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My Real World Daiwa Lexa HD 300 Review
The Daiwa Lexa HD 300 represents an excellent example of a high-quality baitcasting reel that combines solid construction with innovative design.
This is a heavy-duty baitcasting reel that uses its sturdy construction materials to complement the smart integration of its various components.
Although it costs a pretty penny, it can be a great upgrade for your baitcasting needs if you’re finding trouble winning battles against headstrong fish.
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Quick Specs: Daiwa Lexa HD 300
Stainless Steel Drive
Pinion Gears
6 Corrosion-Resistant Ball Bearings
22 lbs of drag
What I Like About the Daiwa Lexa HD 300
Aluminum Frame and Side Plate
The aluminum construction of this model allows it to be strong enough to handle the catches you’re going for while still remaining lightweight and compact. This makes handling the Lexa 300 a dream without having to sacrifice any strength or power as you try to reel in fish. The aluminum construction will ensure that it remains durable for several years of use, which is great value for money.
6 Corrosion-resistant Ball Bearing System
These corrosion-resistant bearings are specially treated and made of stainless steel. Why does this matter for you? Saltwater can be extremely harsh on most fishing equipment, but since these bearings have been treated they can last up to 12 times longer than ordinary steel ball bearings. Once again, this extends the overall life expectancy of the reel and is great bang for your buck.
In addition, the ball-bearing durability contributes to the overall stress you can put on the reel as a whole. You won’t need to worry about trying to tackle larger fish that are out of your league, although, since the Lexa HD 300 is lighter in weight, you should still look elsewhere for a baitcasting reel suitable for really big fish like tuna.
Ultimate Tournament Carbon Drag System
Both the 300 and 400 models of the reel use this system, which is comprised of oversized carbon fiber drive washers. These go on both sides of the spool and distribute the stress from the spool evenly. Basically, this makes your drag extremely smooth and lessens the chance that you’ll experience any catching or binding. It also helps you keep a grip on your fishing rod more easily and prevents damage from high-stress struggles.
Magforce Cast Control
This reel utilizes Daiwa’s unique magnetic braking system and it helps make this particular reel extremely castable and feel fantastic to use. It lets your spool start to spin freely the second that you release it. Near the end of the cast, your spool will start to slow down as the magnets integrated with the reel start to apply. This prevents back spooling and keeps your cast feeling great throughout the duration.
You can fine-tune the magnetic force applied during the cast via a dial that’s located on the sideplate. You don’t have to remove the sideplate as it’s totally accessible at any point during your cast. This also lets you make changes in the middle of the action rather than in between casts.
Convenient Handle Knobs
These can be a lifesaver when it comes to a tough catch. These handles are located in key spots that are extremely easy to grip, allowing you to put more power into your struggle if you catch a fish that is particularly wild and resistant. These grips are sturdy enough that they won’t threaten the integrity of the entire reel, even if you’re putting a lot of pressure on it.
Good Gearbox Location
We also really liked the fact that the Lexa 300 has its gearbox installed below the rod handle. This makes changing gears a lot simpler and more convenient and can let you make quick changes in the middle of the cast without having to fumble your grip on the fishing rod.
Infinite Anti-Reverse Functionality
Perhaps the most important aspect of this reel is its Anti-Reverse function. This combines with the integrated dual-stopper and both eliminate back play on the part of the snagged fish. The Infinite Anti-Reverse feature makes it really hard for the fishing rod handle to turn back whenever the line is pulled from the real. When you combine this aspect with the overall durable construction of the reel, you’ve got a heavy-duty model that can go toe to toe with all types of different fish.
What I Don’t Like
Generally Noisy
Although it feels fantastic to use, the Daiwa Lexa HD 300 can be a little noisy as you cast. This noise level is fairly consistent and there’s no doubt that you can get used to it after a while, but it might be a bit of a shock after coming from quieter angler casters. The noise is likely due to all of the aluminum and stainless steel components reacting together and can’t really be avoided.
High Price
This is definitely a high-quality baitcasting reel and with that comes a relatively high price. This isn’t a budget pick by any means, so beginner anglers will probably want to go with something else while they get their grips on the hobby before moving up to something so professional as the Lexa 300.
Good Alternative: Daiwa Coastal TWS Baitcasting Reel
[amazon box=”B015DGQ9EG” template=”horizontal”]
This baitcasting reel has a lot of the same pros as the Lexa HD 300, but at a lower price point, although it sacrifices overall durability and smoothness of casting in the process. It uses seven stainless steel ball bearings and a Power Disk drag system to let you cast relatively smoothly. It’s also bolstered by high-density EVA handles to let you keep your grip on a struggling fish. A machined double-anodized aluminum spooling system rounds out the reel.
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Conclusion
Overall, the few cons aren’t enough to override the great value that the Daiwa Lexa HD 300 brings to the table. While I wouldn’t recommend this reel if you are targeting smaller species of fish, it will make an excellent inshore reel for larger freshwater fish as well as saltwater fish such as snook, tarpon, redfish and stripers.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
