Daiwa Lexa 300HS

[hook'em fisher]

The Lami SI I got is the 9' baitcast version. The spine is dead on the money and it's lighter than my IMX. I didn't weigh it yet. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow. I could yak about it but let me put a fish on it first and then I'll tell you about it.

For the price, the Lexa reminds me a lot of the Steeze. It does come in both left and right hand versions.

Thank you and tight line

[pdgs]

The Lami SI I got is the 9' baitcast version. The spine is dead on the money and it's lighter than my IMX. I didn't weigh it yet. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow. I could yak about it but let me put a fish on it first and then I'll tell you about it.

For the price, the Lexa reminds me a lot of the Steeze. It does come in both left and right hand versions.

[ghostfish_slayer]

i want this in lefty... been eyeballing them for a few weeks now...

[hook'em fisher]

I forgot that I promised and update on this reel.

I now own two of these and I'm very happy with them. The second one I got had was the HSP version. The "P" means power handle. This will be great on a Salmon rod but on my new Lami SI it makes it want to flop over on me because the rod itself is so light. I'll be ordering another standard handle so I can swap it back and forth.

As far as the reel goes, it is sweet! I have absolutely zero, zip, nada, nope not a darn thing to complain about.

If you don't mind me asking how's the lami si saw it and was wondering how it feels was eye balling one. Sorry for being off the topic thank you

[Marv]

Very nice gear

[pdgs]

I forgot that I promised and update on this reel.

I now own two of these and I'm very happy with them. The second one I got had was the HSP version. The "P" means power handle. This will be great on a Salmon rod but on my new Lami SI it makes it want to flop over on me because the rod itself is so light. I'll be ordering another standard handle so I can swap it back and forth.

As far as the reel goes, it is sweet! I have absolutely zero, zip, nada, nope not a darn thing to complain about.

[pdgs]

Decided to try out the DAIWA Lexa 300HS as an intermediate Steelhead reel.

Priced at 199.00 this reel looks and feels a lot like the Steeze but don't get your hopes up, it's not even in that class.

The reel felt better than any of the Revo's or Shimano's in the same class, with emphasis on being of the same class. If I was in a store trying out reels and wanted to stay at 200.00 or less I'd choose this one all day long.

After I spin the handle and spool a few times, I always check the side play in the spool. This one was right where it should have been and that played out well when I loaded it up with line and this thing will take a ton of line.

I chose to spool it up with 14lb Sunline Super Natural clear mono. I put about 15 yards of my favorite bright orange 20lb fly rod backer on first. Remember, this is a reel I chose for Steelhead and that bright orange flare can save your bacon when one has you on the run. The mechanical reason for it is to keep Mono from putting a death grip on your spool and blowing it out.

The reel has both cast control and spool tension. I like that in a reel because I can adjust the min-max spool drag with the spool tension and set the reel up so even if I hit bottom with the star drag or accidentally hit the thumb release they'll be just that little bit left if the fish gets acrobatic on me. In other words, if the fish jumps and you swoop back you don't end up with your line spooling off the reel and you frantically trying to get a tight line back. O.K.,don't even tell me you've never done that...


Crank Side -



Cast control -



Front -



Rear -



Size comparison to the Steeze on the right -



Spooled with 200yds of 14lb Mono -



All in all I think it's another hit for Daiwa. There is a newer version comming out at iCast this summer. It has a different level wind guide but that's all I could see. It may have other improvements that aren't so obvious. For sure, they'll say it does.

Tomorrow I'll give it run for it's money on the 9' IMX and see how well I like it in action. Of course I have to catch something too