Lexa 400/300

[bmercury]

I have been considering getting a lexa 400 and pairing it up with an XH phenix rod for some yoyo's and other large irons and possibly a 300 as well for some kastmasters, big spinnerbaits, larger swimbaits etc.

How are these things holding up to heavier use now that they have been around a while?

I really like the idea of using a large baitcaster for artificials rather than my conventionals. Thumbing the big heavy spool so carefully and winding the line on evenly like a a madman gets old. I held one of the lexa 400's before and it felt pretty solid if a bit awkward in my clearly small hands.

And for the 400 there is the question of the gear ratio. I usually go with lower ones when I can but I seem to see high speed reels being the most common now. The 7.1: is 37.7 IPT. The 6.3:1 is 33.4 IPT. And the 5.1:1 is 27.1 IPT(Still faster than an old penn 500 while burning that iron back towards you!)

And then the other part of me says you don't even have much time to fish just keep using the gear you already have! I have plenty of adequate conventional gear, and lots of small baitcasters.

Thoughts?