I'm not bashing Shimano spinning reels.  I love my Shimano spinning reels and in fact they are really all I ever need.  I'm just bashing that one Shimano baitcaster reel I have because I spent $200 on it and then three or four years later I buy this Lews for only $130 (I read it has been on sale for $99) and it casts so much better. 

 I suppose I should stop being a brand loyalist. 

I haven't had a Shimano since the 90s and it was good. But I LOVE my Lew's LFS Tournament MB. It's a great reel at that price point.

On 10/7/2016 at 9:41 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Fwiw the reel you junked can be fixed for about $8 DIY 

I thought I'd read you saying at one point that even if you worked it that you weren't all that confident the fix would last.  That, combined with my frustration with it....I figured that the time I factor in shipping to/from you against cost of new reel....trash seemed like the one option that would make me feel better :-) 

22 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I thought I'd read you saying at one point that even if you worked it that you weren't all that confident the fix would last.  That, combined with my frustration with it....I figured that the time I factor in shipping to/from you against cost of new reel....trash seemed like the one option that would make me feel better :-) 

Lol yes, i had a lews speed spin reel that would always give me problems. I gave it away to my fishing buddy(hardcore lews guy). The one day he hooked into a nice 5 or 6 pounder and that same reel broke at the reel seat. It was crazy it just snapped off. And yes he lost the fish. It felt really good that it didnt happen to me.