Light-year.The distance traveled by light in a single year; the time it takes for design to evolve to a next step. What can be said about larger but lighter, lighter but stronger? Of course it can be done. We’ve done it over and over again, but does there come a time when the bar can’t be raised? No, there are always improvements to be made, new ways of thinking, new materials, and processes to exploit. As we’ve said – the performance benchmark for a fly reel is retrieve rate per ounce. If you haven’t thought about it before, think about it now: there’s no downside to high retrieve rate other than extra weight. As an example, consider the 2021 Gen 6 Litespeed: CNC machined with material distributed artfully along critical load paths, stable and strong, so light you might forget it’s there, but beautiful enough to make you remember it is. The art of the fly reel derives from the science of the fly reel, but at the end of the day both art and science, when held in balance, serve to make us smile.
LSM – The marine version of Litespeed is equipped with a hybrid drag system, sharing some elements of the Cobalt drag – fixed spindle, large heat-wicking conical surfaces, click stop drag knob. The LSM incorporates close tolerance composite bearings, and comes equipped with the same linear spring set found on LSF, optimized for each reel size. Like our Cobalt reel, it holds an IPX8 waterproof rating to 100 ft. LSM frame and spool share the same open structure as LSF, with emphasis on greater stiffness and stability.
Available inRivieraandUltramarine.
New Size 6 available now - Our Litespeed M drag and super arbor format in a smaller package, ideal for lighter inshore setups.
Specs
SIZE
DIAMETER
WIDTH
WEIGHT
ROD WEIGHT
MAX LINE
BACKING CAPACITY
6
4.15"
0.95"
5.5 oz
5.6
WF6
150 yds 20#
8
4.65"
0.95"
5.7 oz
7.8
WF8
250 yds 20#
10
4.82"
1.00"
6.6 oz
9.10
WF10
250 yds 30#
12
5.10"
1.19"
8 oz
11.12
WF12
300 yds 30#
Additional Info
Super Arbor Format
Lightest weight in class
Space frame construction – Exceptional Strength-to-Weight Ratio
I own 3 Waterworks. Oldest is 15 years, a 3.4 force. I'm very hard on my equipment. Fished mainly Salt, been emersed in Salt more times than I can count. Caught countless fish without fail. Other than a fresh water rinse, none have never had a thorough cleaning and still work like new. Try that with any other brand ?
Only thing I've had to replace is the plastic clicker on the 3.4.
This 12 wt Litespeed is lighter and bigger than my first 2 reels. Haven't had a chance to test it on monster Tarpon yet but know already that I'm prepared for battle with serious equipment. Let you know in November when I return from Costa Rica.
Thanks for the endorsement! Sounds like you've put those reels through the ringer. Enjoy your trip in the fall. That LSM will be ready to do battle.
C
Capt. Jon Bull
Litespeed M8
I have been using the new LSM 8 for about a year now. Paired with a Cobalt 8wt rod, it's about as deadly a combo as I can put in my clients' hands. It has the power to tackle <40# tarpon in the summer and the delicacy to land small crustacean flies on 8# tippet to our spooky Tampa Bay redfish in the winter. The reel is more than capable to stop any of my targets in their tracks while preserving light tippets. The reel is a home run!!!!
J
James
Color options
I would love to have this reel in all black, black/slate, or black silver. The bright blue/silver combo, while pretty, is just a bit flashy for what I want. I prefer a reel that is more of a neutral color that can put on various rods without clashing. Thank you for listening and responding to customers!
Fair enough! I'll run that by the designers and let them know.
C
Chris
Another thought
I’ve made 2 reviews on this reel already, I like this reel so much I’ll add another - if it’s possible for the engineers to give it the look of the of the Lite Speed F with the star in the middle ( it looks so cool ) instead of the button type nut it has, one way of achieving this might be to incorporate the nut into the reel and screw the hole reel onto the spool or achieve it in fashion like the cobalt does.
C
Chris
The little details
I’ve already commented on this reel it’s a 9.8 out of 10, no other reel comes close to what this reel can do for its weight. I’ve Subtracted 0.2 to off the perfect 10, to gain the 0.2 to be a perfect score this reel should have a integrated foot into the reel it being a flag ship reel.
The other improvement an aluminium handle, they feel so much nicer to the touch than a plastic handle,
As some other post have mentioned a size 6 would be nice
That's a fair assessment and your feedback is heard! The size 6 LSM has been something we have been hearing about from yourself and others. The design team is taking a hard look at making that happen.
Fish saver. Our breakout product in the fly fishing industry, years ago, we thought: “There’s got to be a better way to remove a delicately-tied fly from a hooked fish than the hoisting, clamping, and wrenching process now on display.” So we created a simply innovative tool capable of reducing fish mortality by eliminating netting and handling—then named it after our home-base of Ketchum, Idaho. This technique will preserve protective coatings and eliminate air exposure. The Ketchum Release® tool makes low-mortality release easy, plus allows you to retrieve your fly without damage. It even keeps your hands high and dry. The Ketchum Release® is available in three sizes: Big Bug for hook sizes 6-10; Standard for sizes 12-16; and Midge for sizes 18-22.
