I have some Graphite reels that are DECENT, but if I was going for a higher end reel I would look for an all metal frame, either aluminum, or even better, magnesium. Regular graphite reel flames will flex over time.

I have some Graphite reels that are DECENT, but if I was going for a higher end reel I would look for an all metal frame, either aluminum, or even better, magnesium. Regular graphite reel flames will flex over time.

If they don't flex on day one, they aren't going to flex over time. The graphite won't get any weaker once it has been cured.

On low pro or round I defiantly want aluminum frame work, the exception is the Ci4+ reels.. Side plates with standard graphite compounds are plenty rigid, I believe Daiwa has a blend that's similar to ci4+.

I don't really think the Steez is the best value out there for high end Daiwa. I have had a few, but never paid more than $300 for one. Most of the high end Daiwa/Shimano can be found well under retail if you look around. I've used a lot of the high end stuff and a good portion of the lower end stuff, and it's still hard to beat the Curado for the price. I do agree with the Tatula though, there's not a better reel for $100 anywhere; I'll always have a couple on hand.

This is very true. The tats seem like nice reels. I would also look at Pflueger in the price range as well, but I wouldn't but any other brand (Shimano, Abu, ECT.)

You might be doing your self a disservice by not giving the industry leaders ( Shimano/ Daiwa ) a shot, seems you are already searching for a better tool. The graphite side plates, on low profiles or most reels , are not a disadvantage, plenty strong& rigid, maybe a trifle bit heavier. If you don't step out & try other company's product, you most certainly will never know.

 

 

 

I did used to use Shimano reels exclusively. I had many of the Bantum line of reels (Greenies, Magnumlites, and Coriolus reels as well) They were good reels, but they've been used so much the anti reverse on them is shot. That was before Shimano's prices skyrocketed.

Graphite comes from carbon, the same element diamonds come from.  Graphite is used to reinforce a very large array of manufactured products.  It's light, has a high degree of strength and stiffness, withstands a wide range of temperatures and doesn't rust.

The internals of a reel is what really matters.  Graphite sideplates should have no effect on the performance of any reel, the sideplates don't really get much pressure on them anyway.  Shimano uses graphite on the side plates of some of their spinning reels, they work beautifully.  A Shimano TLD is all graphite and one of the real workhorses of offshore fishing, not the smoothest as the internals are not the same as some of the more expensive models.

I guess I may have put that wrong, it's not that I don't trust graphite. I have reels with graphite that work just fine, but I really like the feel of aluminum or even the ci4+ material, which is a bit stronger feeling than your every day graphite seen on most reels.

I love Lews reels but feel their "area" is in $200 and below. The bb1, super duty, tournament pro, bb1 pro (along with the recently dc'd tournament and tournament mf speed spool)are absolute workhorses which will stay smooth and tough for years. In that price range, they provide offer little things other companies don't like clicking drag star and spool tension, carbon fiber handles, longer handles,knob bearings etc. In fact, I feel that recently released tatula and Curado I are a direct result of the increased competition in this price area. Lew's is offering stuff that moved the needle.

That being said, once you start to go higher end, you are entering an area where DAIWA and Shimano excel. Not saying they don't mess up (t3 ballistic etc) but their experience does help them out. I had a team pro (300 dollar) and it was an awesome reel but I prefer mf chronarch d)

That's kinda what I was trying to say, I have no doubt in my mind that the LFS Speed Spools and Tournament MBs are better than the Caenans and Citicas. My concern is that Lew's kinda tops out after the BB1 Pro area. The Team Lite really doesn't seem like it's up to par with say a Curado I, Scorpion 200, Curado E, or Chronarch E. I just feel like with Shimano, I get that value that increases with how much you spend, instead of topping out at say the $180-$200 value.

Go Shimano or Daiwa and dont look back 

That's what I'm contemplating doing. Also, I plan on upgrading my reels at one point with aftermarket products. With Lew's, there really isn't as many products to choose from at all.

This is where I'm at. Not loyal to anyone and will try just about anything if something catches my eye. Been looking at the Team Lite myself, because the knobs look like something I might like, since I don't like the regular flat knobs at all. Plus, you can usually find Lew's on the auction site cheap, so it's worth a shot.

Honestly the knobs look great, but don't feel great. I loved the look of them, but I'd rather have the normal Lew's paddle handles because the EVA is so uncomfortable.

I'd you wanna get rid of it, pm me and maybe we can work out a trade

I'd you wanna get rid of it, pm me and maybe we can work out a trade

If I decide to, I'll definitely contact u.

Team pro for 300

-One-Piece Aluminum Frame and Side Plates

-Titanium deposition Finish on Metal Side Plates

-Double Anodized Gold Detail Finishing

-Aircraft-grade Duralumin Drilled U-shape Spool, Drive Gear, Crank Shaft, and Worm Shaft

-Premium 11 Double-Shielded Stainless Steel Ball Bearing System

-Zero Reverse Anti-Reverse Bearing

-External-Adjust Multi-Setting Brake (MSB) Dual Cast Control System - utilizing both an external click-dial for setting magnetic brake, plus 4 individually - disk-mounted adjustable internal brake shoes that operate on centrifugal force.

-Double Anodized Metal Spool Tension Adjustment with Audible Click

-Rugged Carbon Composite Drag System

-Bowed, Drilled Anodized Metal Star Drag with Audible Click

-Bowed Lightweight Carbon Handle

-Durable High Density Foam Handle Knob

-Titanium-coated Zirconia Lin

Team pro for 300

-One-Piece Aluminum Frame and Side Plates

-Titanium deposition Finish on Metal Side Plates

-Double Anodized Gold Detail Finishing

-Aircraft-grade Duralumin Drilled U-shape Spool, Drive Gear, Crank Shaft, and Worm Shaft

-Premium 11 Double-Shielded Stainless Steel Ball Bearing System

-Zero Reverse Anti-Reverse Bearing

-External-Adjust Multi-Setting Brake (MSB) Dual Cast Control System - utilizing both an external click-dial for setting magnetic brake, plus 4 individually - disk-mounted adjustable internal brake shoes that operate on centrifugal force.

-Double Anodized Metal Spool Tension Adjustment with Audible Click

-Rugged Carbon Composite Drag System

-Bowed, Drilled Anodized Metal Star Drag with Audible Click

-Bowed Lightweight Carbon Handle

-Durable High Density Foam Handle Knob

-Titanium-coated Zirconia Lin

What does it have that makes it better than the Tournament Pro or Tournament Lite?

Probably that it is an all aluminum reel (sidepkates and frame) and still just 6oz. That's crazy. It also has a basically scratch proof titanium finish so it won't rash on the frame. The guide I used in California (mat allen) is a big shimano guy but he has several of these reels because their bearings don't rust out in brackish waters.

It's a solid solid reel.

Probably that it is an all aluminum reel (sidepkates and frame) and still just 6oz. That's crazy. It also has a basically scratch proof titanium finish so it won't rash on the frame. The guide I used in California (mat allen) is a big shimano guy but he has several of these reels because their bearings don't rust out in brackish waters.

It's a solid solid reel.

I agree it's a solid reel, but it's not $100 better than the Tourney Pro, unless the price of aluminum went up.

So I pretty recently got a Lew's Team Lite reel in the 7.5:1. At first I loved the reel, but now I'm not so sure. The sideplates are graphite, which basically is overrated plastic IMO, I don't like the EVA grips' feel, and it isn't quite as smooth as I thought a $240 reel would be. The pros to this reel, though, are the 5.7 oz. weight, the carbon fiber handle, and the aesthetics are pretty nice. Now, for the controversy...I only have two Lew's reels (my only two baitcasting reels ATM), and I've been looking at the higher end Shimano reels. To me, they look much nicer. I felt a Curado I at a Cabela's I live by, and it seems great. Should I make the switch to Shimano before I invest too much into Lew's? I know Speed Spools are probably better than Caenans, but are Scorpions, Curado I's, and Chronarchs better than the Team Lites? Please give me some insight, thanks!

 

Anything else about the smoothness you can comment on?  Have you handled a BB1 Pro to compare it to? I had a BB1 Pro and it to me was a very smooth feeling reel. Sounds like the Team Lite isnt up to par with the BB1 Pro.  3 of the 7 comments at TW praise the smoothness of the reel others no mention good or bad. Is there a chance something is wrong with yours???

I actually bought a Tatula BB1 Pro and CI4 at the same time and thought the Pro felt the smoothest but the sideplates gave it a cheesy feel/look maybe less refined like Tywithay mention.

Team pro for 300

-One-Piece Aluminum Frame and Side Plates

-Titanium deposition Finish on Metal Side Plates

-Double Anodized Gold Detail Finishing

-Aircraft-grade Duralumin Drilled U-shape Spool, Drive Gear, Crank Shaft, and Worm Shaft

-Premium 11 Double-Shielded Stainless Steel Ball Bearing System

-Zero Reverse Anti-Reverse Bearing

-External-Adjust Multi-Setting Brake (MSB) Dual Cast Control System - utilizing both an external click-dial for setting magnetic brake, plus 4 individually - disk-mounted adjustable internal brake shoes that operate on centrifugal force.

-Double Anodized Metal Spool Tension Adjustment with Audible Click

-Rugged Carbon Composite Drag System

-Bowed, Drilled Anodized Metal Star Drag with Audible Click

-Bowed Lightweight Carbon Handle

-Durable High Density Foam Handle Knob

-Titanium-coated Zirconia Lin

Instead of praising Lews, you should praise Doyo for this list of features.

Anything else about the smoothness you can comment on?  Have you handled a BB1 Pro to compare it to? I had a BB1 Pro and it to me was a very smooth feeling reel. Sounds like the Team Lite isnt up to par with the BB1 Pro.  3 of the 7 comments at TW praise the smoothness of the reel others no mention good or bad. Is there a chance something is wrong with yours???

I actually bought a Tatula BB1 Pro and CI4 at the same time and thought the Pro felt the smoothest but the sideplates gave it a cheesy feel/look maybe less refined like Tywithay mention.

The free spool time isn't close to that of Curados/ Chronarchs. Lew's reels come with a lot of grease, which is a hassle to clean off. The actually reeling itself is smooth, but I'd like a bit more free spool time. Also, id rather have that connected feeling in the reeling process.

The free spool time isn't close to that of Curados/ Chronarchs. Lew's reels come with a lot of grease, which is a hassle to clean off. The actually reeling itself is smooth, but I'd like a bit more free spool time. Also, id rather have that connected feeling in the reeling process.

Free spool has just about zero affect out on the water.

The free spool time isn't close to that of Curados/ Chronarchs. Lew's reels come with a lot of grease, which is a hassle to clean off. The actually reeling itself is smooth, but I'd like a bit more free spool time. Also, id rather have that connected feeling in the reeling process.

If you want free spool time just to gawk at it, get better bearings and turn of all your brakes. Aside from that, free spool time is not indicative of a reels casting performance.

That's about the last thing in the world (freespool) to judge a reel by, the spool still has to be controlled. I wouldn't let that be a decision factor moving fwd on a new purchase, at all..

Turn your brakes on 0 = free spool

Also pitching jigs I think you really just started this to see the debate you really haven't said a thing positive about lews. You sound like the classic shims no not willing to give anything a try but instead just throw your negative views about it.

Most companies have their fanboys these days. I feel like they go around tackle warehouse trashing other reels. I get the impression that certain brands are made by god and there not. To be truthfully honest, I've never had a reel from any company I haven't been satisfied with. At a certain price point its not going to fish any better. It may last longer, but its not going to make you better at fishing by any means. Only to a certain point does a reel effect your performance.

Turn your brakes on 0 = free spool

 

lol

Same I am 14 years old and on a very tight budget. The only reason I use lews Is because IMO they are the best reel for under 130. I have used basically every brand out there and not found one I like better. If your against something from the start especially rods and reels your not going to change.