Lamson LS2 Litespeed Reel - 5/6wt

Light weight large arbor reel with Lamson's outstanding conical drag. This is the smoothest drag on the market...and almost maintenance free. Attractive design with hard alox finish. It's tough to find a reel this good at this price (I know, I paid list price outside of STP and it was a value). The only potential downside is the somewhat recessed drag adjustment knob. It is not as easy to adjust in cold weather as some of the other Lamson Waterworks models.

I have 8 different Lamson reels and love them all. They are lightweight yet very durable. I once fell so hard the reel seat of the rod broke, but only got a scratch on the reel. The conical drag is awesome and dials in so smooth with ease. Over the 10+ years I have used them (averaging 50+ days a year on the water) I have only had 1 minor issue. I took it into them and they fixed it on the spot. Just buy one and you'll see!

I should have bought 2 while they were available. Great price! The drag is so smooth it makes my Cabelas RLS feel like junk.

I haven't used the reel yet but plan on pairing with a 6wt for smallmouth bass fishing. You can't beat the price. A replacement spool will cost you almost as much as this reel if you pick it up with the right coupon from STP (like I did!). The reel appears well constructed and is machined in the US from barstock aluminum. Type 3 Anodized finish on the "Guide" finish. The other colors STP offers are Type 2. Conical fully-sealed drag system is recognized as one of the best. The version I received is a pre-Nov 2006 LS2. Post-Nov 2006 Litespeeds are the same design but "Hard Alox" versions. The reel was then redesigned sometime in 2010 or 2011. My only concern is durability. So much of the aluminum has been machined away for weight savings that I could easily see damaging the real by dropping it. My other reels are Orvis BLAs. They feel more durable but I have no proof of the durability (or lack there of) for either model. Only time and use will tell.

One of my favorite reels ever, I've used the Litespeed for a 4wight line for many years w/ no problem, this new reel should do as well.