Looking to add one last BC setup to the rotation. Fairly sure I'll end up with a Tatula 7'3 MH-F for everything from senkos to 1/2oz jigs and looking for a new reel to pair it with. For my other bottom contact rod I have a SC Victory with a lews MB and size wise the LFS seems easy to palm and have my finger under the line in front of the reel. I've tried a daiwa fuego ct and Abu Garcia revo rocket and find the Daiwa too large and the Abu just an uncomfortable shape, cant put my finger on it.

 

For reels I've been looking a SLX MGL 70 or a Lew's Team Pro SP Speed Spool. Local academy, cabelas and BP dont have any SLPs or SLXs out to try so I'm kind of taking a shot in the dark. For those that like the feel of the Lews LFS are either of the above reels comparable (despite the SLP being smaller) or at least smaller than a Fuego CT and not shaped like the Abu?

 

Was hoping to get a reduced capacity spool but if I cant get good feedback here I'll likely just end up with either a MP/KVD or plain old speed spool LFS.

I have the Kage version of that rod and love it for heavier presentations like adult sized texas rigged plastics and carolina rigs. I have tried several reels on it and have settled on the Shimano SLX MGL 70 as my personal favorite, even over the Daiwa SV TW 103 because I think it casts further with less weight in my sample size of one experience. It has plenty of line capacity even for bomb casting carolina rigs, which has become my go to technique for winter fishing here in SoCal.

 

I need one more reel to fill out my baitcasting quiver (so I can put my ABU Pro Max 3 out to pasture) and getting another SLX MGL is at the top spot on my list. For comparison, I currently have three Curados, two Tatulas, an SLX DC, and a Fuego CT in addition to my SLX MGL, and for the money, I prefer the SLX MGL for middle of the road duty in my neck of the woods.

 

Other than a few casts with Lews reels that others own and maintain, I have no experience with that brand.

The SLX MGL will be a good all around reel. Brass gears and MGL spool are a fantastic combination. 
 

I own a Lews Hypermag and it’s absolutely wonderful. It’s feather light and has great ergonomics. They are on sale for ~230 on sportsman’s outfitters if you’re interested. If you’re interested in other reels in that shape I would recommend them. Just make sure to stick to aluminum frame, as composites have a tendency to warp from jig and frog fishing. 

I prefer the palming ergonomics of the smaller Shimano reels vs the smaller Lew's reels (BTW, I own both and so am not biased by brand loyalty).

12 minutes ago, QED said:

I prefer the palming ergonomics of the smaller Shimano reels vs the smaller Lew's reels (BTW, I own both and so am not biased by brand loyalty).

Thank you for this info.  How does the shimano feel size and shape wise compared to a lews lfs frame?  For instance the Abu is smaller than the lfs but very oblong compared to the lews. Not a shape I care for but a little smaller than the lfs I wouldn't mind. 

 

As for quality and durability I'm pretty confident any of the reels I'm looking at will serve me well. That's not really my question is just the feel/shape/size comparison. I'm not a brand loyalist, I'll get whatever checks the most boxes I need and palmability is high up there. 

13 minutes ago, Functional said:

Thank you for this info.  How does the shimano feel size and shape wise compared to a lews lfs frame?  For instance the Abu is smaller than the lfs but very oblong compared to the lews. Not a shape I care for but a little smaller than the lfs I wouldn't mind. 

 

As for quality and durability I'm pretty confident any of the reels I'm looking at will serve me well. That's not really my question is just the feel/shape/size comparison. I'm not a brand loyalist, I'll get whatever checks the most boxes I need and palmability is high up there. 

The deck height of where your thumb rests is a bit lower on my Shimano reels.  I have Shimano aldebarans and Lew's custom lite and magnesium reels for reference.  That may not matter to you, so this is just one data point in a multi-dimensional optimization.  Honestly, it's a pretty high class problem to have in choosing from your available options. 

I have to get a Zillion 1000 first, but my very next reel after that will be this one:

https://www.lews.com/en/shop/casting/cpbc

 

Fished with my friend's. There's nothing I don't like about it. It's tiny,  fantastic, and the ACB braking system is tops in my book.

4 hours ago, Functional said:

Looking to add one last BC setup to the rotation. Fairly sure I'll end up with a Tatula 7'3 MH-F for everything from senkos to 1/2oz jigs and looking for a new reel to pair it with. For my other bottom contact rod I have a SC Victory with a lews MB and size wise the LFS seems easy to palm and have my finger under the line in front of the reel. I've tried a daiwa fuego ct and Abu Garcia revo rocket and find the Daiwa too large and the Abu just an uncomfortable shape, cant put my finger on it.

 

For reels I've been looking a SLX MGL 70 or a Lew's Team Pro SP Speed Spool. Local academy, cabelas and BP dont have any SLPs or SLXs out to try so I'm kind of taking a shot in the dark. For those that like the feel of the Lews LFS are either of the above reels comparable (despite the SLP being smaller) or at least smaller than a Fuego CT and not shaped like the Abu?

 

Was hoping to get a reduced capacity spool but if I cant get good feedback here I'll likely just end up with either a MP/KVD or plain old speed spool LFS.

Go with the Lews Custom lite SLP from sportsmansoutfitters.com . 4.9 oz. Small spool.casts great.

For $20 more than the Pro SP, you can get a JDM Chronarch...an extra $70, a JDM Metanium...an extra $80 an Aldebaran (actually less if you buy in a store due to taxes).

Ended up getting a SLX mgl 71 in 8.2 I found new on ebay for $128. Figured I'd see how I liked Shimano before I dive in the deep end.

 

I'll update this with a feel comparison for anyone who might be wondering the same I was. Appreciate all the responses I've gotten.