Waterworks Reels

[zimmjas]

I'm in the market for a new fly rod and and reel. There is something I like and dislike about every saltwater reel I have. However, I have a Waterworks 3X that I use for steelhead and light striper fishing that I absolutely love.

Anyone own one of the bigger size reels? I really want to get into targetting false albacore this summer and all the experts say "disk drag required." Will the larger Waterworks reels stand up to those blistering runs? I think what these reels have is what they call a conical drag(?) My 3X is such a joy to change spools and clean.

Anyone have any suggestions? :confused:

[BIGE]

I got a Lamson Velocity for my ten weight near the end of last season. It had no trouble handling albies and bass. Pretty smooth. It's not an Abel, but for $200, it's pretty nice.

[Sedotti]

Stand up, no problem. Their drags are G-R-R-REAT, just like Tony the Tiger said, oh so many years ago. I used a Litespeed 4 for just about all my albie fishing last Autumn, and it performed fabulously. You need a lot more tougher fish than that to bust that drag. Maybe a couple of Cigarette speed boats.
Mark

[Sedotti]

By the way Zimmas, your 3X should be fine for albacore. Thats the one with the deeper spool to hold more backing, isn't it? If you can get at least 120 yards of, say, 20 pound backing ( or some braid as thin) under your fly line you'll be fine. I think you can do that with that reel. I was thinking about getting that same reel for my albie fishing last year, both because it could do the job easily, and because it was so light. A 3 and a half inch diameter reel for albies is OK for me too, if you had that question. Great reel.
All My Best,
Mark

[stevec]

I got a Lamson Velocity 4.0 last year. Great reel, ez maint. No hard runners on it yet but I have no doubt it could stop an albie.
Actually I am planning a trip to Florida next year for Tarpon...I hope it can stop one of them.--125-3

[ikarus47]

Have the Litespeed 3.0 on my 8 weight, and 9; no problems yet, with some nice runs (striper runs). Also survived drops off the car roof, and continuous use for past 2 years. Also got the Velocity 4 for "bigger fish", have used it little, as most of my lines are on the 3.0 spools. Same drag, cheaper frame, a little heavier, but good value.

Andreas.