I’ve been using the Lew’s Super Duty 300 Speed Spool baitcaster since last fall and everytime I post a picture with it, several anglers ask me about this reel specifically as an option for throwing big swimbaits. While I think it was more intended to be used as a big braid reel (for throwing frogs and big topwaters) and a large line capacity reel for throwing ultra deep diving crankbaits and other heavy lures that you will make long casts with, it has been a good swimbait reel for me given certain characteristics of this reel.
I have used the reels a bunch on various different setups so I can share some insight about what I thought of this reel for various different bass fishing scenarios.
Lew’s Super Duty 300 is available at:
Lots of line capacity
The original Lew’s Super Duty reel has been one of their most popular reels for bass fishing anglers who love power fishing applications like flipping, pitching, frogging, punching, deep cranking and more. The strong body, heavy duty drag and oversized handle were all perfect. But since you are often using big braided lines or thick fluorocarbon pound tests, you often need more line capacity.
The additional line capacity on the Super Duty 300 lets you spool up with 190 yards of 14 pound monofilament, roughly the same for 40-pound braid. But if you bump up to 65 pound braid or 20 pound fluoro, you are still going to get more than 100 yards of line capacity. Which is awesome when you want to heave a huge 2 ounce topwater or 2 ounce ultra-deep diving crankbait on line heavier than 10 pound test.
Good brakes
You still want good line control on the cast when using a bigger reel because an overrun with a much heavier lure often means you’re going to be snapping off and losing an expensive fishing lure. The Super Duty 300 offers both a magnet braking system controlled with the outside dial as well as a centrifugal braking system on the inside of the side plate.
That dual coverage yields longer precision cast control, especially with extra large lures like a Strike King Mega Dawg or a big 8-inch swimbait.
Oversized handle
The Lew’s Super Duty 300 comes in 3 models that all feature large oversized aluminum handles with Winn Grips. The J models feature a counterbalanced power handle with Winn Dri Tac Power Knob.
Personally I prefer the standard, albeit oversized, dual knob handle. The Super Duty 300 fits my hands well and I can get back on the handle quick if I happen to take my hand off while fishing. My handle is still tight after several months of throwing big baits and setting and fighting bass out of a variety of cover and tight spots like docks, laydowns and large rocks.
Not too big
It’s a bigger reel with better line capacity for sure, but I actually like that the Super Duty 300 does not feel huge in my hands. I have arthritis and tendonitis in both my hands, wrists and my right elbow. So having to squeeze a bigger reel can be very taxing on a full day of fishing. This reel still felt low profile to me even though it afforded me many more yards of heavier line, 24 pounds of drag and a beefier handle.
Nice hook keeper option
I like the hidden hook keeper that Lew’s puts on the Super Duty 300. It’s been nice for hooking big swimbaits which can really cause a lot of rash on a reel face. I usually have the bait hanging under the reel hooked on the keeper and running along side of the rod. This keeper placement seems to keep the bait from digging your rod up so much too.
Lew’s Super Duty 300 is available at:
