Lamiglas Kayak Fishing Rods ... Review

Before my recent trips I picked up some Lamiglas Kayak Series Rods ... http://www.lamiglas.com/prod_indiv.php?id=56

I brought 2 of them to Alaska, the LK7640C and the LK7620S.  I brought an LK7625C along with the LK7620S with me to British Columbia.

Here are the specs on these rods.
   LK 7640C, "C" for Conventional, 7' 6", 1 piece, 1-4 ounce, 20-40# line, Fast
   LK 7625C, "C" for Conventional, 7' 6", 1 piece, 3/4-3 ounce, 12-25# line, Fast
   LK 7620S, "S" for Spinning, 7' 6", 1 piece, 1/2-1 1/2 ounce (website is wrong), 8-20# line, Fast

I brought the LK7640C to AK to handle halibut and lingcod rod.   I started out using a Shimano TLD15 with 30# spectra on the LK7640C until I blew the reel.  Then I switched to a Pro Gear 251 with 20# spectra.  I had some problems with fitting the larger 251 reel seat, but I managed to wedge/force it to fit.  It's amazing what you can do when you're out in the bush and have no other choice.  I think it's more of an issue with the 251 as I've had this same problem with that reel on other rods.  For the majority of the time I was fishing 6-8 ounce jigs on this rod.  It could easily handle a few more ounces.

I brought the LK7620S to AK to handle silver and pink salmon.  I put a cheaper Shimano Sahara 4000 class real on it, loaded with 20# braid.  I hauled in dozens of pinks on it.  It casted the small sized buzzbombs and pixies just fine.  I thought the rod was a tad on the heavy side for 3-5 pound pinks.  I brought this same rod to Vancouver Island, mainly to handle 1-2 ounce jigs for fishing black bass at Sombrio.  A 1-2 ounce jig is perfect for this rod.  If you want a conventional style rod, the LK7620C is the same blank.  And I did get those large 12-15 pound cabezon on this rod so it can handle the occasional surprise.

The LK7625C was brought to AK to to handle jigging with 4 ounce class jigs, which it was well suited for.  I put a Pro Gear 255 (smaller cousin to the 251) with 20# braid on it.  I only caught a few underlings and barely keeps on it and it did well.  I had intended to fish for kings with it at Friendly Cove, but I brought a Canadian style mooching rod and stuck to that so it didn't get much of a workout up there.

General impressions ...
The rods have a beefy butt section, perhaps too big and heavy for most applications.  In comparison the the Shimano Trevala rod I reviewed before (TVS66M), the 7640 is much beefier and heavier (I think).  Still it had good action and I wouldn't hesitate to use them.  They are a bit expensive, running ~$220 MSRP, although I did pick up the spinning rod at Outdoor Emporium for ~$130.  In fact OE has really good deals on all their Lamiglas rods.  The rod leash attach point is nothing more than an elastic ring with a keeper attach point, kind of like a big o-ring, a bit cheap if you ask me, and the day glow colors are not that appealing.  I did like the short rear butt section on the heavier rod, but for the spinning rod it is definitely not needed as I don't tend to hold it into my hip when reeling.  I'll reserve the heaviest rod for when I'm fishing halibut, but for general bottomfish work duty on 2-4 ounce jigs, the LK7625C would be what I reach for.  I'd love to get a Trevala  TVC70ML to compare it against.  The LK7625C would also make a good king salmon rod, but perhaps a bit too much backbone for silvers, and definitely too much backbone for pinks (again, even the 7620 was too much for pinks).  The LK7620S will get some duty for me when I want to finesse a 1-2 ounce jig.

-Allen

Allen,
I received the LK 7625C rod today. All I can say is WOW! This rod is a beauty. I'll be out in the salt in 2 days and hope to bring up mama ling for a photo and dinner. 

Thanks again,
Jay

Allen,
I received the LK 7625C rod today. All I can say is WOW! This rod is a beauty. I'll be out in the salt in 2 days and hope to bring up mama ling for a photo and dinner. 

Thanks again,
Jay

Do you plan on baptizing this one too?   

Allen,
I received the LK 7625C rod today. All I can say is WOW! This rod is a beauty. I'll be out in the salt in 2 days and hope to bring up mama ling for a photo and dinner. 

Thanks again,
Jay

Do you plan on baptizing this one too?   

Yep, with fish slime.   

So now my question is...which reel would be most appropriate to match? For actual casting, I'm really loving the Revo Inshore. But that is mounted on the Lami Competitor rod. For more short casting and jigging deep, the 6501 Ambassadeur comes to mind.

Ideas?

Shimano Lucanus 400

Shimano Lucanus 400

No doubt that would work but I'm trying to limit myself to reels I already have. Soon I'll be culling the rods and reels to generate cash for upgraded reels, but for now anyways...

Whatever reel you choose, check first that it actually fit the reel seat on these Lami's.  I think they don't accept reels with a bigger "foot".  Don't ask me how I know ...

-Allen

FYI, I think the Abus do fit.

-Allen

I started out using a Shimano TLD15 with 30# spectra on the LK7640C until I blew the reel. 

-Allen

How come you didn't use that sweet little blue reel? (Avet SX) I magged mine and it is ready to do it all. Casts like a dream, stops a freight train, and seems tough as nails (although I have not tried to drive any with it). Small reel foot too.

I started out using a Shimano TLD15 with 30# spectra on the LK7640C until I blew the reel. 

-Allen

How come you didn't use that sweet little blue reel? (Avet SX) I magged mine and it is ready to do it all. Casts like a dream, stops a freight train, and seems tough as nails (although I have not tried to drive any with it). Small reel foot too.

Care to donate it to the cause, Wali? 

I started out using a Shimano TLD15 with 30# spectra on the LK7640C until I blew the reel. 

-Allen

How come you didn't use that sweet little blue reel? (Avet SX) I magged mine and it is ready to do it all. Casts like a dream, stops a freight train, and seems tough as nails (although I have not tried to drive any with it). Small reel foot too.

Trade it for a well loved Penn boat reel?

I started out using a Shimano TLD15 with 30# spectra on the LK7640C until I blew the reel. 

-Allen

How come you didn't use that sweet little blue reel? (Avet SX) I magged mine and it is ready to do it all. Casts like a dream, stops a freight train, and seems tough as nails (although I have not tried to drive any with it). Small reel foot too.

I got it on a Trevala.  But it may be too wide of a foot for the Lami ... again, not entirely sure, I need to check.

-Allen

6501 fits very nicely.    It even looks good with a leash around it 

I started out using a Shimano TLD15 with 30# spectra on the LK7640C until I blew the reel. 

-Allen

How come you didn't use that sweet little blue reel? (Avet SX) I magged mine and it is ready to do it all. Casts like a dream, stops a freight train, and seems tough as nails (although I have not tried to drive any with it). Small reel foot too.

Care to donate it to the cause, Wali? 

Ahhhhh, no