Cabela's LST rod and LSR reel... anyone else trying one?

[sight_nymph_17109]

After snapping off the top 2" of my favorite Sage RPL just prior to heading to the Catskills, I was scrambling for a new rod. I drove to the Hamburg store and demo casted a 9' 4pc 4wt. It was light, fast and handled line pretty nicely. I got suckered into matching it w/ a LSR large arbor reel and some 444SL. Total package was around $270. I had read some pretty bad reviews on the reel and was hesitant to buy it. So far, so good. I broke the rod at Penns Crk and drove back to the store and they replaced it... no questions asked. Unfortunately, the replacement rod is a slower action and I don't like it as much.

 

[OhioOutdoorsman]

Wait till you dunk the LSR. Cabelas will replace stuff with no questions asked though.......

 

[sight_nymph_17109]

That doesn't sound promising. What happens? Free wheeling or locks up? Either way... not good. There was a huge difference between the first and second rod. I would buy 3 more like the first and 0 like the second.

 

[OhioOutdoorsman]

It locks up, it usually gets better with a thorough drying, but lets just say its runed more than one day of stealhead fishing. I've actually found their prestige plus reel to be the most reliable. I have a cableas visa so I get a lot of "free" stuff from them.

Most of their stuff is high quality, and their service is A++++++.

 

[gfen]

I bought the 8'6" 4wt LST and LSR earlier this spring. The rod felt good to me in the store, the reel just looked pretty. 🙂

This is my second year fly fishing, so my experience isn't very extensive, but moving from the Redington combo I used last year to this one seems like a night and day difference: it feels good to me, and my casting has improved drastically, which I believe I owe in part to the rod.

 

[longbow64]

Both of my lsr's squeal, but no lock up when wet. My biggest beef is start-up inertia. It is ridiculous. Other than that they are decent reels, maybe a bit overpriced. If the reel or rod is not up to snuff,return it. Their customer service is great.

 

[OhioOutdoorsman]

Well, I mispoke, the reel doesn't lock up completely when wet, but has a big start up inertia like longbow described when wet. The last thing you want when steelhead fishing......what I got mine for. They are on sale by cabelas now, this is often a move they make before discontinuing an item......

Bill

 

[brookieaddict]

I must have gotten lucky on my L.S.R. it has been dunked many times with no probs. the start up enertia is a problem but mine is on a 2 wt. so its a moot point, i land everything off of the reel or freehand as some call it in the West.