Lamson Speedster Fly Reel Review

Jan 31, 2015 · 3 min read

Silver machined-aluminum Lamson Speedster fly reel with black script logo and circular spool cutouts

The Lamson Speedster was one of the reels we were most excited to test. After all, it was designed with some of our key performance features in mind - fast retrieve and narrow spool. Lamson also stands behind its reels and makes them right here in the USA. Here's how it stacks up. Want more reviews? Shop Now! 5-Weight Reel Shootout Full Results

WEIGHT

4.2 ounces. Heavier than the Litespeed, but what isn't?

DRAG

When we first started reviewing fly reels, we thought that Lamson used roughly the same drag on all of their reels. We now know that's not the case. Unlike big brother Litespeed, the Speedster's drag was somewhat of a letdown. It tested at roughly 2lbs (ok, just below the bar), and had a massive amount of startup inertia, nearly 30% of the reel's drag.

DRAG TEST GRAPH

SOUND

Classic Lamson. It's got a solid click on both the incoming and outgoing.

SPOOL & RETRIEVAL RATE

One of the best! The Speedster finished second only to the Hardy DD in terms of its spool design. Retrieve is lightning fast at 8.17 inches per turn and it's pretty narrow so that the line never piles up. It's an embodiment of everything we like to see in a modern reel.

LOOK & FEEL

The Speedster is a very modern reel, and it looks the part. There's hardly a piece of metal on the reel that isn't ported. The handle has also been upgraded and is more comfortable than the flat handle you'll find on the lower priced Lamsons. If there's anything we don't like about it, it's that the drag knob is a bit small - but it saves weight. Some people might prefer a more muted color, or a black reel option.

Ergonimics

Handle: Lamson's higher end reels come with some of the best handles. They are not too thick, and definitely long enough that you're not hitting your knuckles. They've even created a bit of a taper to make it even more comfortable. One of the best. Drag Knob: The Lamson drag knob is a bit funky. In a world of oversized knobs, it's definitely not as easy to grab and adjust, but it's also not as bad as the worst ones out there. Spool Change: Spool is easy enough to change, but not as easy as a one-button change.

The DRop

Excellent. The Lamson "Hard Alox" finish is one of the best out there. The Speedster shows only minor signs that it was ever dropped. No damage.

WARRANTY

Lifetime to the original owner + $20 fee. Price: $300

CONCLUSION

We had high hopes for the Lamson Speedster. Unfortunately, it looks like the Speedster has more in common with the Remix than the much smoother Litespeed. It's a very well designed reel from the exterior, but Lamson needs to upgrade the internals for this to be one of the top choices.

PROS

Ultra-fast retrieve
Faster retrieve than some.

CONS

Drag system is weak and sticky

Written by

Ben Freeman

Ben Freeman founded Trident Fly Fishing in 2012 to cut through the marketing fluff and provide anglers with the technical info they actually need. He’s built his reputation by putting gear to the ultimate test in the world’s most unforgiving fisheries. With fishing stamps from over 22 countries and 17+ states, Ben’s passport is a roadmap of bucket list angling—from landing a 25lb Golden Dorado in Bolivia and 150lb Arapaima in Guyana to sight-casting for Roosterfish off the beaches in Baja. Whether it’s battling 60+mph winds to land a 20lb Rainbow at Jurassic Lake or a full day of casting 8in streamers in Mongolia, Ben has spent decades ensuring his gear performs when a trip of a lifetime is on the line.

At Trident, Ben serves as the lead gear geek, specializing in the deep-dive mechanics of rods, reels, and lines. Over the past 15 years, he's reviewed 250+ fly rods and 150+ fly reels and is likely one of the most prolific rod reviewers in the world. But he doesn't just curate the catalog; he scrutinizes every taper and drag system through the lens of a traveling angler who knows what it's like to have gear fail a thousand miles from home. For Ben, the mission is simple: leverage his experience across nearly 100 species to ensure that when you head into the wild, you’re equipped with gear that has been vetted by someone who has actually been there.

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