Lew’s Mach I Speed Spool Review

A Consummate Mid-Budget American Workhorse

-Specifications-

Model: MH1SHL

Retrieve: Left

Gear Ratio: 7.1:1

The Lew’s Mach I Speed Spool is the first casting reel I ever purchased, so this bad boy basically taught me everything I know about using casting setups today. I have used this for every technique under the sun, paired it with every sort of line type and size you could imagine, and ran it through its paces for two years now, and I have almost no complaints. The Mach I will simply do what it tells you to do; no muss, no fuss.

Usability:

As I mentioned before, this is the reel that taught me everything I know about baitcasters. In its role as a teacher and introductory reel, the Mach I excelled in almost every possible way. The features included on the Mach I, such as the external magnetic braking system which allows the angler to adjust braking tension with the simple click of a dial, make it easy for even the greenest of baitcasting newcomers to learn proper techniques. The Mach I also provides a standard 4-pin on/off centrifugal braking system, which is similarly manipulated through the turning of a dial – the two braking systems working together provide the angler with a very precise range of tensions to get those baits humming down-water in all conditions, with minimal fear of backlash.

Casting:

The Mach I is a solid all-around caster. When paired with a 7’ Med/Hvy rod, and the braking tension down low on both dials, I can get a Texas rigged Senko on a 4/0 hook about 30 yards, give or take depending on conditions. Using braid on this reel will increase your casting distance, as is the case with most reels, but the difference is marginal. I have also tightened up the brakes and tried hammering casts down in an attempt to give myself a major backlash, but with the 4-pin set to max and the mag-braking cranked to where the worm will barely fall on it’s own, I was never able to give myself one. This reel will backlash if you don’t stay focused during a bomber cast, but with proper attention you’ll be just fine.

Retrieve:

I’ve yet to hook any monsters on this reel, but I’ve caught more than my share of three pounders, and she’ll get it done. I used the Mach I Speed Spool for a lot of topwater action last spring, and even with a relatively low 13lb. maximum drag, slamming into bass on a frog would hardly ever result in a slippage. One largemouth that made it to 4lbs. on the scale did get the Mach I to slip on the hook-set, but I didn’t lose the fish as a result. The 7.1:1 gearing of this reel works best for power-fishing applications in my opinion, but I have used almost every sort of bait on this reel and I have yet to find one that I would never throw again. The retrieve is smooth and steady with a fish on, and when the drag does start to run, it is rarely choppy.

Techniques:

The Mach I Speed Spool is best suited for your power fishing applications. I like to fish worms, jigs, spinnerbaits and topwater with this reel, as the faster gear ratio allows you to pull those fish in a hurry when you get hooked up. I tend to go between making long casts and covering lots of water with this reel, and flipping into cover and getting up close in the sticks. After several different lines, I decided to stick to 50lb. braid and a leader for my different applications on the Mach I, seeing as I run a lot of topwater on this and want the sticking power of a heavy braid.

Pros:

·        Relatively lightweight

·        Easy user interface for the beginner, but allows precision for the expert

·        Solid all around casting reel, for a relatively low price

·        Strong construction

Cons:

·        I have noticed the reel isn’t as smooth as some of its bigger brothers

·        13lb. max drag will do just fine, but I’d like to see more