[Str8-Six]

I was happy with my old Lamson Litespeed so I got a newer model.
I have used them offshore with False Albies and Tuna.
The strong drag was tested on these hard running fish.
Very impressed so I am thinking of getting rid of my Tibor.

So I’m thinking of getting the Litespeed IV 3 for my 8 weight and the Litespeed IV 2 for my 6 weight. Do you know if the backing is really 200yds plus on the Litespeed 3 with a bonefish taper line?

 

[tunataker]

So I’m thinking of getting the Litespeed IV 3 for my 8 weight and the Litespeed IV 2 for my 6 weight. Do you know if the backing is really 200yds plus on the Litespeed 3 with a bonefish taper line?

I would not consider any reel under 4 inch diameter for an 8 Wt - get the LS 3.5 for the 8 Wt.
I found myself on a boat fishing for Albies last summer when I lost my 12 Wt line to a large fish.
The only other rod I had was my 8 Wt beach snook rig with an intermediate line on the Litespeed 4. That is when I found out what the LS4 and my NRX 8 Wt can really do.

The specs on those reels are accurate. Just add 30-40% more for braid backing.

 

[Str8-Six]

I would not consider any reel under 4 inch diameter for an 8 Wt - get the LS 3.5 for the 8 Wt.
I found myself on a boat fishing for Albies last summer when I lost my 12 Wt line to a large fish.
The only other rod I had was my 8 Wt beach snook rig with an intermediate line on the Litespeed 4. That is when I found out what the LS4 and my NRX 8 Wt can really do.

The specs on those reels are accurate. Just add 30-40% more for braid backing.

Good point. I ended up pulling the trigger on the 3 and the 2. 2 reels for $400, not bad. Only reason I went with 3 instead of 3.5 is because I am only putting 200 yds of backing anyways.

 

[flyfishingvet]

Own Hydros, Lamson litespeed and an Allen Kraken. Hydros and Kraken are my two go-to reels. The lamson reels are heavy to me.

Plus that citron Hydros on an 8wt H3D is just flat out good looking

 

[Backwater]

In the past, I've not had good luck with Lamson reels, especially with big fish like tarpon. I'm sure they've come a long ways since. So if I happen to be fishing with one inshore, I wouldn't have a problem with it. But I don't think I would trade off a Tibor for a Lamson.

Yes, as GG34 said, I do like the 3-Tand for the money. Yes I know, they are not as sexy as some other reels out there, but very functional. I want to love the Lamsons since I like the looks of them. I know many people that have had very good luck with them, but others who hadn't. So personally, I don't trust them to actually own one again these days. But if you invited me to fish with you and to fish with one of your rods and it happen to have a Lamson on it, I'd have no problems or second thoughts to fishing with it.

The Hydros is a decent little reel for the money and is plenty enough reel for inshore stuff with what you are looking for.

But when it comes to real drag screamers (big bones, perms, tarpon, big jacks, offshore pelagics), I look for quality reels with refined drags. Otherwise, we can get away with a reel that can just hold line cause with most inshore species, you can just hand line them in.

Listen Str8-Six, don't worry about what I said. Congrads on your reel purchases and go fish them and have fun with them with no worries. If something happens to them, just simply send them back and I'm sure they'll fix them properly under warranty, which they all (all the reel mfgs) do.

May the "Tight lines Gods" be upon you!

Ted

 

[Str8-Six]

In the past, I've not had good luck with Lamson reels, especially with big fish like tarpon. I'm sure they've come a long ways since. So if I happen to be fishing with one inshore, I wouldn't have a problem with it. But I don't think I would trade off a Tibor for a Lamson.

Yes, as GG34 said, I do like the 3-Tand for the money. Yes I know, they are not as sexy as some other reels out there, but very functional. I want to love the Lamsons since I like the looks of them. I know many people that have had very good luck with them, but others who hadn't. So personally, I don't trust them to actually own one again these days. But if you invited me to fish with you and to fish with one of your rods and it happen to have a Lamson on it, I'd have no problems or second thoughts to fishing with it.

The Hydros is a decent little reel for the money and is plenty enough reel for inshore stuff with what you are looking for.

But when it comes to real drag screamers (big bones, perms, tarpon, big jacks, offshore pelagics), I look for quality reels with refined drags. Otherwise, we can get away with a reel that can just hold line cause with most inshore species, you can just hand line them in.

Listen Str8-Six, don't worry about what I said. Congrads on your reel purchases and go fish them and have fun with them with no worries. If something happens to them, just simply send them back and I'm sure they'll fix them properly under warranty, which they all (all the reel mfgs) do.

May the "Tight lines Gods" be upon you!

Ted

I’ll report back on how they do. I don’t see how it could be worse than my sage 2280 which I’ve caught fish on for 10 plus years now. I problem is that I get impatient with all this comparing and just buy so I can go fishing. My favorite thing about the Lamson is the drag sound. My sage is silent and kind of annoying when a fish is taking line. My experience with the Behemoth($130) during tarpon season has proved that there are good reels out there for less than $250. If you ever want to fish Ted let me know. I do have to report back to work at some point.