Best Lew’s Spinning Reels
Lew’s built its name on baitcasters, but their spinning lineup has quietly become one of the best values in the game. I’ve fished most of the current range, from the featherweight Custom Lite down to the budget Laser Lite, and the thing that keeps surprising me is how consistent the quality is across price points. You are not paying for the name here. You are paying for Speed Gears cut on real CNC machines, sealed bearings that actually stay sealed, and drags that start smooth instead of jerking.
This guide covers seven current Lew’s spinning reels, from around $50 to over $200. I picked the standouts in each price tier, verified every spec against Lew’s current listings, and I’ll tell you exactly who each reel is for, and who should skip it. If you are new to spinning gear in general, read our best spinning reels guide first for the full landscape, then come back here to zero in on Lew’s.
Our Quick Picks
- Best overall: Lew’s Custom Lite, the lightest premium reel Lew’s makes
- Best premium: Lew’s HyperMag, magnesium frame with a sealed carbon drag
- Best for tournaments: Lew’s Tournament Pro Speed Spin, a workhorse with real backbone
- Best mid-range: Lew’s Mach Crush Spinning, orange attitude with sealed performance
- Best value: Lew’s Mach 2 Spinning, Gen 3 updates at a workingman’s price
- Best budget ultralight: Lew’s Laser Lite Spinning, light-tackle fun under $60
- Best for crappie: Lew’s Wally Marshall Speed Shooter, built for light-line panfish
Lew’s Spinning Reels Compared
| Reel | Best for | Bearings | Gear ratio | Weight | Max drag | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Lite | Overall / finesse | 10+1 | 6.2:1 | 6.6 oz | 16 lb | ~$160 |
| HyperMag | Premium all-around | 10+1 | 6.2:1 | 7.0 oz | 20 lb | ~$220 |
| Tournament Pro | Tournament bass | 10+1 | 6.2:1 | 8.0 oz | 14 lb | ~$140 |
| Mach Crush Spin | Mid-range bass | 10+1 | 6.2:1 | 8.4 oz | 14 lb | ~$120 |
| Mach 2 Spin | Value | 8+1 | 6.2:1 | 8.6 oz | 12 lb | ~$75 |
| Laser Lite | Budget ultralight | 6+1 | 5.0:1 | 7.8 oz | 7 lb | ~$55 |
| Speed Shooter | Crappie / panfish | 5+1 | 5.2:1 | 7.9 oz | 8 lb | ~$55 |
1. Lew’s Custom Lite Spinning, Best Overall
The Custom Lite is the reel that made me take Lew’s spinning gear seriously. It is their lightest premium spinning design, with a Tanso Tech carbon frame and rotor that keeps the CL200 down to 6.6 ounces. That matters on a long day of casting light jigs, because every ounce at the end of the rod multiplies by a thousand casts.
What I like most is the retrieve. Eleven stainless bearings (10+1) with Speed Lube give it that oiled-glass feel, and the hybrid carbon drag stays smooth from the first click to the last. The 6.2:1 gear ratio pulls 31 inches per crank on the 200 size, which is quick enough for working a shaky head without feeling rushed.
2. Lew’s HyperMag Spinning, Best Premium Pick
If the Custom Lite is about lightness, the HyperMag is about rigidity. The magnesium frame and sideplate do not flex, period. When you are winching a bass out of brush on 15-pound braid, that stiffness translates directly into cranking power instead of wasted frame flex.
The sealed carbon multi-disc drag is the standout feature here, rated to 20 pounds. It starts up without the initial stick that plagues cheaper drags, which is exactly what you want when a good fish surges on light line. At around $220 it competes with reels costing quite a bit more, and honestly it embarrasses some of them. For context on where it sits in the wider market, see our best spinning reels for bass roundup.
3. Lew’s Tournament Pro Speed Spin, Best for Tournament Anglers
The Tournament Pro is the reel Lew’s staffers actually fish when money is on the line, and it shows in the build priorities. The aluminum body and sideplate shrug off boat-deck abuse, the solid brass pinion gearing handles season after season of hard cranking, and the S-curve oscillation lays line evenly enough that wind knots stay rare.
At 8 ounces it is not a featherweight, but it is honest weight, the kind that comes from metal where it counts. The carbon Teflon multi-disc drag is fully adjustable and stays consistent through its range. If you fish tournaments or just fish hard every weekend, this is the Lew’s spinning reel I’d trust. Pair it with the right line using our how to spool a spinning reel guide and you are set.
4. Lew’s Mach Crush Spinning, Best Mid-Range
You cannot miss the Mach Crush. The orange finish is loud, but the engineering underneath is serious. The aluminum frame keeps things rigid, the C40 carbon skeletal rotor cuts weight where it matters most, and the sealed carbon multi-disc drag performs like reels costing twice as much.
The 11-bearing system (10 stainless plus Zero Reverse clutch) is genuinely smooth, and the Dri-Tac handle knob stays grippy when your hands are wet, which is more useful than it sounds on a cold morning. The S-curve oscillation system keeps line lay even. My honest knock: at 8.4 ounces it is the heaviest reel in this roundup relative to its size, and the orange paint chips if you are rough with it. For the money, though, the performance is hard to argue with. Check our best spinning reel for the money picks to see how it stacks up against other brands at this price.
5. Lew’s Mach 2 Spinning, Best Value
The Mach 2 is the reel I hand to friends who are getting into bass fishing and do not want to overthink it. The Gen 3 updates brought meaningful improvements, and the 8+1 bearing system with a 6.2:1 ratio covers the vast majority of spinning techniques, from Ned rigs to small swimbaits.
It is not a premium reel and does not pretend to be. The frame is graphite, the drag is simpler than the sealed carbon units above, and you will feel the difference side by side with a Custom Lite. But for around $75, the retrieve is smooth, the build is solid, and it will catch fish for years with basic care. If you are still deciding between reel types, our baitcasting reel vs spinning reel comparison will help you pick the right tool.
6. Lew’s Laser Lite Spinning, Best Budget Ultralight
Ultralight fishing is where cheap reels go to die, because light line and tiny lures expose every flaw in a drag and every rough spot in a retrieve. The Laser Lite survives that test better than anything near its price. The 5.0:1 gear ratio is slow on paper, but for ultralight work that is a feature, it keeps you from ripping tiny jigs away from interested fish.
The oiled felt multi-disc drag is the star here. It starts up smoothly on 4-pound line, which is exactly what you need when a chunky bluegill or a surprise bass hits a 1/32-ounce jig. Seven bearings keep it respectable, and the skeletal graphite rotor keeps weight reasonable. For more ultralight options across brands, see our best ultralight spinning reels guide.
7. Lew’s Wally Marshall Speed Shooter, Best for Crappie
Wally Marshall is a crappie legend, and his signature reel is built for exactly that game: light line, small jigs, and the soft hands that crappie fishing demands. The 5.2:1 ratio and oiled felt drag are tuned for 4 to 6-pound line, where a smooth startup matters more than raw power.
This is a specialist, not an all-rounder. Put it on a 7-foot light rod with 6-pound mono and it is perfect for shooting docks, vertical jigging brush piles, or spider rigging. Ask it to horse bass out of lily pads and you will find its limits fast. But for its intended job, at around $55, it is one of the best values Lew’s makes. New to the technique? Our bass fishing tips for beginners cover the fundamentals that apply here too.
How to Choose a Lew’s Spinning Reel
Match the size to your fishing
Lew’s spinning reels come in sizes from 100 (ultralight) up to 400 (heavy bass and light saltwater). For most bass fishing, a 200 or 300 size is the sweet spot. Go 100 for trout and panfish, 400 if you are throwing big swimbaits or fishing inshore saltwater. Our spinning reel sizes guide breaks this down in detail.
Bearings matter, but sealing matters more
Every reel here has at least a 5+1 bearing system, which is plenty. What separates the good from the great is whether those bearings stay clean. The sealed bearings and Speed Lube in the mid-range and premium Lew’s reels are worth real money over time, because a $75 reel with sealed bearings will outlast a $120 reel with open ones.
Think about the drag first
On a spinning reel, the drag is the whole game. Oiled felt drags (Laser Lite, Speed Shooter) are perfect for light line. Carbon drags (Custom Lite, HyperMag, Mach Crush) handle heavier line and bigger fish with smoother startups. If you only remember one thing: never buy a spinning reel with a sticky drag, no matter how cheap it is.
Pair it with the right rod
A great reel on the wrong rod is wasted money. Match a 200-size reel to a 6’6″ to 7′ medium-light or medium rod for all-around bass work. See our best spinning rods for beginners for pairings that work.
Lew’s vs the Competition
Lew’s spinning reels compete in a crowded field. Against Shimano and Daiwa at the premium end, Lew’s wins on price while giving up a little refinement. Against Pflueger and Abu Garcia in the mid-range, it is a genuine toss-up, and I would pick based on which specific reel feels better in your hand. Where Lew’s really stands apart is the $50 to $130 range, where the Mach 2, Laser Lite, and Mach Crush offer build quality that embarrasses most competitors at those prices.
If you fish baitcasters too, check out our best Lew’s baitcasting reels roundup and our Lew’s American Hero combo review. For trout-specific spinning, we have a dedicated best trout spinning reels guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Lew’s spinning reels any good?
Yes. Lew’s spinning reels are genuinely good, especially from the Mach 2 up through the Custom Lite. They use real CNC-cut gears, sealed bearings on most models, and smooth drags. They compete well with Shimano and Daiwa at lower prices in the mid-range.
What is the best Lew’s spinning reel for bass?
For most bass anglers, the Lew’s Custom Lite in the 200 or 300 size is the best pick, with the Mach Crush as the best value alternative. If you fish tournaments, step up to the Tournament Pro for its aluminum body durability.
Are Lew’s reels made in the USA?
No. Lew’s reels are designed in the USA (Springfield, Missouri) and manufactured overseas, which is standard for the industry at these price points. Their customer service and warranty support are US-based.
What size Lew’s spinning reel should I get for bass?
A 200 or 300 size covers most bass fishing. The 200 is ideal for finesse techniques with 6 to 10-pound line, while the 300 handles heavier line and bigger lures. Go 400 only for swimbaits or inshore saltwater.
Is the Lew’s Mach Crush spinning reel worth it?
Yes, for around $120 it offers a sealed carbon drag and 11-bearing smoothness that rivals reels costing significantly more. The main trade-offs are weight and the loud orange finish.
Does Lew’s make a good ultralight spinning reel?
Yes, the Laser Lite is an excellent budget ultralight reel with a smooth light-line drag, and the Custom Lite in the 100 size is the premium option for serious light-tackle anglers.
Final Verdict
Best overall: Lew’s Custom Lite. The lightest, most refined spinning reel Lew’s makes, and the one I’d buy with my own money for all-around bass and finesse fishing.
Best value: Lew’s Mach 2. Under $80, smooth enough, tough enough, and a perfect first quality spinning reel.
Best specialist: Lew’s Wally Marshall Speed Shooter. If crappie are your game, nothing touches it at the price.
Lew’s earned its reputation on baitcasters, but their spinning lineup deserves the same respect. Pick the tier that matches your budget, match the size to your fishing, and spool it right. For official specs on any of these reels, check Lew’s official site, and if you’re just getting started, Take Me Fishing has excellent beginner resources.
