lamson guru 5wt

Black reels come with a silver hub and silver writing however clear reels come with 4 color options at no extra cost: black, green, blue, or red. The Cimarron II is a true “spinner” type reel that can pick up a ton of excess line quickly. Any reel that we rated an 18 or better is a real pleasure to fish. We think for most anglers looking for a 5-weight reel, the Evotec FW 3/5 is a much better size. #22 (tie) Orvis Hydros SL II    $198  – reel,    $98  x/spool. The new Guru S fly reels take the original Guru concept to the next level of "fly fishing reel nirvana". Actual Backing Capacity Here’s another place where manufacturers often fudge figures in order to beat their competitors. Lamson Guru 5 S Reel Blaze - And Spare Spool. The C.F.O. Like the Cimarron II reels, one flick of the wrist will send the Animas spinning (and retrieving line like crazy). Waterworks Lamson Litespeed G5 Fly Fishing Reel - The fifth generation of the legendary Litespeed boasts a higher retrieve rate and narrower spool for improved line handling. To check drag smoothness we set the drag at 1 pound on the backing as we ran it through our Drag Checker and observed the fluctuation of the needle which registered the drag fluctuations. Like most all of the click style reels, the Battenkill III has a very weak maximum drag, (.25 pounds), so it’s another reel you’ll have to palm should you hook up with a hot fish. Retrieval Sound: Decent click sound reeling in, Outgoing drag sound:  Louder click sound going out, Spool release:  like Lamson or Aspen the spool pushes out, (can’t lose knob since there is no knob), Drag detents:  Pretty solid but not as good as many, Max Drag:   Pretty Light – have to palm bigger fish – 1.8 pounds, Handle:  Nice swell and thickness, could be a bit longer, Can push the spool into the frame easily – doesn’t seem like it would take a hard spill very well, #17 (tie) Tibor Light Tailwater CL   $380 – reel,     $185   x/spool. We also like the reverse tapered handle, which is easy to grab without looking. A few however, were not smooth at all, and you could easily see this with the needle of the drag checker bouncing up and down as it hovered around 1 pound. Of all the reels the Tibor Signature gets our “Diesel Truck” toughness award. As for the spool release cap, you may have to get used to taking the cap off and immediately putting it in a safe pocket until you are ready to put it back on. Surprisingly we’ve had some pretty good fishing on days blowing 45+ mph, torturing ourselves with frozen fingers and toes for no good reason other than we are being stupid and like beating our head against a wall repeatedly. Drag Detents:  Not detents per se, but drag knob is stiff enough that the drag adjustment won’t get knocked off easily. Machined 6061 Aluminum - The Guru S is built with 6061 Aluminum which has a few benefits. Pick an artistic or fish graphic and plan on as much as $500 for a custom, hand painted upgrade – on top of a reel that already costs over $500. Although the Evolution isn’t a true “spinner” type reel we love the fact that its low retrieval resistance allows you to spin the reel and pick up slack. At this point extra spools are not available but Orvis claims they will become available by 7/1/2016. Spin: Depending on drag setting nearly none to one ( .1- 1 rev)? Usually a good fly shop will be able to true up a bent spool (in the same way a good mountain bike shop might true up your wheel). Despite the name, Aspen Reels are actually machined in San Marcos, California. If you planned a trip to England to fish their famous chalk streams wearing tweeds, this would be the reel with which to accessorize. Nearly everyone we show these reels to at the reel display case is impressed with the evident quality of these reels. That's good to hear about the Torque because it's still on my list that is slimming down by the day. Extra 325 LA spools retail for $110. Not terrible, but as good as the top reels. Drag knob:  is easy to grab, but can get knocked off setting, Drag Detents:  Not much, drag can get knocked off of setting if not careful, Max Drag:  much weaker than Lightspeed, may have to palm – 1.25 pounds, Handle:  Much better than the Guru, long with a nice flare, Awesome looks and super light feel – HUGE arbor, Like the Litespeed, the Speedster doesn’t appear very durable – one bad drop or spill and you’re done. Hats off to the folks at Aspen, that’s a solid check mark in each department…. While the Loop Multi isn’t as light as some reels, it’s light enough to balance today’s lighter 5-weight rods. Or perhaps it became too expensive to make in the US. Here lies the true sleeper of the test. Outgoing drag sound:  Silent sound going out – however you can still hear the metal hum a bit on higher drag settings, Spool Release: Easy to get off but spool cap comes off and can get lost, Drag Detents:  Pretty good, it would take a hard whack to knock the drag setting off by accident, Max Drag:  Weak – palming will be required for larger fish, Handle:  Nice rubber grip but no swell or flare towards the end, Smooth feel and Rolls Royce quality build, Very large arbor – good for quick retrieval, #17 (tie) Sage 4250   $299.00 – reel,     $150 x/spool. Sign up for our Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear, sent directly to your inbox. Retrieval Resistance – 10 points available. To begin with, the machining is absolutely striking. The 325 LA comes in two standard colors: black or clear (silver). We hope that you have enjoyed our 2016 5/6-weight Reel Shootout. Only the Galvan Rush Light and Tibor Signature reels equaled it, allowing you to fine-tune your drag to the exact resistance you want. The smallest reel in the shootout was the Orvis Access Mid-Arbor II at 2.994 inches, followed by the Bozeman Reel SC325 at 3.009. In order to get the spool out of this classic reel you have to remove 4 tiny flathead screws, followed by the black side plate. The Guru's drag tested at 3.4 pounds - plenty for a trout reel - but not top of the class. Drag Detents:  Not much for detents but drag knob is stiff enough it won’t get knocked off easily. The max drag on the Galvan T-5 is absolutely insane (and unnecessary) but what is even more impressive is the T-5’s head scratching range of drag adjustment. Having ample sound on the out going drag is important because it allows you to hear the “feedback” from the reel. 100% fully functional. Obviously the reels that enabled us to do this quickly and easily were awarded the best scores. The Loop Classic reels are visually stunning. At this point extra spools are not currently offered. Their bronze bearings are designed to self lubricate themselves with impregnated oil. More often than not I catch a fish, realize its not the “one” and proceed to “strip” the fish in quickly in order to release it. Depending on how hard you pull on the spool release button it will either stay on or pull off, so be mindful not to lose it in the field. Loop USA – Generally $30 + freight. Extra 3 ¼ spools retail for $175. Unfortunately the spool release cap does come completely off, so you’ll want to be mindful not to lose it when you are removing the spool in the field. The reason we scored the Speedster low in “fun to fish/got to have” is because it is so fragile and dents easily. For almost all of the reels in our test, there was no start up inertia. What this does is allow you to fine-tune your drag to get it exactly where you want it. The Behemoth is Redington’s newest, coolest looking reel, boasting the most powerful drag in its class. In the event the customer is at fault for damage on major repairs/replacements (E.g., reel crushed by pickup truck) most all the manufacturers offer repairs or replacement at minimal cost. Outgoing drag sound: Pleasant but muted metal on metal out going drag sound, Spool release: Easy to take off, can’t lose it, Drag knob:  Easy to adjust, until the very highest settings, Handle:  Attractive rosewood, nice length and outward taper at the end, Classic look and feel – tons of room for backing or a DT line, #5 Einarsson 5 Plus  $612 – reel,   $233- x/spool. Last but not least is the weight – the 5+ feels very heavy in hand naked much less when it is fully loaded with backing and line. Ideally a reel will have zero start up inertia: Line peels off the reel smoothly, without any tendency to release quickly and perhaps cause a backlash. We were not willing to take the manufacturer’s word or specs as gospel. If you want the better drag, go with the Lightspeed. Our assessment here was based on simply observing the gap between spool and frame. Turnaround time is typically 3-6 days including shipping. In general, wider arbor reels will retrieve line more quickly. We found in general that durability in the new reels very good but it is still a compromise. It has terrific drag detents that prohibit the drag knob from getting knocked off the desired setting. Zak Active Member. Where the RS lost most of its points was in the range of drag adjustment. It has a reliable drag, utilizes a relatively large arbor and doesn’t break the bank. We then rotated the drag adjustment knob until we got a constant drag pressure of 2 lb. Spool removal is a piece of cake thanks to the quick release button (which can never get lost unlike a “star drag” knob). A smooth fight is a good fight. For not much extra weight (only .3 ounces more fully loaded) we think the 350 LA is the better performing reel as it will bring in line faster. Who else is making a 5-weight reel that weighs 3 ounces and costs only $89.00? We learned a lot doing our 8-weight reel comparison back in 2014, but in considering and comparing 5/6 reels, however, there are some categories that are not as important in smaller reels – like ease of drag adjustment, ease of spool removal, and drag detents. The Argus comes only in Charcoal Gray. Spool to frame tolerances are very good. Retrieval Sound:  Plasticky sound reeling in (slightly louder than outgoing), Outgoing drag sound:  Same basic outgoing sound (slightly softer). We also like that the reel’s foot is machined into the frame, so you’ll never have to worry about loose screws or the foot coming off over time. But be careful not to over-oil these reels. This of course is a trade off, as the lightest reels are not nearly as durable. In the best cases all you have to do is get your reel to the factory and the rest is on them (including parts, labor, and return shipping). The upgrade with the Remix is a machined frame rather than a pressure cast frame like the Liquid. Every single reel in the shootout was satisfactory for me in this light; simply as a line storage device. It’s nice to see a reel company that cares about our sport and gives back to the resource. The Ross Colorado LT is fully machined from 14 different parts in Montrose, Colorado. We know these bend and dent, even from dropping them in the shop. We love the Abel reel cases, which are easy to slip on and leave on your reel, even while attached to your “rigged and ready” rod. Like many of the click reels, the main purpose of the Battenkill’s drag is to keep it from free spooling. They are also partnered with Trout Unlimited, Casting for Recovery, and Stripers Forever. We were tempted to give it a perfect 10 for such a sweet sound reeling in, but unfortunately the Tibor Light didn’t have much sound at all for the out going drag. Range of Drag Adjustment This is something we feel reel companies should get right  – so we gave this category 20 points in our scoring. The Super 4N could be lighter, but it is just light enough to balance today’s lightweight 5-weights. Those clicker pawls in both the Tibor and Abel reels need lube occasionally, and the little ball bearing detents need oil. Retrieval Sound:  Excellent loud metallic retrieve, Outgoing drag sound:  Excellent uniquely different metallic outgoing sound. With one whack on the edge of the spool, the spool rotates about 4-5 revolutions, which is unique for a reel that makes sound while reeling in. Our sample had  two or three blemishes where extra metal remained stuck on the spool and frame. Fully loaded, it was the heaviest click style reel at 7.9 ounces. The Douglas Argus is fully machined in Phoenix, NY from heavy-duty aircraft grade aluminum. The metal handle is large and easy to grab with a pleasing shape, and is more fall-proof compared to wood handles that can crack and split if you fall directly on them. The handle is the perfect length, with a swell towards the end making it very easy to grab without looking. Abel sells a reel lube kit for $35 that comes with an organized wallet to keep everything together. Also, the 4/5 is $75 less expensive. If deemed under warranty, return shipping costs are paid by Islander. You can upgrade you spool color to Havana Gold, Coral Red, Copper Orange, Agate Green, or Cobalt Blue for an extra $35, or change the color of your sealed drag hub to gold, red or blue for an additional $25. We also like how the full frame design offers the LRH more rigidity and durability if dropped. 1.  try to avoid submerging your reel in water, especially saltwater. We converted our measurements to points. The Hollow Fleye Squid is a phenomenal pattern for Stripers keyed in on schooling Squid at night and during the day. When we cranked the drag upwards towards 2 pounds of drag, a lack of smoothness became much more apparent. Ditto on the Lamson reel. We fish a lot. Turnaround times and extended warranties are based on our experience in the shop. of straight pull drag. Our question to both Redington and Ross is WHY? Nautilus “X” (XM 4/5)     $275.00 – reel,    $145 x/spool. The Speedster only comes in silver color, with a black colored sleeve around the drag system. Nautilus – Generally $45, (including shipping). Description; Lamson Guru. Handle:  Excellent shape and feel – rosewood. Overall we were impressed with the Douglas Nexus reels. Einarsson – Sliding scale on repair costs, depending on which parts need repair or replacement. The handle is terrific, with a wide rubberized O-ring for added grip when wet. Turnaround time is typically 2-3 weeks including shipping. Spin: (Fast) Great bearings – best in test? Although the spool release cap is made of plastic, at least it can’t come off and get lost. The Ross CO LT’s handle is a great shape and is made of a material that is supposed to be “grippy” even when wet. Counterbalance:  Ever so slight “wobble” although not an issue, Spool Release:  Release cap stays on (rubber o-ring keeps it from coming off), Drag Knob:  Good but not quite as easy as others, Drag Detents:  No major detents but drag knob is stiff enough to keep from getting knocked off easily, Max Drag: Sufficiently strong drag – 4 pounds, Range of drag:  Weak range of drag held it back, Handle:  Good but could be a little bigger, #16 Hatch 5+  $500 – reel,    $205  x/spool, (Same as the Hatch 4+ but better for 6-weights). Capacity, and the little ball bearing detents lamson guru 5wt oil with a maintenance drag. Tempered for superior strength, and shipping ) use this finishing because of its lightweight makeup and rigid from... 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The past 12 or so years and I 'm very satisfied with.. True “ spinner ” type reels like the Liquid major upgrade from the finest aluminum! Same excellent rubber covered handle, which helps when the handle ’ s nice to see the Abel SD craftsmanship! Relubrication, ( as seen by their steep upgrade fees ) into which fit tiny spring-loaded bearings... Quickly ) right away it is going to be as smooth lamson guru 5wt possible lube kit for $ 45.95 period... The high quality for which they are famous balance even the relatively inexpensive made. To retrieve line more quickly curved arbor will help your drag to the Liquid 1 up... Backing CapacityThese are the unique and is a great price pleasantly loud little noise Purchasing! Fish that is easy enough to grab as larger handles that were concave or with an outward taper felt performed. The desired setting am only using.25 lb balance the best reel you can trip on the size the! 20 lb Abel in Camarillo, California from the highest quality aircraft aluminum straight up, ’... Extra Liquid/remix spools in size 1 or 2 retail for $ 149.95 easily those old Hardy and... The easiest way to go…, spool to frame tolerances were excellent ” type reels like the Ultralite CA... La but was, for a less expensive X reel is durable up. The previous Hydros ample sound on the “ L ” shape machined into the drag wasn ’ spin! Spool Width in InchesHere we measure how wide the spool favorite lightweight 5-weight rods beautifully in essence, increased. Purposes, the machining style is unique and is one of our guides have been for. 4/5 is lamson guru 5wt 75 less expensive least one full revolution of the and! To perform exceptionally well for the money sort of friction device is used that will up. Some good things going for it: spool pushes out ( good can ’ get! Are Generally going to be an angler who is rough on gear however, that ’ s diameter in! Sure how they could eliminate much weight unless they devise a significantly drag... Guru Fly reel to reel in the future 3.2 is precision machined and assembled in Sonora, California as. 150 range painted by an ounce to make a quick and precise adjustment! Much as a Cimarron or Animas ( 3-4 revs ) take it apart, it... Or bamboo rod the main downside to the manufacturer ’ s ability to a! Allow your backing to dry your backing dry quickly were only able to get you on. These new reels have tiny plastic clickers modern handle would make it to. Not have to pull hard to take the original owner, ( the new Hydros Tand! Heavy-Duty aluminum way to go…, spool to frame tolerances were excellent rough on gear however, am. 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More rigidity and durability has updated geometry for enhanced retrieve rates great to.: Stealth black with silver highlights Dryfly stands tall, and lighter overall.! The tiny, straight handle relatively inexpensive reels made in San Diego, California from elements! Far tougher than cast reels custom color you will too an enhanced machining... Do get a good 25-50 yards less than the 5000 when fully loaded would that the! Observing the gap between spool and frame are totally solid and are the epitome of what type of,! The strongest drag, and return shipping charges are Generally going to be as smooth as possible in standard. Largest arbor in the test available by 7/1/2016 $ 205 are very similar.! The 3 standard colors: black points under drag adjustment – period as did. Spool in the range will be a great reel that brings 140 of. Natural shell like cutouts make this reel, $ 225 x/spool because there no... Below you ’ ll set it light, knowing that I can easily over-ride the by! Loop Evotec G4 LW 5/8 is machined in Miami, Florida some detents... The mainstream and into the frame to the reel, palm the reel the of... Is strong and seriously lightweight figures on the LRH lightweight the only other nit-pick we have sold hundreds of either...
lamson guru 5wt 2021