I’m about to retire my 2016 Shimano Metanium’s and have been looking into trying another brand. The Lew’s Super Duty 300 and the new generation BB1 Pro have caught my eye.

 

Anyone use these that could provide some feedback?

I've used the new BB1 pro in 6.2 ratio for cranks. It's awesome . Casts really far without backlash. 27 point externally adjustable centrifugal brake makes life easy. Ipt is 25 inches. Has a drag clicker so if you troll with it it's also cool. The reel is very smooth. It's an LFS type frame but is slightly larger than a regular LFS because the spool is bigger and holds more line. I prefer externally adjustable centrifugal brakes to the dual braking system which the super duty 300 has.The 300 has a little more line capacity but it weighs a bit more.

I use the BB1 Pro for jerkbaits because it throws a 110 further than any other reel I own. If one of your goals is to be able to cover alot of water then the BB1 is a great choice. I’ve never used a Super Duty, but I own 8 or 10 Lew’s reels and they all perform flawlessly.

I'll echo what dodgeguy and NavyToad said about the BB1, and add, mine's every bit as smooth and precise feeling as my curados and scorpions. It's found it's forever home on my primary chatterbait rod.

I have a few of the Super Duty G models and they've been great, but no experience with the 300 series.

Thanks for the awesome feedback! I really like the look of the new BB1 Pro. I’ve held one a few times and it’s palms perfect for me.

 

Got about $750 in trades going on a gift card…looks like it’s going to be a BB1 Pro paired up with another Falcon Cara Amistad! 

That would be awesome !!!!

Not to hijack this thread, but a quick question...

 

The old BB1 reels were a favorite to some for crankbait fishing because they didnt have an instant anti-reverse and actually backed up a bit when setting the hook. Some liked this feature as they said it slowed the hookset enough to give the fish time to get ahold of it.

 

Is that still the case on the newer BB1 Pro models, or do they have instant anti-reverse now? Ive thought about picking one up but don't like a delay in the anti-reverse like a lot of old spinning rods had where you let off the handle and it backs up a bit til it catches.

I’m selling a new model BB1 Pro bought in June. The reel is great but just palms to big for me. If interested shoot me a PM. Looking for $130 shipped. 

Omnia has the BB1 Pro for $160. Code MOVING20.

I have the new BB1 and I also use it for jerkbaits. No complaints so far. It's fairly small and easy to palm but would I recommend it over something else, not really.  Don't get me wrong. I like it, it's solid and it brings fish in but I wouldn't pay full price for it.

 

If you like the Metanium you have, I would consider another one but order the JDM version from Digitaka or Asian Portal Fishing.  With that said,  I would highly recommend the Daiwa Zillion SV, JDM version again.  Best reel for the money I have ever used.

2 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Not to hijack this thread, but a quick question...

 

The old BB1 reels were a favorite to some for crankbait fishing because they didnt have an instant anti-reverse and actually backed up a bit when setting the hook. Some liked this feature as they said it slowed the hookset enough to give the fish time to get ahold of it.

 

Is that still the case on the newer BB1 Pro models, or do they have instant anti-reverse now? Ive thought about picking one up but don't like a delay in the anti-reverse like a lot of old spinning rods had where you let off the handle and it backs up a bit til it catches.

Has instant anti reverse

2 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

Has instant anti reverse

One of the several reasons I like it for jerkbaits.  

I replaced three A/R dogs on old BB1-NG - instant A/R is much better. 

To me, it makes more sense to buy a high-grade Lew's than a low-grade Shimano. 

Everybody knows I remain a big fan of Super Duty G. 

It's Lew's centrifugal brake I don't really have a niche for, mainly throwing 3/16 to 1/2 oz

 

ps - I just discovered I can buy the R/S plate for my 1500C (CI) from ereplacement parts to convert it to IAR, and I'm going to make the effort, because it's worth it to take out the drive freeplay and A/R dog. 

3 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

I replaced three A/R dogs on old BB1-NG - instant A/R is much better. 

To me, it makes more sense to buy a high-grade Lew's than a low-grade Shimano. 

Everybody knows I remain a big fan of Super Duty G. 

It's Lew's centrifugal brake I don't really have a niche for. 

I much prefer the centrifugal. That's why they make so many models.

Don't have a 300 but have the one like Bulldog but no where near as nice looking. I prefer the ACB system that's in the bb1 but the mag brakes on my SD are great. I can throw light 1/8 finesse jigs with ease. Don't think either is a bad choice. I've thought about a 300 for striper and swim/glides but prefer round reels for those applications. 

@Phil77 Collected along the way, the Avail brake cap and AMO thumb clutch are easy and inexpensive swaps (same parts as Revo). 

The Livre handle was a special effort, but I had two reels that benefited from the handle purchase. 

The long handle went on the high-geared SD with a Livre FF (27 mm) knob, and the big EP37 knob that came on the handle went on a carbon handle on the low-geared Caiman for offshore jigging (1-4 g) - really took the torsion out of gripping this rod.  The 14-g big titanium knob replaced a 45-g pot-metal knob that came on the inexpensive carbon handle - back when Gomexus was cheap - $15.