Anyone have any experience with this one? I just got back from an amazing kayaking trip in Oak Island, NC and caught a ton of big flounder and sea trout in the back bays. So now I have the bug to do more saltwater fishing in my local waters and need a salt-friendly baitcaster that won’t break the bank. (My top choice would be a Chronarch G but I don’t have the coin for that). 
 

https://www.lews.com/en/shop/reels/casting/ssn1ac

I'm a huge fan of Lew's Super Duty G (LFS), which I have two for inshore, and also a fan of Lew's mag brake.  

Generally, their centrifugal is a better brake for casting over 1/2 oz.  

On TX coast at least, you're mostly fishing 1/8 to 1/4 oz, 3/8 for deeper flats and slopes.  The reason, we fish so much <2' grass, even with 3/8 oz, you'll spend more time hauling up grass than fish.  Lew's mag brake casts the light end almost as well as BFS.  Not too many people love their Lew's enough to do this to them.  

 

My first one, the cathodic coating on the magnets showed filliform corrosion beginning after 4 years in the salt, so that's the first thing to watch for - watch and replace these, because the corrosion product of the magnet is more corrosive to the rest of the metal than the salt.  

When I replaced mine, I used stronger Nd-magnets, and had to use fewer magnets to get the same cam-adjustment profile  

I have mostly Lews reels and I’ll keep buying Lews reels. I’m a fanboy.
 

If I was fishing inshore I’d get a Shimano Tranx 200. I don’t think it can be beat in the $200 range.

I have a BPS Inshore Extreme which is similar to the Lews and it is a very good $100 reel. 

3 hours ago, NavyToad said:

I have mostly Lews reels and I’ll keep buying Lews reels. I’m a fanboy.
 

If I was fishing inshore I’d get a Shimano Tranx 200. I don’t think it can be beat in the $200 range.

How about the Tranx 150? (6.7 versus 8.3 ounces) This will mostly be used for lighter plastic jigs for flounder and flukes up to 1/2 ounce max. Although the 200 gives me flexibility to use it for bigger baits when needed. Can the 200 handle lighter stuff?

@MontclairDave The 150 will work as long as the line capacity works for you. The Tranx 300/400 were originally developed with the surf/inshore fishing crowd in mind and those same features are found in the 150/200. If you look around you might prefer something else, but the Tranx has a stellar reputation going back years. The Tranx came out after the Lexa 300/400 and Abu Toro Beast, and was Shimano’s answer to the low profile high capacity baitcaster from Abu and Daiwa.

I would go with a tranx or Daiwa Lexa. I’ve had nothing but bad experiences with lews

On 8/14/2023 at 4:22 PM, MontclairDave said:

How about the Tranx 150? (6.7 versus 8.3 ounces) This will mostly be used for lighter plastic jigs for flounder and flukes up to 1/2 ounce max. Although the 200 gives me flexibility to use it for bigger baits when needed. Can the 200 handle lighter stuff?

I own 3 T150s and love them all. Have all held up well to heavy salt use but you do have to make sure to maintain them still. They'll cast down to about 7g with the appropriate rod and line. I throw 1/4oz jigs + plastic all day with them. Would take the 150 over the 200 for what you're looking for 

22 hours ago, JNorman said:

I own 3 T150s and love them all. Have all held up well to heavy salt use but you do have to make sure to maintain them still. They'll cast down to about 7g with the appropriate rod and reel. I throw 1/4oz jigs + plastic all day with them. Would take the 150 over the 200 all day for what you're looking for 

I also actually ordered a chronarch G and sent it back. Did not feel good to me

6 hours ago, JNorman said:

I own 3 T150s and love them all. Have all held up well to heavy salt use but you do have to make sure to maintain them still. They'll cast down to about 7g with the appropriate rod and reel. I throw 1/4oz jigs + plastic all day with them. Would take the 150 over the 200 all day for what you're looking for 

I also actually ordered a chronarch G and sent it back. Did not feel good to me. Tranx all day

Great feedback, thanks! Tranx wins! Will report back when I have some time on the water with it. 

If lures are on the lighter side, why not consider a spinning reel?

1 hour ago, Chris at Tech said:

If lures are on the lighter side, why not consider a spinning reel?

I do have an inshore spinner that I used for back bay fishing out of yak. But I bring 2-3 rods in yak and like at least one of em to be a baitcaster.