I have a Shimano Catala 400 that has been on my Loomis SAR1084 as my do everything salmon rod for damn near as long as I remember. Probably 20+ years. It’s been an awesome reel, but last year the thumb release started messing up me. So, I decided to use that as an excuse to upgrade to a Lexa 400LC. I love Lexa’s, but this thing is a tank! I’m not even sure it will work in my Folbe’s. I want to run 30lb mono, just because this will be my bait rod, my ocean rod on charters, etc. I already have a plug rod with the 300, and I’m surprised that the 400 is just so much bigger (bought sight unseen since I live in CO and nobody stocks them here.) Is there any good low profile 400 series LC reels that aren’t tanks?
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Daiwa Lexa 300 vs 400
Colorado300wsm
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817 Posts
I wish I had bought the 400 vs 300 Lexa for line capacity. Hook a big Fallie with 100 yards in bigger water and you will have to chase it. Smaller river probably fine.
That newer Saltist is an awesome reel. Wish it came in a lefty. I have a newer Tekota 601 with lots of line, but don't like the location of the linecounter block on the side. Daiwa line counter on top is more ergo and compact, they make nice reels!
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2,976 Posts
Shimano Tranx 400?
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1,294 Posts
lexa 400 over newer Tekota any day of the week.
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1,595 Posts
What do fish with mono anymore, Braid guy here, for everything
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298 Posts
Braid doesn’t stretch, mono does. I much prefer mono when fishing bait.
I totally agree with the cumbersome placement of the LC part on the new tekotas. They make storing them a PIA! They also look big and bulky. I also have a new saltist and it is an awesome reel!
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7,075 Posts
I've both 300's and 400's.and variations of 400 as well. I bought the 400 xsp just because of the ratio....insane. My only gripe is that it only fits in vety selective rod holder....one of them is..Brimm something on my friend's frigate..lol..frikking rod holder itself costs like 100 or so. But I simply love the smoothness of Daiwa. Tekota= not so smooth. They feel inferior in hand. If I'm fishing salmon....it has to be daiwa....or my hands won't work.
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I have four Lexa 300 linecounters for my salmon trolling rods. They are all loaded with 65lb J-Braid. I’ve never felt the need for a 400, even when I a hooked a 6’-7’ sturgeon. (Granted, we chased it around with the boat)
How much stretch are you wanting out of the mono? Why not fill the reel at about 80% braid, with a top shot of mono? That way you have some stretch, but dont ever have to worry about not having enough line. My steelhead float reels are loaded with braid. I rarely use more than three feet of mono for jigs or bait. Never had thought I needed more stretch.
Most people who run strictly braid these days, use rods that have enough flex to act as a shock absorber.
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1,595 Posts
My plug rods have braid but a 20’ bumper of mono, for the reason of stretch and savage takedowns
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298 Posts
Well, the local Cabelas just happened to have the Tekota and Lexa 400’s in stock. While neither one is perfect, the Tekota really is the size the Daiwa should be, and there was a pretty big difference. As much as I wanted to like the Lexa, I just couldn’t get over the size. And trust me when I say that’s saying something, as the Lexa is my go to reel. I have 6 of the 100’s on my Kokanee/trout rods, and my salmon plug/hardwear rods have 300’s sitting on them.
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1,595 Posts
The drag is the difference
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298 Posts
I set the drag light and thumb them anyways, and will never use 25, or even the 22 pounds of drag the 300 comes with. Every Shimano real I have has at least decently smooth drag, which can’t be said for the older Abu Garcia‘s that have garbage drag washers.
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298 Posts
I despise power handles. They are big, clunky, and make the reals look ridiculous. If I go with a 300, the last thing it will have is a power handle. Unfortunately, the 400 Tekota only comes in a power handle.
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7,075 Posts
I switched power handles to paddle...I don''t need no power handle...I buy paddle separately and switch em . I reel most of my fish sitting when on boat..very rarely I get up. ....rod sideways and reeling hand upside ....that nooky has one way to go....in the boat....kapeesh 😎
Power handle does have advantage when on bank....and hence my open face Saltist has one.
Power handle does have advantage when on bank....and hence my open face Saltist has one.
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6,211 Posts
I agree!
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298 Posts
Well, I went to Bobs with every intention of replacing my Lexa with the Tekota, but, ended up changing my mind and staying with the Lexa. Fished out of Westport yesterday and crushed the salmon with it. At the end of the day, it feels good in my hands and the drag is silky smooth. Another reason why I hate power handles is every time my 8yr old tried to reel in a fish with a power handle reel (boat rods,) they swung so far around that it kept getting hung up in her life jacket.
Sorry for my ignorance, I'm not sure what Seve models are. I tried googling Seve, but I found nothing.
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