Daiwa Lexa Spinning Reel

[BONZ]

I don't see much mentioned about this reel. Played in the store with this reel and it's super smooth and has a full metal body. For the price it seems almost to good to be true. Anyone have any feedback on this reel including bearing quality and how it holds to being splashed by water. I fish primarily from a kayak and my reels do see some water.

[Darren.]

I don't see much mentioned about this reel. Played in the store with this reel and it's super smooth and has a full metal body. For the price it seems almost to good to be true. Anyone have any feedback on this reel including bearing quality and how it holds to being splashed by water. I fish primarily from a kayak and my reels do see some water.

 

I have a 2000SH. It is an excellent reel, still smooth, bail still perfect. You won't be disappointed. No issues with it being splashed, even dunked in fresh water thus far.

 

It compares in smoothness to my Stradics, but a few ounces heavier. Time will tell if it *stays* as smooth as my Stradics

[The Fisher]

I have a daiwa Aird spinning reel that has helped me land some bass at 5-6 lbs. You get many of the same features as Daiwa's top end reels ( 10 ball bearings and it is Smooth) at an affordable price. I'd rather put my money into baitcasters. You get an extra spool so I have one spooled with copolymer and the other with braid. I've never had a line twist problem with this reel.

[michael68w]

I have three lexa's 2 in 2500 and 1 2000. I highly recommend them especially for the price point. They aren't the lightest but the one of the smoothest and well built reels in that price range. You can frequently find the new on that one auction site for under most everyone's retail price.

[Banned-99884]

looked at one and it seemed like a solid reel, i would say go for it.

[BONZ]

I have a 2000SH. It is an excellent reel, still smooth, bail still perfect. You won't be disappointed. No issues with it being splashed, even dunked in fresh water thus far.

 

It compares in smoothness to my Stradics, but a few ounces heavier. Time will tell if it *stays* as smooth as my Stradics

Thanks for the feedback Darren. Was looking at the new Symetre but I'm not happy with the graphite frame. I also fish a lot of saltwater. Think this reel would last in the saltwater?

[Darren.]

Thanks for the feedback Darren. Was looking at the new Symetre but I'm not happy with the graphite frame. I also fish a lot of saltwater. Think this reel would last in the saltwater?

 

Though I haven't used it for saltwater (yet), there are reviews online for its use there:

 

http://www.fishing.net.nz/general-reviews-1/daiwa-lexa-reel-review/

 

For the life of me I can't find the other one where a guy fights a fish from his kayak out in the wind and waves...

[EvanT123]

Bonz,

I have the symetre 1000fl, stradic 2500fj and lexa 2000. Really you can't go wrong with any of them. They all get the job done. I'll elaborate but I only fish freshwater so my needs maybe different than yours.

The stradic to lexa comparison isn't really fair the stradic is what $50 more and in my opinion is marginally better. The thing about both reels is you can find them for less than retail so keep that in mind.

You asked about bearings the stradic come packed and ready to go. Bearings in the line roller and on both sides of the drive train. The lexa has them on both sides of the drivetrain but not the line roller. The stradic is also direct drive handle while the lexa is threaded. I have a bearing on order for the lexas line roller which cost me a dollar. Is a bearing in the line roller crucial ? No but I like it. I was watching a daiwa Australia video on YouTube where the diawa tech said he prefers a bushing and they fish a lot of salt and brackish water. So it's personal preference and need.

The lexa to the symetre is a fairer comparison but still not close. Really the best comparison is lexa

To saros. I'll leave it up to you to compare those. The symetre is graphite; has a line roller bearing but a bushing on one side of the drive train. I again replaced that with a bearing and I have to say the symetre is the "smoothest" and is the easiest turning out of the 3. Again is bearing a necessity? No but I like it.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is like I said in the begining you can't go wrong with any of them. There will always be a plus and minus and you have to decide what works/feels the best for you. IMHO I really like the shimanos they have great cranking power and are super smooth. At the same time I am in love with the drag and sound on diawa and the hard to explain connected feel they have. Ahh too many reels too little money.

:-/

[SirSnookalot]

Thanks for the feedback Darren. Was looking at the new Symetre but I'm not happy with the graphite frame. I also fish a lot of saltwater. Think this reel would last in the saltwater?

I know just a little bit about saltwater fishing, especially light tackle inshore.  Not that I will give a specific recommendation but I may be able to shed some light on pros and cons.  I have a tierra 3000 not a lexa, very nice reel but it has limitations on what I can handle on it.  I have 2 stradic 4000, bit more beef, very smooth, adequate drag and have caught fish up to 40-50# a number of times.  The downside is the bail, not only do the line roller bearings rust out quite a bit, I have replaced 2 times in both reels.  Do a internet search and you find I'm not the only one it's happened to.  Presently my bails have about 1/2" floppy play, usable but they should be tight.  That doesn't mean I won't buy another stradic, it's a very good reel but I don't think it's the best built reel for saltwater.

[0119]

I prefer my Lexa 3000 to the Stradic FJ. Smoother, better line management and more durable finish.  To me a more rugged rotor especially since shimano warns you not to oil the neoprene o-ring, something dunking and yak splash might require you do.  My Lexa has handled snook to 45" and tarpon to around 36" without a glitch, more than I can say for the Stradic CI4 which is supposedly better than the FJ.  Local tackle shop has had 2 Symetre's returned with complaints and when he opened them the gear compartment was devoid of grease.

[BONZ]

I know just a little bit about saltwater fishing, especially light tackle inshore.  Not that I will give a specific recommendation but I may be able to shed some light on pros and cons.  I have a tierra 3000 not a lexa, very nice reel but it has limitations on what I can handle on it.  I have 2 stradic 4000, bit more beef, very smooth, adequate drag and have caught fish up to 40-50# a number of times.  The downside is the bail, not only do the line roller bearings rust out quite a bit, I have replaced 2 times in both reels.  Do a internet search and you find I'm not the only one it's happened to.  Presently my bails have about 1/2" floppy play, usable but they should be tight.  That doesn't mean I won't buy another stradic, it's a very good reel but I don't think it's the best built reel for saltwater.

What is the best built for saltwater besides a VS or ZB?

[BONZ]

Are you talking about the friction ring under the rotor on the Symetre? What's the point of this ring?

[SirSnookalot]

What is the best built for saltwater besides a VS or ZB?

More opinion than fact, in the $200 market I like Quantums, Penn spinfishers, Shimano saragosa, most bullet proof reels I own are Pfluegers.  My arbor 50 for 80 bucks is nothing short of sensational.  @12 oz with a max drag of 25#, plenty of line capacity, and as smooth as anything else I own then why do I spend more on other reels.............cause I'm stupid, read to many reviews and out of  #$%&^^* mind...........that's why!

 

Pfluegers just don't break, none of the 5 I own have ever needed service, if so they are backed by Pure Fishing, nothing better for service.  Quantums offer 48 hour for fresh and 24 hour for salt warranty, pretty darn good too. Now we come to Shimano, even though a stradic is "saltwater approved" IMO it isn't a saltwater reel.  Given time between the harsher elements and harder fight fish, it will have problems, both of mine have been in service several times.  Either Shimano may not have the part in stock or you have to deal with some arrogant putz.   I'll buy another stradic, it's smooth and light, but I know in time it will break down like my others.

[BONZ]

I have a 2000SH. It is an excellent reel, still smooth, bail still perfect. You won't be disappointed. No issues with it being splashed, even dunked in fresh water thus far.

 

It compares in smoothness to my Stradics, but a few ounces heavier. Time will tell if it *stays* as smooth as my Stradics

What rod do you have your 2000 paired up with?

[Darren.]

What rod do you have your 2000 paired up with?

 

I switch reels / rods at times.

 

Paired the 2000 with a 6'6" Carbonlite I just picked up, fantastic balance. But I switched it out for one of my Stradic 1000FI reels simply because it was an even lighter combo.

 

Currently got my Lexa on a 6'3" Compre which also balances out fantastic.

[0119]

What is the best built for saltwater besides a VS or ZB?

The best built saltwater reels are really too heavy for inshore work except maybe to those stripper guys who throw 8 and bait.  Really the best saltwater reels are the ones that the operator can tear down to the nith degree,grease up and slap back together themselves.  Old Penn's, Mitchell 300's, Daiwa Black and Golds, Daiwa SS.  Newer, more technologically advanced reels are nice but will never last like they did.  But will you be happy with their performance!

[BONZ]

Thanks. I ordered the 2500. It's a bit heavy for the rod I wanted to put it on. Much heavier than a Shimano 2500 size reel. Should have looked at the specs more. Going to exchange for a 2000 size.

[0119]

Thanks. I ordered the 2500. It's a bit heavy for the rod I wanted to put it on. Much heavier than a Shimano 2500 size reel. Should have looked at the specs more. Going to exchange for a 2000 size.

Less than an ounce difference sitting on my postal scale.

[BONZ]

Less than an ounce difference sitting on my postal scale.

What is the actual weight of the 2500? Daiwa's site says 8.9 oz and tackle warehouses site lists the 2500 size at 9.9 oz.

[bflp3]

What is the actual weight of the 2500? Daiwa's site says 8.9 oz and tackle warehouses site lists the 2500 size at 9.9 oz.

 

I just weighed my Lexa 2500 with no line on it and it weighed in at 279 grams or 9.84 oz. I weighed my Symetre FJ (Last Generation Aluminum) with about 100 yds of 6lb Invizx on it and it weight 289 grams or 10.19 oz. The specs I can find for the Symetre FJ say it should be roughly 9.9 oz without line, compared to 9.0 oz for the new Symetre FL.

 

Hope that helps. Personally, I chose the 2500 over the 2000 because the 2500 has a faster retrieve speed than the 2000. I like my Symetre FL 2500 a lot and it is a similar weight.