I review a ton of fishing gear, and it is no doubt an absolute blessing to get to do what I do for a living. Unfortunately, my wife, Savannah, loves mail — good ol’ fashioned snail mail is her love language. Nothing excites her more than getting a letter from a friend, except maybe getting a package. So she’s obviously frustrated that 95% of the packages left at our door are for me.
After seeing her evident dismay one too many times, I asked if Lew’s would send her a rod and reel combo of her own that she could help review.
They obliged and she was pretty fired up when her very own MACH Smash Casting Combo arrived in the mail. I did explain that I’d also have to fish with it some for the review and she was good with that. Here are my thoughts, and Savannah’s, on the MACH Smash Casting Combo.
COMBO CONSIDERATIONS
When looking for a casting combo for my wife, I wanted something that would suit her stature well; she’s 5’2”, so a 7’6” rod wouldn’t do her a lot of good. The MACH Smash Combo comes in two lengths, 6’10” and 7’2”. While Savannah could have handled either of these, the 6’10” looked like the better fit and the more versatile of the two for her.
In total, there are six options in the MACH Smash Casting Combo:
- 6’10” medium heavy/fast
- 7’2” medium/fast
- 7’2” medium heavy/fast
Each is paired with either a left- or right-hand retrieve reel with a 7.5:1 gear ratio. The MACH Smash Casting Reel and MACH Smash Casting Rod can also be bought separately (for $110 and $60 respectively), while lumping them together as a combo costs $150, saving you $20 in the long run.
The 6’10” with the 7.5:1 rear ratio reel in a right hand retrieve looked like a great option for my wife that would be capable and that she could use for a wide variety of techniques. So, that’s what we chose.
KEY FEATURES
- Winn Dri-Tac Ultra ProWeave reel handle knobs
- External magnetic controls for the reel’s brake
- Winn Dri-Tac grip on rod with EVA foam butt
- Limited 1-year warranty
THE REEL
The reel is pretty solid. I like that Lew’s kept it simple with the external brake control. This is a key feature that I prefer to the internal braking systems of some reels that are only accessible by removing the side plate.
External brake controls are simply far easier to adjust on the fly, and they are definitely preferable for young anglers and those short on experience.
To me, this reel is a good mix between the Lew’s LFS Speed Spool and the Lew’s Super Duty, which are two of my favorite reels of all-time. I wouldn’t say the MACH Smash is as capable as the Super Duty for really beefy baits and power fishing techniques, nor is it as effective as the LFS is with super light baits.
Rather, the MACH finds a good middle ground for a solid “all-around” reel option. It’s easy to adjust, casts fairly well, and I really like the Winn Dri-Tac Ultra ProWeave reel handle knobs, which provide a secure contact point for winding baits, setting the hook, and fighting in fish.
REEL SPECS
- Retrieve: Right and Left available
- Gear Ratio: 7.5:1
- Max Drag: 15 pounds
- Bearings: 8
- Line Capacity: 12/110 (pound test in mono/yards)
THE ROD
The rod is a great value for the price. Again, the components of this combo can be bought separately, so we know that the rod only costs $60 on its own. For what you get, that’s a pretty dang good price.
The rod isn’t all that heavy; it has an exposed section of the blank behind the reel seat for added sensitivity and it’s outfitted with traditional-size guides. There’s an EVA foam butt for secure two-handed casts and comfortable hooksets. It even has an open bait keeper between the split grips that’s capable of securing treble hooks as well as weedless rigged soft plastics.
My favorite feature of this rod is the Winn Dri-Tac split-grip. It has a soft, rubbery type feel to it that’s almost tacky to the touch, creating a really secure connection between my hand and the rod. I’m sure this is something that’s used on other rods, but I can’t personally recall having fished with a rod that had a handle similar to this one — and I like it a lot.
ROD SPECS
- Length: 6’10”
- Power: Medium-Heavy
- Action: Fast
- Pieces: One
- Rod Type: Casting
- Line Rating: 10-20 pound test
- Lure Weight: 3/8-3/4 oz
LEW’S MACH SMASH COMBO BEST USES
This is a good all-around combo for a young angler or any angler of any age who is getting into bass fishing. It’s a great introduction to the baitcasting world that is still tournament ready and plenty capable, so it’s a good combo to grow with.
If you’re looking for an all-around option to use from the boat, I would recommend the 6’10” medium heavy/fast action for any angler under the height of 5’8’, and then the 7’2” medium heavy/fast for anyone taller than that. And the 7’2” medium/fast gives everyone a good cranking option.
If you fish from the bank, wade creeks, or fish out of a kayak a bunch, the 6’10” is the ticket. This rod (being just a little undersized in comparison to a lot of other “all-around” options that are often 7-feet long) is easier to get in and out of the car and also friendlier to the kayak fisherman that is closer to the water. It is much easier to make little roll casts while sitting down and work baits with the rod tip pointed down while standing up with a rod that’s just 2 inches shorter.
THE VERDICT
In my opinion, this is one of the most capable casting combo packages that I’ve fished with. It’s great for the angler that’s learning to fish with a baitcaster and it’s still plenty capable for me to trust it in a tournament situation. The combo feels natural together and it’s available for a price that would usually only get you a reel of comparable quality.
The verdict from Savannah?
“It’s a manageable weight — it’s not too heavy,” she said. “I like the color. I like that it matches. The feature that it adjusts pretty easily is nice. This little cushiony grip is nice. I catch fish on it, so that tells me it’s a good rod.” Well said.
