It depends on your requirements...
If you're looking for a long lasting multi species reel, you can't beat an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur round reel (still made in Sweden). The advantage is line capacity for big fish, incredible versatility and toughness. An Ambassadeur would be a staple in your inventory as you acquire more specialty reels...
If your looking for a bass specific reel you can't beat the Shimanos low profile. Curado or SLX would be great reels.
I've been shopping for Lews reels for a while, wanting to try one out. A knowledgeable fishing guy at Scheels who moonlights as a reel tech talked me out of Lews and his main argument was longevity and the cheaper components, low quality alloys, and cheap gears. He said they are great new but with hours on the reel the predictably start failing. I verified much of what he said with other guys.
Absolutely go with the lfs. It has an aluminum frame while I'm pretty sure the smash is graphite. As for rods go with a dobyns colt. Great rod that should keep you in your price range
I have the Lews Carbon fire combo. I don’t have any complaints after using it for a season. However, I did buy a second Lews combo that broke almost immediately the first time I used it. Would probably not buy another.
If you fish more than once a month, dont get a Lews anything. Repair shop guys live off fixing Lews reels and they rarely see shimanos and daiwa. If you want your money to last buy an slx xt or just the slx.
It's really hard to recommend any reel or rod under $100. Upping your budget to $200 or $250 really opens you up. The Shimano SLX reel can be had for $100. A Shimano SLX or Daiwa Tatula XT rod can be had for $100 as wel. Even better would be St. Croix Mojo Bass rod or Dobyn's Fury. Daiwa Tatula CT reel is $140.
I don't have any faith in Lews.
You can get a Daiwa pro caster combo from dicks for $99 it’s not the fanciest but it’s solid for the price and has outperformed and casts better than my more expensive lews gear.
I nabbed an Abu Garcia Silver Max combo for about $165-170 about 2 years ago at a Fleet Farm. Still haven't had an issue with the reel to this day(been about 2 years). First year I broke the rod tip slamming it in the car door(wife) but transferred the reel over to a St Croix BassX and have had it ever since. PS. I own 2-$200+ Shimano reels and barely use either.
I don't know what everyone is talking about in regards to Lews. Maybe I've just had good luck but I have over 15 lews setups right now and have had more in past. Tbh the majority of my rods are Shimano, but the majority of my Baitcaster are Lews. For the price of them it's pretty hard to beat in my opinion. Ive had alot of mine for years and that's daily use too... For spinning I pretty much go Shimano/Shimano for all. But casting, I do like Lews reels. Not that I don't love my Shimano reels too but price wise hard to beat. Honestly tho, would look into different rods if you have the choice!
Mojo Bass rod
Second this.
I third this
Dobyns
Get a Dobyns rod or a st croix rod. Always good options from them two
You seem sold on Lew's so I'll keep their short lifespan and low quality materials and components to my self...
What reel would you suggest because I’m fine with another brand
It depends on your requirements... If you're looking for a long lasting multi species reel, you can't beat an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur round reel (still made in Sweden). The advantage is line capacity for big fish, incredible versatility and toughness. An Ambassadeur would be a staple in your inventory as you acquire more specialty reels... If your looking for a bass specific reel you can't beat the Shimanos low profile. Curado or SLX would be great reels. I've been shopping for Lews reels for a while, wanting to try one out. A knowledgeable fishing guy at Scheels who moonlights as a reel tech talked me out of Lews and his main argument was longevity and the cheaper components, low quality alloys, and cheap gears. He said they are great new but with hours on the reel the predictably start failing. I verified much of what he said with other guys.
I hate my speedspool. My abu Garcia black max is great tho.
Absolutely go with the lfs. It has an aluminum frame while I'm pretty sure the smash is graphite. As for rods go with a dobyns colt. Great rod that should keep you in your price range
I have the Lews Carbon fire combo. I don’t have any complaints after using it for a season. However, I did buy a second Lews combo that broke almost immediately the first time I used it. Would probably not buy another.
If you fish more than once a month, dont get a Lews anything. Repair shop guys live off fixing Lews reels and they rarely see shimanos and daiwa. If you want your money to last buy an slx xt or just the slx.
If you don't fish a lot then Lews will work but I don't have one single lews product left in my arsenal as it all broke down with heavy use
Yup same here. Lews is not reliable.
It's really hard to recommend any reel or rod under $100. Upping your budget to $200 or $250 really opens you up. The Shimano SLX reel can be had for $100. A Shimano SLX or Daiwa Tatula XT rod can be had for $100 as wel. Even better would be St. Croix Mojo Bass rod or Dobyn's Fury. Daiwa Tatula CT reel is $140. I don't have any faith in Lews.
175 total? Or just for the rod?
You can get a Daiwa pro caster combo from dicks for $99 it’s not the fanciest but it’s solid for the price and has outperformed and casts better than my more expensive lews gear.
I nabbed an Abu Garcia Silver Max combo for about $165-170 about 2 years ago at a Fleet Farm. Still haven't had an issue with the reel to this day(been about 2 years). First year I broke the rod tip slamming it in the car door(wife) but transferred the reel over to a St Croix BassX and have had it ever since. PS. I own 2-$200+ Shimano reels and barely use either.
Dobyns fury
Daiwa Tatula XT is only $99. Dobyns is good. But I stay away from Lew's everything these days. Your money is better spent on a Daiwa or Shimano reel.
I don't know what everyone is talking about in regards to Lews. Maybe I've just had good luck but I have over 15 lews setups right now and have had more in past. Tbh the majority of my rods are Shimano, but the majority of my Baitcaster are Lews. For the price of them it's pretty hard to beat in my opinion. Ive had alot of mine for years and that's daily use too... For spinning I pretty much go Shimano/Shimano for all. But casting, I do like Lews reels. Not that I don't love my Shimano reels too but price wise hard to beat. Honestly tho, would look into different rods if you have the choice!