I loved the previous gen Lew's reels. The bb1 and tourney pro are still 2 of my personal favorites. Others I like in order of price are the bass pro johnny morris custom lite (I've seen these on sale recently for as low as $103), the shimano slx xt a, tatula 100, previous gen lew's custom and when you can get it on sale for $300 or under the abu zenon x is also a very lightweight reel and they also offer it in the same 6.8 gear ratio that I like my tourney pros in. I still like the Lew's casting reels and they will always have a soft spot in my heart but I feel like they took a bit of a step back with some models with this latest gen while raising their prices at the same time. Case in point that BPS reel is also an oem doyo reel with a dual breaking system and i'll take it over the latest gen speed spool every day of the week.

I really like the tatula 100s (and the 150 for my 736cb glass) for my treble hook rods (all dobyns champ xps or kadens) and find they work great for that purpose.

The bb1 matches up beautifully with a loomis glx mbr and that combo is starting to take over as my favorite setup and I've found myself throwing spinnerbaits and 1/2oz jigs a lot more as a result...although I still also really like my legend xtreme with a vanford on it (but that's also a spinning setup that I use for drop shots and shakey heads).

I've also been using a tatula sv tw 150 for my frog / flipping / toad setup and like that one as well w/ 50lb braid for that purpose. Went with that braking system specifically for frogs since they tend to be less dense and I've found they can get caught up a bit in the wind. The tatula 100 brakes have been fine for everything else I've used them for and I would argue it is an excellent value when you see them for sale around $135.

I really don't need any more rods or reels at this point yet the slx dc (jdm model) has been crossing my mind a lot lately...I don't even know what I'd use it for yet I just seem to want to buy one...

My BIL is headed to Tokyo. I’m handing him zillion and Vanford money. Cash.

Look what came today. I like it a lot. Seems legit. I’ll get it on a rod and spool it shortly.

I need help. The owners manual is in Japanese. Where can I download an owners manual in English?

12 minutes ago, treble hook said:

Look what came today. I like it a lot. Seems legit. I’ll get it on a rod and spool it shortly.

I need help. The owners manual is in Japanese. Where can I download an owners manual in English?

I'll pm you a copy in a few hours.

Daiwa has parts diagrams https://daiwa.us/pages/parts-diagram-owners-manuals

9 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Daiwa has parts diagrams https://daiwa.us/pages/parts-diagram-owners-manuals

From what I can tell, that's just parts diagrams. Thanks for your effort.

11 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

I'll pm you a copy in a few hours.

Greatly appreciated.

Maybe I’m the odd man. Only Daiwa baitcaster I’ve ever owned was a lexa 10 years ago. I’ve owned and still own several lews. I like the reels the company everything. I have the LFS speedspools. They also went up in price from the $99 mark. I’m not gonna catch anymore or better fish with a more expensive or different brand reel. So I stick with them. But if you have made up your mind in your head that ya wana run Daiwa o don’t think you’ll be disappointed I love their spinning reels. I don’t plan on being the richest guy in the cemetery. Buy what you like or wana use and take pride in it!