Lew's Speed Spool LFS Casting Reel Product Review

Reel Review

A Closer Look at Lew's Best Seller, the Speed Spool LFS

Date:	3/24/19
Tackle Type:	Reel
Manufacturer:	Lew's
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 8.08 - GREAT

Introduction: Lew's re-emerged as a reel company to be reckoned with roughly around the time the first generation Abu Garcia Revos debuted. Admittedly, we don't cover enough Lew's product here at TackleTour, and hopefully that will change from this point forward. Today, we take a look at arguably, they're best selling reel, the $99.99 Speed Spool LFS.

Lew's Speed Spool LFS Casting Reel Specifications
Line Capacity - Rated	12/140
Line Capacity - Spool Volume	15.6 cm³
Retrieve Ratio	5.6 (right only)	6.8	7.5
Inches Per Turn (IPT) - calculated	10.5 - 23	12.5 - 28	14 - 30.5
Weight	7.1 oz
Spool Weight	18 g
Handle Length	95 mm
Bearings	9SS + 1 rollerbearing
Bearings per Knob	2 bearings
Levelwind Bearings	1 bearing
Rated Max Drag	15 lbs
Origin	Made in China
MSRP	$99.99

Introducing Lew's Speed Spool LFS

Impressions: One of my difficulties with the Lew's product has always been the ability to distinguish the different models from one another. The company is doing a better job with that challenge in recent years. The Speed Spool LFS is a basic, no frills reel cosmetically sporting a charcoal grey finish and extra long handle.

Lew's packs a lot of features into this reel

Lew's packs a lot of features into the Speed Spool LFS including a Zirconia line guide, external lube port, clickies on the drag star (but not on the tension knob), and more. Let's dive into this reel.

Spooled with some HiSeas 100% Fluorocarbon

Real World Tests: I spooled my Speed Spool LFS up with some HiSeas 100% Fluorocarbon and mounted it on Doomsday Tackle T47C-573F casting rod for some real world tests.

Mounted on a Doomsday Tackle T47C-573F casting rod for some real world tests

Casting: The Speed Spool LFS sports a magnetic braking system that's both familiar and very easy to adjust via the dial on the non-handle sideplate. Delivering baits roughly three eighths of an ounce and up is very straight forward whether that be with an overhead, sidearm, or lob cast or if you're in stealth mode and choose to pitch your bait to the intended target. Spool startup is predictable and the need to moderate the spool during a cast with your thumb is minimal as long as your brakes are not set too aggressively (and by aggressively, I mean turned off or close to turned off).

The Speed Spool LFS sports a magnetic braking system

Retrieve: On the inside, the Lew's Speed Spool LFS features a brass gear for reliable, durable, performance. It is available in three retrieve ratios in right hand and two in left hand. The low speed ratio of 5.6:1 is only available in right. Otherwise, this reel has a very smooth, connected feel aided by the dual bearing supported handle knobs.

The Speed Spool LFS sits nice and low in the reel seat

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