Anyone have experience with this reel? I can pick up a new one relatively cheap ($70), but I also can get a new LFS at the same price. It looks like it's a graphite frame. 

I can only find it sold from Academy or Auction sites, so there's not a whole lot on it, but it retails for $130, so from a price standpoint it seems like a great deal.

Anyone fished it?

Get the LFS, it's has an aluminum frame. Best reel you can get for 80 bucks. 

Lews has entirely too many models. I couldn't keep them straight to save my life. 

1 hour ago, JaxBasser said:

Get the LFS, it's has an aluminum frame. Best reel you can get for 80 bucks. 

 

46 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Lews has entirely too many models. I couldn't keep them straight to save my life. 

I'm in the same boat.  However, I figured it was due to my old age, but when a young guy like you says the same thing..........well........

I know Lews also does one off models for certain box stores like Walmart. I bought one and found out they don't even list them on Lews website but the reel is clearly marked with their logo. I tried to register one for the warranty on their website and had to contact them because the drop down to select your model did not list the reel I was registering. That is when Lews informed me to use another reels model and explained the reason the reel was not a part of their lineup. 

36 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I'm in the same boat.  However, I figured it was due to my old age, but when a young guy like you says the same thing..........well........

Flattery will get you everywhere. 

No reason to go with any Lews reel with the name "Laser" attached to it when you can get the plain LFS speed spool for the same price or a few dollars more. Laser means graphite frame, get the aluminum framed model and you'll be set.

2 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

No reason to go with any Lews reel with the name "Laser" attached to it when you can get the plain LFS speed spool for the same price or a few dollars more. Laser means graphite frame, get the aluminum framed model and you'll be set.

I'd normally agree, but this reel isn't your everyday Laser. It's more refined, and actually quite a bit smoother than my LFS's. I picked mine up yesterday and got it out on the water this morning. It's pretty nice for $70. I definitely wouldn't put it on par with most of my reels, but they're $150+. We'll see how it handles if and when I hook into a bigger fish, but it's every bit the caster of an LFS but noticeably smoother. 

I did some searching, and they sell the same reel at Cabelas for $130, same price as Academy. One's white, one's black. It's not a bad deal if you can find them on clearance or on an auction site.