Joedodge Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 So I'm looking at getting a daiwa lexa 100 baitcaster. For all around bass fishing like the feature of light weight spool and ability to throw light lures and plastics on it. I'm unsure if I want to go with 6.3.1 or 7.1.1. Anyone have any opinions on quality and acapabilitys of this reel? Quote
Suspendingjerk Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 I like mine. It's a little noisy, and the handle is a bit strange. There is no play it just feels "loose". I will suggest you check out the lews tournament mg if you haven't. About the same price range, but I definitely prefer it over the Lexa. Quote
Joedodge Posted March 7, 2015 Author Posted March 7, 2015 Oh wow ok. Is the spool still light weight and able to throw lighter lures? I fish a lot of soft plastics and want to get into jigs. And fiah a lot of nasty cover here in fl. I have a couple nice spinning rigs but want a baitcaster reel for the cover and throw my same tactics? Quote
0119 Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 The Lexa 100 is the only non round baitcaster I have liked since the Curado D. Its strong feeling and I preferred it in every way over the Tatula . Ive never seen a Lew's, they're no where near my part of the world but since they are just Revo's that came out a different back door of the same building I can only imagine they are identical. Revo's sadly cannot hold up to much heavy use. 1 Quote
Grantman83 Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 I love the lexa just because of how it palms for me compared to the tatula especially Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted March 7, 2015 Super User Posted March 7, 2015 It's not a bad reel. I owned 2 and sold them off. They are still in use. There is a random issue that I've heard of from a few people and experienced myself. You press the thumb bar down but something doesn't actually disengage the spool. It was a sporadic issue with mine. I know you didn't mention the Tatula but I'd take a good look at it. It can be had for about $90 and is way better than a lexa. Quote
Tmmytomato Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 I have had no personal experience with a Lexa but I' would definitely read reports from those that have. I'm a Shimano guy but also have a smooth Lew's that I'm impressed with in addition to three dozen various models of Shimanos. The newer Curado I is a monster reel and was named Best of Show at ICAST (manufacturers show for everything fishing related - reels, rods, line, pliers, etc). There are a lot of good reels available. One caution I might offer is to not be overly impressed with how many bearings any reel has. The number of bearings is not a good barometer of how well the reel performs after the first few months. The quality of bearings is way more important than the number. I have a particular reel (kinda pricey) with four bearings that is so much more smooth, strong and quiet than some of the heavily advertised reels from the big tackle stores. Talk with your friends and even borrow a reel for a day or two to see what you like. And ask guys who have had one for a little while to see if they have become loose or noisy. Quote
Joedodge Posted March 7, 2015 Author Posted March 7, 2015 Thanks for the help everyone. I'm looking at the lews also. The biggest thing that turned me onto the lexa was reading that it's spool weight allows you to fish lighter lures since that's mostly what I fish. How is the Tatula? Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted March 7, 2015 Super User Posted March 7, 2015 TT gave the Tatula a best value award. They were able to cast 1/4 oz. lures fine, but 1/8 oz. was too low with the rod and line they were using. Got mine too late last year to get out. It isn't likely that I will ever find out if it can go below 1/4 oz. with the right rod and line as I already have several reels dedicated for that. I did get out a couple times with the Tatula Type R. TT felt it wasn't worth the extra $50, but I didn't pay MSRP. Regular Tat can be found around the $100 mark. Got my Type R for just over $130. Personally I like the color enough to make the extra $30 worth it to me, plus I got the 8.1: ratio which isn't available in the regular Tat. Some with small hands don't like how the Tatula palms. I don't have huge hands, but have no problem palming reels bigger than the Tat. I will be bringing at least one of the Tats to Deland with me when I visit in April. Too bad Clearwater wasn't closer. I'd let you try mine. I'm guessing it would be about an hour drive. Quote
Joedodge Posted March 7, 2015 Author Posted March 7, 2015 Oh wow ok I'll have to take a good look at the Tatula also! Thanks for the awesome info everyone! Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted March 7, 2015 Super User Posted March 7, 2015 If you want a reel for light weights without breaking the bank, there are several possible options in the used market. Don't know your budget so I will mention a few of mine. I have absolutely no problem throwing a small unweighted fluke into a strong wind with the Ambassadeur 1600C round reel. I wasn't thinking right when I put 6# mono on my older gold colored Carbonlites for use with light lures. The Prolite was the reel I should have been thinking of. However, it was a good mistake as I can cast a 3/16 oz. #5 Shad Rap a pretty fair distance with both reels on 2 different rods. However, a used TD-Z 105H is my favorite reel (so far) for light weights. On water distance looks the same as the Carbonlites, I just like the TD-Z better. Picked up another this winter with a ZPI spool which should handle light lures even easier than the standard does. Prices ran about $35 for the 1600C, $60 for the Carbonlites and $155 for the TD-Zs although I consider the last one to have been a bargain with that spool. Don't think I have gone below a 3/16 oz. spinnerbait with my Curado 51Es, but they are another reel that should work fine for you. I can't say from personal experience, but I know of at least one guy on here throwing some pretty light weights with his Fuegos. I believe some with the standard spool, but a bearing upgrade and some with the 100m spool. The 100m spool is suppose to turn it into a fine light lure reel. I have 3, but they are dedicated for average weight lures. I've seen them go for $100-$125 in pretty decent condition. The 100m spool runs about $75. No doubt there are other reels suitable, but I couldn't say from experience. Almost forgot the Sol and Alphas. Either should work decent. I have both, but haven't tried to see how light I can go with them. May have to try an Alphas as they are one of my favorite reels. Quote
Joedodge Posted March 7, 2015 Author Posted March 7, 2015 Thanks I'll look into those also I appreciate all the help everyone Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted March 7, 2015 Super User Posted March 7, 2015 The lightest I've thrown on my Tatula was a weightless zoom fluke with hook. Though when you actually weigh it out on a scale it's not actually what I would consider a 'light' bait. It's 1/4oz and I haven't found a reel that won't throw a 1/4oz bait. How far depends on other things such as rod and line choice. Hope this helps. Quote
Joedodge Posted March 7, 2015 Author Posted March 7, 2015 That it does! It helps a lot. It'll be on a 7'3" M/H with 30 pound fins wind tamer braid. I know not the ideal set up for light lures. But I'm kinda trying to build. Good all around combo for light lures but still be able to dig them out of the florida cover Quote
PitchinJigz Posted March 8, 2015 Posted March 8, 2015 The Lexa 100 is the only non round baitcaster I have liked since the Curado D. Its strong feeling and I preferred it in every way over the Tatula . Ive never seen a Lew's, they're no where near my part of the world but since they are just Revo's that came out a different back door of the same building I can only imagine they are identical. Revo's sadly cannot hold up to much heavy use. I disagree with the statement that Abu and Lew's are the same. Even if they were from the exact same factory, it's not like they're made in the same assembly line. Quote
0119 Posted March 8, 2015 Posted March 8, 2015 Really, the same factory the same employees and supervisors but not the same assembly line! Key parts are the same and interchangable. You're right they eventually fork off on to a different line to get a different decal on them...... 1 Quote
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