J Francho

I've used tungsten, but we've been pouring our own ball style from lead for a few years. I rarely use anything less than 1/4, with 1/2 and 3/8 being my go to sizes. Two reasons I go heavier: 1. I often have to get the bait to zip by smaller, more aggressive smallies to get to the big ones on the bottom. 2. I'm usually fishing pretty deep, often in wavy conditions, and the heavier weight keeps the bait in place.

It works the same when you pick up the bait. It's not immediately off the bottom with a pencil. The ball is just simpler. Besides, it's we have a mold for

I almost exclusively use the round. Pencils work well in current, but I don't fish current much. In still water, as the pencil falls over, I feel a second tick and I don't know if it's a fish, or the weight falling over after it hits the bottom.

I want to clarify a couple things here, and also apologize to Dramer77 for any misunderstanding. When I said clearly you're wrong, I was responding to part about me not liking anything Lew's. I was definitely not telling him his opinion of how the reel performed for him was wrong. Looking over the thread this morning helped me realize where that misunderstanding might ignite emotions, and some pointed posts. That wasn't the intent, and I should have been specific. Dramer, I wasn't putting your experiences down, just disagreeing with the notion that I'm anti Lew's. Sorry about that. Any other discussion about this can be had through a PM to me. Thanks!

I see newb used here, but not in the negative connotation or as in insult, like I see elsewhere.

I'd like to start an intelligent discussion about the Lew's BB1 Speed Spool, specifically the 5.1:1 ratio reel. Light brakes, large profile, and no anti reverse. To me, this sounds like a step backward, however, the reel is light, and from all reports very smooth and refined on the retrieve. No doubt David Fritz had a hand in it's design, and he has some interesting crankbaiting techniques. I know he's wrote that IAR prevents him from feel certain feedback from the bait, or bites, and the play helps him give the bait a tiny bit of slack. Seems like you could do that with the rod itself, but I also know he lays his rod across his lap sometimes while retrieving the bait slowly. Any thoughts on how this applies? How about you owners out there, does it actually help?

I remember reels with no IAR. They were tossed aside when IAR came out. I work on 200 or so reels a year, and have several customers that own many brands of reels. To say I get some feedback is an understatement. Enjoy. I've opened a new thread to discuss the interesting feature set on the BB1: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/115435-lews-b-b-1-speed-spool/

I think I'd be most interested in the Tournament Pro, as that is in a similar price point to most of my other reels (Chronarch E, Sol, Alphas, TD-X, etc.). That way I can tell best how it stacks up.

Wow! They used to send parts in teeny, tiny, little boxes. That's nuts! What a waste.

Jeff, I believe Rhapsody Rods are now made in Mexico: http://rapsodyfishing.com/about/our-factory/

You can only get TSI from the manu, as far as I know.

I've gotten several of the reels, lol.

The spools, gearing and braking systems appear to be different. I'm sure the clutch mechanism is the same. Look at it like the difference between the Daiwa Sol and Fuego. Same price, different ratios, capacities, brakes and intended purpose.

If the noontime pond is hot, I'll "work remote" for the afternoon, lol.

Excess oil and grease will always hold performance back.

I called in sick to fish my home water with a buddy.

Yeah, that's another Fritz preference - he's written articles about it. They can put whatever marketing spin on it. My bet is it was a one of his wants, and they provided, which is cool. He's one of the best at cranking. I just don't think too many anglers would be into it. Thing is, graphite cranking rods have come a long way since, and I don't like the idea of a jarring kick back from the reel when sweeping into a fish. I also don't buy into the idea of detecting a strike through the reel.

I use both, but spinning is less comfortable sitting down. Think about it, a baitcaster sits on the top of the rod. Less in the way than a spinner.

The Teflon tape would likely tear with a strong fish on.

There's a product called "Lure Stick" that would work perfectly for what you want. It's like $2. There's also Cook's storage system, if you want something more Robust. They go for $15 to 20.

Reviews fall under the category and scope of an article. We already have a section for that: www.bassresource.com/tackle-reviews/ If you want to submit a review, here are the submission guidelines: http://www.bassresource.com/fish/article_submission.html

I would not go out on SML on a kayak. At least not far out. The advice to join a small club as a non boater is very good. You will learn a ton.

Clearly, your wrong. I've heard numerous complaints about the braking system, some in this thread. I can't imagine the reason for no instant anti reverse on the low speed model. I'm sure the construction is solid, as other Lew's reels that have come across my bench, but the feature set of the BB-1 leaves me scratching my head as to why I'd want one. The Tournament models on the other hand look interesting. I tuned a few up, and I like the profile in my hand.

Not on the shaft, a minute drop on the pad won't hurt. By your logic, we shouldn't put oil in the spool bearings either, since it will migrate to the shaft. This small amount won't impede anything. What I'm referring to is adding oil directly to the shaft.

I'll toss a second vote in for the Confidence Baits Draggin' Head. It's the right tool for the job.