Daiwa Lexa HD 300 First Impression + Review

[@DowntoEarthFishing]

I paired my daiwa lexa HD 400 with a black hole cape cod special 150g jigging rod. I landed 50+lb Amberjack, 80+ inches sailfish and a couple good size king mackerels with this combo on a big party boat out of Galveston TX. I went home bought 2 more, a 400 size to pair with Black hole challenger bank 731m rod and a 300 size to pair with 701l rod. DAIWA LEXA HD REEL IS A REAL DEAL YALL!

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

I need to get down and do some SW fishing. Never caught anything except fresh water and I keep seeing stuff like this. You’re right though, this reel as legit!!

[@bennn05]

I have the old Lexa with the blue Winn grip, great reel.

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

I’m happy so far

[@Christopherjamesmurphy21]

First glance: "this guy knows his sh*t" When you start speaking: "i want him to be my friend." You seem like a really nice person. Have a great day!

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you. Appreciate the support and kind words

[@TheOKfisherman]

You can clean it. Once you do you will realize there isn't much to them. I believe in you Ochie Warrior.

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks for believing in me 🙏🏼😂

[@stripervince1]

I just bought the same one only 8.1, brand new in box for $200. Can't wait to get it. I will be throwing some super braid, the video I saw yesterday had a version of fireline 40 lb actually breaking on the knot puller machine at 80+ lbs so double the rated advertised strength. I throw huge glide baits and swimbaits for trophy stripers .

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

I really want to get more into Striper fishing.. I live on a lake that is "known" for them, but just haven't committed the time needed.

[@Thepondguy85]

Nice review man you got a like and a new follower here. Keep it up man

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you 🙏🏼. I need to get back with my 90 day review (this reel is INSANE).

[@Thepondguy85]

@@OkieOutdoorAdventures I've been looking for a good review and you were straight to the point so thank you. I will be getting one.

[@armandocendejas4222]

I love the information you put out. Thanks much

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching

[@otroflores91]

The last HDs also had greased bearings. The greased spool bearings hold back this reel from casting lighter with easy. Talking about launching soft 1-2oz soft baits. Like live sardines.

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

I haven’t tried throwing lighter baits. This is good info though, thank you.

[@firsttimecastingadventures]

Great information about your setup I'm impressed keep up the great work

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@bigchapo5394]

Do you know what the difference is between the Lexa hd and Lexa Wn?

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

Steel gears = hd brass = wn. Also grips

[@MrDgill25]

Thanks for reviewing the reel. Please make a video on a detailed casting ability of the this reel. Thanking you in advance. New sub

[@gonzarb93]

Hello sr. I have an really strange idea in mind want to know your opinion. I have a really thin and sensible rod "Okuma arena" 4.2.meters I use it for surf fishing in beach with 6oz weight. I want a small reall o only cast 130yds with my fathom ii 12 , but is to big for that rod, so I was thinking on this Daiwa reel. Could reach the same distance than mi fathom ii? What you think? I get small fishes in my country so drag wouldn't be a problem to me. Thanks and have a nice day

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

I think it would work! I’m in San Jose del Cabo now, but when I get home I will test

[@gonzarb93]

@@OkieOutdoorAdventures that would be great! I don't have one to test. I use 6oz sinker, and the line is with two hooks normally. I use 10lb mono. I would wait for your test before buying it. Thanks!!

[@Lasurge1982]

I just bought the 2020 lexa 300 wn hs-p. I honestly think this is daiwas bread and butter. This is a sweet reel. I’m pairing it a Fenix M1

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

I love that pairing!! It’s such a smooth reel, right. Like I didn’t expect it to be so buttery!

[@Lasurge1982]

Okie Outdoor Adventures I’m stuck between putting braid or mono. I’m seeing most people putting braid on these reels. How is it casting with the p line ?

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

So far great. That said, I’m throwing a little bit heavier line right now for big glides and swim baits. I’d like to try braid and see how it holds up too though

[@christophershelton1735]

Howdy from Lawton Oklahoma. I was thinking of buying this reel for my big swimbaits. To replace my tranx 200. I was going to get the 300 Lexa but with the regular handle.

[@carlosdigger8057]

Am using Daiwa Lexa 400hd shp for a month it’s really good reel am impressed to and is so fast and smooth to I really love it to catch rockfish and more.

[@jeremyeskew1395]

Man that bad boy looks seeeeexxxxy lol very nice set up brother can't wait to see some lunkers caught on that beast

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

You and me both my friend. It’s a beast for sure! Hoping to get on something this week!

[@patrickfahie8671]

Just ordered your exact setup. Same model lexa with the dobyns fury 806 swimbait rod. Used a couple Dicks sporting goods coupons to knock off $35 on the reel. Looking to make it my finesse musky/ bass setup. Probably throw mostly swimbaits in the 1-4oz range (5” and 6” bull shad and a 6” bull gill.) Any suggestions or observations now that you have had this setup for awhile? Thanks

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

Zip tie the reel to the rod (crisscross). Other than that, the ONLY thing I wish I’d done is bought the wingrips to swap out the power handle occasionally. It is buttery smooth, I think you’ll love it

[@patrickfahie8671]

Okie Outdoor Adventures I’m excited to put it together and try it out. Probably throw 65lb braid on it. Why the zip ties?

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

The rod seat is a little thick and mine popped out on a heavy hook set

[@patrickfahie8671]

Okie Outdoor Adventures thanks for the warning

[@patrickfahie8671]

Okie Outdoor Adventures first time out, the lexa reel popped out of dobyns fury 806 reel seat on about the 8th cast. After your warning, I had tightened the reel seat as tight as possible. I sent the rod back today and just ordered a St Croix mojo musky 8’6” heavy. Really liked the reel. Feels like I can throw just about anything on this.

[@PHFishingBiking]

Cool! daiwa makes great reels! I wonder if you throw the same bait if the shimano slx dc or this new daiwa would cast it further?

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

Good question.. I’d want the conditions to be the same. Same line, same rod, same bait, etc..

[@8.21productions9]

you can’t really compare the slx or dc to this reel. those are your standard 100 size reels. this is a 300 size reel.

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

Agreed, different components as well.

[@TyTimp]

I just bought this reel. The numbers on the magnetic brake dial are completely illegible. I had to take a picture zoomed in on my phone to see if there were even numbers on it. The numbers are there but the engraving is so small.

[@floridaswampman7648]

I love the Lexa but found the okuma komodo. It's all stainless steel drive train and 50 dollar cheaper price sold me. I own other okuma reels as well as diawa saltists and shimano reels. Awsome review on an awesome reel.

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

I want a Komodo bad. My buddy fishes them and loves them.

[@floridaswampman7648]

@@OkieOutdoorAdventures I'm excited. It's going on a Star Stellar inshore rod. We will see what the Snook and Tarpon think of it.

[@anthonyreeder8283]

Nice video man. That’s a sweet setup.

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

It’s so smooth!! Ready to get on some with it

[@anthonyreeder8283]

Okie Outdoor Adventures I just picked up a bull Shad 5” and a bull gill 5” can’t wait to throw them. Luckily my frogging rod will be able to fish both of them.

[@JoseGarcia-ym8qd]

A small amount of this info isn't accurate such as the handle being lighter what was changed was the star drag. Its design went from a cheap chrome like metal to a thicker aluminum. And the weight of the reel is because its a bigger reel. It is meant for swim baits its gonna be heavier. Switching to a left handled reel eliminates you switching it to the other hand after a cast therefore less strain. The Tranx 300 is 11.6 oz

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

The info I shared was based on research before making this video. Also, I’m not concerned with switching hands, as it has zero impact on the way I fish, but I understand why people fish with the wrong hand 😉 The reel is obviously heavy because of its size... I was simply highlighting that so people understood. While there is some merit to what you’re saying, I’m not sure what you were going for? (Respectfully of course)

[@jonahtorres4407]

Does your Lexa whiz when you throw heavier baits ?

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

A bit yea

[@TheJigFreak]

Nice review bruh.... but this does not use the twing right?

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

It does not

[@TheJigFreak]

@@OkieOutdoorAdventures thanx for the reply... keep reelin those fish bruh... cheers..

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

Thank.. tight lines 👊🏼👊🏼

[@jaredkaros699]

Would this be a good surf fishing striper setup?

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

I would think so, but I don’t have a ton of experience surf fishing. It handles my lake stripper well though.

[@VuePeter]

How big is the rod you have it paired up with?

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

I have it on a dobyns 8’

[@doggmansnapperdude3405]

I just took mine out of the box 6.3:1 and the cap on the handle knob went flying off when I spun the handle which was kinda cool bc it let me know what that wrench coin that came with it was for bc I just couldn’t figure it out but yeah it’s a heavy beast I just hope it doesn’t do what my last Lexa is doing which is making a terrible noise while casting as in when the line is coming out and not just in the beginning but all the way to the last ten feet almost a clicking sound and I’m sure it’s just lube but it just happened so fast and the same sound comes out of my buddies tatula and that happened pretty quickly too only a few trips with the 150 size and I have that reel as well in the 300 size and while I don’t think it’s making the sound it does slow down insanely fast once it should have another 15’ more to go it acts like you are thumbing the spool heavy to stop the bait enough that you don’t have to thumb it at all in open water to slow it down of course on the end of the cast but sometimes I test that too and no backlash and I’ve got it set to 3 throwing a Bucca Burrito and sometimes a 3oz glide but my older model Lexa the matte black one cast a lot better than the tatula and I also hate the wide open T shape like guide bc it rides on top and just annoys the hell out of me and doesn’t help with anything but yeah I’m wondering what good it does to make the handle like this bc it’s no longer than the double knob so I don’t see any more leverage coming from it but if it’s just as good or better than this older Lexa that looks no diff other than shiny blue paint and “power handle” I will be very happy as I love my other Lexa bc in the 300 size Shimano has disappointed me terribly with their drag system not working hardly at all and that’s the curado 300 and the tranx 300 and the tranx 200 too but the drag on all my Diawas have a healthy click to them and are very adjustable. Good luck I think I’ll buy this one again.

[@jerryschisler5766]

what rod do you have your lexa paired with?

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

8ft Dobyns Fury XH. I’ll shoot you the model number when I get home.

[@tristanburrows4460]

Do u still recommend this reel after 11 months of ownership

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

100% - it’s an absolute work horse. The only thing I’d change is, I’m not a fan of the power handle. That a personal thing so not a reel issue. It still casts extremely well, was responsible for my current PB largie, and has given me no reason to dislike it in any way.

[@daryldaryl887]

@@OkieOutdoorAdventures Why do you dislike the power handle?

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

@@daryldaryl887 I’m not sure dislike is the right word, despite what I said in the video. My issue was entirely based around the type of fishing I was comfortable with at the time. I actually have the power handle back on two of my reels now.

[@kpkp1077]

What year is the reel

[@bendingrodsfishing6429]

Bless you!

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

🙏🏼

[@mrkackerwacker]

I have the 400 HD and switched the handle for the paddle win grip

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

How do you like the win grip? I’m thinking of changing

[@mrkackerwacker]

@@OkieOutdoorAdventures It's great. I'd go with the double paddle though

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

Great! Thanks 🙏🏼

[@michaelchapman1258]

I have the original grey one, got it when it first came out like 7 years ago... the clutch is fucked. Can’t even cast. Got the tranx 300 okuma Komodo 364. And lexa 300 cc. The shimano is the front runner for sure.

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

Heard nothing but good things about the tranx. My buddy loves his Komodo too. So far I’m pretty happy with my Lexa but time will tell

[@kenth6140]

Pair with Daiwa dx swimbait rod

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

I had mine on my Daiwa SB, but now it’s on a Dobyns 806.

[@kenth6140]

@@OkieOutdoorAdventures daiwa dx swimbait has tip very soft

[@jeremyeskew1395]

Oh and bless you lol

[@OkieOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you 🙏🏼