff by Thursday!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW the same day I sent in to Abu to get a couple of sweatshirts and it took months to get them.
I'm about to send off for some Croix Rage swag, anyone want to guess how long that will take?
Packard reply :
On 6/8/2012 at 11:00 PM, Hi Salenity said:I'm about to send off for some Croix Rage swag, anyone want to guess how long that will take?
Until it has took so long that you have to go on a rage through their customer service.
iabass8 reply :
On 6/8/2012 at 11:00 PM, Hi Salenity said:Last year Lew's was having swag rebates with the purchase of reels... I sent in 3 receipts from reels I had bought on Monday and had my stuff by Thursday!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW the same day I sent in to Abu to get a couple of sweatshirts and it took months to get them.
I'm about to send off for some Croix Rage swag, anyone want to guess how long that will take?
st. croix customer service is second to none in my book. i've sent in rods on a monday and had them an upgrade or replacement friday.
Hi Salenity reply :
On 6/9/2012 at 1:23 AM, iabass8 said:st. croix customer service is second to none in my book. I've sent in rods on a Monday and had them an upgrade or replacement Friday.
I call BS!!! I called on Monday about a defective rod and it's Friday and I haven't even got a call back yet.
J Francho reply :
I sent a rod in for repair. Probably took about 10-11 days total turnaround. About what I expected. No way in less than 5 days, even if it's for a replacement.
iabass8 reply :
Okay well its not "bs". If you read or ask around you will fimdd their customer service is better than most if not one of the best. They are also very busy right now as its that time of year where most are upgrading or trading in rods. I just traded up a legend tournament to extreme and it took a week in a half to get it to my door. That may not sound long but their turnaround is incredibly fast most of the time. Call st.croix ans use extension 120 and not 139. Harry is much more helpful than dan. Emailing them gets you a faster response than calling.
J Francho reply :
Now, see...I've dealt with Dan, and he's fine. Not the super fake friendly type. He's handled my stuff in the past - no problems. Most recently handling the repair of a demo rod that was 12 years old. Unless you live next door to the factory, no way you're getting a rod in less than 5 days. You're backpedaling from less than 5 business days to 10.
I agree, their service is good. But send a rod in on Monday and get an upgrade on Friday good? I don't think that's even possible.
And Hi Selinity, NEVER leave a message. That goes for any customer service issues. It's pointless for them to even have voice mail. It's too easy for them to delete/ignore the problem and blame technology.
iabass8 reply :
Last year i sent in an avid that i snapped the tip off of but was planning to upgrade to an extreme. Sent the rod fed ex after talking to harry on monday afternoon. Rod arrived their tuesday morning and the new rod wss at my door when i was off work friday late afternoon. This was during the fall. Most upgrades i make are in the spring and usually have the rod in a weeks time.(i do only live 6 hours from park falls though).
Dan is by no means hard to deal with but ive personally just found harry to be faster in returning emails or calling me.
tomustang reply :
6 hours away, lol no wonder why
outdoorsman110 reply :
Lew's.
BrianSnat reply :
How long as Lews been around. Never heard of Lews unti recently.
Capt.Bob reply :
On 6/10/2012 at 1:16 AM, briansnat said:How long as Lews been around. Never heard of Lews unti recently.
you'll find your answer hear. http://lews.com/history.htm
unionman reply :
On 6/9/2012 at 2:30 AM, J Francho said:Now, see...I've dealt with Dan, and he's fine. Not the super fake friendly type. He's handled my stuff in the past - no problems. Most recently handling the repair of a demo rod that was 12 years old. Unless you live next door to the factory, no way you're getting a rod in less than 5 days. You're backpedaling from less than 5 business days to 10.
I agree, their service is good. But send a rod in on Monday and get an upgrade on Friday good? I don't think that's even possible.
And Hi Selinity, NEVER leave a message. That goes for any customer service issues. It's pointless for them to even have voice mail. It's too easy for them to delete/ignore the problem and blame technology.
Im just wondering why you automatically assume hes lying? I ordered a reel from Quantum that took 5 (ordered mon. recieved fri after wrk) days as well. And thats NO BS.
Stasher1 reply :
On 6/10/2012 at 10:48 PM, unionman said:Im just wondering why you automatically assume hes lying? I ordered a reel from Quantum that took 5 (ordered mon. recieved fri after wrk) days as well. And thats NO BS.
There's a HUGE difference between ordering a product and having them ship it to you within 5 days and sending in a product for replacement, having them receive it, process it, authorize a return, pack/ship the replacement, and having it at your door in 4 days.
J Francho reply :
On 6/10/2012 at 10:48 PM, unionman said:Im just wondering why you automatically assume hes lying? I ordered a reel from Quantum that took 5 (ordered mon. recieved fri after wrk) days as well. And thats NO BS.
Because I ship hundreds of packages all over the US. Read carefully, my statement was, "unless he is next door," which turned out to literally be true seeing as he is 6 hours away from the factory. Just what fraction of Bass Resource membership is 6 hours away from the Saint Croix factory? While not a false claim, it isn't a reasonable assumption for the rest of us. Make sense?
Congrats on your dealing with Quantum. Do you think that you would be able to ship the reel, and get it back from them just as fast? That was the claim.
Bassfisherman94 reply :
LEWS! I have to speed spools and love them! I am planning on getting a tournament pro sometime soon! Good luck with your choice!
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