Picked up this combo at Bass Pro Shop. My first baitcaster and first Lews so excited to try it out this weekend on the lake. I’m usually a fan of the spinner. Red is my favorite color too. Thanks for the review.
I've been using Lews for several years. I have never had an issue. Great casting control. Very good review as always. Thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
I got a Lews LFS based on Debo’s opinion and it’s awesome!! 7.5:1 excellent retrieve and caught my first frog 🐸 feesh on it this summer !! Another great review Debo!!
My wife was wanting to learn and you answered the question I was asking myself about teaching her on the smash. Thanks for the review. As always your awesome.
I have the Mach Smash too. I love that reel for texas rigs. I have had zero issues from it. I bought mine for like $45 off of a shopping app. I got deal and it was worth it. However, I bought a used Shimano Caius for around the same price and it has become my favorite reel thus far. It is so smooth and easy to dial in. Both are awesome reels for the money.
You hit the nail on the head. A lot of people are confused about the entire mach line from lews. That smash is $99 with a graphite frame and weighs 7 ounces so the graphite frame doesnt even save on weight. An SLX is 6.9 ounces the LFS is 7.1 ounces and they both have aluminum frames. There really is nothing speacial about that smash. To me it should be in the $50-$60 range especially seeing the other $99 reels on the market that even Lews offers. This is why Im cautious these days when buying Lews products because you need to do research and make sure you are buying something worth the money and not buying something that is overpriced for what is offered. The entire Mach line from lews is overpriced and featureless. I know where to buy an slx xt reel and slx rod combo for $160 or you can buy a mach 2 combo with a graphite frame reel and a rod with mediocre sensitivity.
As always, another great, practical, straight forward, review. And for a touch of unintended humor, I did note that your Classic Pro has lost it's Lew's side label as well. :o) And from my point of view - a recent convert to serious fishing - every review you do is learning more that I don't know, not just about the product, but about the art and skill of fishing.
Hey Debo. Love your videos like this. Gear reviews, and fishing with Randizzle. This reel isn't for me. I will stick with my LFS. But I do appreciate your reviews, and videos man. Thanks.
Great review. First, you can email Lew’s customer service and ask them to send you a replacement badge since yours fell off. Mine did as well. They sent me one for free and I crazy glued it on. Second, for $99 i would rather buy another LFS. You are spot on you are paying extra for the pretty paint job. LFS has aluminum frame and more bearings and it’s important to mention it is the lowest priced reel that has the P2 bearing support system. For those reason I passed on the Smash.
if you’re gonna spend $100 on a reel, you might as well shop around different websites and get a Daiwa Tatula 100. such a killer reel. and the price is super good for what it is.
No hate by any means but you cant say that when you haven't felt other reels that are around $100. I'm sure that's a great reel for the price but you can say its the best. Everyone has different idea of a great reel. Like I said...full respect..not hating on ya
@@andrewlebaron9321 you have a point. I have Kastkings and Piscifuns that are belligerently able to cast! All below $100. But the Tatula has been the sweet sorta splurge cause ya gotta have atleast one Japanese reel, am i right. Reels all across the board nowadays blow anything from 10 years ago away. Hard to waste money on any since they are all usually pretty dagg good.
@@andrewlebaron9321 but I've used a ton of different reels at various price points from $100 to $600, and in my opinion if you're going to spend the money, spend it on something that's worth it. I love lew's reels, but not until they get a bit higher in price. From the feel in your hand to how they perform, everything's just better. But in the tatula 100, you get a great hand feel and you also get the performance of a higher priced feel. By all means, use whatever you want as long as you're getting out there and fishing. I'm just trying to help someone get the best bang for their buck. All of my cheaper lew's reels have burned out at some point or another, while my daiwas are still running as smooth as butter.
Hey, Debo's! I think dollar for dollar. Cast for Cast. The Quantum ACCURIST PT S3 reel with a flipping switch is the best $100.00 reel on the market. The ACCURIST PT S3 reel is very well made. Easy to adjust. Handles mono or braid. Easy to take apart to clean. Better drag and the knob clicks. I got mine last year for $89.00 through Wal Mart during a Christmas sale. Also the ratio is 7 to 1. I don't fish with anything over 7 to 1. I would put my ACCURIST PT S3 reel up against any other $100.00 reel. I fish the heck out of this reel. It's held up great. Shawn.
@@DEBOSFishing Debo's your my Fishing friend. Would I steer you wrong? High Quaility reel's for the money. Not a big fan of 10 bearing's and High ratios reel's. Give me a reel I can cast in a high wind without messing up and can handle braid and a 5 pound Largemouth. That's my kind of reel. Hiller's Lews guy. Shawn.
Lews is tough to beat !! Love the LFS reel Mach II is an awesome reel for the money and the Super Duty is perfect for those big baits ! Great gear review
A while back i was looking at a Smash combo vs a LFS and picking a rod. Decided to spend the extra and get the LFS and a Mach Worm rod and so glad I did. I knew the LFS was a favorite of yours and for good reason. Just a great reel!
I've thought about picking up the combo from academy just havent pulled the trigger yet Haha, I have gotten the lews Xfinity rod and reel combo and I have been very happy with it, got it dialed in and has been awesome working combo. Would love to see you do a review on it and hear what you think
Great review Debo really learned a lot and answers some of my questions. I'm going to add one of those to my xmas list. Another combo I'm interested in is the Hyper Sonic open face reel let us know what you think about that one. Thanks for all the great info.
I picked one up a month or so ago and hated it at first but now its really growing on me! I would just love to see what a fellow dink master thinks of it😄
Def not wrong with graphite on a frogging/ jigging set-up... I have the Mach II and used it this past year as my only snakehead rod (heavy cover and lots of top water). It is definitely showing signs of misalignment and grinding. Absolutely nothing wrong with it otherwise. It is a good reel, just doesn’t hold up to heavy use as well.
DEBO Red hot p.s i learn so much from you and btw i've been slaying em down here in Georgia on a frog, chatterbait, jig, crankbait and 50/50 shot a a crankbait
Years ago I had a Lews Laser from the late 90's - early 00's. Was not very happy with it. Adjustment was very wonky and felt like if you looked at it wrong, would birdnest like crazy. Damn near made me quit using a baitcaster. When I got back into fishing, I've been using Abu Garcia baitcasters and I've been very happy with them. I might give Lews/BPS reels another shot, but it was a very unpleasant experience the first time.
Nice video I’m 14 and been fishing for about 9 months now and only used spinning combos and I want my first baitcaster but bc it’s my first I don’t want to spend a lot and I’m keeping my options wide I think I might want to look into it.The rod is a 6’10 mh so I’ll probably use it for small trebles like flat crankbaits and poppers again love the vids and God bless
As you know, I love Lew's products and I also love Daiwa. Both companies have what they call a " budget" model or less expensive model made with graphite composite or whatever. I'm not real fond of them but I do own afew from both companies. As you know, you do tend to compromise quality for quantity. As for me, these are models I use when I'm not going out to fish seriously. Maybe ones I loan my co- anglers that have a broken setup. Great review Debo!!! I pick my gear to death too. Always trying to improve my gear and it's time to revisit my other love.... Shimano. SLX is definitely next to buy. Need one to complete my Trifecta
How about the Ardent Apex Tournament! I love them. Retail for around $100 but you can usually find a sale somewhere. I have 3 of them that I paid $65 a piece for!
I've put mine through the ringer, received it as a birthday gift about nine months ago. I've used it mainly for crankbaits and jerkbaits, I've caught quite a few three pound bass on it throughout prespawn, spawn and post spawn. It grinds now but it still cast's great but the grind is bothering me, I'm going to break it down and clean it up. Hopefully that fixes the grinding because I do enjoy using it.
is that based on performance or durability? or both~ tryin to decide between LFS Speedspool and SLX... Debo stated that his LFS is tip top condition after 5 years of use, and I need something I can take through the wringer!
$50 - $100 combo (spinning Or bait casting) review would be great for fisher person on a budget. I’m clueless when it comes to rod selection so I leave it to the pros.
Great job on Lew’s smash review. I just bought the Lew’s Mach 1 with rod included, it’s a 6’10” rod but I’m gonna use it for my crank baits and jerk baits while I also threw on flouro. Yeah, you weren’t kidding when you said you will backlash more if your inexperienced. Would you do a review on the Mach 1? Debo?
Would you ever consider using the Mach 1 on your channel and giving a review? I’m not really sure but it looked like the Mach 1 was a big seller this year in dicks sporting good store, considering not much isolation ideas to do by your self in this pandemic.
Thank you for the review. I have 5 Lew's Speed Spool LFS reels. All of them work great and are tough and reliable as you said. I would not buy a Mach Smash over a Speed Spool due to the graphite frame. There are lots of good reels at or near the $99 price point with better construction and features than the Mach Smash.
I would appreciate seeing you review other Brand’s equivalents to the Lew’s LFS (e.g. Abu Garcia, Daiwa etc). A comparison of the mainstay “workhorse” casting reels out there.
I’ve got the newer xfinity reel and rod combo it’s the SAME just color change and bearings if not that’s the same the orange and white from Walmart for 100$ 70$ reel 50$ rod. Some Walmart’s sell it for 89$ for the combo!!!! Insane
Ive been eyeing the LFS for a frogging set up. The Smash seems ok but I wish it had the aluminum frame. Its seems like the best value would be in the Smash combo. I'd love to hear your opinion on one of the Diawas in the $99-$130 range. They seem to be extremely popular and like a solid reel.
hiii DEBOS plz need review on ( piscfiun alijos 300) i hear its soooo nice fore saltwarer and jig and sarfcast plzz need you proof to explan your option thxxx
That crush is so ugly I’d have to sneak up on it😱. But it says (or in this case it used to say) Lew’s on the side plate so I’m in anyways😜. Good review. I’m with ya....just go with the LFS at that price point. I’m anxious to see the SLX DC review and that Lew’s KVD looked pretty sweet in the glimpse you gave us. Thanx for the vid👍👍👍
commented on a previous video but the review I'd most like to see would be your take on the expride rods. It would be great to hear your thoughts as well as how it compares to cheaper rods. Is the bang worth the bucks?
I’ve had the kast king assassin for a few years (another all graphite reel). It has a dual breaking system and was around $69. Not my favorite reel, but I’ve had no issues with it. I’ve used it for a variety of things: top water, Texas rig, crank baits. Would I buy it again? Probably not. It is the only reel I have that I consistently hit the handle while casting. This, of course, results in a non-cast, and the quick look around to see if anyone saw.
I love my Lew's reals, both baitcasters and spinning. I'm interested to see what you think of the KVD. As far as the Mach Smash, I think I'll stick with the LFS.
I agree totally about the Lew's LFS. I have one in 5.6:1 for big swimbaitss and this thing is really perfect. Very few manufacturers make a $99.00 that has that low gear ratio available. I think Lew's does well on the axiom that it is still possible to build reels of decent quality that don't break the bank. No it's not a Shimano Metanium which by the way is not available in a 5 to 1ratio. hummmmmmm
Hey Debo, would love to see the Daiwa Tatula in action! Pretty damn good reel in my opinion. Color, color combos? Not a big deal as long as it functions well.
