Sage Spectrum LT Fly Reel Review

Mar 25, 2018 · 3 min read

Matte black anodized aluminum Sage Spectrum LT fly reel with vented spool, precision drag knob and modern skeletal design

Please remember that there are no ads on this page and 100% of our funding comes from your purchases, so if you find this review to be informative, please help us keep the reviews coming by purchasing your next fly reel from us. Just below the new Spectrum Max, and replacing the much loved 4200 series, is the Sage Spectrum LT. Despite a confusing naming convention, this reel has some big shoes to fill. The 4200 was the lightweight workhorse of the Sage reel lineup and has always done well in our shootouts. Can the Spectrum LT live up to its predecessor’s legacy? 8-Weight Shootout Full Results

Weight

6.1 ounces. Just about right!

Drag

Close-up black anodized Sage Spectrum LT fly reel with skeletonized aluminum spool, numbered drag knob and Sage logo

(Copied from Spectrum Max review, because it’s essentially identical) Let me start with the good news. The Sage has some really solid adjustability. Turn it halfway and you’ll get about 25% of the total drag. It also has a nice stop on the bottom with .14lbs. While we don’t love single turn drags, this one is actually not too bad as it doesn’t suffer the same drop off as some of the other reels. But, there’s one glaring problem: Max drag. It’s only got 3.3lbs of drag strength, and even though all of it is usable, it’s just not enough.

Drag Test Graphs

Blue force curve for Sage Spectrum LT 7-8 fly reel: rapid rise to ~3.4 lbs then steady oscillating drag.

Sound

The LT is a little more muted and ‘trouty’ than the Max. It’s still not too bad.

Spool & Retrieval Rate

Like the Max, the LT is middle of the road. There’s really not a lot to talk about here. It picks up line slightly slower than the max at 8.75” per turn and offers plenty of backing capacity.

Looks & Ergonomics

Like the Max, the Spectrum LT is no stunner, but just a solid looking reel. Unfortunately, it lacks that higher quality feel of its big brother, but a solid reel no less. Where the Spectrum Max was clearly designed for bigger game, the Spectrum LT has a much smaller handle drag knob. While the drag knob still definitely works well, the handle left something to be desired.

Finish and durability

Black machined aluminum Sage Spectrum LT fly reel, large-arbor spool with skeletonized cutouts and light rim scratches

The Sage did really well in the drag and drop categories, but lost a point due to the fact that it’s got a ported reel seat, which is prone to bending.

Warranty

Lifetime to the original owner + $40. Price: $349

Conclusion

We’ve tested several rods that balance out really well with sub-7 ounce reels (the H3 and Asquith to name a few) and one thing we were hoping to find is a lightweight reel that would pair well with these new, super light rods. Unfortunately, none of the really light reels broke into the top 10 – largely due to not having enough drag strength. That said, if weight and balance are your number one priority, this is about as good as you can do. Buy it with Free Shipping here.

Pros

Weight
Pretty good durability

Cons

Nowhere near enough 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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