Lew’s Speed Spool LFS GEN3

The Speed Spool name is where a lot of anglers’ baitcasting careers actually started, and the GEN3 is the third-generation refinement of that original workhorse platform rather than a from-scratch reinvention of it. It’s built to be the reel you reach for without thinking too hard about which one to grab – solid brass Speed Gears on the P2 Super Pinion, a 10-bearing system of double-shielded stainless steel, and a one-piece aluminium frame with graphite sideplates that keeps the whole package sensibly light without chasing flagship-level weight savings.

Braking is handled by a recessed, externally adjustable Magnetic Control System – a single dial rather than a multi-pin centrifugal setup, which makes it one of the more approachable reels in the range to actually set and leave alone. The one genuine trade-off worth knowing about is the drag: rather than the carbon fibre systems used through most of this range, the GEN3 runs a Rulon drag capped at 15lb. That’s a real ceiling compared with the 20-24lb carbon fibre options elsewhere, but Rulon drags have a well-earned reputation for exceptional smoothness at low-to-moderate settings, which matters more than outright max drag if you’re mostly fishing lighter lines. A 34mm anodized spool, 95mm bowed handle with paddle knobs, and an external lube port complete a reel that’s honestly not trying to be the most feature-dense in the lineup – it’s trying to be the one that just works.

Detailed Specifications

• Retrieve: Left Hand
• Bearings: 10-bearing system, stainless steel double-shielded
• Gears: Solid brass Speed Gears with P2 Super Pinion, Hamai CNC cut
• Frame: One-piece aluminium, graphite sideplates
• Braking: Recessed, externally adjustable Magnetic Control System (MCS)
• Spool: Anodised aluminium U-shape, 34mm
• Handle: 95mm bowed anodised aluminium, paddle knobs
• Drag: Rulon, up to 15lb max
• Extras: External lube port

Where to Use It

• General, all-round bass fishing across most standard techniques
• Anglers wanting Lew’s proven Speed Spool feel in a refined, third-generation form
• A dependable do-it-all reel for someone who’d rather not overthink the choice
• Lighter line applications where a smooth Rulon drag is genuinely an asset

Gerry’s Pro Tip

Don’t judge the Rulon drag purely on its 15lb ceiling – its real strength is how smoothly it performs at lighter, low-to-moderate settings, which is exactly where most bass fishing actually happens. If you’re mainly running lighter lines, that smoothness is a genuine advantage over a higher-rated carbon fibre drag, not a lesser spec.

FAQs

Q: Why isn’t a gear ratio listed for this reel?
A: Lew’s doesn’t specify an exact ratio for this particular GEN3 listing. If you need a precise figure before buying, it’s worth checking the reel’s nameplate or the exact product listing for confirmation.

Q: Is Rulon drag as strong as the carbon fibre drags elsewhere in the range?
A: It has a lower ceiling – 15lb versus 20-24lb on carbon fibre options – but it’s genuinely known for smoothness at lighter settings, which is a fair trade if you’re not regularly pushing heavy drag.

Q: Is this the same reel as the original Speed Spool from years ago?
A: GEN3 signals it’s the third-generation evolution of that platform – refined over time rather than an unrelated design.

Q: How does the Magnetic Control System braking compare to Lew’s other systems?
A: It’s externally adjustable magnetic-only braking through a single dial, simpler to set than the multi-pin centrifugal or combined magnetic-and-centrifugal systems used on some other reels in the range – a genuinely easier system to learn on.