My last reel I purchased was the first stradic so its been awhile, I am doing allot of river fishing lately and didn't want to risk losing this reel. I wouldn't trade my Stradic for anything it always works and it always works well, however I wanted something "cheaper" with similar performance. My local fishing shop had a lews speed spin for $49 plus free line on both spools, a darn good deal... Took it out to the river that day and caught two smallies and it performed well, it’s not a stradic for sure but it’s also a 1/4 the price. The drag is a bit disappointing and I am a bit let down, I use somewhat light line for my conditions and it gives more than it should. I lost a fish from the drag setting, it’s also not smooth at all, I have a very old shimano sf2000(?) and its drag is better.. Turing the reel is fairly smooth and for a newer reel requires more effort than my stradic to use it. I enjoy using the reel and I think it casts further, it struggles a bit in the river and not sure how it would handle a 4+ pound smalie in the river. I plan to take it large mouth fishing this weekend at a pond and see how it performs. I am not sure if it needs oil but it squeaks only when the pull of the river is on it which is almost every cast, it’s an odd noise and I can’t locate it. Maybe this is just the expectation when you’re comparing a higher end reel to something lower on the price range but I was impressed at the shop, not as much on the water, however it’s a keeper for me. The last item is comfort at first I was extremely comfortable but at the end of my fishing endeavor I was more fatigue than I would have been using the stradic, it could be weight related but the stradic is easier to turn.

NOTE: Same rod I use for my static was used for this reel.

-Pros

Quick Release Spool

Spare Spool ++ for me..

Casts far

Priced aggressive

Good Anti Reverse and has reverse

-Cons

Disappointing Drag

Squeaks

Can it handle big fish?

Heavy

More wear and tear while using this reel.

Good review, I need to get my hands on one