pauldconyers

What would I do without your insight? LOL

Yeah, that was kind of how I envisioned setting the brake on a model like this. I guess I mentally was kind of thinking it was best to get a reel that was sort of "known" as being great at deep cranking, and the BB1 certainly has that reputation. It just looks like a lot of the features I am wanting come in the Tournament MB and maybe that is the route to go for me. I know this is a great all around reel but even though it comes in a 5 speed I had not heard a lot of people using it for a deep crank reel so your (or anyone else) perspective would be great! I really look for rocket casts and a feeling of power/stability out of a reel for this application. Does this fit the bill?

Oh I wasn't considering buying it, I was just curious if anyone had a review on it yet.

There are a few different types of braking systems today used by various companies. My question involves those who employ a system that has the interior tabs you can set in the on or off position AND utilizes an exterior braking dial. I've seen some that have just the interior and some that can only be adjusted on the exterior. I guess I'm wondering why a reel would need BOTH when apparently either type of system will get it done? In this scenario do most people set the interior brakes to a somewhat "neutral" setting on the inside to where they make most of their adjustments on the exterior dial with is more accessible?

I'm thinking about getting a new deep crankbait reel, something to primarily throw 5 & 6 XD's and such. I have a 7'10" Tour KVD rod to pair it up and I am thinking 10/12 FC. I've got my eye on a couple of different Lew's models but I am swimming in reviews and YouTube videos trying to figure out which model to go with. I know a lot of you guys have fished Lew's for years and since a few of the models I am looking at are a few years old now I was hoping some of you guys could give me some advice and personal experience here. Here is the criteria I am looking at: Metal frame 5.x:1 gear ratio (IPT 21" to 25") Big enough spool Probably 95 mm handles brass gears casts a mile Also I am not SUPER particular on the braking system but I am kind of leaning towards something that has some sort of exterior control I am kind of looking at these models: BB1 (this has long been a popular model but the lack of exterior brake is kind of a pain) BB1 pro Tournament MB (really looking at this as they make it in a 5.6:1 but while I have certainly heard of this rod being popular I have not heard much about people using it as a deep crank reel) Just hoping to get some advice, recomendations or things to considered as I know a lot of you guys swear by your Lew's!

Yeah I meant to buy that specific Lews Tournament MB but acted too late. Was looking at it as a deep crank reel.

When did this come out? I think I heard something about this a few months ago and was curious if anyone had tried it yet?

Yeah if I went with a Lews as a deep crank reel I'm not sure if I'd want the MB, BB1, LFS or some Super Duty version.

Yeah I was considering the 5 for a deep crank reel. Missed the sale until it was too late, which they'd take back orders!

Did you take advantage of TW's sale on that Lews Tournament MB? I ask because I missed it and am looking around for a good price on one.

I have heard these things are not real accurate, what is your experience? Can they possible damage the line?

Should I just be trying to match up line diameter more so than pound test of both lines?

So if the smallest braid I would be putting on top of the backing is 30 pound and the smallest about of FC I would put on top is 10 pound what size mono would you recommend to go with that size line/knot?

Hmm, never thought of that. The Lew's MH2SH Mach II I have is a magnetic I believe and I can adjust and throw that thing an insane distance. But yes the SLX is centrifugal. And the 2 Curado K's I have arriving tomorrow are SVS it looks like. Based upon what I am used to does that tell you anything? Again I feel the Lew's is a fairly similar setup. Regarding these 2 Curado K's I ordered I assumed they would act fairly similar to the SLX reels I have, is that not the case?

Last year I went about finding me a reel for a deep diving crank rod for mostly 5XD's and 6XD's. I have a 7'10" Quantum Tour KVD MH rod and I went with 10# FC on it. On the advice of some posts from a few years ago on hear I ended up choosing ABU GARCIA ORRA WINCH 5.4:1 based upon many reviews that it was as solid as a tank, had excellent torque for big cranks and that it casts a mile. Had trouble finding one as they were not longer in stores and such but found a brand new one online for a great price and pulled the trigger. It is super smooth, was perfectly brand new and all that but I am not getting NEAR the casting distance I should be I feel. I would admit that while I have used bait caters for years do not yet feel I really have this thing dialed in but feel I should be getting more than I am. I mean, I have the exact same rod in 7' with an Shimano SLX reel and 12# FC and I easily get 25 feet more with a heavier line and a rod 10 inches shorter. What am I missing here? I am not one to take apart a reel or anything but could possible apply some oil here or there if I needed to but being brand new should I have to do that really, even if it sat around for 3 years or whatever unused? Just wanted some opinions I guess.

I knew I should have done this, looks like a lot of fun. Definitely going to get in on it next year!

Googans actually make some pretty good soft plastics. Down side they are so soft they are not super durable. Up side is they are so soft they have very realistic movements.

Yep, I was at Roger's Saturday talking to Dave for a bit about some reels. All I am saying is OBVIOUSLY I would rather have a rod/reel combo for pretty much all different bait types I would throw. I mean, who wouldn't? Not having to re-tie, having a combo that perfectly suites the situation? OF COURSE SIGN ME UP? While we are at it sign me up for a $50K new bass boat, how about a $35K truck to tow it with? In an ideal situation I would LOVE those items and would never say no to them. There is NO ANGLER IN THE WORLD that would turn down say 25 high end combos, new truck and new boat? So if that is the case what prevents people from doing that and having those items? It is clearly a lack of discretionary income. In my situation I do not have the money for 3 different nicer top water combos so I look for something that can handle a few different items. Unfortunately that's how I have to afford to roll. Happy New Year to you and hopefully we will bump into each other sometime! I have thought about seeing who on here that lives in the area would be interested in meeting up for a day of fishing. Probably would be too difficult to get 15 different guys schedules all to align perfectly to where all of them could be at the same place at the same time.

But will a thinner or thicker line lay on the spool "smoother" or does it truly not matter?

I was kind of leaning towards 15# big game. I'm curious if people think a different size line would sit smoother or whatever.

If you are fortunate enough position to have a rod/reel not for each general type of presentation but for more or less each type of LURE then congrats to you. Obviously I also would prefer to "roll" like that. But due to cost and space in my boat that is not a realistic scenario for me or most other anglers.

I assume this combo would work well for a soft jerkbait like a fluke on a 4/0?

The main reason I am wanting to do this comes back to money. Last year I bought 4 different Shimano SLX reels. Loaded one up with Sufix 832 braid and the other 3 with Sunline FC sniper. Those reels are the 150 size and when my fishing season was done I had them full up with no backing of whatever line type. Well this last month I feel into a little unexpected money and a buddy wanted to buy these SLX reels from me for almost what I paid for them so I upgraded them all to Curado K reels and they are 200 size reels so the line off the SLX 150 reels would not fill them up properly and at the same time I do not want to "waste" all that perfectly good line that was not cheap. So I figured I would put like 1/3rd of the reel on of backing and be able to use this line of the SLX reels. In the future if I buy a 200 yard spool of reel I figure I could pull off 100 yards of it, cut it and put it on top of that backing and could do that a second time when the time comes.

If I were to do mono backing what pound test do I want to go with?

But you don't feel a walk the dog style bait like I mentioned (and it's gauge of wire trebles) would be too much for this set up?