New surface iron reel Qs. - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

taggermike · 02-26-2015, 09:23 AM

I'm wondering if any of you are using large heavy duty bait casters (Curado 300, Abu revo toros, daiwa lexas) for throwing surface irons on long jig sticks. If you have please let me know how they are working out for you. I've been fishing surface iron a long time with mostly old school gear. Last summer I fished a light 9' Phenix with a trini 16N. Love the out fit but the Reel is waaay over kill on that rod. So thinking of putting a Lexa 400 with the power handle on that rod for fishing smaller irons and wax wings and moving the 16N on to a seeker ulua that can handle a heavy drag load. Any input would be great. Thank, Mike

YakDout · 02-26-2015, 09:39 AM

I use like my Lexa 400 HSP on 8' 15-40. It's my designated surface iron/waxwing combo. The waxwings are pretty light and I use surface irons more than waxwings which is why it's on a 15-40. If waxwing specific, I'd probably move to something a little lighter for casting reasons. But I love the setup. Can burn surface jigs in without having to look down at the line to make sure it's coming in even.

ful-rac · 02-26-2015, 09:40 AM

Sounds like you have the right idea! I would go with the heavier rod not necessarily an ulua...but Trinidad 16N with a jig stick...Nice!

MrPatrick · 02-26-2015, 11:00 AM

I have a Revo Toro 60 on a Quantum Kayak Rod. I like the extra handle length for throwing jigs.

surfisher · 02-26-2015, 03:46 PM

I had this exact question last week. I will probably end up going with the Lexa 400 for surface iron ... It seems they are holding up well. Youtube has quite a few videos of people landing good size yellows using them.

FlyFishinYakr · 02-27-2015, 09:06 AM

I'm old school! I still like mono for

.
I like my Calstar 530 with a penn 112 (3/0) & 30# if I'm fishing larger fish.
Otherwise I'll use a Calstar 690J with a Newell 322 & 25#.
Trying to find out which 8' Terez rod would work best with my Trini 16N.
Not too sure about using my Revo inshores or Curado 300's for surface irons.
FFY

YakMedic · 02-28-2015, 02:50 PM

I fish a Revo Toro NaCl 60 size for my iron rod. Has a ton of drag and I've used it to winch in YT, Thresher, and YFT. No yellows over 25# but it handled it no problem. Its also really nice having a level wind for fishing a jig. If you next cast is only as good as how you lay your line from the previous retrieve, a level wind can't be beat.

I plan on adding a Lexa 400 to the mix also, I was playing with a buddies a couple weeks ago and really liked it. the Lexa casts smoother, but the Revo has a better retrieve.

Fishwhisperer619 · 02-28-2015, 03:32 PM

I dont really throw irons, ive done really well with my waxwings so i throw those. I have a abu revo toro nacl 50 on the heaviest 7'11" teremar shimano makes. Pulled in 30# yellowfin in ensenada with it and love it. Its my go to for everything within that range of fish class.

taggermike · 03-01-2015, 08:06 AM

Thanks for the input. Looks like I'm getting the Lexa 400. Ful-rac, I agree with you about the Ulua, way more rod than you need, or probably want, on a kayak. Except I already have one and don't want to buy a 3rd jig stick. I also fish off friends' boats so no way I'm giving up the Ulua. Mike

02-26-2015, 09:23 AM	#1
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	New surface iron reel Qs. I'm wondering if any of you are using large heavy duty bait casters (Curado 300, Abu revo toros, daiwa lexas) for throwing surface irons on long jig sticks. If you have please let me know how they are working out for you. I've been fishing surface iron a long time with mostly old school gear. Last summer I fished a light 9' Phenix with a trini 16N. Love the out fit but the Reel is waaay over kill on that rod. So thinking of putting a Lexa 400 with the power handle on that rod for fishing smaller irons and wax wings and moving the 16N on to a seeker ulua that can handle a heavy drag load. Any input would be great. Thank, Mike

02-26-2015, 09:40 AM	#3
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Sounds like you have the right idea! I would go with the heavier rod not necessarily an ulua...but Trinidad 16N with a jig stick...Nice! __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

02-27-2015, 09:06 AM	#6
FlyFishinYakr Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Nor Cal...30 min from Bodega/Tomales Bay, 1hr from Clear Lake, 2+ hr to Berryessa & the Delta Posts: 729	I'm old school! I still like mono for . I like my Calstar 530 with a penn 112 (3/0) & 30# if I'm fishing larger fish. Otherwise I'll use a Calstar 690J with a Newell 322 & 25#. Trying to find out which 8' Terez rod would work best with my Trini 16N. Not too sure about using my Revo inshores or Curado 300's for surface irons. FFY Last edited by FlyFishinYakr; 02-27-2015 at 09:11 AM.

02-26-2015, 09:39 AM	#2
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	I use like my Lexa 400 HSP on 8' 15-40. It's my designated surface iron/waxwing combo. The waxwings are pretty light and I use surface irons more than waxwings which is why it's on a 15-40. If waxwing specific, I'd probably move to something a little lighter for casting reasons. But I love the setup. Can burn surface jigs in without having to look down at the line to make sure it's coming in even.

02-26-2015, 11:00 AM	#4
MrPatrick Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Waiting to launch Posts: 1,381	I have a Revo Toro 60 on a Quantum Kayak Rod. I like the extra handle length for throwing jigs.

02-26-2015, 03:46 PM	#5
surfisher Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 388	I had this exact question last week. I will probably end up going with the Lexa 400 for surface iron ... It seems they are holding up well. Youtube has quite a few videos of people landing good size yellows using them.

02-28-2015, 02:50 PM	#7
YakMedic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wrightwood Posts: 623	I fish a Revo Toro NaCl 60 size for my iron rod. Has a ton of drag and I've used it to winch in YT, Thresher, and YFT. No yellows over 25# but it handled it no problem. Its also really nice having a level wind for fishing a jig. If you next cast is only as good as how you lay your line from the previous retrieve, a level wind can't be beat. I plan on adding a Lexa 400 to the mix also, I was playing with a buddies a couple weeks ago and really liked it. the Lexa casts smoother, but the Revo has a better retrieve.

02-28-2015, 03:32 PM	#8
Fishwhisperer619 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: chula vista Posts: 323	I dont really throw irons, ive done really well with my waxwings so i throw those. I have a abu revo toro nacl 50 on the heaviest 7'11" teremar shimano makes. Pulled in 30# yellowfin in ensenada with it and love it. Its my go to for everything within that range of fish class.

03-01-2015, 08:06 AM	#9
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Thanks for the input. Looks like I'm getting the Lexa 400. Ful-rac, I agree with you about the Ulua, way more rod than you need, or probably want, on a kayak. Except I already have one and don't want to buy a 3rd jig stick. I also fish off friends' boats so no way I'm giving up the Ulua. Mike