Lew's KVD Elite

Our opinion on the Lew's KVD Elite Baitcast

The KVD Elite reel was developed with Kevin VanDam, and you feel it in the details: the 2-stage zirconia line guide, instant Zero Reverse on hookset, well-calibrated ParaMag RX. Solid casting, reliable and well-equipped at a price point below the Team Elite-Ti. For anglers who want premium Lew's at the best price.

What you need to know

• Developed in collaboration with Kevin VanDam, 4x Bassmaster Classic champion
• Bearings: 6+1 stainless steel double-shielded bearings
• Cast brake: ParaMag RX — external magnetic brake + internal centrifugal 4 pads
• Fight brake: carbon brake, max 9 kg
• Gears: anodized aluminum Speed Gears + P2 Super Pinion
• Zero Reverse: instant anti-reverse clutch, no play on hookset
• Line guide: 2-stage zirconia titanium-coated — line friction reduction
• Spool: perforated aluminum 34mm — fast start, long-distance casting
• Solid aluminum frame, graphite side plates
• Curved aluminum 95mm handle, Pro Power buttons
• Signature KVD red finish
• Retractable Speed Keeper: lure attachment without reel scratches
• External lubrication port

On casting: ParaMag RX, Zero Reverse and zirconia guide

The ParaMag RX system: dual magnetic and centrifugal control

The Lew's KVD Elite Baitcast is equipped with the ParaMag RX system, a version of ParaMag braking that combines two independent control types. The external magnetic brake, adjustable via the notched knob accessible without opening the reel, manages peak speed at the beginning of cast. The 4 internal centrifugal pads, mounted on a disc and individually disengageable, intervene mid-cast to finely adapt braking to lure weight and wind conditions. This combination allows you to adapt the reel to a particularly wide range of lures: from light lures like finesse jigs to voluminous Deep crankbaits and spinnerbaits, without requiring complex adjustments between each lure change. The external magnetic adjustment handles the bulk of the work, the centrifugal pads fine-tune the end of cast for delicate situations like head-wind casts or with poorly aerodynamic lures.

Zero Reverse and carbon brake: instant hookset, power during fights

The Zero Reverse system is a roller anti-reverse clutch that completely eliminates handle play during hookset. On a classic reel, slight backward movement of the handle is perceptible at the moment of pull, which imperceptibly delays transmission of effort to the hook. The Zero Reverse clutch eliminates this play by instantly blocking any reverse rotation, which translates to more solid and directly transmitted hooksets, particularly useful on fast-hookset fishing techniques like cranking or bladed jig. The carbon brake with maximum 9 kg power offers more than sufficient braking power to manage your pike, bass, perch or zander fights.

The 34mm perforated spool and 2-stage zirconia guide: cast optimization

The 34mm perforated aluminum spool of the KVD Elite is sized to offer quick start thanks to its small diameter, which reduces starting inertia and improves accuracy on short and medium casts. The perforations lighten the spool without compromising its rigidity, which also contributes to quick start. The 2-stage zirconia line guide with titanium coating reduces line friction on passage, which limits braid wear and improves distance on long casts. This dual stage is particularly useful on techniques that intensely stress the guide like pitching, flipping or repetitive casting over long sessions. The combination of optimized line guide and quick-start spool makes the KVD Elite a versatile casting reel suited to both short-range precision techniques and long-distance prospecting.