Curado 300 or Lexa 300?

[BrokeLoser]

Anyone fish a Lexa yet?
Your thoughts?

[Mr hooks]

I have the Lexa 200 and i like how smooth it cast. I haven't had a good fight yet to test the drag. The Lexa 300 has 21 lbs of drag. I have the 300 ej too and have no complaints with it. Shimano reels have always good for me with all the sea water that gets in them. They are still working great. The Lexa 300 is $200 which is nice price. Call Chart bait and they might even spool you up with braid to go with it. My opinion is that u can't wrong with ether one I like both.

[rogersmith]

I have a Lexa 300 and love it so far. Very smooth casting, drag not tested yet but feels good.

[BrokeLoser]

I'm leaning toward the Daiwa...it looks like I can get a brand new Lexa for $50-ish cheaper than a used Curado...Did you guys go with the 7.1:1 high speed retrieve on the Lexa?

[MrPatrick]

Revo Toro or Revo Toro NaCL

[kayakhunter]

The Lexa 300 blows the Curado 300 away IMO.

[BrokeLoser]

Revo Toro or Revo Toro NaCL

Oh no!
Don't confuse me further.

[Theophilus]

This is the one you want

[T-Rex]

I just ordered Daiwa Lexa 300 7.1:1 last Saturday for $153.99 from Haddrells Point Warehouse. All three are sweet reels, but at that price point it was pretty hard to pass up the Lexa. It's about $120 less than what I could find a Revo NaCL for and $80 less than a Curado 300ej.

[BrokeLoser]

Thanks for the advice guys...now I just need to decide...power handle or paddle handle?
I'll be fishing for calico's with this setup most of the time.

[T-Rex]

For calicos in kelp or heavy structure I'd go with a power handle. For lighter inshore applications and bays I'd go with the paddle handle.

[BrokeLoser]

For calicos in kelp or heavy structure I'd go with a power handle. For lighter inshore applications and bays I'd go with the paddle handle.

Sounds to me like you're saying I need to buy two reels?...haha

[T-Rex]

Two handles! I ordered my Lexa with the paddle handle, but I'm pretty sure I'll end up buying a power handle down the road. I was a little disappointed it didn't come with both. I think the Curado and Revos come with both the paddle and power handles so you can change them out as needed.

[INGRIDSDAD]

At $154 for a Lexa 300 I'm tempted to pick up another. If my Curado 200 takes a dump this year I will buy another Lexa. I love the way it cast.

[BrokeLoser]

I just ordered Daiwa Lexa 300 7.1:1 last Saturday for $153.99 from Haddrells Point Warehouse.

Is that the place in South Carolina? They reliable?
Where do they ship from and how do they ship.

[JeffB]

I've tried both reels and would take the Curado 300 over it for sure. Don't waste your time with Revo's, I had to rebuild my inshore 2x bc they are not very water proof and the gears can only handle so many fish. Don't get confused with the drag power on these reels either. Some claim to have 20lbs+, that's more than so e of my conventional reels. They don't have that much drag, trust me. I had big bass strip line from my Revo, Lexa 300, and Curado 300. If you really want to get a nice reel with real true drag power, then pick up the new Calcutta 400D. It's the nicest reel I have ever owned and has been put through the ringer. Now I'm not saying the Lexa is a bad reel, for the money you can't beat it. Just saying its not the best. I would buy another Curado 300 any day before I purchased another Lexa.

Like everyone else, it's just my $.02

Okuma has some really nice reels as well. They are light, low pro and have nice deep spools. I have a Cedros 273cj that is sick. I've caught numerous 8lb+ fish on it including a 15+ Muskie.

[BrokeLoser]

I've tried both reels and would take the Curado 300 over it for sure. Don't waste your time with Revo's, I had to rebuild my inshore 2x bc they are not very water proof and the gears can only handle so many fish. Don't get confused with the drag power on these reels either. Some claim to have 20lbs+, that's more than so e of my conventional reels. They don't have that much drag, trust me. I had big bass strip line from my Revo, Lexa 300, and Curado 300. If you really want to get a nice reel with real true drag power, then pick up the new Calcutta 400D. It's the nicest reel I have ever owned and has been put through the ringer. Now I'm not saying the Lexa is a bad reel, for the money you can't beat it. Just saying its not the best. I would buy another Curado 300 any day before I purchased another Lexa.

Like everyone else, it's just my $.02

Okuma has some really nice reels as well. They are light, low pro and have nice deep spools. I have a Cedros 273cj that is sick. I've caught numerous 8lb+ fish on it including a 15+ Muskie.

So you're saying the claimed max drag spec on the curado, revo and Lexa is B.S.? How do the manufactures get away with making those claims?
Can you be specific; what about the curado makes it better than the Lexa?

P.S.- I already have a luna 253 and a 300 conventional....love em both. I'm just becoming sort of a rod and reel wh@re like most of you...haha

[T-Rex]

Is that the place in South Carolina? They reliable?
Where do they ship from and how do they ship.

Yes, they're in the Charleston area. I've never bought anything from them online before, but when I lived in North Carolina I visited their Mount Pleasant, SC tackle shop quite a few times and was always pleased with their selection and service. For this reel I opted for their 7-14 day free shipping.

[BrokeLoser]

Yes, they're in the Charleston area. I've never bought anything from them online before, but when I lived in North Carolina I visited their Mount Pleasant, SC tackle shop quite a few times and was always pleased with their selection and service. For this reel I opted for their 7-14 day free shipping.

Cool. Thanks.
JeffB has me a little concerned. Does anyone know if the 'claimed' 22lbs of drag is real or not?

[dmrides]

Does anyone know if the 'claimed' 22lbs of drag is real or not?

Do you really need 22lbs of drag on a bait caster? Are you fishing for calicoes or tuna? I would assume you will usually be fishing around 10-15lbs max and it will easily do that. That's enough drag to bring in anything you will find locally, especially when paired with the lighter weight rods you use for these types of reels. The Lexa IMO is an awesome reel and you will be stoked with it.

[BrokeLoser]

Do you really need 22lbs of drag on a bait caster? Are you fishing for calicoes or tuna? I would assume you will usually be fishing around 10-15lbs max and it will easily do that. That's enough drag to bring in anything you will find locally, especially when paired with the lighter weight rods you use for these types of reels. The Lexa IMO is an awesome reel and you will be stoked with it.

Probably won't ever need the 22lbs but you never know when you might hook into a toad WSB or big yellow and it could come in handy to yank them out of kelp or structure. Plus, that drag plays a factor in me opting for it over the curado.

[T-Rex]

FWIW my Daiwa Saltiga SA20 is rated at 22lbs and it measures 22 lbs plus/minus about 2 lbs on my scale. I think any of these reels will have plenty of power -- otherwise the pros wouldn't be using them. My Citica 200 only has 11 lbs of drag and works fine on calicos.

[JarrodMc]

Lexa 300 w/ the power handle. for the price it's like a limp dick, you can't beat it.

[BrokeLoser]

Lexa 300 w/ the power handle. for the price it's like a limp dick, you can't beat it.

I'm thinking I'll order the power handle later. I hear the paddle handle it comes with is oversized? I really only intend on fishing bass with it. I want it to maintain that light tackle feel and I'm guessing with a power handle and all that drag it may lose that?
What's your thoughts?

[JeffB]

Just saying the claim to have all this drag power. I can pull the drag out of my Revo inshore with the upgraded drag disc with my hand. I can't even come close to pulling the drag out of my conventional reels at about 80%.

On the Curado, its smoother and more durable. The gears are a lot stronger, hence why it cost a little more. The Lexa is nice a smooth as well. But the gears are not going to last you as long. You never know what you may hook, that's the perks of saltwater fishing. I snagged an 80lb batray with my Curado 300 and spooled me a couple times but got it in. Snag an 80lb batray or something else and you will be rebuilding your reel. I snagged about a 30lb stingray on my Revo inshore and stripped the gears.

Not trying to confuse you. You won't go wrong with almost any reel now a days. Just some wont last as long as others. Just remember you never know what you may hook in saltwater. If all your doing is guaranteeing that you will only catch bass, then any reel is a good choice. But I would like to meet the person who could guarantee that. Not trying to confuse you. I own/ or have owned all of the reels. Just prefer my Curado 300 over the my Lexa 300.

[BrokeLoser]

No problem Jeff...I hear what you're saying.
One more thing peeps...you guys all seem to be going for the 'high speed' 7.1:1 model...wouldn't the lower geared model be better for those times you hook something big?
I'm probably over-thinking it now.

[JeffB]

I use higher ratio reels for my crankbait rods and and spinner baits. I got to a lower ratio when I am jigging for sand bass or calico in the kelp or rocks. Same with my conventionals. I use a high speed for my surface irons and a lower gear for my dropper loop rigs. If you go with a 6:2:1 you fall right in the middle and perfect for anything. With bass reels just gear for the lure you will be using the most. I hope that helps out a little. I speak for myself on this, not everyone else.

If your burning rattle traps, wax wings, or something of that sort, then I use a 7:3:1. When I swim jigs, umbrella rigs, or swim baits I use a 6:2:1. For crawling bait on the bottom and jigging, or if I just want to slow roll a bait I use a 5:0:1.

[Biggameaddict]

Get the 2nd generation revo premiers with the eva knob handle. Those things have titanium to steel gears and if i remember right the gear sleeve was titanium too. Ti coated line guide, 22lbs of drag, infinispool 2, same price if not cheaper than a lexa 300. Upgrade to a paddle handle if you want for 20$.

[Nic D]

Been there done that....

I've owned shimanos all my life and recently sold my 300e and ej's. I respect the others that have posted above, but for anyone to say that the shimano is better than either one (the lexa or the revo toro 50) must not have enough experience with them. I have and here is what I have found...

Lexas and the revo toro 50 free spool measurably better than the currado allowing a longer cast. Longer cast = covering more water. The new lexa paddle handles are giant... Diawa nailed it with that handle, theres no need for a power handle. As far as maintenance goes, I've owned the revo toro for a full year now and hasn't had to be serviced. Now consider this, I fish from a boat now, and Im not on the water. But seems that my currados needed service every couple of months even in the boat. I've bought 2 lexa's about 3 months ago, so the verdict is still out on the lexa. As far as line capacity goes, don't worry about it, at all. Fill the reel you buy with 65# power pro and call it done. 180-200 yards is more than enough to bass fish with.

I don't really worry about ratios. You're not going to notice a difference. We're not pulling on tuna here folks. We're talking about bass (for the most part). If anything, I want the higher ratios. I can always turn the handle slower.

Whatever you buy, don't buy the shimano.

I hope this helps.
Nic

[Xirmev]

Hows the lexa 300 holding up guys? Any problems? Thinking about buying one soon :reel:

[YakDout]

Hows the lexa 300 holding up guys? Any problems? Thinking about buying one soon :reel:

The new 400 should be coming out very soon.

[BrokeLoser]

Hows the lexa 300 holding up guys? Any problems? Thinking about buying one soon :reel:

AWESOME REEL!
Seems to be water tight...I've fished mine pretty hard...I have it mounted on a 8 foot 15-40 Teramar; its my preferred combo for throwing heavy swimbaits and it's killer on small to medium size yellows. I'd bet it would even put the brakes on 30# yellows.
I like it so much I bought a Lexa 100 for my 12-25 Teramar...Fun setup for calicos.

[BrokeLoser]

The new 400 should be coming out very soon.

Does the 400 have a clicker? It would make a sweet live bait reel.

[YakDout]

Does the 400 have a clicker? It would make a sweet live bait reel.

Not sure on the clicker. But it still looks like it's gonna be a sweet reel. I'm gonna get one, eventually.

[zinkysd]

Revo Toro or Revo Toro NaCL

X2
Best saltwater lowprofile reel going.

Ken

[619-SWIM-DOG]

I've tried both reels and would take the Curado 300 over it for sure. Don't waste your time with Revo's, I had to rebuild my inshore 2x bc they are not very water proof and the gears can only handle so many fish. Don't get confused with the drag power on these reels either. Some claim to have 20lbs+, that's more than so e of my conventional reels. They don't have that much drag, trust me. I had big bass strip line from my Revo, Lexa 300, and Curado 300. If you really want to get a nice reel with real true drag power, then pick up the new Calcutta 400D. It's the nicest reel I have ever owned and has been put through the ringer. Now I'm not saying the Lexa is a bad reel, for the money you can't beat it. Just saying its not the best. I would buy another Curado 300 any day before I purchased another Lexa.

Like everyone else, it's just my $.02

Okuma has some really nice reels as well. They are light, low pro and have nice deep spools. I have a Cedros 273cj that is sick. I've caught numerous 8lb+ fish on it including a 15+ Muskie.
Yup man knows his sh1T....

[easyday]

I love my revo toro

[easyday]

Just got a thresher with no problem on my cardiff 400

[outdoorzen]

I just bought a Daiwa Lexa 300 7.1:1 from ebay last night for $133+free shipping, BNIB. It shipped this morning. That's the best deal I've seen. You have to click the "buy it now" button to see the price...I'll let you know if I get a box of rocks!

[YakDout]

Revo toro NaCl 50. Great reel. Casts well, smooth drag, and awesome Eva handles (2 in box) but definitely not 22 pounds of drag.
Have thrown a lexa for a half day. Casts really well even with smaller the smaller baits. Spool speed all the way out, still no backlashes.
No experience with the curado.
I really like my Luna 300. Does really well on yellows up to 30lbs. Haven't hooked a tuna on any of these smaller reels yet.
I would like one more low pro reel, may pick up the new lexa 400, and will review that when I get to fish it.

[Nic D]

anything but the curados... I have 2 revo toro 50s & 2 Lexa 300's, love both but love the lexa more

[ZepBonham]

I just recently went through the decision curado 300, lexa 300, or toro NaCl. The curado is tried and tested, you know what you are getting there. The lexa seems to have two followings, those who love it and those who have had immediate problems and say its trash. I'm of the latter opinion. My lexa 100 failed from day 2. My buddies lexa 300 failed from week one. Calling diawa and searching forums far and wide confirmed major problems in the lexa line. I hope the 400 is tweaked to improve factory built errors. Now to the toro NaCl, which is the reel i bought. I can cast swim baits a mile. The level wind technology should be in every new reel from now on! It's is more anti-corrosive than lexa or curado. It has a clicker for dropping live bait! I haven't found a community of problems like I have with the curado and lexa. So far I love my choice.

[Xirmev]

Has anyone upgraded the spool bearings? I want to upgrade mine with boca ABEC #7 but they dont have them for lexa 300, any idea which ones will fit? Thanks

[CKallday71]

I bought one of the Curado 300EJ when Amazon had them miss priced for $179 Shipped and I can say it's one of my FAVORITE reels! I have it mounted on a Terez Waxwing rod and the combination is absolutely flawless! I have wrestled BIG Calicos out of the kelp and filled my bait tank with stacks of macs and some bigger Bonita too. I would LOVE to fight a Yellowtail on it some day!

[outdoorzen]

Following up on my last post here, I got my Lexa 300HSP in as advertised. Shipping was short about $3.50 so the total came out to $136.50. Still not a bad price.

[Raskal311]

I bought one of the Curado 300EJ when Amazon had them miss priced for $179 Shipped and I can say it's one of my FAVORITE reels! I have it mounted on a Terez Waxwing rod and the combination is absolutely flawless! I have wrestled BIG Calicos out of the kelp and filled my bait tank with stacks of macs and some bigger Bonita too. I would LOVE to fight a Yellowtail on it some day!


The miss priced was $79 wasn't it? :D

[MarkT]

The miss priced was $79 wasn't it? :D

Yep, I got one. My son got a 37# and a 25# yellowtail on it at Cedros fishing from a panga. I was impressed!

I really like the Lexa 300hsp. The power handle is nice but the length is the same on the paddle one and you have less chance of it going into gear on the cast with the twin paddles. Looking forward to the 400 in the next month or so!

[urbanforest92]

@BrokeLoser

Do you have the lexa 300 on a Heavy action Teramar SE inshore series rod? Is the rod too stiff to throw smaller swimbaits?

[Widgeon]

I just got a Lexa 300 hsl-p and mounted it on a graftech GIS 7' H (20-30) but haven't had a chance to fish it yet.
Planning to use it for heavy (1oz+) swim baits.

[buddha]

I just ordered Daiwa Lexa 300 7.1:1 last Saturday for $153.99 from Haddrells Point Warehouse. All three are sweet reels, but at that price point it was pretty hard to pass up the Lexa. It's about $120 less than what I could find a Revo NaCL for and $80 less than a Curado 300ej.

I just went onto Haddrell's Point Warehouse's website and apparently it looks like they don't sell reels anymore.

[T-Rex]

I'm surprised they don't sell reels online anymore. They run a good full service tackle shop in Charleston, SC. Used to get my reels serviced there when I lived back east for a while.

[Jaysuuun]

My wife just got me a Lexa 300 with the power handle. Have yet to try it out. If anyone is still looking for one landbigfish.com has them for $139 with free shipping.

[45user]

@BrokeLoser

Do you have the lexa 300 on a Heavy action Teramar SE inshore series rod? Is the rod too stiff to throw smaller swimbaits?

I have teramar SE inshore heavy and I would think it probably is too stiff for swimbaits under 1 oz
45

[surfisher]

Bump:

I'd like to bump this thread as everything I have googled lately brings up older posts.

Looking to purchase the Lexa for a heavier bass rod. I respect Jeff's opinion on the Curado, however I was wondering if over the years Daiwa has improved on this reel? Anyone have some feedback on the Lexa? Specifically how they are holding up .... Thanks in advance.

[YakDout]

Have a 300 and a 400. Taken both on multiple trips to Baja as well as put them both to work here locally. I probably fish the 300 on bigger fish than I should. But I can tell you with the regular maintenance and freshwater rinses alone, these reels are holding up great. Casting surface irons the the big 400 is a lot of fun and is definitely up to the task. Much cheaper than tranx although I have never fished a tranx, I've slowly gotten rid of most of my shimmy gear and gone over to Daiwa. Solid reels and customer service.

[BrokeLoser]

Bump:

I'd like to bump this thread as everything I have googled lately brings up older posts.

Looking to purchase the Lexa for a heavier bass rod. I respect Jeff's opinion on the Curado, however I was wondering if over the years Daiwa has improved on this reel? Anyone have some feedback on the Lexa? Specifically how they are holding up .... Thanks in advance.

I didn't know or think Daiwa needed to improve the Lexa...I've owned my 300 since they first came out; I've fished it hard and not always taken the best care of it either. I've landed 25# yellows on mine without issue...this thing can really put the brakes on fish and I'm still on the stock drag. I own the 100 and 400 as well....Awesome reels for the money.

[YakDout]

I wish the 400 had bait clicker, my only gripe.

[BrokeLoser]

I wish the 400 had bait clicker, my only gripe.

True.

[T-Rex]

Bump:

I'd like to bump this thread as everything I have googled lately brings up older posts.

Looking to purchase the Lexa for a heavier bass rod. I respect Jeff's opinion on the Curado, however I was wondering if over the years Daiwa has improved on this reel? Anyone have some feedback on the Lexa? Specifically how they are holding up .... Thanks in advance.

I love my Lexa 300HS and added a Curado 300EJ that I bought for $79 when they were "mispriced" on Amazon. Both are fantasic reels, and for bass fishing I think their overall performance is pretty much identical.

For bigger gamefish, I prefer the Lexa. Using a scale, my Lexa measures just over 23.5 lbs of drag -- well over the stated 22 lbs max drag pressure given by Daiwa. My Curado puts out about 14 lbs -- about a pound less than the 15 lbs stated by Shimano.

At the same price point I'd probably go with the Lexa. With the Lexa normally priced about $50 less than the Curado, I'd definately buy the Lexa.

[makoslayer]

I have the Lexa 300 w/power handle. Fished on the east coast for reds/trout/flouder and almost everything else. Caught a 36 inch bluefish on it no problem. cast like a dream barely any cleaning needed adn holds tons of line.

http://goo.gl/JBwwy0 its 147 right now

[surfisher]

Thanks for all the replies guys! The only thing I kept reading was some crazy noises going on when casting, never got the full details on it though. The price points are insanely good for how they perform... Looks like I'll be investing in a 300 and a 400 soon here.... Thanks again!!!

[Silbaugh4liberty]

I have the Lexa 400, got 4 yt on it so far up to 27lbs. I'd like to get the 300 for calico fishing. I picked up a citrix 350 (salesman sample only $100 new) and that does have a clicker on it, but I don't like the fact that there isn't an external cast control on the citrix. That's the reason I'd look to the Lexa. Right now my citrix is only serving the purpose of bait fish on the sibiki stick. Haven't fished the Curado so I can't compare, but I like the Lexa so far

[ccacher1]

I have the lexa 300 with power handle paired with a medium heavy Teramar and love the setup for calico fishing. Has held up just fine over the last year.

[toadstoadsonly]

I am guilty of not maintaining my reels as often as I should and fish all of my low profile reels HARD. This is the reason why I need a reel with great customer service and a reel that holds up especially since I kayak fish like you guys.

I take my reels offshore caught 40-50 lb seabass, caught 30 lb Jack Crevalle on my Abu Toro, 100 lb alligator gar on my 300 DSV.

I own a Curado 300 DSV, Curado 300 EJ, Abu Garcia Toro, Abu Garcia Toro NACI, Curado 300D, and the Shimano Tranx. So I am very familiar with low profile inshore reels.

My past experience with Daiwa reels are the are amazing out of the box for the first year or so and their castability and quality diminishes after. Their customer service also sucks. I might have to buy a Lexa 400 to see what I think since I have a few friends that love them.

Pro: Abu Garcia; The first thing you will notice about this reel when you hook a big fish is the reel does not torque like the Curado's. The reel cast great due to the main pinion fully disengaging from the spool when casting. I have caught a bunch of 40+ lb seabass on this reel and it holds up great in the salt. I am a big fan of this reel so when the NACI came out I purchased it right away.

Cons: The cast button on this reel goes out and gets stuck, this happen to both of my Toro and NACI. My buddies have the same issue, like some of the other guys posted the drag pressure does seem like it is not what it is rated.

I have not tried to contact Abu Garcia's customer service so I don't know how it is.

Customer service goes a long way and hands down Shimano has the best customer service out of all of the reel manufactures. If I have a issue with my reels I just send them back pay the service fee and my reel comes back like its brand new.

I owned the Curado 300 DSV since way back this reel is a beast and still in excellent condition. Here is the alligator gar I caught off of my DSV 5 years ago and I still fish this reel weekly.

<a href="http://s250.photobucket.com/user/toadstoadsonly/media/Louisiana%20Pic/200910211820_038.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/toadstoadsonly/Louisiana%20Pic/200910211820_038.jpg" border="0" alt="5'10 1/2 on curado 300 dsv photo 200910211820_038.jpg"/></a>

Pros: When you look at the scematics this reel is the same as the original 300 DSV except faster gearing, Carbon Tec Drags, and power handle. My opinion is the EJ is not as good as the original DSV, I brought the reel out to Delaware to fish Ocean Run Striped bass at the Indian River Inlet and the reel was torquing and the drags were chirping. -I got rid of this reel and stuck with my DSV.

Calcutta 300D this reel is awesome! I have no negative feedback on this reel. It has great cranking power, great drag pressure, you could cast this reel a mile.

Tranx; This reel is on a class of its own it is pretty much a Trinidad A with a level wind and low profile look. The problem with this reel is it's almost the price of a Talica 2 speed. You could buy 3 Lexa's for this price.