Sage Spectrum LT Fly Reel Review (Hands-On & Tested)
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- čas přidán 2. 07. 2024
- We're back with another fly fishing gear review, and this time it's the super popular Sage Spectrum LT Fly Reel.
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First, let’s talk about the build quality and construction of the Sage Spectrum LT Fly Reel.
The Spectrum LT replaces the old 4200 series of reels from Sage and currently sits in their line-up as one step above the Spectrum Max, and 2 steps above their Spectrum C, which we’ve also reviewed on this channel.
The Spectrum LT is Sage’s best multi-purpose reel offering, build with their highest quality components and for a wide range of fishing applications from tiny brook trout to massive tarpon.
Unlike other Spectrums in the lineup, the LT is built with aerospace-grade Fully Machined 6061-T6 Aluminum bar stock that’s cold forged and tempered for increased strength and durability.
I’m not an engineer, so I don’t really know all of the nerdy stuff that goes into building a reel, but I know that this reel feels significantly sturdier than the C and the Max, and it is lighter as well.
I was testing the ⅘ model for this review, but I’ve messed around with this reel in a few different weights. The ⅘ has a diameter of 3 and ¼ inches and an overall weight of 4.25 oz. The smallest LT in the range, the ¾, weighs just 3.88 oz, while the largest, the 9/10, is still pretty light at 7.1oz.
The LT also has an improved drag system over the previous generations, with higher-grade US-made carbon and forged componentry to ensure a smooth dissipation of kinetic and thermal energy so that the reel performs smoothly, even when fish are tearing out your line and trying to smoke the gears.
The reel handle is comfortable and ergonomic and the entire reel is Hard anodized and coated for surface protection, and chip and corrosion resistance
The Drag
The LT utilizes Sage’s SCS, or (Sealed Carbon) drag system, and it offers a fantastically smooth drag with little to no startup inertia to speak of.
It’s worth noting here that when I tested my Spectrum C on this channel, it also had hardly any startup inertia, but after a few years of fishing it, it feels a bit more clunky. It’ll be interesting to see how the higher-quality drag system of the LT will stand the test of time.
The giant, grippy drag knob looks cool and is super easy to adjust. Sage calls it a single-turn drag knob, but I’d say you can get from zero to about 70 percent with a single turn before you have to readjust and turn it the rest of the way. Still, I love this drag knob. It’s large enough that you can easily turn up the drag with your thumb alone if you need to.
The Verdict
Lastly, As always in these reviews on our channel, I want to talk about my overall thoughts and opinions about the Sage Spectrum LT fly reel. To me, this reel falls somewhere in the middle of the range of reels in terms of build quality, componentry, and warranty.
While it is one of Sage’s top-of-the-line reel offerings, there are some arguably better, more expensive reels built by brands like Ross, Lamson, and Hardy, but I think Sage has a great competitor in the Sub-$500 reel market here.
The sealed drag and high-quality build components give the LT a competitive advantage when it comes to versatility, especially considering you only have to pay an extra $25 to step up to their larger saltwater weights.
I’d say that this isn’t the reel for someone just getting into fly fishing, mainly because it has a pretty hefty price tag. But if you’re an experienced angler and you’re looking to upgrade your current reel, or if you’re a sage-lover and you want to upgrade from the Spectrum C, I’d say this reel is definitely worth the money.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
00:36 Build Quality & Construction
1:46 The Drag
3:20 Comparing To Similar Reels
3:58 Available Colors
4:25 Sage Reel Warranty
5:02 The Price
3:35 The Verdict
6:29 Conclusion
I have one. It is awesome. It is made in South Korea. Given its incredible high quality I am fine with that.
What is the interior spool width?
Comparison to Max is wrong.
Max was the most rugged, most expensive, heaviest and made for the harder fighting fish.
BELOW max was LT - lightest
and BELOW was Spectrum
then the came out with Cast C
This quote is old because there is the new cast spectrum C cast version "Like the other models in the Spectrum family (the Spectrum LT and the Spectrum), the Spectrum MAX’s body is machined from 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum for optimal strength with minimal weight. After machining, and polishing, the aluminum is then hard-anodized to further improve strength and durability."
no idea if they will introduce a new Max but I'm guessing with the new models in similar pricing - maybe they have moved on.
Thanks for the comment. You're right. That should say "One step below the Max and above the C and Spectrum".
@@intoflyfishing Yeah but I mean starting at 1:04 - whole bunch of wrong info
actually massive tarpon would also probably be wrong as well as that would have been a job for the larger weight class Max. Max started higher and ended higher - with overlap in between.
@@RH-nc8uu I'm in contact with Sage directly, they are touting their larger weights of the Spectrum LT for tarpon. We will also be testing the larger LT models on large saltwater prey in upcoming videos. The Max is discontinued. There's not a whole lot of info wrong in the video, but thanks for the critisism. I shouldn't have even mentioned the max. We'll try to do better next time.
a lot of people I know are pass n on the sage products they have been breaking rods...
Is the older Sage stuff still good? Sage was always high on my list to have and use, but alas I could not afford one, whereas now I can consider it.
i am no expert i just fish with people who can afford 1000 for a rod and they are breaking them under normal use.. @@JohnRitson78
I hope not. They've long been a great rod maker, but with recent changes to their warranty I'm also a bit worried. No longer no fault. But I think they still make great rods. One of the few made in the US (for those who value that)
Ya I think the technology has gotten much better, but recent sage rods are still great and the old reels are awesome too. The foundation, X and even older One series of rods are still very good. Their reels too
@@intoflyfishingthe sage warranty had changed? It's not for lifetime?
I think the reel is made in korea