Lamson ULA Force LT -or- Velocity?
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Anyone using the ULA Force LT? What do you think about it?
I have a Velocity that I’ve fished some & it seems like a super solid reel. The next step up, the Lightspeed, is a very nice & light reel, but too light for my usage (abuse). I like the heavier frame & strength of the Velocity. Is the ULA Force worth the step up in price and is it as strong as the Velocity. It looks like it is, but haven’t gotten my hands on one yet to compare.
Thanks for your thoughts & experiences!
Rich
I’ve never used a ULA Force, but I have a Litespeed 3.5 which it fish with an 8wt in salt out of a kayak, so it gets it’s share of abuse. It has held up very well and is a lot stronger than it looks.
I’ve never used the ULA, but they sure look nice and I’d love to get my hands on one. I’ve had zero problems with the Litespeed 2 and the Velocity 1.5 and would recommend either without hesitation. My only partially constructive feedback is that I prefer the drag knob design of the Velocity series over the Litespeed since it’s harder to get grit/sand under there, but I probably like the profile and look of the Litespeed a little better. Functionally I don’t think there’s a distinguishable difference.
I’m new to Lamson reels. I just got a Konic that I absolutely love. I did look at both lines you are talking about. I know functionality and durability are the most important thing – BUT I sure prefer the look of the Velocity line. The ULA force is a little too radical (different) looking for me.
Greg
Rich, I own a litespeed 3.5, ULA force #2 and owned the Velocity 1.5 for 1 year.
Between guiding and fishing well over 100 days per year I can tell you that any of the above reels work great and all have the same drag.
All are a good value for the money but here is the rundown in my mind.
Velocity 1.5 – I guided one year with the Velocity and at that price point it is a great reel – light, tough and smooth but truly a mid arbour campared to the ULA or Litespeed – no issues but I really liked looking at the ULA so I sold my Velocity and got one.ULA force 2 – I guided with it last season and absolutely love it. Nothing on the planet with a drag is as light. The ULA”P” is lighter but has no drag, something I can’t do without because I rig my line up for my clients so I don’t waste time and need the drag for them as much as I like it for myself. Summers and late season here means 6x and 7x tippets and flies to #30. I like the drag especially with light tippets because my finger friction on the line is not as delicate as the light drag on the reel. Some people say you don’t need a drag on a 4wt but try handling line with 7x tippets and you’ll see what I mean. You need a drag and a darn good (read smooth) one!
My only issue with the reel is that because it is not a full framed reel, occasionally the line jumps off the side of the spool if there is slack in it and it will stop the reel dead in its tracks. That has not cost me a fish yet but I expect it to happen and look out for it. The arbour is huge for the size of the reel so even with my 4wt line on it it won’t take much backing. You won’t get more than 1 or 2 levels of backing on it. (I like the look of bright backing in photos) With the huge arbour I seldom have to strip line when a fish runs at me, at least not as often as I did with the Velocity.Brian – what a great rundown! Sounds like Lamson has made a line of really tough, reliable reels with that notorious smoothe drag. I do love my Velocity. It’s great to hear it (and other models) hold up to the demands of fishing 100 days/yr.
The line slipping the spool on the ULA is a bother. What a way to lose a fish! I’ll look over the ULA closely, but maybe sticking with a Velocity is the way to go.
Thanks!
Rich
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