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Posts: 212
Location: Wisconsin | Now that they have been in use for a year what are your thoughts on them. Looking to put one on a rod for fishing strictly rubber and hardheads. Any thoughts on gear ratio? Leaning towards the 6:3:1. Thanks. |
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Posts: 31
Location: Illinois | I have used a Lexa 400 power model all season for pulling blades and jerk baits with no major problems and it has held up well. Even had a couple buddies pick one up after using mine, so that says something for em. It isn't a Tranx and, if your guiding and fishing everyday all day, I would prob pay the bucks for Shimano. For weekend warriors, like me, it is a great reel option for the price. |
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Posts: 1000
| I picked up the 6.3:1 as a backup for friends and love it so much that it's probably the reel in my hand 75% of the time. It palms better than my Tranx and easily tackles everything up to jr cowgirls. Found revo toro's to be too wide. This reel is perfect for me
My buddy picked up the power gear version and had the handle trip the clutch on a cast. It still works fine, but that did something internally. I wouldn't consider them shimano quality, but the price is awesome. |
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Posts: 1283
| I had the 400pwr like my NACLs much better. Totally untrue about the Abu being wider. It is about the same width as the 400 but much smaller overall. If you dont like the width of a 60 NACL the 50 is much smaller.
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Posts: 49
| I've got one in the 6.3:1 and it has held up well for throwing double 9's and even ripping some jerkbaits. I haven't used it any for large rubber due to having another reel/rod set up to do so. Like others have said, it's not a Shimano but it has worked well. Yesterday I actually had a buddy using it while we were fishing(gotta love Virginia winter muskie fishing!) and he engaged it mid-cast and surprisingly it didn't do any damage. |
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Posts: 212
Location: Wisconsin | Do you think its a better choice than the Calcutta 400B or the Komodo 350? These are the other options i'm considering. Thanks |
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Posts: 1283
| CalcuttaB is a great reel but I get more backlashes. Never used the 350 |
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Posts: 1710
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | It is no revo or tranx. You get what you pay for. Seviced several of these now and I am not impressed. Revo or tranx over a Lexa any day. Komodo over Lexa as well. |
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Posts: 1000
| achotrod - 1/20/2015 10:18 AM
I had the 400pwr like my NACLs much better. Totally untrue about the Abu being wider. It is about the same width as the 400 but much smaller overall. If you dont like the width of a 60 NACL the 50 is much smaller.
From a width standpoint, you're right, they're about the same. I found the revo toro's to seem much wider because they sit so low. I feel the Lexa 400 palms much better. Believe me, I really wanted to like the Revo Toros. I think they're better built reels, but I don't like like the feel.
From a performance standpoint, I think a Lexa 400 is a better buy than a Calcutta 400B. I'd try the revos and if you like them (on the rod) then get one. |
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Posts: 483
Location: NE PA | If you are looking for a rubber reel, I feel the saltist is the way to go IMO. Bulletproof, relatively inexpensive compared to a tranx, easier to palm compared to a tranx (IMO) and great line pickup (36 IPT). Some may say that the lack of cast control on the reel is a detractor, but with heavy baits it is a non-issue. I will however use this reel to burn blades and if casting into the wind I sometimes get a backlash if not careful. If you want a blade reel and don't want to drop the coin on the shimano, the Lexa 5.1:1 is a good alternative. |
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Posts: 1283
| This is the NACL 60 and a couple pics of the Lexa 300 and 400 along with the NACL 50 and 60. Again the NACLs are just built better work great and for me seem lightr and balance better.
(IMG_6397_zps0d537c56.jpg)
(IMG_20140909_204636693_zpsb23f865d.jpg)
(IMG_20140909_204647210_zps12400a89.jpg)
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 IMG_6397_zps0d537c56.jpg (59KB - 458 downloads)
IMG_20140909_204636693_zpsb23f865d.jpg (53KB - 459 downloads)
IMG_20140909_204647210_zps12400a89.jpg (54KB - 444 downloads)
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Posts: 1405
Location: Detroit River | lennyg3 - 1/20/2015 11:15 PM If you are looking for a rubber reel, I feel the saltist is the way to go IMO. Bulletproof, relatively inexpensive compared to a tranx, easier to palm compared to a tranx (IMO) and great line pickup (36 IPT). Some may say that the lack of cast control on the reel is a detractor, but with heavy baits it is a non-issue. I will however use this reel to burn blades and if casting into the wind I sometimes get a backlash if not careful. If you want a blade reel and don't want to drop the coin on the shimano, the Lexa 5.1:1 is a good alternative. I would have bought a Saltist but they won't sell one with the reel handle on the "Right" side.  |
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Posts: 1283
| Here is the tranx on the same rod as the NACL 60
(IMG_20141114_155024963_zps465b934f.jpg)
(IMG_6397_zps0d537c56.jpg)
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IMG_20141114_155024963_zps465b934f.jpg (44KB - 484 downloads)
IMG_6397_zps0d537c56.jpg (59KB - 466 downloads)
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Posts: 164
| I bought one last summer and was extremly excited to use it. Like a couple of the other post the handle tripped the clutch on several occasions. Ultimatley destroying the inside components of the reel. I bought mine from cabelas and returned it nearly a month later. They fully refunded my purchase by offering me a new reel at the same value. I ended up purchasing a curado instead and shelled out the extra 20 or 40 bucks for it. I am not putting the reel down, but mine didn't last long and I think a lot of people can contest to the handling tripping on the cast quite frequently. I have a lexa in the 300 model that I let my son use and have had no problems with it so far. A lot of people have good things to say about the 400, unfortunately for me it didn't work out and its a reel I will not purchase again . |
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Posts: 1283
| The Lexa is a good reel for the money but there are better built reels. Any reel with a power handle will engage without pointing the handle down when casting. |
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | Get the Nacl Jeremy. You will not be disappointed. |
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Posts: 212
Location: Wisconsin | I have both models of the Nacl but a third one wouldn't hurt. Looking for something a little cheaper this time around. Leaning towards the komodo 350. |
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Posts: 483
Location: NE PA | Those that have an issue with the handle engaging on the cast may want to consider that their technique is the cause. My buddy does this as well. I have never had an issue. I have even switched reels with him. I turn the handle side toward the water when casting and have never had the reel engage prematurely. It seems to be most prevalent when sending out bomb casts for him. The handle on the lexa is fairly heavy and carries some momentum hence causing the engagement. This same issue happens with the NACls when equipped with the power handle although it is less problematic with the lighter EVA foam grip. If you can't change your technique, look at a counterbalanced handle. |
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Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN | I bought the Komodo 350 last year. Very comfortable reel. Wanted it for smaller Bucktails and jerks/gliders mostly. Cast control is nice and easy to fine tune, no backlashes and casts far. Drag is strong and smooth as well. Did the job well but ended up making all kinds of noises and started feeling some bad "vibes" in the handle. Okuma has always been great to deal with so I sent it in ($25 total there and back) and they checked it out. Didn't get a chance to try it since but they're good to deal with and 3 yr warranty is nice.
I'm thinking of getting a 400 6.3 in a lefty. Won't have to worry about that single power handle being "wrong handed!" |
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Posts: 270
Location: SE WISCONSIN | I have a Lexa 400 with the power Handel but I just changed it to a paddle handle I just can't get used to the power handles I don't like how they feel but it never engaged on me during a cast. |
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Posts: 46
| I was very impressed with my HS PWR Lexa, I originally bought it as a backup for my NaCl but as Fall wore on I definitely found myself using the Lexa more than my revos. No reel is perfect but for 250 bucks I'd say that they're a hell of a deal. |
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Posts: 143
| I have both the 6.3 and 5.1 models of the 400. 5.1 pulls in big blades and whatever else with ease. Can throw 10s all day. 6.3 you can still throw big blades all day but you realize its more work after using the 5.1. I personally find the height of the lexa more comfortable that a revo. revos just feel awkward in my hands, personal preference. I have yet to have any issues with either reel after 1 season. More than satisified for a 200 dollar reel (ebay) |
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Posts: 212
Location: Wisconsin | Thanks for all the replies regarding the reels. I can get a 6:3 on Ebay for 178.00 and that seems like a pretty decent price. |
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