Daiwa Lexa 100 First Impressions

[21farms]

my daiwa lexa 100P was delivered yesterday. i had pre-ordered it way back in the early summer and was pleasantly surprised when i got an email yesterday from TW saying it had shipped because i wasn't expecting it until november 15. \:D/

here are my initial thoughts:

1. not as small as i thought it would be.

2. smooooooth. when i turn the handle, it is like melted butter...very impressive.

3. the knobs are nice and meaty...about the size of the curado septon knobs. excellent shape and feel (and, yes, the knobs are removable)

4. the handle is quite substantial. i can't help but feel that i could save a lot of weight by replacing it with a carbon handle.

5. the cast control (spool tension) knob doesn't have click detents!

6. the the click detents on the drag star are nice and firm...you get a real positive engagement. love it. same with the mag dial.

7. daiwa still sets the standard for thumb bars. they invented the current iteration of it that everyone except shimano uses. still the best shape, placement, and feel when depressed...feels solid and positive

my first chance to get it on the water won't be for almost three weeks!

[BASSHUNTER1961]

I'd go crazy knowing I had a new reel and could not try it out for 3 weeks...

[kickerfish1]

Can't wait to hear what you think of the performance once you have time on the water with it! Thanks for the photos and early impressions.

[ToledoEF]

do some backyard casting and let us know lol

[Hooligan]

I've had mine out and played with it quite a little bit. I'm impressed at the fluidity of the reel, given the price tag. It competes with the Chronarch, and blows every revo out of the water except possibly the premier. The initial feel of the reel is that, while it is large for a 100 size reel, it's also very capable of handling smaller lures and lighter weights. The drag is quite impressive, very smooths for a stock drag. I don't like the thumb bar, but I've never really liked Daiwa thumb bars anyhow. I don't disagree at all on the handle, substantial is definitely a good word. Another thing that was interesting to me is that the reel is certainly not lacking in capacity; I fit an entire spool of 12lb Abrazx on the reel. Overall, I've been very impressed with the cast and spool rotation and braking. It's very well thought out. As much as I love my Curado/Chronarchs this little reel will definitely challenge them at the price point. I would easily call it the best value for $129-$159 right now. It will particularly appeal to those that want a slightly smaller reel, without dropping to a 50 size. As mentioned, it will handle lighter baits with ease. I've been throwing a 1/8 ounce hair jig on it with no issue. It makes a sweet little reel for 1/4 ounce spinnerbaits, too. I'm happy with the couple of them I have, and I really think that it will compete heavily for that market share.

[Darren.]

This is one reel I've been anticipating for a while now. Eager to more details on usage.

[Intruder 150]

I have 2 coming in 4.9:1 for cranking

[Diggy]

I'm interested in hearing more about this reel. The price point isnt bad at all and for something that can throw light baits. Hopefully its built like a tank.

[Darren.]

my first chance to get it on the water won't be for almost three weeks!

21farms, have you had a chance to fish the Lexa yet?

I'm expecting mine (hopefully) tomorrow. Can't wait to try it out.

[21farms]

i finally got out on the water with it yesterday. although only so much can be gleaned from a single outing, i was very pleased with its feel and performance although i did use it for at least half the time during the 11 hours we were fishing. it is very smooth and the thumb bar depresses and re-engages with a solid snick-snick sound. casting distance was excellent although i did not use a lure under 3/8-ounce so i still don't know how well it will cast #7 shad raps (which is primarily what i bought this reel for) but, with 3/8 and 1/2 rattlebaits, it seemed like i was able to fling them at least a little bit further than with my other reels. it was comfy in my hand and the knobs feel great as far as the size and shape but i do not and have never cared for the ribs on daiwa knobs...they don't feel good and accumulate a lot of gunk that never seems to never come out, even after being scrubbed with a toothbrush. i was using 30 lb. test power pro and had nary a overrun or line digging. i did notice however, that the drag does not seem very strong. nothing scientific but i usually just set the drag by feel as i'm turning the drag star...i thought i had it locked down pretty good but it slipped even setting the hook on a small shaker striper. i'm really looking forward to the spring when i'll be using it for shap rap duty. bottom line: pleased with the lexa and encountered zero problems. wish i could say the same for my 3G revo STX (that's another story).

[Goose52]

Sounds like a nifty reel at this price point, Too bad that (so far) they are not offering a 50-size reel. I fish mostly open water, usually with 10lb YZ, and this 100-size reel has excess capacity for my needs. Same reason why I prefer a Curado 50E over the 200E.

I guess what I'm still looking for is the replacement for the SOL...

[Intruder 150]

I took my 2 Lexa 100PL's out last weekend for the first time and threw a Bomber Flat A & Strike King series 3 on 10# fluoro.

Operated without fault,no backlash and cast a mile .

Before I went I put a drop of Yellow Rocket Fuel on the spool bearings and grease on the level-wind and I set the spool tension so there was a slight side to side movement and the magnetic control on 4.

I never changed any settings because I had a limited amount of time to fish,the fish were hitting very good and I was happy with the way the reels were working and did not want to waste time .

[Darren.]

My Lexa 100HS arrived on Saturday, spooled it up today with 10lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid green and threw a 1/4 oz plug in the yard for a while. Casts like a dream, has splendid feel, smooth. Light years better than my Accurists.

Next I tied on a 2/0 BPS round bend worm hook and put a 5" lizard on it to see how it would cast with a light setup. Backlashed the first time, but zero kinks in the line, line was uncrossed anywhere and easily unnested.

So I set the spool tension and futzed with the mag v cast control until I could cast between 20 and 30 yards with the weightless lizard (a Zoom liz).

Not sure the weight of the hook + lizard, but am so far quite impressed.

Hopefully will get out on the water this week to put 'er thru the paces.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Price has been the only real drawback to Daiwas reels IMO. I'm glad to see an offering at this price point that doesn't compromise the general quality.

[Toeshots]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but just seeing if anybody else has purchased this reel? It has really peaked my interest, but there aren't many reviews to be found out there.

Also, for you guys that already had it, are you still liking it?

[Fishin24/7]

i finally got out on the water with it yesterday. although only so much can be gleaned from a single outing, i was very pleased with its feel and performance although i did use it for at least half the time during the 11 hours we were fishing. it is very smooth and the thumb bar depresses and re-engages with a solid snick-snick sound. casting distance was excellent although i did not use a lure under 3/8-ounce so i still don't know how well it will cast #7 shad raps (which is primarily what i bought this reel for) but, with 3/8 and 1/2 rattlebaits, it seemed like i was able to fling them at least a little bit further than with my other reels. it was comfy in my hand and the knobs feel great as far as the size and shape but i do not and have never cared for the ribs on daiwa knobs...they don't feel good and accumulate a lot of gunk that never seems to never come out, even after being scrubbed with a toothbrush. i was using 30 lb. test power pro and had nary a overrun or line digging. i did notice however, that the drag does not seem very strong. nothing scientific but i usually just set the drag by feel as i'm turning the drag star...i thought i had it locked down pretty good but it slipped even setting the hook on a small shaker striper. i'm really looking forward to the spring when i'll be using it for shap rap duty. bottom line: pleased with the lexa and encountered zero problems. wish i could say the same for my 3G revo STX (that's another story).

What didn't you like about the stx? I'm thinking about getting one so I'm just wondering.

[Goose52]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but just seeing if anybody else has purchased this reel? It has really peaked my interest, but there aren't many reviews to be found out there.

Also, for you guys that already had it, are you still liking it?

I haven't seen any other reports since this thread...but I have noticed that eBay sellers have got the Lexa 100 down at $115 shipped - a pretty good deal....

[21farms]

What didn't you like about the stx? I'm thinking about getting one so I'm just wondering.

my first time out with them, i had one instance where, after the cast, the handle would not re-engage and just spun freely...the spool remained disengaged too. i tried a number of times to make it return to normal and only after i manually pushed up the thumb bar and pushed it down again did the gears engage. i just chalked it up to a rare occurrence and kept on fishing without thinking too much more about it. however, it happened again on my next trip. i cannot recreate it at home when i can take the reel apart when it is disengaged to see what is going on so i don't really know what to do. i'll take it apart in january and give it a complete cleaning and oil/greasing.