Lew's Speed Spool LFS Review (Best Beginner Baitcaster???) 

Nothing like a coffee and a Saturday morning ViDEBO

I'd like to see more tear downs of any $100+ reels with your reviews. We get a more complete review this way. I think you were the first youtuber to show viewers how the Lews P2 pinion works.

I used to fish the old school round Ambassadeur Abu García as a beginner decades ago. I'm pretty much a Lews fan now

Great review Debo.....Nothing like waking up in the morning and having a cup of coffee ☕ and a side of fiiiisssshing knowledge from fishing sensei Debo 🥷🥷🎣🎣🎣💥

Lews and Shimano have become my go to reels. They make great stuff and it’s reasonably priced.

Idk how you haven’t been hit up for a sales job with one of these companies lol you get me every time!!! “Welp Debo said its good.... lets go! Im in!”

I don't know about anyone else, but I sold. Have 2 Lews reels and getting a third. One thing I love about the lews reels. They are really ready to go out of the box. 👍🏻👍🏻

I have mostly been buying Abu Garcia reels cause I bought a Silver Max combo for my kid and was so impressed with the performance of an inexpensive reel. Bought a Lew’s SLP Speed Spool few years back and come to think of it that reel has given me flawless performance. Use it on a medium rod so I throw very light lures and it casts a mile without backlashes. I have caught hundreds of fish on that reel in the California Delta and foothill lakes. I think my next reel will be the FLS. Thanks for the info.

Going to have buy the LFS. I have a Lews budget combo from 4 years ago. Never let me down.

DEBO thank you for taking the time to open the reel to show us the P2 pinion gear. It's double bearing supported pinion similar to Shimano's X-ship but not the same. Which gives the Speed Spool good value.

Had mine for almost 3 years and still works perfectly fine. I think you can't beat it for the price.

I have been buying Lews LFS baitcasters for about 5 years now and have never been disappointed. Still using the ones from 5 years ago and all the others as well. Crazy durability and performance for $99.

I got the LFS this year as my first baitcaster and I love it. Didn’t have any trouble dialing it in and learning to cast

This was perfect timing I was just looking for another opinion on this reel and you posted this great review!!

One common thing I find in every Lews is that they cast really well. I’ve been using them since the old BB1 made by Shimano. Along with ease of use.

Perfect timing for this video! I’m in the market for a new one in that range. Also, just want to say that your review videos (and videos in general) are so legit. A great combo of Entertaining and informative

My wife gave me the Lew's Speed Spool LFS combo for my birthday last year, and I love it. The reel itself is excellent, just as your review states, but the 7 foot MH rod is very nice as well. I would definitely recommend it to a new baitcaster user, or even experienced anglers who want a more budget friendly, do-it-all combo. 🎣

Finally someone who actually knows what they're talking about doing a review.

Got this bait caster earlier this year. Love it. Great job debo.

As you know by now, I absolutely love Lew's!!!!! I actually have this reel but it's the right handed version. It's my favorite. Even over the Daiwas. My next purchase is the SLX. I totally agree with you on all you said. Handle knobs are so so. With carpel tunnel it will matter as I've learned. I can't say anything negative about that reel just because I don't know of any. I opt for the faster gears due to the pressure of everyone fishing around me and I like being able to catch up to those bucketmouths who can run faster than Hershal Walker on steroids. The last 2 I hooked last week ran all the way to me that I never had a fight at all. My Abu Garcia couldn't reel fast enough to recover & I lost a good one

I've budgeted for this real this early summer. As an older guy with older eyes, I like the magnetic brake system. When you get to 70, you just don't want to tinker with stuff. Just set the brake and fish. I like easy these days. Edit I bought this reel a week ago and I had the opportunity to use my friends Tatula 300 for the weekend. Sure it was nice, but the Lews Speed Spool measured up to the 300 dollar reel. Was the Tatula better? Yeah, a bit smoother around the margins, but not 200 dollars better. Maybe if I had used it longer, it might have made a difference, but for now, The Lews just felt better in the hand.

I have 2 Lews bait casters. Love them.

I’m a beginner, started fishing this March. I got this reel as my first baitcaster and everything you’re saying matches my experience. Of course for my second rod I got an SLX and it is slightly smoother and honestly I can’t tell the difference when using. Both great reels for a guy like me.

I own 4 of these and I love all of them

I’ve had 3 of those reels for 3-4 years now and they’re still going strong ! Caught a poopton of fish on them and they’re holding up great . Tough to beat for $99

Opted for a KK Crixus Armour X other than this lews but did pick up the Lews KVD. Both these reels have been awesome right out of the box! Would luv to see you review either/both! And yes, the LFS would be a perfect beginner baitcaster. Very easy to dial in. Great vid. Thanks!

Got the combo for 100 a couple years ago and love it.

I’m pretty new to Bait Casters. I have two of these now. Love them at the $99.00 price.

Have the same reel on my bass-x rod. So far I like it

I recently purchased the daiwa fuego, lews speed spool lfs, and shimano slx. All I can say is the slx is definitely the best because it’s so light and the handles in my opinion are much more comfortable as the other 2. The lews is a solid reel and I love the daiwa as it is so easy to dial in and I have yet to get a backlash on it at all my only problem is it is slightly heavier feeling than the rest. I haven’t properly used the lews as I bought it to use as top water so I haven’t put as much time into it as the rest. Basically to sum it you can’t go wrong with any of these reels in the $100 price range

Another great Debo production! Love the detail and your honest feedback on gear; keep up the amazing work!

Good Morning, early morning release. Nice review and comparison.

I just picked up this reel for my froggin/buzz bait setup last week and echo your statements. I hadn’t ever given $100 reels a shot and this thing impressed me! Need to give the SLX a shot if I can find one.

Love Lews products. I have their custom black spinning combo and the tournament Pro. Hands down my favorite reels. Even their cheaper classic pro can cast as far and perform as well as my more expensive reels. Awesome review.

Thank you for the video! I bought one of those reels about 5 months ago and I love it 👌🏽

Intelligent review. I may be in the market for a new reel within the next year or so. Thanks for the quality content.

Awesome video Debo!! I’m still loving my LFS!!

Enclosing the pinion gear in a bearing is a great idea. All reels should have that feature. As a beginner with baitcasters, I have the brake set on four and haven't had a backlash so far.

Been hunting for my first bait caster, I’ve watched many vids and read a lot of what to look for. Thanks for the down to earth review of this reel, It’s currently on sale and I’ll be using one in the marinas of Lake Erie for the remainder of the season.

Thanks for the review Debo. I think the best budget baitcaster setup is the Abu Garcia BlackMax. For a $99 reel, the LFS is awesome. SLX, Revo X, PQ2, there are a few good ones at that price point. 🎣👍

I like these style of videos. Breaking down a reel comparing it to comps. Solid stuff Debo.

Thankyou for covering all aspects and taking your time to explain everything. Admire the dedication👍

Finally pulled the trigger and picked one up last night going to take it out on the water tomorrow morning.

It’s a great budget reel as well as a great beginner reel. I’ve replaced my reel knobs with the Winn knobs and it makes a huge difference to me.

One thing I don't think you mentioned- it comes in a good variety of gear ratios. I hate when I find a reel I love but it doesn't have the gear ratio I'm looking for.

I love the lfs speed spool. Workhorse reel. But personally i think its well worth it to spend $30 more and buy an SLX XT

I hope so I bought one last year and haven’t got out enough to use but when I have I liked it great info as always 🎣🎣🔥🔥

Excellent upgrade Lew's I like it Debo 😃

I bought this reel last year and never used it. But this year I got on a 7’2 fast rod . Can’t wait to use it this year .

Great review! I just bought a new LFS speed spool, I have not had the chance to use it yet. I bought it to replace an eleven year old Lew's MCS ss1h speed spool that still works as good now as the day I bought it. The only reason for the upgrade I need a faster gear ratio, 6.4:1 to a 7.5:1. I can't wait to try it out!

I bought the LFS about a month ago. It’s my first bait caster and it is really easy to use. Great reel for a beginner like me.

Saw you on THM Channel the other night. I subscribed to your channel that night. Good stuff…keep the vids coming.👍🏼

The Little Miss and myself were both kicking around the ideal of each having a 2nd backup rod/reel should either ever run into an issue on the water, so I just ordered two of these reels for our backup rods. I been using a Shimano Caius and she been using Blackmax3 AbuGarcia for the last couple years and we both love those reels. But i still think these Lew's speed spool lfs ‎SS1SHA will be way better reel than were use regarding smoothness and quality. This summer will tell the tale, starting mid May. Really great review.

I picked one up a few months ago on Amazon for $89. The price was really the main reason I got it. I got the low gear version for cranks. The handle is a little sloppy on mine but overall not a bad reel. For the full price of $100 tho, my vote for the top slot would be for the slx. But I see your point on the brakes for a beginner.

That’s interesting you mention that p2 pinion gear issue bc I think I did that to a quantum vapor that I had to send back for warranty. The symptoms seem similar. 👊🏽

Great review. I was surprised to see the new LFS was made in Korea. I have the old LFS. I recently bought the LFS Inshore. 7 double shielded bearings, combat grips knobs, clicking tension knob, 20lb drag, 29.99 more are the differences. It has the P2 bearing. I love it and would recommend it over the regular LFS

Damn it, Debo! I was just at my local tackle shop buying new spinning gear and now I want to go back and buy another baitcast combo! Perhaps a dedicated frog combo... 🤔

Great review, don't have this one but have switched to mostly Lews on my combos. Hyper mag, custom lite, tournament pro's, super duty g, super duty 300, and tournament mp. Seem to be great reels!

I own both this (the older version), the revo x, and the slx. I prefer the slx over them all. It’s a good reel though, I just have navigated away from Lews as my fishing has advanced. Great review

I have a bunch of shimano’s and still use my lfs a ton.

Hey Debo I like your reviews can you please do one on the pro qualifier 2 bait caster

Find wood, pitch to wood... I agree the LFS is totally a solid reel. Got one on Black Friday and love it. Very comfortable in hand. I don’t feel like I have to treat it as delicately as I do my SLX. Although the clouds do part and light shines from the heavens every time I pull out the SLX. That’s probably all just in my head though. Okuma, Super K, starting to sound like Burley. So who’s gonna start putting out shirts with iconic Deboisims? I think the world is ready.

Good review, keep up the good work.

Great video. Stuck in covid jail so no better time to research my first casting rod and reel (nothing but spinners up to this point). Your video sealed the deal. Once my new boat arrives in the early spring and I can fish again I'll let you how it goes. Thanks for the help.

thanks for sharing love your reviews.

I’m a fan, picked up one for Christmas and really like it. Going to pick up another one probably here in a few weeks. Great video Debo 👍🏻

I think that ring you saw on the main gear, where the drag washers were, was the result of Lew’s removing unnecessary brass from the gear in the area between the gear teeth and the drag washers, in order to lighten the weight.

tackle warehouse and bass pro shops both have this reel on sale for $75 right now

After watching your reviews on the LFS I decided to order one from Tackle Warehouse, thanks for the advice. Think it’s going to be a great replacement for my old XFInity, which is probably going to my nephew for his first baitcaster

Just bought one, Man, love it!

Went to my local tackle shop looking for my first bait caster and asked about the LFS but the owner suggested the Daiwa Fuego which I know you have given good marks on as well. Ended up getting the Daiwa, but there still may be a LFS in my future. Thanks for the vids!

That LFS is a killer and I love it!!! The SLX might be equal but just can’t be better

Mine is coming in the mail today!

i have this lews and a pflueger president xt and i think the lews is so much better keep up the vids they helped me alot with the bait casters

I have the kvd LFS, that’s been a pretty good reel, even though mine is a defect. I like the centrifugal brakes on it, there stronger and sometimes help when using slick fluorocarbon and pitching stuff.

I even have one of first lews carbonfire that all graphite and still working like a champ Agree on preferring the tackier knobs, I like to reel with the handle between my index and middle finder and that grippier surface makes a difference - actually prefer the grip level on the daiwa fuego/tatula than my curado k and lews, it doesn’t stick nor slip, but always to each his own

It was my first baitcaster it works great

Looks like the old LFS has a wider spool so maybe it has better casting distance

I see your a Hawkeye fan love it 🤙

Ok, so I have the older lfs. 5.3.1. I swear by it. Never let me down. Like you said, it had everything I need in a reel. I'm 43. I've been fishing since I was probably 5 or 6. Starting using baitcasting reels somewhere in my teens. I've had quite a few. But now, maybe my needs have changed, or just what I like, but the simplicity of the lews lfs, or say the revo x, which I also really like, is just more appealing to me than the dual brake stuff. I highly recommend reels with aluminum frames. They just hold up better, for longer. Like you, I have many different products. There's nothing wrong with buying a black max, or a lews American hero. They work great, for what they are. Of course I'm going to have to get the newest lfs. But that old one, will remain on my frog setup, until it dies. Which I don't see happening anytime soon. Thanks for the great vid, as always.

I just got mine in the mail today. I got the 7:5:1 and I really wanted to get the 6:8:1 in left handed. They are out everywhere. I like 6 speeds for all purpose but I also think 7 speeds are as well.

Love the lfs. Great real for the money. All a man really needs. Over the years I have upgraded to the tournament mb. The upgrades on that really, I’m not a fan of. I like the older version MB’s. They were much more smoother and solid feeling. They totally went the lfs style with a little bling. Not a fan, gimme back my bullet lol. Thanks for the review Debo.

To get the best performance out of your reel make sure there's no spool tension and set your brakes to about 60% to 70% on. You'll get the furthest casting distance possible, the drag will work better, and backlashes will be greatly reduced. I won't adjust my reels any other way now.

I have one and I'm happy with it

Great review! I love my Tournament MP. I would have gone with the LFS but it was on back order. I may have to pick on if those up for my next rod.

Been looking at baitcastets..... And u have my attention on this. Newbie also. Have an old bass pro combo.... Man that sucker is hell 2 cast!

Just got one for $75 from Cabelas Yesterday!

Got a couple kids that I’m trying to transition to baitcasters may have to pick one of these up for that.

Thanks for the review this is on my short list for a new reel

Man this reel kinda reminds me of the 2.0 carbonlite, super nice reels for the price! Thanks Debo

Lews American hero my self really nice reel

As soon as ai found out the new LFS has a 95mm handle I bought one. I was using all slx line ups and a couple curados all year last year. Gonna replace a few with the new LFS for sure. You cant beat the quality. Edit: dang bro I just saw that mine says it's made in china? Weird

You know, about a year ago now I started watching videos to find out about bass fishing and the gear required. I found your review of the LFS and I decided to go with it for my first reel. Overall I would say it was a good reel. So much so in fact I went and bought another. However: on the first one I would have an issue now and then where my anti reverse would lock up mid cast and I would often snap my braid on anything I was throwing over 3/8 oz. I thought I was just backlashing but eventually I realized that it wasn't just that while I was unspooling it one night. I was pulling line off the reel and it just stopped. Took tension off of it and then started pulling again and it would start releasing line again. I never could figure out why it did that even after watching your video on servicing them. I think the problem you're explaining at 9:07 has to have something to do with it. Unfortunately I have the newer generation and it still seems to be an issue. In the time since I started fishing I have also tried the Shimano SLX, Abu Garcia Revo S, and 13 Fishing Concept Z (while on sale for $120). I like my Revo S because it has the highest drag of the 3 and good line capacity. I don't like that the side plate wants to pop off sometimes and it feels the most fragile. I love the Concept Z, but only at $120 and the bushing take some time to break in and get used to. I am sure my experience with the SFS is probably not common, and my second one has only done it once, but after losing a Googan Eat Me Frog, a Strike King Spinner Bait and a couple Zman Jackhammer I'm not willing to use it for anything other than pitching short differences. I would have to say overall I think the Shimano SLX 151HG is the best $100 starter reel, or the 151XG with the nicer gearing at $120. It is easy to learn on, simple to maintain and has held up exceptionally well. I just bought a Tatula I am going to put through the paces as well.

I noticed my Carbon Fire was similarly built like this and its an $80 reel. I would love to see you actually do a review on the Carbon Fire Rod and Reel i love mine

Lews reels are actually Doyofishing reels made in Korea. Lews just license them. At the 99 dollar price point for a beginner I'd take this over an SLX. The SLX is smoother, but until you get in to the infinity braking on Shimano reels, they can be temperamental for the beginner. Magnetic brakes are much easier to navigate.

Great review! Lots of good details and info!

Hey Debo, do you think you can do a review on the Lews Custom XP Speed Spool ? I’ve been thinking about getting it, but I need a little more info.

have you reviewed reels from 13 fishing? Always enjoy your vids!!

Got one and love it.

I usually agree with you Debo but I think the SLX is far better as first time baitcaster