Sage Spectrum LT Fly Reel Review (Hands-On & Tested)

We're back with another fly fishing gear review, and this time it's the super popular Sage Spectrum LT Fly Reel.

Order The Spectrum LT on Trident:
https://alnk.to/9Ic9Dwn

Order The Spectrum LT on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3DQhMPw

*Above links are affiliate links

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