As a guide in Biscayne Bay for over 25 years(kinda hurts to say that) I have cast many brands of rods. As well as my own, customers are always excited for you to cast their rod and tell them what you think. So I have cast the most expensive to the least expensive rods. I have to admit that I am a fast action snob. Power is essential to deliver a large or small fly at any distance and in windy conditions. The Cobalt absolutely meets that demand! For an easy to travel with 4 piece rod and for the price you just cant beat it. Besides being a powerful rod, the rod components are exceptional. The guides are high quality and one of the things I really love are the reel seat locking nuts. With the large diameter and deep groves you can really tighten the reel down so it won't move or loosen up while fighting fish. If you are debating a more expensive rod try this rod first. You can't go wrong with this rod!!

I really like this Cobalt. High-end performance but not high-end price. I have the 8 wt and used it for coho, steelhead and chum. Unfortunately, I broke it on a 25 lb chum at the Hoodsport hatchery when the fish went berserk and charged at me. Now, this is the important part that people leave out of a review. The warranty work was the fastest I have ever experienced! I had a small collection of broken fly rods I had been waiting to send out for warranty work/replacement. I conducted a little experiment. I sent out a Redington, a Scott, an Okuma, and my broken Lamson. I live in WA. Lamson had my rod back to me within about two weeks. The Redington, 3 weeks. I am still waiting on the others, two months later!!! Now, back to the sweet stuff. Cast this rod with a little heavier line and it is magic. perfect for single-hand spey in the salt!! Believe it or not, for being such a stout rod, it has feel. pretty accurate to anything around 60' beyond that, you better be an accomplished caster to get everything out of this rod. That being said, it still delivers. Fighting fish is no problem. Mine hauled in over fifty chum over two seasons before it gave up its ghost on a giant chum (25# - the adipose fin was longer than my thumb and three fingers wide). Sent it out and got it back within 2 weeks. I will fish these Lamsons as I imagine they only get better. And the price gets you almost two for less than a Sage Ignitier. I'd put it head to head against my Scott Meridian any day. Almost as sensitive than the Meridian but certainly tougher, and blows away anything in this price point like a Redington Crux, Echo or TFO. Definitely give this rod consideration.

I wasn't expecting this 8wt rod to last through my last trip after being pulled into the mangroves with a very large Snook on the other end...much to my amazement, and with the rod nearly doubled over, I guided the fish out of the trouble, into open water, and eventually into my hands......My Cobalt rod is easy to cast in our windy conditions, light enough to not leave me arm weary, and beefy enough to extract the beasts I go after!!...WELL DONE WATERWORKS-LAMSON, you have a fine rod, here!!

I normally do not buy factory-made rods unless I need a backup or a second rod for a partner. However, the Cobalt is by far the best factory-made rod I have used. I recently bought a Cobalt that I paired with the Litespeed M for a second surf rod. The outfit is fantastic. It balances well, casts like a dream, easily picks up the line off the water and is one of the most accurate rods I have used. I will highly recommend these rods to my friends and fishing partners.

I don’t normally leave reviews, but I have to here. I just built a 9wt combo with a Cobalt rod, and G5 Litespeed reel. All I can say is WOW!! I never have been able to afford “high end rods”, but I have had the honor to cast a few. But the Cobalt takes the cake. First time for me a rod will cast where I want it. Like sniper accurate. Today was my first day out with it, and although I was chasing pike, the smallmouth bite was on! I landed a few fish, with one fat sally. I couldn’t be more pleased. Fast action, tight loops. And probably the most line I’ve ever had out (50-70 ft?), AND controllable. I need to work on the ol’ double haul a bit, but I love this rod. I will be replacing my other rods with this as time and money allows. To summarize, Waterworks-Lamson, BRAVO!