Lew's Tournament Pro "front porch review"

crankenstein · June 07, 2011, 06:21:04 PM

The Tournament Pro came today. Haven't got to fish it yet so I'll call this the "front porch review". I got the 6.4:1 gear ratio. Here's the pros:

It is very "palmable". I had asked in a previous thread how it compared the Carbonlite. The spools are interchangeable but the Lew's is a little smaller overall. It's a little shorter (front to back) than the Carbonlite and the side plates are a little smaller. It's not as tall on the rod as some Daiwa reels and it's not as wide as the Shimano E series reels. I'ts probably one of the most comfortable reels I've had as far as ergonomics.

I spooled it with 14lb mono and put it on a Crucial 6'6" med/fast. With a 3/8 ounce casting plug, I am more than pleased with casting distance. It's hard to tell without using something like a spinnerbait that has some wind resistance but so far I'm impressed. Pitching distance with the same weight was also great.

The retrieve is very smooth. I don't know if I'd call it "buttery", but it does have a good, connected feeling.

The cons:

The Lew's decal on the palming plate had came about halfway off when I opened the box. No biggie, a little super glue will remedy that

I'm not real impressed with drag so far. It has a good distinct click when tightening the drag star but it's more of a mushy, clicking/grinding when loosening the drag. Again, no biggie, I've used a lot of reels before they had all the clickies.

I may "wet" the drag as they did in the Tackle Tour review. It seems to go from too loose to too tight in just a few clicks. When tightened to what I would if actually fishing, the drag does have a slow start up and is a little jerky.

Overall, I'm very pleased with it so far. The cons are minor things that I think are easily fixable. I hope to get on the water in the next few days and put 'er to a better test. If it performs on the water the way I think it will, I can see a few more Lew's in the future.

Pferox · June 08, 2011, 07:55:06 PM

Can some of the drag concerns be because they are new and need to be worked in a little?

I have had a couple Penns that were hard to adjust and a little "grabby" for lack of another word, until I had a few fish break the drag in a little.

Thanks for the report.

crankenstein · June 08, 2011, 10:29:39 PM

Quote from: Pferox on June 08, 2011, 07:55:06 PM
Can some of the drag concerns be because they are new and need to be worked in a little?

I have had a couple Penns that were hard to adjust and a little "grabby" for lack of another word, until I had a few fish break the drag in a little.

Thanks for the report.

Could be. I hope to go this weekend and try it out.

dave0943 · June 09, 2011, 02:51:14 PM

My Lazer Tournament TS1H was a little off when I took it out of the box and tossed it around with a plug. The more I cast with it ,the smoother it got. I've had it on the water 3 trips and it's right where it should be.
It's smooth and easy to adjust. Yours will probably act the same way. The Pro is one step up from the TS1H
Tournament, but many options are the same. I'm ordering two more in different ratios. They are still on back order at Cabela's but well worth the wait for the price.

MaumeeBasser · June 09, 2011, 04:23:08 PM

I love my tournament pros

Camden · June 09, 2011, 06:21:00 PM

Thats one thing about a Lews. the more you use it it you will notice things starting to get smoother. i actually checked one of mine because i thought something was wrong, it was reeling so smooth than before and it had just "broke" in after a couple uses

Canesfan · June 10, 2011, 09:39:13 AM

I now have 2 of the entry level Lew's and LOVE 'em. Can't believe how smooth they are.

Camden · June 10, 2011, 09:58:26 AM

I'm still thinking we are gonna need a Lews support group after this new lineup they came out with

crankenstein · June 10, 2011, 10:16:58 AM

Quote from: Camden on June 10, 2011, 09:58:26 AM
I'm still thinking we are gonna need a Lews support group after this new lineup they came out with

How about "The Lew's Crew"

? I'm in!

Camden · June 10, 2011, 10:19:54 AM

there we go

Canesfan · June 10, 2011, 10:49:12 AM

I sent Lew's an email teling them about UB and how a number of us love their new line of reels so maybe they will become a sponsor. Also, told them we want to start a support group called the Lew's Crew and maybe they should make caps or other merchandise with that on it for sale. (My ulterior motive is that they would send "us" some freebies if they decide to do that ).

Will keep you posted if I even hear back from them.

Camden · June 10, 2011, 11:40:39 AM

word of mouth is the best advertisement

Canesfan · June 10, 2011, 01:28:58 PM

Quote from: Camden on June 10, 2011, 11:40:39 AM
word of mouth is the best advertisement

I agree 100% but it doesn't hurt to try.

dave0943 · June 10, 2011, 01:39:39 PM

I'm in on the Lew's Crew! I'm loving them more with each trip. After I see that they span the test of time, I might replace most of my reels with them. I'll still keep a few Revo's and Curado's.

Camden · June 10, 2011, 06:31:16 PM

hey if they was smart they would look at UB seriously. we already have a staunch following that loves the products.

Canesfan · June 11, 2011, 07:15:31 AM

In the email I sent to them and haven't heard back from yet, I mentioned UB.

MaumeeBasser · June 11, 2011, 07:16:47 PM

I am in for the lews crew, I am going to slowly replace all my reels with lews tpros hopefully they offer a cranking version of that reel soon.

crankenstein · June 13, 2011, 06:21:56 AM

Finally got out on the water with the Tournament Pro yesterday. This reel is a casting machine!! With two centrifugal brakes set, I was a casting a 1/4 ounce buzzbait with ease. I also used it for Bandit 100's and 200's, again casting was great. I also tried a 3/16 oz. spinnerbait, I did have to turn the mag brakes up to to two keep from get a little bit of a backlash. And the retrieve did get smoother with use. All in all, this reel is great. Lightweight, excellent casting performance, easy to palm. Two thumbs up to Lew's

Canesfan · June 13, 2011, 02:29:33 PM

I just got an email back from Customer Service at Lew's. They like my suggestion for a "Lew's Crew" hat, etc. and are going to present it to the powers to be so we shall see what happens. I'd definitely buy a hat or TShirt.

Jared LeBlue · June 13, 2011, 02:36:24 PM

Quote from: Canesfan on June 13, 2011, 02:29:33 PM
I just got an email back from Customer Service at Lew's. They like my suggestion for a "Lew's Crew" hat, etc. and are going to present it to the powers to be so we shall see what happens. I'd definitely buy a hat or TShirt.

Yep think I would have to get one of those.

MaumeeBasser · June 16, 2011, 09:15:27 PM

Quote from: Jared LeBlue on June 13, 2011, 02:36:24 PM
Yep think I would have to get one of those.

Me to!

pmccleave · June 17, 2011, 07:09:38 AM

Guys,

I have one of the Lew's TL1H and just absolutely love the reel. It does everything well and I would even go so far as to say it is "Buttery Smooth" Count me in on the Lew's Crew. I am sure there will be more Lew's reels in my near future.

See Ya,

Pat

crankenstein · June 17, 2011, 06:49:42 PM

I had a chance to use this reel again this morning. This reel is unreal (no pun intended). I actually have to thumb the spool to keep from over shooting my casts. It's almost freakish how this thing casts

WIbasskid · June 17, 2011, 11:39:49 PM

I picked up the SS Tournament when they first came out. I've since bought 3 more and 2 Lew Torn Pro. The drag isn't the smoothest on these reels, but it definitely does it's job well.

They're great reels, though, they've become my favorite in a very short amount of time.

Camden · June 18, 2011, 02:10:27 PM

Hey guys dont forget. That Lew's is doing a promotion right now.
here is the Form to fill out and all the details.

Lew's Tournament Pro "front porch review"

pmccleave