Shimano vs. Lews

[whoodatguy]

So I'm at a crossroads here and I need some input. I'm looking to get a high gear frog/flipping reel and I've been looking between Lews and Shimano. In particular I've been looking at the Speed Spool vs the Curado I.

I have heard nothing but good things about both. The prices are different and saving money is always nice but it's not a deal breaker... Because with the saved money on the lews would just go into my tackle bag

Any feedback would help!

[River Monster]

Justin, I still think you should go with a Tatula but considering your looking at Shimano/Lews I would go with Shimano. You wont be disappointed. The curado is a nice reel.

Now if you still hung up on Lews also check out the Super Duty. I used one for frogs for 2 years and loved it. Very solid reel.

You should head down to Paddletales the weekend for the megabass event. Ed carries both Lews and Shimano so you can compare them side by side and there will be a few guys there who could also give you some good input.

[whoodatguy]

Thanks for the heads up Rick! I know you and and I talked about it. I think i need to get them both in my hand and go from there... Maybe ever throw in that Tatula to confuse myself a little more!

[lape0019]

Justin,

When you look at both companies, they both have great customer service with their reels and both offer cleaning should you want to send them in. Shimano has a warehouse in Canada that does the cleaning while if you want it shipped to Lew's it goes to the states. That is of course only if you want the manufacturer to do the cleaning. There are a couple places in Canada that clean Lew's.

I like to try different reels and had a team Lew's gold speed spool (there are like 15 variants of the speed spool so please let us know which one you are talking about) and as much as I did like how this reel performed, I sold it to buy a Curado I.
To be fair, I also sold off my Pflueger Patriarch XT and Abu Revo S. All three of these reels are made out of the same factory and have a similar form factor.

I think you will find the Curado I palms a bit better and has a smoother retrieve. Both casted about the same but I did find the Lew's to be a little more temperamental with Brake adjustments. I have just had better luck with setting the brakes with SVS infinity than I have with the dual braking system of Lew's. I believe the Curado I holds more line than most of the Lew's products as well.

Last year, Rick was using Tournament Pro's, a pro speed spool and a super duty. I let him try all of my reels (Metanium, Chronarch CI4+ and Curado I) and he was sold on the new Shimano offerings. Now, I don't know what happened between the end of the season and when he bought his first Tatula, but I have to agree with him in that between the two you are asking about, the Curado I is better suited for you.

I am planning on heading to Paddletales for the Thursday night get together should you want to swing by. Reels are a personal preference. The only real way to compare them is to go and look at them side by side.

[toobinator]

Good advice Lapee0019. Reels are a very personal thing. One that feels fantastic in my hand will be less so in someone elses. That's why we carry a variety of brands. There is no right or wrong answer.

Ed

[cndbasshunter]

try them all before you buy. the tatulas are nice casting but don't palm too nicely.

the curado i is much nicer to use for me.

[StarTzar]

I have owned Abu Garcia, Shimanos and Lew's.
I slowly got rid of the Abu Garcias and started the transition to Shimanos.
Shimano did not feel comfortable (for me). I longed for my Abu's.
Then I tried a Lews. Sold all the Shimanos and Abus and purchased all Lews.
The Lew's, were the best bang for my $$$ Never had any issues with any of those reels.
To this day, I still regret having sold my Abu Garcia Revo Premier Gen II reels.
Both my premiers were purchased by Fish Hawk members and I'm sure that they still own the reels today.

I also had a Tatula last year that I used exclusively as a frogging reel.
It did an excellent job and palming (for me) was different but that is because I had been used to smaller profile reels.
Go see Ed and try out the Shimano and Lews. You will have to go to Le Baron if you want to try a Tatula.

What rod are you going to put the reel on? You should factor rod and reel into your budget.
I tend to put more emphasis on the rod than I do the reel. I select the rod first, then I get the reel to match the technique.

p.s.: I have sold all my lew's reels. I now own 9 Daiwas and one Shimano.
I miss my Lew's Tournament Pro 5.4:1 the most. Should have kept it.

[TheMaverick]

You will have to go to Le Baron if you want to try a Tatula.

Pretty certain Justin is well aware of the Tatula and probably as to why he didn't mention the reel, he fished with your Tatula during the Pro-Am on the Mississippi.

[StarTzar]

You will have to go to Le Baron if you want to try a Tatula.

Pretty certain Justin is well aware of the Tatula, he fished with yours that day on the Mississippi pro-am.

Ahhhhh yes. You are correct. I do believe that it was the Tatula Type R (purchased from Biggs).
That is when I had it paired with the Loomis spinner-bait rod.
That was an awesome combination.
Why the heck did I sell those, I'll never know.

[whoodatguy]

You will have to go to Le Baron if you want to try a Tatula.

Pretty certain Justin is well aware of the Tatula and probably as to why he didn't mention the reel, he fished with your Tatula during the Pro-Am on the Mississippi.

The thing threw it a f'n mile!!!

Ill be putting it on a Abu Veritas 2.0 7'3" if that makes a difference.

[TheMaverick]

You will have to go to Le Baron if you want to try a Tatula.

Pretty certain Justin is well aware of the Tatula and probably as to why he didn't mention the reel, he fished with your Tatula during the Pro-Am on the Mississippi.

The thing threw it a f'n mile!!!

Ill be putting it on a Abu Veritas 2.0 7'3" if that makes a difference.

Don't be a stranger to Paddletales, bring the rod.
Most likely, you'll be able to cast both the Lew's and Shimano out back.
A few of us will be heading down on Saturday (MegaBass event).
Is there a better place to be spending that B-Day monayyyyyy!?!?

[StarTzar]

You will have to go to Le Baron if you want to try a Tatula.

Pretty certain Justin is well aware of the Tatula and probably as to why he didn't mention the reel, he fished with your Tatula during the Pro-Am on the Mississippi.

The thing threw it a f'n mile!!!

Ill be putting it on a Abu Veritas 2.0 7'3" if that makes a difference.

If you go see Ed, bring the rod with you.
That way you get a better feel of rod and Reel.

..... and if you're there Saturday we'll bring you a cuppy cake with a candle.

[TheMaverick]

If you go see Ed, bring the rod with you.
That way you get a better feel of rod and Reel.

You must be double posting me in order to become a Gold member!

[whoodatguy]

If you go see Ed, bring the rod with you.
That way you get a better feel of rod and Reel.

You must be double posting me in order to become a Gold member!

Mav ill message you friday to see what you and Stars game plan is and I can maybe swing by on my way to orleans while you guys are there.

[TheMaverick]

If you go see Ed, bring the rod with you.
That way you get a better feel of rod and Reel.

You must be double posting me in order to become a Gold member!

Mav ill message you friday to see what you and Stars game plan is and I can maybe swing by on my way to orleans while you guys are there.

Sounds good!