I keep coming back to the Lew's Tournament MB Speed Spool bait cast reel as a best value in that $100 ~ $150 range ... Are there any new models from other manufacturers in the same price / performance range that persuaded you to "jump ship" from the Lew's MB model ? If so , please explain - conversely if you came back to a Lew's MB model that is useful information as well ... Thanks in advance to share your thoughts & experiences .

I have 3 of the MB's and I love them. I did recently buy the Academy Sports store brand TAC-40 reel. I like it a lot. Strong, fast and very light (LFS). It is more compact than the MB. It only has the centrifugal brake, but you'd never notice. My experience with mag brakes is you set them and probably never touch them. The TAC-40 retails for $100 and is a lot of reel for that money. It would be a screaming deal if caught on sale. It's on my jig rod and has caught a PB.

In my opinion, in that price range a Daiwa Tatula type R is amazing. Its on it's way out so the price has dropped bringing them into your price range. 

3 hours ago, Woody_California said:

In my opinion, in that price range a Daiwa Tatula type R is amazing. Its on it's way out so the price has dropped bringing them into your price range. 

Not a fan of anything Lews personally but Woody brings up a good point the Tatula Type R would be a great option as well as the new Shimano SLX. 

Love the mb. I have 2 and they are my favorite that I own. I have 2 fuego ct and they are super solid reels for about half what the mb costs. To me, the mb is a far better reel especially where casting distance is concerned. Depending on the application (bottom contact- fuego, moving baits- mb) my next reel will be one of these two. I'm cheap, and won't spend the extra $50 on a mb unless I feel it's necessary. If the price was the same it would be mb all day.

My last 4 reels have been MB, MB, MB, the OG  Tatula.  The Tatula in my experience does have noticeably better braking but the size is not as comfortable so I'll still lean toward the MB.

 

The CT-R may be the best of both but personally I do not like the red color.  I know that may seem silly, but I just can't stand it.  Otherwise I would definitely check one out.

 

For now I say the MB is a tough reel to beat for 100 bucks.

I have 3 of the Lew's MB's and love them I also have several of Lew's LFS reels. they are all very good reels. But it all comes down to personal preferences. I like the way Lew's fit my hands. All the reels mentioned are very good reels so it all comes down to which you prefer

13 hours ago, the reel ess said:

I have 3 of the MB's and I love them. I did recently buy the Academy Sports store brand TAC-40 reel. I like it a lot. Strong, fast and very light (LFS). It is more compact than the MB. It only has the centrifugal brake, but you'd never notice. My experience with mag brakes is you set them and probably never touch them. The TAC-40 retails for $100 and is a lot of reel for that money. It would be a screaming deal if caught on sale. It's on my jig rod and has caught a PB.

 

I want the TAC-40 ?

 

It's listed as having a shallow spool, how shallow is it?

 

What interests me about a shallow spool is for pitching-n-punching, don't need a lot of braided line.

7 hours ago, Catt said:

 

I want the TAC-40 ?

 

It's listed as having a shallow spool, how shallow is it?

 

What interests me about a shallow spool is for pitching-n-punching, don't need a lot of braided line.

I filled this spool by reeling the used braid off the reel I was replacing, an old BPS Johnny Morris reel. That reel was half filled with a mono backing and finished off with braid. I didn't even get down to the mono. I'd guess 50 yards of 30 lb braid. It's about half a spool, though it claims to hold 100 yds. No way does it. That's why I'm using it for jigs. But it will cast for decent distance.

1 hour ago, LionHeart said:

For now I say the MB is a tough reel to beat for 100 bucks.

I agree. Don't pay full price of $135 You can find this reel for $100 on sale most of the time.

 

There is so much to love about this reel. Dual brakes, aluminum frame, tension knob with audible click, ultimate palm-ability (if that's a word), casts a mile and the drag is solid.

 

When I am in the market for another baitcaster I will be getting another MB

Thanks for the replies - I see there are Daiwa  fans - the Tatula CT is a TW "best seller" and close to the price of a Lew's MB ?

1 hour ago, ChrisD46 said:

Thanks for the replies - I see there are Daiwa  fans - the Tatula CT is a TW "best seller" and close to the price of a Lew's MB ?

I have a tournament MB and a Tatula CT Type R.  Of the two, the Tatula Is the better caster. I think magforce Z is the best braking system going right now. But the MB fits my hand much better. The Tatula is long and narrow,  and I can honestly tell a difference in the balance on my rods because it’s kinda front heavy if that makes sense. The MB  is a great caster, don’t get me wrong there.  I would recommend going to the store, mounting both on a rod and just see how they fit in your hand. 

I have both. Personally I like MB for moving baits and Tatula for flipping

I own four Lews ProG Speed Spools, and I am very happy with them. This spring I decided to buy a Curado 200K that a friend had talked me into. 

 

Its a fantastic reel, but it takes a bit of work to get the reel dialed in and I feel like I’m gonna break it in my hand when I set the hook or fight a fish. The dials are super sensitive too. I dunno, I like the Lews better. I’ll be selling the Shimano soon, I’m sure. 

On 9/14/2018 at 7:46 AM, LionHeart said:

My last 4 reels have been MB, MB, MB, the OG  Tatula.  The Tatula in my experience does have noticeably better braking but the size is not as comfortable so I'll still lean toward the MB.

 

The CT-R may be the best of both but personally I do not like the red color.  I know that may seem silly, but I just can't stand it.  Otherwise I would definitely check one out.

 

For now I say the MB is a tough reel to beat for 100 bucks.

 

I thought I was the only one. I don't know what it is, but I find the recent trend of red in rods and reels absolutely repellant. It looks wrong.

you guys are horrible... talking about the MB made go buy another one I bought a 8.3.1 last night from Academy. that d**n bait monkey kept telling to buy it buy it

2 hours ago, jeffo21 said:

you guys are horrible... talking about the MB made go buy another one I bought a 8.3.1 last night from Academy. that d**n bait monkey kept telling to buy it buy it

LOL. At least it wasn't your fault..

3 hours ago, IgotWood said:

I own four Lews ProG Speed Spools, and I am very happy with them. This spring I decided to buy a Curado 200K that a friend had talked me into. 

 

Its a fantastic reel, but it takes a bit of work to get the reel dialed in and I feel like I’m gonna break it in my hand when I set the hook or fight a fish. The dials are super sensitive too. I dunno, I like the Lews better. I’ll be selling the Shimano soon, I’m sure. 

That is the first I have ever heard that. IMO the Shimano is far superior than anything Lews has built for them as they don't even make there own reels. 

 

The Shimano Curado K is an aluminum reel with an oversized brass drive gear and pinion gear for increased power and dependability. The Curado is known for its dependability and is a work horse of a reel. Something isn't adding up. Are you sure you have an authentic Shimano reel? Are you sure its a Curado K? 

To be fair, I have both as well and the Pro G is a solid reel. I wouldn't discount the curado either.. I fished my pro g and curado dc this morning and enjoy both. I do prefer the smaller frame of the pro g.

7 hours ago, Stephen B said:

That is the first I have ever heard that. IMO the Shimano is far superior than anything Lews has built for them as they don't even make there own reels. 

 

The Shimano Curado K is an aluminum reel with an oversized brass drive gear and pinion gear for increased power and dependability. The Curado is known for its dependability and is a work horse of a reel. Something isn't adding up. Are you sure you have an authentic Shimano reel? Are you sure its a Curado K? 

It’s a k for sure. It’s not that it is a less quality reel. I know the Curado’s longtime reputation as being a dependable work horse. It’s simpky a comfort thing. I like the feel of the Lews in my hand a little better. And I have an easier time tuning the Lews for some reason. I’ll be using the Curado a good big tomorrow, so maybe it will help change my mind. 

3 hours ago, IgotWood said:

It’s a k for sure. It’s not that it is a less quality reel. I know the Curado’s longtime reputation as being a dependable work horse. It’s simpky a comfort thing. I like the feel of the Lews in my hand a little better. And I have an easier time tuning the Lews for some reason. I’ll be using the Curado a good big tomorrow, so maybe it will help change my mind. 

I understanding preferring another reel more but I am referring to you saying it feels like it will break in your hand on a hookset.

*Would you put a similar priced Abu Garcia Revo in the discussion with Lew's , Daiwa and maybe Shimano ?

On 9/14/2018 at 7:46 AM, LionHeart said:

My last 4 reels have been MB, MB, MB, the OG  Tatula.  The Tatula in my experience does have noticeably better braking but the size is not as comfortable so I'll still lean toward the MB.

 

The CT-R may be the best of both but personally I do not like the red color.  I know that may seem silly, but I just can't stand it.  Otherwise I would definitely check one out.

 

For now I say the MB is a tough reel to beat for 100 bucks.

 

22 hours ago, MIbassyaker said:

 

I thought I was the only one. I don't know what it is, but I find the recent trend of red in rods and reels absolutely repellant. It looks wrong.

 

I like red highlights, but the CT's red turns me off.  It is too much.  I much prefer the looks of the original Tatula Type R.

 

I've only got 3 Lew's reels.  I like them, but do not find them to be the end all like some.  One happens to be a Tournament MB.  All 3 reels are nice looking reels...to me.  I like their size, but am not nearly as in tune to size as most seem to be.  Their is only one reel that I immediately noticed how much I liked how it felt on a rod...and it isn't to be mentioned.

 

I've read a few times that the Lew's outcasts all other reels a poster has.  I have not found that to be true for me.  They cast as far as most...further than some...but not the furthest...for me anyway.  I'm shore bound so I appreciate a reel that can reach out there.

 

I agree the MB is a lot of reel for the $110 or less they can be found for.  Heck, even at full price they are a very nice reel and not to be overlooked.  I usually suggest that a person buy what interests them.  In most cases they will be much happier.

when I got home and showed the wife she just laughed at me and shook her head

On 9/14/2018 at 7:46 AM, LionHeart said:

My last 4 reels have been MB, MB, MB, the OG  Tatula.  The Tatula in my experience does have noticeably better braking but the size is not as comfortable so I'll still lean toward the MB.

 

The CT-R may be the best of both but personally I do not like the red color.  I know that may seem silly, but I just can't stand it.  Otherwise I would definitely check one out.

 

For now I say the MB is a tough reel to beat for 100 bucks.

Check out the Cabela’s Arachnid reel. It’s a rebadged CT-R but all black with a blue spool. On sale now also for 112.