I have been looking at tons of bait casters daiwa, shimano, Abu Garcia, pflueger, etc. and have narrowed it down to Lews. I am looking for a good speed reel (6.2:1-6.6:1) to use for as many baits as possible since I am a hs student with not much cash. I was looking at the Speed Spool LFS and was wondering if the higher end Lews are a better buy. Trying to keep price <$150. Things I'm focusing on are smoothness, casting distance, and construction/durability since this will be probably my broad range "everything else" reel.

I have no experience with any of their offerings in the past 2 years. Their tournament pro model is a fantastic reel. Retail was $200 but it can be found online much cheaper these days. Seems like they still offer all the same reels except they added LITE and LFS to the names.

You can find the tournament pro for 150. It would be hard to find a better reel at that price.

I would also think a TP is the way to go.

Get the TP, I have one and really like it. You can find them on sale for around $150, espescially this week when places are having 4th of July sales.

ALFC has the TP for $139.99 right now, no better reel in the Lews line up for that price.

I bought a new Tournament Pro for $144 (including shipping) from Sheltons Clothing on ebay.  Delivery was in two days.  Works great.  I think it's the best reel for the money.

ALFC has the TP for $139.99 right now, no better reel in the Lews line up for that price.

 

 

Wow.  Nice deal.  I don't get to use my Tournament Pro much as my middle grandson grabbed it for his own use whenever we go fishing together.  No experience with other Lews models, but the TP is one fine reel.   At $140 I have to think it would be your best bet.  In case you don't know what ALFC stands for, it is American Legacy Fishing Company.

 

EDIT:  At that price I am tempted to buy another one for my own use, but have a few other reels I'd like to get first.

Thanks for all the replies! I will definitely have take a look at the TP especially at that price.

TP is my recommendation as well. I found a Team Red and Team Pro for $150 each...but that kind of deal doesn't happen often.

That said...they are all the same reel barring cosmetic and slight weight differences.

TP is my recommendation as well. I found a Team Red and Team Pro for $150 each...but that kind of deal doesn't happen often.

That said...they are all the same reel barring cosmetic and slight weight differences.

I'm so sick of people saying all lews and abu and pflueger and bass pro reels are all the same.

(Double post)

I'm so sick of people saying all lews and abu and pflueger and bass pro reels are all the same.

I didn't say that, sick person. I'm saying the team pro team red and Team Gold are the same as the Tournament Pro barring weight and cosmetics. That is fact.

Same duralumin main gear, crank shaft, and worm, same 11 bearings, same carbon handle (different knobs), same aluminum frame (pro is lighter), same spool.

Different finish, different side plate materials, different knobs.

My statement has nothing to do with the other Doyo made reels.

I didn't say that, sick person. I'm saying the team pro team red and Team Gold are the same as the Tournament Pro barring weight and cosmetics. That is fact.

Same duralumin main gear, crank shaft, and worm, same 11 bearings, same carbon handle (different knobs), same aluminum frame (pro is lighter), same spool.

Different finish, different side plate materials, different knobs.

My statement has nothing to do with the other Doyo made reels.

Oh my mistake. I agree that those team reels are the same.

It's still irritating though that in every thread about lews reels someone always says they are all the same.

Just bought my second Lews tournament lite speed spool for $139 on line. Free shipping and no tax. This reel is light and casts a mile with 10# invizix.

Here is a very nice reel that you can get for about $170 on ebay. Frankly, over the years I have found many great reels for about 30% less than retail on ebay. New and free shipping. I am a big Lew's fan. IMHO dollar for dollar they are as good as you can get.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lews-BB2-Pro-Speed-Spool-7-1-1-Bait-Casting-Reel-PS2SHZ-/131481265733?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e9ce4e645

How do the Lew's throw light lures? 1/8-1/4?

Oh my mistake. I agree that those team reels are the same.

It's still irritating though that in every thread about lews reels someone always says they are all the same.

I feel ya...but I don't feel that way. They are deFinitely different than other Doyo productions...they just have similarities within the company.

How do the Lew's throw light lures? 1/8-1/4?

I throw 1/4 jigs on my TP most of the time, zero complaints

Get the TP.

 

I have 3 TP's, 2 Team Lites, 2 Team Pros, and a BB1, and the TP outperforms them all.  Spool it with Sunline Sniper 12# and you just might hit the other side of the lake on your next cast

Here is a very nice reel that you can get for about $170 on ebay. Frankly, over the years I have found many great reels for about 30% less than retail on ebay. New and free shipping. I am a big Lew's fan. IMHO dollar for dollar they are as good as you can get.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lews-BB2-Pro-Speed-Spool-7-1-1-Bait-Casting-Reel-PS2SHZ-/131481265733?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e9ce4e645

That's in a totally different class than the TP though. BB2 vs Tournament Pro is like someone asking if they should buy another pickup and you recommending a van. Both haul lots of stuff...but way different types of stuff.

Lew's Tournament MB, or the Lew's Super Duty Speed Spool.

I'm so sick of people saying all lews and abu and pflueger and bass pro reels are all the same.

I'm so sick of people saying all lews and abu and pflueger and bass pro reels are all the same.

If you look at their guts they are all very similar..very.

I have a TP and a BB1 , they are both very nice.

I've heard good things on the MB, which is less expensive.

Just bought my second Lews tournament lite speed spool for $139 on line. Free shipping and no tax. This reel is light and casts a mile with 10# invizix.

^^This^^ - I believe just as nice as the TP but lighter !