I'm looking to possibly get a new spinning reel here soon. I have heard a little bit about the Lew's Speed Spin spinning reel but not enough. What are the pros and cons of this reel and what other reels should I look at? Looking to spend less than $100.

Thanks

Here is my review: Updated

Why did I stray from Shimmano? This reel has been replace by a Shimano Sahara FD a MUCH better real, none of the cons below.

I tried to tear down this reel and what a freaking pain, not worth it, to oil this thing took way to long and didn't fix my squeaking issue, the reel has been handed down to my son.

I did get to test my Sahara on a 4+# smallie and it did excellent.

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.

tear down = long

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If it were me, I'd spend the $49 on a Shimano Sonora. Better reel for the money, IMHO.

Tom

Thanks!

I bought one on a year ago. The bail trip was always hard to activate and recently it stopped working altogether and the rotor would not turn freely. Sent it back to Lew's for repair and the 1 yr warranty was exactly one day past, so I have to pay the freight on getting it fixed. Would I buy another? No. I like the idea of a big spool on an otherwise regular sized reel, but this one just isn't up to snuff ..... also found out that their supplier had been dropped in favor of another source. This has not been a good user experience.