Baitcaster for the yak

[King Saba]

What kind of fish are you going to be targeting primarily?

[La_angler18]

Originally Posted by King Saba

What kind of fish are you going to be targeting primarily?

Bass, halibut, yellowtail, etc. A different variety of species.

[johnnybingbong]

What's a Lexa 200???

[La_angler18]

Originally Posted by johnnybingbong

What's a Lexa 200???

Sorry , daiwa lexa 300. I'm new at these reels. I always used spinning.

[King Saba]

Originally Posted by La_angler18

Bass, halibut, yellowtail, etc. A different variety of species.

You're probably going to want to invest in a 300 sized Lexa at least. I own a lexa 300, and maybe it's because I don't set the drag tight enough, but I still get my butt kicked by 3-4lb fish. If I didn't have the 300 I think I would have invested in the 400. It's got the capacity to put wood on a yellow, but still has the capability of getting some decent casts in with lighter lures.

[FleshandBlood]

Lexa 300 without a doubt. Make sure you pair it up with a rod that has some backbone. I started with 200 sized reels and MH rods which do fine fishing spotties and halibut in the bay. If you plan on fishing for that large of a variety of fish with one reel the added drag and line capacity will save your butt. My next setup is going to be a Lexa 300 paired to a MH Phenix M1 inshore. If you're not looking to purchase two setups though focus on getting the best setup you can afford for one species then buy more gear when you can.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Have landed 40lb tarpon on the Diawa Lexa 400HS and 15lb Jack Cravelle on the Lexa 300HS. Reels have high level of drag for their size and seem to be pretty durable. One thing I don't like is that when clicked into free spool the level wind locks and stops working. This has to restrict cast range somewhat.

[TheToxicJon]

Cardiff 300 is 110$ and I have caught rat yellows and throw 10oz swimbaits on it for freshwater bass. And everything in between. Super nice reels
I have a Cardiff 400 on my xxh parabolic too
And a Calcutta 200 on my 25# salty bass rod

Shimano is tried and true

[YakDout]

Originally Posted by JohnMckroidJr

Have landed 40lb tarpon on the Diawa Lexa 400HS and 15lb Jack Cravelle on the Lexa 300HS. Reels have high level of drag for their size and seem to be pretty durable. One thing I don't like is that when clicked into free spool the level wind locks and stops working. This has to restrict cast range somewhat.

You would think so, but the alternative is having a non disengaging level-wind which adds much more friction to the reel when you cast. I much prefer disengaging level-wind.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by YakDout

You would think so, but the alternative is having a non disengaging level-wind which adds much more friction to the reel when you cast. I much prefer disengaging level-wind.

Yeah, I was surprised to see that even the high end Shimano Tranx's have that same feature. Awhile back Garcia had a bait caster that had a mechanism that disengaged the levelwind so that it freefloated during the cast, but it appears to be phased out. Diawa T-wing system reduces the friction and they are starting to use it in on more of their models, but as of now, only on the smaller baitcasters.