Ross Momentum LT Fly Reel Review

Mar 07, 2013 · 2 min read

Silver machined-aluminum Ross Momentum LT fly reel with neon yellow fly line, black drag knob and ventilated spool

Ross Reels have made a wave in the trout fishing world. The Ross Momentum LT fly reel is Ross's latest foray into the saltwater world. It's got great looks and awesome sound. Let's see if it's the next wave on the flats... 8-Wt Challenge Full Results

WEIGHT

7.85 ounces. A little heavy, but still in the right ballpark.

DRAG

The Ross Momentum LT is advertised as Ross's "heavy hitter" in the drag department. While we knew it wasn't sealed, we did have high expectations for the Momentum in terms of drag strength. When the results came in at 7.26 lbs - about average - it left us wanting a little more. Curiously, the drag is a bit difficult to set and often requires more than a few twists.

DRAG TEST GRAPH

Ross Momentum LT fly reel drag test line graph with blue jagged curve rising to ~7–8 lbs across white grid axes

SOUND

It's got a nice rolling click on the retrieve and a drag sound on the way out. It's great. One of our favorites.

SPOOL & RETRIEVAL RATE

The Momentum is a true 8-weight in terms of size - I definitely wouldn't try to put extra backing on it. In a curious design choice, the Momentum has a smaller arbor than we would have expected, consequently, the retrieve was also slow. The spool is easy to replace.

LOOK & FEEL

The Momentum looks and feels great. It's top notch and comes complete with a comfortable saltwater handle.

WARRANTY

Lifetime to the original owner + $20 fee. Price: $470

CONCLUSION

While the drag wasn't as strong as we would have liked the Ross Momentum LT is, nevertheless, a solid contender, though the test didn't show it. Its overall score was hurt by a lack of sealed drag and slower retrieve. It's got a solid drag, a small price tag and great looks. We recommend it. Help us review more gear! Buy it here.

PROS

Solid Drag
Good Looks
Amazing sounds

CONS

Slow retrieve
Unsealed drag

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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