Lew's combo

I just purchased that online as it was on sale. 

Let me know what you think about this combo please. What baits would you throw? I've never owned a Lew's product or a bait caster. Any tips would be appreciated

Seems like fair value.  A lot of these combos are borderline scams with a garbage rod and/or reel for an inflated price.  That appears to be an LFS reel and a Lews MH rod that I imagine is very similar to the Lews Hank Parker 7' MH.  If purchased individually that rod and reel would be about the same as that combo so you aren't paying an over inflated price for the combo, which is good.  Those Lews 7' MHs can be really stiff in the tip which makes them great for jigs, big worms and frogs but too stiff for all around MH use. 

 

You'd have to get your hands on the combo and see how stiff the tip is without breaking the rod by high sticking or bending the tip too much.  I would hold the rod out in front of you parallel to the ground with the rod's side facing you and pull down on the tip with one hand without lifting the rod up too much (high sticking).

45 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said:

Seems like fair value.  A lot of these combos are borderline scams with a garbage rod and/or reel for an inflated price.  That appears to be an LFS reel and a Lews MH rod that I imagine is very similar to the Lews Hank Parker 7' MH.  If purchased individually that rod and reel would be about the same as that combo so you aren't paying an over inflated price for the combo, which is good.  Those Lews 7' MHs can be really stiff in the tip which makes them great for jigs, big worms and frogs but too stiff for all around MH use. 

 

You'd have to get your hands on the combo and see how stiff the tip is without breaking the rod by high sticking or bending the tip too much.  I would hold the rod out in front of you parallel to the ground with the rod's side facing you and pull down on the tip with one hand without lifting the rod up too much (high sticking).

d**n I was hoping it was an all around rod. Spinnerbait chatterbaits jigs and worms

23 minutes ago, LokiDawg said:

d**n I was hoping it was an all around rod. Spinnerbait chatterbaits jigs and worms

You'll have to find out how stiff it is.  For your use maybe even a stiff rod is an all arounder.  I expect to be able to cast a 5 inch weightless senko on a MH all arounder (my Lews HP can't) but maybe your definition of all around uses heaver baits.  If its as stiff as my Lews HP then as long as the bait total weight is over 3/8 oz you're good.

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see the action listed.

 

All going to depend on that, IMO.

49 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see the action listed.

 

All going to depend on that, IMO.

If it can be trusted.  The Lews 7'MH fast Hank Parker is rated for 1/4 to 7/8 oz but has a super slow loading stiff tip like something from an XH swimbait rod.  It won't load the tip when throwing a 3/8 oz total weight bait.  I bought the rod because of how stiff the tip was when I handled it in store.  I wanted to try a stiff slow loading broom handle type rod for jigs, big Texas rigs and crawling frogs.  I'm able to look past the fact that says it's "fast" and for baits down to "1/4" when it clearly isn't any of those things but I also was able to handle it and realize what it is before buying.

If you haven't used a baitcaster before, I'd say it'll be difficult for you to learn to use due to the rod being stiff. A moderate action rod is always easier to cast than a fast action rod, in my experience. Assuming this is a MH/F rod.

 

Honestly, the easiest rod to learn to cast with is a cheap fiberglass rod. Because it's fiberglass it doesn't have a lot of backbone, as it's called. It will have a soft tip. No, it's not great for horsing bass out of cover, but it casts good. So for practicing in the yard, I suggest getting a cheap 6' zebco rod from walmart or the like.

 

I've seen a Lew's combo at walmart for $70, with a basic Lew's reel, but the rod was what caught my eye. It was rated on the low end for 1/8oz lures. It was more of a Medium Light power, and moderate action. It would be great to learn baitcasting with.

 

Regardless, a moderate action rod with a soft tip will allow you to really understand about loading the rod with the lure, and how that affects baitcasting control. Once you are able to cast well with that, put the reel back on the MH/F? rod.

 

When using a moderate action rod, you use more length in your stroke to cast with. When using a fast action rod, you're not required to swing the rod as far to get the tip to load, so the motion is shorter, but with the same power. It is less intuitive in my opinion, especially if you've ever fished with a zebco rod and 33 reel. Those rods load up great, and thus they cast good.

 

Baitcasting is not hard in itself, but the choice of rods is very important to your initial success. A moderate action rod is much more forgiving to technique than a fast action rod.

1 hour ago, Bazoo said:

If you haven't used a baitcaster before, I'd say it'll be difficult for you to learn to use due to the rod being stiff. A moderate action rod is always easier to cast than a fast action rod, in my experience. Assuming this is a MH/F rod.

Yea don't try and fish lures at the low end of the weight rating, at least to start. You need something that will load the rod while you're getting used to it. I'd try 1/2oz jigs/chatterbaits and T-rigs to get a feel for it first. 

3 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see the action listed.

 

All going to depend on that, IMO.

 

3 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see the action listed.

 

All going to depend on that, IMO.

Medium heavy

Just now, LokiDawg said:

 

Medium heavy

 

That's not action.

10 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

That's not action.

Ya - that's the power - action is Moderate/Mod-Fast/Fast

 

Too many (including those who should know better) mix those up.

Thank you all very much. When it comes in I'll check the action. I think I get it now. 🙄

I'm slow on the uptake sometimes. I'm looking for a fast action for jigs spinnerbaits etc?

If it's moderate what could I throw?

8 minutes ago, LokiDawg said:

Thank you all very much. When it comes in I'll check the action. I think I get it now. 🙄

I'm slow on the uptake sometimes. I'm looking for a fast action for jigs spinnerbaits etc?

If it's moderate what could I throw?

It'll work just fine for those baits.  If it's super stiff just throw 3/8oz and up jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits ect.  

This is why I joined this forum. You people are invaluable. Much obliged!!!!!!! 

10 hours ago, LokiDawg said:

d**n I was hoping it was an all around rod. Spinnerbait chatterbaits jigs and worms

Mh fast is typically a good all around bass rod. As you’ll see the labels and specs are subjective but also keep in mind that technique specific rods are over emphasized. You make an ok purchase. You’ll have to see for yourself with any rod purchase where is shines and may not. Stick with mid to upper weight range lures while learning. Pull off 75’ of line and tape the spool to keep backlash from going too deep. Practice side arm, tool casts and pitching with lots of thumb on the spool. No overhead or bomb casts. Nice and easy focus on accuracy and spool control. Distance will come automatically. 

2 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Mh fast is typically a good all around bass rod. As you’ll see the labels and specs are subjective but also keep in mind that technique specific rods are over emphasized. You make an ok purchase. You’ll have to see for yourself with any rod purchase where is shines and may not. Stick with mid to upper weight range lures while learning. Pull off 75’ of line and tape the spool to keep backlash from going too deep. Practice side arm, tool casts and pitching with lots of thumb on the spool. No overhead or bomb casts. Nice and easy focus on accuracy and spool control. Distance will come automatically. 

Thank you. The tip about taping the line is fantastic. I know I'm going to backlash 😂

 

Just now, LokiDawg said:

Thank you. The tip about taping the line is fantastic. I know I'm going to backlash 😂

 

Everyone does. It’s part of the game. Auto correct is kicking my butt but I think you got the point

I did!!!!

The Lews Speed Spool is one of the few good combos out there. You did good.

 

You can use it for Texas Rigs, 1/8 to 3/8 oz weights, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, football jigs and swim jigs pretty ideally. You can throw arky head jigs too but not in much cover. You can use it for crabkbaits and jerkbaits too as long as you have line with stretch (not braid) of it’s all you have although it’s a bit stiff but this is why MH/F is the all around bass rod. You can rven throw hollow body frogs in open water if you run braid, but I’d get something heavier for lily pads.

12 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

The Lews Speed Spool is one of the few good combos out there. You did good.

 

You can use it for Texas Rigs, 1/8 to 3/8 oz weights, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, football jigs and swim jigs pretty ideally. You can throw arky head jigs too but not in much cover. You can use it for crabkbaits and jerkbaits too as long as you have line with stretch (not braid) of it’s all you have although it’s a bit stiff but this is why MH/F is the all around bass rod. You can rven throw hollow body frogs in open water if you run braid, but I’d get something heavier for lily pads.

I'm using 12# flourocarbon

12 hours ago, LokiDawg said:

I'm using 12# flourocarbon

I would probably step that up to at minimal 14lb to get the best out of that rod, 16lb would be my recommendation. There is a pretty big difference in abrasion resistance going from 12 to 16 and baits like spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and jigs will need the thicker line.

^ What Boomy said - though I run 12# YZH on my spinner/chatter rig...it's actual strength is 19.5# as tested by the IGFA.

4 hours ago, Boomstick said:

I would probably step that up to at minimal 14lb to get the best out of that rod, 16lb would be my recommendation. There is a pretty big difference in abrasion resistance going from 12 to 16 and baits like spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and jigs will need the thicker line.

The reel specifies 12# I think. Does that matter?

24 minutes ago, LokiDawg said:

The reel specifies 12# I think. Does that matter?

nope

29 minutes ago, LokiDawg said:

The reel specifies 12# I think. Does that matter?

That's just to give you an idea of how much line it holds....I've got reels that 'specify' 10#-12# and I put 16# or 17# on it...or even 50# braid.