You’ve probably looked up outstanding fly reels that are lightweight, durably constructed, ideally sealed, and anodized for full immersion in saltwater. But you’re not ready to part with several hundreds of dollars. Then the Lamson Remix and Liquid are some of your best bets. Here, I’ll help you draw a comparison between these reels so you’ll be able to choose the best one for your fly fishing.
Lamson Remix vs. Lamson Liquid: a side-by-side comparison table
First, I’ll give you an overview of the similarities and differences between the Remix and the Liquid in a comparison table.
Lamson Remix Review
What has changed about this Lamson Remix 2020 version? What does it offer in aspects of the construction, the application, and practicality? In this review, I’ll give you a rundown of the specs, features, pros, and cons, and the uses of the reel.
The Specs
- Sealed conical drag
- Type II anodizing finish
- 0.45 pounds item weight
- CNC machined reel
- Cast aluminum spool
- 2-color options: Smoke and Sublime
Features
In the feature descriptions below, I’ll show you how the fly reel looks like; how it can be of benefit to you, and how it lags in comparison with the Liquid and other great models on the market
Build Material and quality
The frame was CNC machined in the USA from 6061 aluminum, and the coil was manufactured from ALDC12 cast aluminum alloy using a high-pressure casting process.
The cast aluminum blanks for the coils are imported, the housing is CNC-machined at Waterworks in the USA, and the reel, including the WL-typical braking system, is then fully assembled.
This ensures a quality product that is inexpensive for Waterworks and goes through the same manufacturing steps as all other reels in the company. The result is an affordable, high-quality fly reel that looks very good and also has the tried and tested Waterworks Lamson drag system.
The Design
The Remix comes in two colors: Smoke and Sublime. The Smoke version has a dark grey anodizing, which is very slick to the touch. The frame and the reel are slightly of different shades; the reel has a somewhat cool gloss and the spool has some satiny matte finish.
The Sublime version is very flashy, flawless in design, and ideal for lovers of aesthetics. The reel is almost like a lime green color, and it has a silver spool.
Retrieval Rate
The Remix has a U-shape arbor that not only ensures a quick retrieval. It is designed to aid control and be used as ergonomic as possible, regardless of the variance in hand orientation of anglers. The drag system of the reel ensures retrieval of 7.55 inches per turn, which’s considerably more than most reels which average at around 5.6 inches.
Size and weight
One of the things which amaze me about the Remix is its light weight and compact size, which increases drag capacity and adds several fly-fishing hours to your schedule.
I told you the reel is CNC-machined. However, if you’re familiar with reels, CNC-machined reels are known for their heavier weight, in comparison with die-cast aluminum reels.
Nonetheless, this is still a very lightweight reel at 0.45 pounds. It’s the same weight as the Lamson Liquid but a lot lighter than almost all CNC processed reels and closer to the diecast aluminum models, most of which weigh 0.35 pounds.
In size, however, it’s more compact than the Lamson Liquid. It has a dimension of 6 x 5 x 4 inches and can be easily stowed in a backpack.
Drag System
The Remix has a fully sealed conical drag, just like most of the reels from Lamson. The drag system is for the reel’s long-time super smooth drag. And one thing I like about their drag, too, is it takes almost no extra pressure to initiate the drag.
When a fish takes off, it’ll pull your rod down a little too much before the drag starts to go. But I’ve never had that with this – the drag is buttery smooth and starts retrieving from the second a fish begins to run.
Line Capacity
The size three to four can be used with a WF4 line capacity with 100 yards of backing capacity. The size five to six has a WF6 line capacity with 100 yards backing capacity (20 lbs). The seven to eight has a WF8 line capacity, with 200 yards backing capacity (20 lbs).
Water Resistant Sealing
Like the Liquid, the Remix is anodized and coated with a solid, tough polyurethane coating to reduce scratches, abrasion and make it all-water-friendly. This, thus, makes it a saltwater-proof reel.
Pros : What I liked about the Remix
- The hybrid construction gives it the benefits of cast and CNC-machining
- High-pressure aluminum cast ensures lightness and performance
- Anodized aluminum for scratch, abrasion, resistance
- Water-sealed for saltwater use
- Faster retrieve thanks to large arbor
Cons : How Lamson can improve this!
- The drag system may let you down with bigger fish
What sets it apart from the others
Waterworks Lamson did the Remix as a consequent further development of the Liquid. It’s an inexpensive upgrade reel developed in contrast to most other fly reels with “Asian elements.” However, it contains a lot of self-made work made in the USA. I also like that it comes with everything you need for using and maintaining a fly reel. It comes with a practical reel bag with a zipper, handle, a leaflet instructions for use, among others.
Who is it for?
The Lamson Remix is for those who want a reel with saltwater resistance. However, this version is not for heavy-duty use, especially with the nature of saltwater fly fishing.
Tip: Waterworks Lamson has made a further development to the Remix series, with the Lamson Remix HD (HD for heavy-duty). This is designed for more heavy-duty use in saltwater.
Lamson Liquid
The Lamson Liquid packs all the features I love about Lamson and modern reels into a simple, affordable design. It boasts of high-performance thanks to the drag system and construction quality.
The Specs:
- Sealed conical drag system
- Large arbor
- Vapor and Smoke color options
- Die-cast and CNC machined hybrid components
- Type II anodizing finish
- Lifetime warranty
- Made in the US
Features
Composing durable machined components and high-performing during practical needs such as fish retrieval, the Liquid is more than what the price tells us. Below, I’ll show you how the fly reel looks and how it compares with the Liquid.
Build Material and quality
This is a die-cast aluminum reel, but the main part of the drag system is made of imported CNC-machined components. I know that a cast frame design isn’t as durable as a 100% CNC machined reel. But it makes the Liquid lightweight and even less expensive.
With the Liquid, Lamson puts in your hands an ergonomic cast frame design that is going to make more sense while out in the water than heavier machined models.
Meanwhile, the main turn-off with die-cast aluminum reels is that they don’t go well with saltwater fishing. But seeing that, like the Remix, this is anodized, you should have no big problem with abrasion, especially when you care for it appropriately.
The Design
The Remix and the Liquid might look very similar. That’s because they share the same spool. So if you have a Remix, you have a Liquid spool. And if you have a Liquid, you have a Remix spool that is changeable, which is pretty cool.
So if you have one of each of these, you can use an intermediate line on one and a floating one on the other, and you can mix and match.
Like the Lamson Remix, the Lamson Liquid set comes in two color options. But this one is in vapor and smoke. The device used to be available in black too, but the gunsmoke version has replaced that. The black version didn’t look aesthetic to anglers. I didn’t quite like the black finish too. But it’s great to see Lamson stopped producing the black version and replaced it with the Smoke-colored one.
Retrieval Rate
Also, like the Remix, the reel has a large arbor design which increases line retrieval rates, ensures constant drag tension as well as elimination of coil memory. With this, you don’t have to wind it too much to retrieve the lines.
Size
This reel is available in four size options – 3+, 5+, 7+, and 9+. You can use the size three to five option for 2 to 4 weight fly line; five to six option for 4 to 6 weight line; seven to nine option for 6 to 8 weight lines, and the 9+ option for 8 to 10 weight lines.
Drag System
Like the Lamson Remix, the Liquid has the sealed conical drag system as all the Remix. It’s what you’ll find in more premium series such as the Lamson Guru, which is more than two times expensive. The drag on the liquid also has low startup inertia and is fully sealed when the frame is engaged.
Weight
The Liquid is the same weight as the Remix. It weighs 0.45 pounds or around 0.22 kilograms. Again, the diecasting has taken off a bit of the weight, so this is a little lighter than a lot of CNC-machined reels would be. It’s lighter than some other versions of the Liquid. For example, the 2020 Liquid version is a bit heavier as it weighs 0.56 pounds. This is why I think this version is one of the most lightweight CNC-machined trout reels on the market.
This helps push the limit of what you can do with the fly reel. But it remains very affordable, which is one of the benefits of a cast fly reel. The extra lightness is an ergonomic benefit that can add extra two hours of fishing activities every time you go out on the water.
Line Capacity
The Liquid’s line capacity depends on the weight of your fly line, considering you can have a fly line weight from 2 to 10 weight with this reel. But I think with a 90 feet 8 weight line, you should be able to use up to 150 yards of 20 pounds Dacron.
Water Resistant Sealing
I think the Lamson Liquid has more water resistance than most Lamson Remix, considering that the Remix in its earlier versions didn’t have an anodizing finish. This one has a double anodized coating, that is, the Type II anodizing finish, same as the Remix version I’m reviewing in this article.
The Type II anodizing helps the reel to be able to stand against abrasion and corrosion, especially if you’re fishing in saltwater.
Pros : What I Liked About The Liquid
- Easily convertible to right-hand retrieve
- Made in the USA
- Anodized finish for saltwater use
- Less expensive than the Remix
- Large arbor design for faster and better drag
- Light cast aluminum frame
Cons : How Lamson can improve this
- I think this is not ideal for heavy-duty use with heavier lines or fish
What sets it apart from the others
The lightweight design, phenomenal drag system, stellar ergonomics, and price are what set the Liquid apart.
Who is it for?
I have a soft spot for the Liquid due to its high performance when trout fishing. It has a drag system and locking feature that’ll help you lock down tight on some of the bigger freshwater fish like pike.
Lamson Remix vs. Lamson Liquid — What’s the Differences
Firstly, the most significant difference between these two models is their price disparity. Considering your budget you can choose any of the two.
Another difference is in the construction of their reels and spools. The Remix has a reel frame CNC-machined out of 6061 aluminum and has a pressure cast spool. Meanwhile, the frame of the Liquid is pressure cast from aluminum. This doesn’t make the Liquid to be lighter than the Remix. However, I think because of the construction of the Remix’s frame, it is seen as a more reliable and durable reel with better value in the long run.
With the Liquid, you have the option of choosing extra spools for those who would like to switch them, and there’s also a reel case provided. This seems to add an extra to the overall cost. However, it saves the time, effort of purchasing separate spools. And when you calculate individually, you’ll find out it helps you save some money.
Final Verdict
The Liquid and the Remix are two reel series typical of Waterworks Lamson’s product designs. You’ll have a sealed conical drag system with a large arbor for fast retrieval of up to 7.2 inches of line in both. Also, both are the result of hybrid constructions, which include the use of diecast and CNC machined aluminum. However, the Remix is like an upgrade to the Liquid, and it’s why it appears more expensive, but with more features.
In my opinion, it doesn’t matter which you choose; they’ll come out fine. Both are ideal for freshwater and saltwater fly fishing, but they can’t do more than pike and trout sizes and types of fish or for heavy-duty use, except you go for upgrades liked the Lamson Remix HD.
However, for anglers who love innovations and will not grumble at the extra cost, I recommend the Remix. But there’s not any significant difference.
