Let's take a closer look at Lew's new ParaMag brake system

New Braking System? Lew's doesn't offer much in the terms of a description for their new ParaMag braking system other than to say the angler is in full control of the cast in all wind conditions and lure weights. They tout the system as delivering a true free spool experience eliminating typical magnetic interference creating longer casts with better control. Not quite as difficult as interpreting legalize, but what I get from all of that is with their new magnetic braking system, Lew's has overcome the tendency many have to choke off the end of your cast.

There are 12 magnets nestled in this circular frame inside the non-handle sideplate - 4 are hidden

How do they manage that? Well, taking a look inside the non-handle sideplate, we see an array consisting of twelve magnets, eight of which have about a quarter of their side exposed. The array is somewhat unique for the orientation of the magnets. They are flipped perpendicular in relation to the spool and placed on the outside of a circular frame. The diameter of each magnet appears similar in size to more traditional systems. During adjustment, the frame holding the magnets moves in and out towards the spool as you adjust the dial on the sideplate.

The frame holding the magnets moves in and out. This photo shows the brake dial set at "free"

This is the position of the magnets with the brake dial set to "Max"

On the other side, the spool features a lip on its outer surface that extends out and over the magnet array in sort of reverse orientation to the rotor and magnet relationship found in a competing manufacturer's brake system. However, that lip on the Elite-Ti's spool is fixed, not spring loaded, nor adjustable in any manner. The only adjustment for this braking system is the movement of that magnet array closer to, or further away from the spool.

There's a lip on the outer edge of the spool that wraps around the outside of the magnet array

So the difference between Lew's new ParaMag system is that the magnets are designed to work in perpendicular orientation to the more common magnetic braking systems. They have influence over a smaller surface area until you approach the maximum brake settings at which point the eight magnets that have their sides exposed probably pull double duty also influencing the spool's side. Otherwise, why else would they be exposed?

Here you can see placement of one of the magnets (one of four) whose edge is not exposed when viewing the magnet array straight on

What I see in this system is one that has a better range of adjustment on the lower end of the brake setting opening up the ability to present baits below that three eighths of an ounce threshold. An area where more traditional, linear magnetic brake systems struggle. Also because the magnets are influencing a smaller surface area on the spool, the likelihood of those magnets stopping the spool prematurely, as rotation slows down during your cast, is lessened. In other words, Lew's new ParaMag braking system should perform as they claim. All of that was probably worse than any legalize - apologies.

Paired with Leviathan's Trinity All Purpose Bass Breaker

Real World Tests: To extract the potential I sensed out of Lew's Elite-Ti SLP, I paired it with my Leviathan Rods Trinity, All Purpose Bass Breaker from 2022. Built on a blank manufactured by North Fork Composites, it's a nice, powerful, sensitive stick with which to fish a variety of techniques - just what's needed to put the Elite-Ti through our review paces. To complete the combo, I spooled the reel with 50lb Daiwa JBraid Grand and installed a leader of Seaguar's Gold Label FC in 12lb test.

Adjustments to the brakes are made via this dial on the underside of the non-handle sideplate

Casting:. Moment of truth, with my Elite-Ti's brake system set to about three quarters max, I took a couple of test swings with a three eighths ounce PowerBait jig and Shape 108 Craw trailer tied to the end of the line. Then, after adjusting the brakes to my casting style, what I experienced is that ParaMag does indeed, feel more free than traditional magnet based systems. However, it is not quite as free wheeling as a centrifugal based system. There is a moment towards the end of each cast where I can still feel my lure slowing down a hair more quickly than average. The good news is that experience is very slight and probably not perceptible unless you were looking for it - which I was.

The swept carbon handle measures 95mm from center of knob to center of knob

More good news for the ParaMag brakes is, with the brakes set towards the minimum, I was able to cast combined lure weights down to about a quarter of an ounce. Then, with the ParaMag system set to "free", the Elite-Ti becomes a pitching machine. If you like pitching plastic stick baits like the Strike King's Ocho up close to visible structure, the Elite-Ti excels in such applications.

Each handle knob features 2 bearings of support

Next Section: Elite Retrieve and Power?