Best Fishing Reels · head-to-head

Daiwa BG vs Lew's Speed Spool LFS

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Lew's Speed Spool LFS is cheaper at $99.95. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Daiwa BG or Lew's Speed Spool LFS?

The Lew's Speed Spool LFS wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Lew's Speed Spool LFS is the cheaper at $99.95. The Lew's Speed Spool LFS both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Daiwa BG Lew's Speed Spool LFS
US price $149.99 $99.95
BrandDaiwaLew's
Released
Reel type spinning baitcasting
Reel size 2500
Gear ratio 5.6:1 6.8:1
Max drag (lb) 15
Line retrieve per turn (in) 33.2
Bearing count
Weight (oz) 9.3 7.1
Body material aluminum aluminum
Line capacity mono 8/170 12/120
Is saltwater rated Yes No

Sources — Daiwa BG: daiwa.us (verified 2026-07-11). Lew's Speed Spool LFS: lews.com (verified 2026-07-11).

What's the difference between the Daiwa BG and Lew's Speed Spool LFS?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 10). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Reel type: Daiwa BG spinning vs Lew's Speed Spool LFS baitcasting
  • Gear ratio: Daiwa BG 5.6:1 vs Lew's Speed Spool LFS 6.8:1
  • Weight (oz): Daiwa BG 9.3 vs Lew's Speed Spool LFS 7.1
  • Line capacity mono: Daiwa BG 8/170 vs Lew's Speed Spool LFS 12/120
  • Is saltwater rated: Daiwa BG true vs Lew's Speed Spool LFS false

What reviewers say

Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.

Daiwa BG

Two whitelisted testers — Outdoor Life's five-season hands-on review and Field & Stream's expert saltwater roundup (where the BG is the 'Best Value' pick) — rate the Daiwa BG a standout value saltwater spinning reel: smooth, strong and reliable at a price just over $100. Neither published benchmark numbers. Flaws are largely single-source: not fully waterproof, a small handle knob, a switchable anti-reverse the reviewer dislikes, and some added weight. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)

Praised: Excellent value that punches above its just-over-$100 price; Smooth operation (Outdoor Life: still smooth after five seasons, credits DIGIGEAR); Strong, tough and reliable across surf, inshore and offshore use.

Flagged: Not fully waterproof — not suited to hardcore surf or submersion; Small handle knob; benefits from an aftermarket upgrade; Heavier than some competing reels.

Lew's Speed Spool LFS

No sourced tester review yet.

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