Today I found a deal too good to pass up on a Lew's Speed Spool LFS in 8.3:1 gear ratio. Ended up ordering it for $60 cad, all in.

 

For anyone with this reel, how light of lures can you reasonably throw? How are the brakes ie distance/control?

 

I plan on using it on a medium heavy rod rated 1/4 - 1oz and plan on throwing lures in that exact range. Not sure if I will be spooling it up with braid or copolymer line yet.

 

Thanks in advance.

It will cast slightly lighter with no problem 

When I was using them I could pitch weightless plastics around just fine. You definitely won't need a 3/8 oz + hard bait to make the reel functional.

I throw Flukes, Wacky Rigs, T-rigs with 1/8 oz weight no problems.

44 minutes ago, Catt said:

I throw Flukes, Wacky Rigs, T-rigs with 1/8 oz weight no problems.

Perfect, that's about what I throw on the the lighter end.

 

Hoping it's the budget workhorse reel, that's as reliable and smooth as the reviews seem to say.  Curious to see if it can hang with my mid level Shimano and Daiwa reels. This will be my first Lew's product, kind of like trying different things.

40 minutes ago, LCG said:

Perfect, that's about what I throw on the the lighter end.

 

Hoping it's the budget workhorse reel, that's as reliable and smooth as the reviews seem to say.  Curious to see if it can hang with my mid level Shimano and Daiwa reels. This will be my first Lew's product, kind of like trying different things.

I think you’ll find that the reel is just what your looking for. Budget workhorse is the LFS to a T. I throw DT-4s which weigh in at 5/16oz with no issue. Just remember that the rod will really determine how far you can cast, but the LFS should handle most weights north of BFS pretty reliably. 

2 hours ago, Jar11591 said:

Just remember that the rod will really determine how far you can cast,

 

That is the key with any reel

The reel was delivered last night. Spooled it up and pitched a plug down the hallway to get a feel for her. Initial impression are very positive so far.

 

She's smooth on the cast and retrieve. Comfortable to palm, tried with two fingers and three fingers in front of the trigger and both positions were comfortable. Like the flat black finish. Brakes are strong, pitching seemed good with the brakes set at 4. Drag increases in very small intervals, took quite a few turns to get to max drag: almost feels like there may be some grease or oil on the drag, but the drag is smooth which is what I want.

 

Going to try taking her out after work today and give her a proper test. 

On 5/20/2023 at 5:01 PM, LCG said:

Today I found a deal too good to pass up on a Lew's Speed Spool LFS in 8.3:1 gear ratio. Ended up ordering it for $60 cad, all in.

 

For anyone with this reel, how light of lures can you reasonably throw? How are the brakes ie distance/control?

 

I plan on using it on a medium heavy rod rated 1/4 - 1oz and plan on throwing lures in that exact range. Not sure if I will be spooling it up with braid or copolymer line yet.

 

Thanks in advance.

 I picked up the same reel about a month ago for a good price, and although I've only used a handful of times, I felt like it casts a 1/4oz jighead with a 3.8 swimbait pretty well. Got pretty good distance. I think I have 10 or 12 pound trilene mono on it.  My buddy also got one and he loves it, especially for the price.  I think we paid 50 $60 US for it

2 minutes ago, Joseph Baggs said:

 I picked up the same reel about a month ago for a good price, and although I've only used a handful of times, I felt like it casts a 1/4oz jighead with a 3.8 swimbait pretty well. Got pretty good distance. I think I have 10 or 12 pound trilene mono on it.  My buddy also got one and he loves it, especially for the price.  I think we paid 50 $60 US for it

 I should have added, the reel came with a 7' medium heavy lews speed stick.

Just got back from the pond. Spooled some 10lb big game just for testing. Threw a weightless trick worm, chatterbait with trailer, and a 3/4 oz spinnerbait.

 

Distance was good with all lures, but the control was excellent. Kept the brakes between 4 and 5 and spool tension set to remove side to side play. Pitching, roll casting, and overhead casting, Very impressed at the control and distance balance combined with ease of dialing it in.

 

The reel is smooth, but I can feel the slightest amount of gear mesh, but not bad. A tad less refined than my Curado 70 MGL, but on part with the SLX 70 MGL. No fish caught, so no drag test yet.

 

The 8.3:1 gear ratio made retrieving the lures above the weeds easy, but I was still able to slow down enough to drop in open holes.

 

Overall I am very pleased with this reel, especially for the price. She's a keeper