Lamson Reel Question

[SpexnReds]

I just purchased a Loomis Crosscurrent GLX in a 6 wt, and I've been looking at some Lamson reels to put on it. I have my share of pricey reels, but I want to try something else to see what the real difference is. I was looking at the Velocity 3. Does anyone have anything to say about Lamson Reels? Also, do they still perform if they get dunked? Would it require servicing afterwards?

[jake61198]

You are talking about putting a Volkswagon reel on a Mercedes Benz rod. I don't believe the velocity is up to any serious use. You might consider a Waterworks F3XLT, it's a lightweight workhorse that will perform flawlessly for years and it will match up beautifully with the Loomis rod. I've been using the Waterworks for some years now and they will handle any saltwater situation and require as close to zero maintainance as any reel on the market.

[Tarpon41]

IMHO...if looking for cheap usa machined try teton if not cheap stick to abel or tibor...if you dunk it...that is briefly and not a crab trap weight over nite...take it a part and wash fresh...

[jimmy]

Spexnreds,

I have been running a similar experiment with two of my 7wt rods. I have an tibor everglade on a glx and a cabelas SR2 on a TFO. I have put the same amount of use on both of the reels over the last two years(60-70days) and they seem to be holding up just about the same....but you can't beat the sound of a tibor! You may want to give it a try. For under 200.00 the SR does the job. I find myself rooting for the Tibor so I can say that it was worth the extra doe! I do like the waterworks reel that jake mentioned as well.

[SpexnReds]

I was trying to decide between the Lamson and a Tibor Backcountry. The price difference is only about 60 bucks for me so I might as well allow myself be influenced by the wonderful properties of consistency and go with the brand I already own and love.

[jake61198]

While I do think that Tibor makes arguably the best reel out there, they are just so darn heavy. As I get older, I want as lightweight a setup as possible. I put the F3XLT on a six weight BIIx and I believe that it weighs less than almost any five weight outfit. Last season at Christmas Island, I caught more than two hundred bonefish on it and it performed flawlessly.

[widdoes]

to replace my still working but unfortunately small arbor Tioga on a St. Croix UL #8. My only experience with Lamson so far is that it is probably the single most popular reel I have seen amongst (savvy) Lake Erie steelheaders. While that's not salt, it's about the harshest freshwater condition you can find. Not first head info, but pretty strong circumstantial evidence.
-WJ

[Tarpon41]

forgot to add...me old age... a teton 12 and a 100 lb tarpon to see if i could do it on the cheap..i did but with a guide and tournament method in hand fighting technique thus not more than 2-3 lbs drag on the reel the balance came with hand on line...not backing that said my usual 8-9 wt reel is abel 3n but i too like the machined usa lighter reels... nautilus and old model ross big game ...as for bonefish really don't need much reel drag 1-2lb IMO just let them drag 80-100 feet of fly line around or just add drag with palm...a lesser teton would work...just like an old camaro Z28 stick vs. a Z06 Vette stick at twice the price but not twice the performance which would you rather drive.

[SpexnReds]

Well guys, thanks for all the input. After all of this, I decided to change my purchasing plans and go in another direction. I figured I had plenty of saltwater stuff; what I needed was a good freshwater stick. So naturally, today I went out and bought a Winston bIIX 5 wt, and wouldn't you know it, they had a matching dark forest green Tibor Light Tailwater to go with it. It by far is the prettiest rod set up I own, oh, and did I mention how well a bIIX can throw line? I am generally indifferent to the performance of top of the line rods when compared to mid range, but I decided to break all of my rules on this one just cause it is so darn good looking. I am satisfied with my decision.