[benarsenault]

Hi everybody,

I'm in the market for a new baitcaster. I'd like a versatile option (prob. 6.4:1 ratio) that can handle lots of different baits and presentations, costs under $150 and is available at BPS (I have a gift card). I've been checking out a lot of threads here and have noticed a lot of favorable opinions on BPS Pro Qualifier, and I have an older one that I like, so the PQ is a contender. Also considering Johnny Morris Sig. & CarbonLite, Abu Garcia Ambassador C3/C4 & Revo S, Shimano Citica, Daiwa Lexa 100, etc. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[SSkeeter SS]

Lews.

end of story.

 

[benarsenault]

Yeah, I've read good things about Lew's also. Which model/s do you like?

 

[jkarol24]

Used Shimano Curado 200E7

Although I did pick up the Gen 3 Revo S and SX and they are both very nice. They are a bit small in the hand however...

 

[benarsenault]

Used Shimano Curado 200E7

Although I did pick up the Gen 3 Revo S and SX and they are both very nice. They are a bit small in the hand however...

Good to know. My hands are on the big side, so I might try to avoid a small reel.

 

[SSkeeter SS]

My buddy just got the MG....which is $130. Its a great reel.

I own the BB1 for deep cranking and the pro tournament speed spool. BB1 retails for $160 and the pro speed spool was $200. Both amazing reels. I also have a Revo SX and a BPS Bionic.....lews are classes above them IMO for the money.

 

[Smouthaddict]

Revo sx...Gr8 quality real...Used it almost exclusively last year and i doubt i'll HAVE to buy anything else for years to come....

While i do get out on the boat and kayak a bit, a gr8 portion of my fishing is humping it in and fishin from shore , so
i don't need alot of setups...

 

[Rick James]

Curado 200G6 or 201G6 depending on if your righty or lefty. I did like the E series Curado's better but the G's are still pretty darn good for the $150 range. I have a Citica CI201G6 and it's an OK reel, but the Curado's are definitely worth the extra $30.

 

[seb2fn]

You can get a bb1 lews for 130$ on eBay, I own curados, revos, chronarch and a core and lews is where it's at !

 

[Jdorry13]

My buddy just got the MG....which is $130. Its a great reel.

I own the BB1 for deep cranking and the pro tournament speed spool. BB1 retails for $160 and the pro speed spool was $200. Both amazing reels. I also have a Revo SX and a BPS Bionic.....lews are classes above them IMO for the money.

I'm not positive but I don't think BPS carries Lews. Have to use cabelas or TW. They are great though. Shimano is a reliable reel. I have the Citica, Curado, and a cheaper Caius. All pretty decent reels for the $.

 

[SSkeeter SS]

I'm not positive but I don't think BPS carries Lews. Have to use cabelas or TW. They are great though. Shimano is a reliable reel. I have the Citica, Curado, and a cheaper Caius. All pretty decent reels for the $.

no BPS doesnt carry them, but dicks does carry the MG for $130 and the basic lews for $100

 

[purdue]

Lews.

end of story.

Have you used them long?

 

[Rick James]

Are replacement parts readily available for the Lews? Are reel cleaning/maintenance guys familiar with them? Are there aftermarket bearings and other parts available to tune them beyond stock performance?

This is why I have all Shimano and a handful of Daiwa. You can pull the spool bearing shields off a $159 Curado and flush them and use the stock oil and nothing under $200-$250 is going to compete with it. Start getting into aftermarket bearings etc and then they perform even better. JMHO.

 

[benarsenault]

Are replacement parts readily available for the Lews? Are reel cleaning/maintenance guys familiar with them? Are there aftermarket bearings and other parts available to tune them beyond stock performance?

This is why I have all Shimano and a handful of Daiwa. You can pull the spool bearing shields off a $159 Curado and flush them and use the stock oil and nothing under $200-$250 is going to compete with it. Start getting into aftermarket bearings etc and then they perform even better. JMHO.

Good question. I'd love to hear more about the part availability/compatibility with Lew's. Can anyone chime in on this?

 

[SSkeeter SS]

Have you used them long?

few years now

 

[SSkeeter SS]

Are replacement parts readily available for the Lews? Are reel cleaning/maintenance guys familiar with them? Are there aftermarket bearings and other parts available to tune them beyond stock performance?

This is why I have all Shimano and a handful of Daiwa. You can pull the spool bearing shields off a $159 Curado and flush them and use the stock oil and nothing under $200-$250 is going to compete with it. Start getting into aftermarket bearings etc and then they perform even better. JMHO.

yes, yes and yes. However they perform great stock so no need to upgrade the bearings other then a personal preference...they are amazingly smooth.

 

[Grantman83]

Lews has the most choices in that price range but several companies have great reels in that price range. Check eBay for good reels below market value

 

[flukeman]

Apparently people did not understand why you wanted to shop at BPS. So I'll help you out. They have a good amount of quality reels to choose from like Revo S and SX, Shimano Curado and Citica, and if you want to save even more money look at the BPS Pro Qualifier. On another website Bass Resource, do a search for the Pro Qualifier, there is a nice report from a guy testing one fishing it over 200 days a year for 6 years and putting it thru its paces. When they are on sale you can buy two of them for that price.

 

[SSkeeter SS]

Apparently people did not understand why you wanted to shop at BPS. So I'll help you out. They have a good amount of quality reels to choose from like Revo S and SX, Shimano Curado and Citica, and if you want to save even more money look at the BPS Pro Qualifier. On another website Bass Resource, do a search for the Pro Qualifier, there is a nice report from a guy testing one fishing it over 200 days a year for 6 years and putting it thru its paces. When they are on sale you can buy two of them for that price.

good thing you are here to help us understand.

 

[flukeman]

Yep, that's what I do!