I haven't seen many reviews about this combo around so i figured I'd start and update a thread to put another review out there.

 

The Lew's Reactor Speed Stick and both spinning and baitcasting reels of the same name are (as far as I'm aware) the most expensive Lew's Wal-Mart in-store rods and reels. You can buy baitcasting and spinning combos as well as spinning and baitcasting rods, but only the baitcasting reel is available for sale.

 

The spinning combo rod comes in a 7 foot, medium power (1/8oz to 1/2 oz) fast action. The rod also comes in 1 piece, and is rated for 4-12lb test line. The rod is a split grip but the distance between the two grips is only about 2 inches. The butt grip is very long comapred to other rods of this style.

The reel is a 3000 size reel. I'm not sure how powerful the drag is but it seems to be somewhere around 15lbs. It's a 6.2:1 gear ratio and can hold 210 yards of 6lb test (presumably mono), 175 yards of 8lb test, and 145 yards of 10lb test. Probably based on lew's brand Strike King and their line. 

 

1 Day (5/13/23)

 

I'll just start with what I don't like; the reel is noisy. Whether its a defect, needs to be broken in, or needs oil I don't know yet but it sounds the same as a reel that has had braid on it for a while. Despite that it doesn't affect combo performance.

 

The reel otherwise is nice. Pretty fast and the drag system is powerful and decently smooth. Drag is very quiet compared to every other spinning reel I've used. Personally, I like my dopamine producing drag sounds but it's still a good drag. Lots of people dislike the oversized wind grip knobs but I think they're pretty neat

 

Rod is quite stiff. Great for wacky, texas, drop shot, small jigs, ned, etc. The rod, being IM8 graphite, is insanely sensitive. The only other rod I've had that can come close to comparison is the Fenwick Eagle. I am able to feel bites from 60 feet away on slack lines mono. I can only imagine how great this will be when I braid it up.

 

Lastly, this combo handles softball turtles great. Don't know why they wanted a wacky worm today but ok I guess.

Cool, thanks for reviewing a Lew’s product. I’ve been more interested in the Lew‘s line since I have a 7’3” Heavy Carbon Fire and a 7’4” KVD Crankbait rod from them that are both really great for the price in my opinion. I have the same thoughts about their standard Lew‘s LFS baitcaster too. It’s all great equipment 

I use this combo and I use 30 lbs braid with fluro leader. And you are right the sensitivity is awesome. My biggest complaint is the guides are micro and really eats away at my connecting knots. 

15 hours ago, Gohoosiers09 said:

I use this combo and I use 30 lbs braid with fluro leader. And you are right the sensitivity is awesome. My biggest complaint is the guides are micro and really eats away at my connecting knots. 

I appreciate the tiny guides for accuracy. I will say it's hard to move a finesse worm with an 1/8 oz weight and feel it but I am using 6lb mono. Reason being I'm seeing what this rod is all about before I chuck some 10/15lb braid with 6/8lb leaders on. This is a pretty strong rod so I might even throw some tiny jigs on it once I get this 6lb off.

 

The reel is still pretty noisy. I gave a simple oiling which shushed it a little but still noisy. Grease is good and clean so something needs some heavy oil or everything needs more oil.

3 Weeks (6/3/23)

 

This combo has seem tons of white bass and some good Largemouth too. 

 

White Bass portion

 

6lb mono, same as it always is. Used a few different lures, but mostly spoons between 1/4 - 3/8 oz and spinners around 1/6 oz. Handled them well, got some good casting distance. The reel retrieves line faster than I'm used to, so to keep a light spoon low in the water column, requires a slow retrieve. Regardless, both the rod and reel put of well to the white bass without any complaints. Also handled some 2-3lb catfish who decided shad was on the menu that week.

 

Largemouth Bass Portion

 

Recently put it up against something notable by tackling a trophy bluegill pond bass. A couple casts around with a 1/8oz Shakey head on that 6lb test and she just couldn't resist. Rod did most of the work on the hookset, and the light line had no issue shoving that shakey head through that basses mouth. Apparently this was the Olympic athlete of 2lbers as she pulled a crazy amount of drag, and probably jumped out of the water 7 or 8 times in the 2 minutes it took to land her. The reel handled her length runs amazingly for a cheaper reel. The drag was very smooth as she ran around and did not stutter. The once very heavy rod (as was said, very heavy and extremely thick for such a lighter power rod) came in handy with controlling her and keeping her away from the water fountain in the pond.

If you haven’t tried it already, spool it up with some fluorocarbon. Absolutely insane, I love it