Baitcaster for the yak - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

La_angler18 · 10-15-2015, 12:47 AM

Whats going on everyone. I recently started looking around for a new baitcaster. I want something for an overall use. Strong enough for an occasional game fish but light enough for other species. I'm not trying to spend too much on a set up. I was looking into the new Abu garcia pro max Mh combo, okuma avenger (not a baitcaster), lexa 200, etc. Please give your input, it will be appreciated, thank you.

King Saba · 10-15-2015, 12:51 AM

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

La_angler18 · 10-15-2015, 12:57 AM

Quote:

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 · 10-15-2015, 01:24 AM

What's a Lexa 200???

jimmy310 · 10-15-2015, 08:36 AM

abu garcia revo toro s with power handle, i spooled it with over 200 yards of 40lb test, gear ratio is 5. something, 25 pounds of drag max, i love this reel is my first baitcaster and probably my last, i combined it with abu garcia veritas 2.0 7' 9 25-50 lb, its a bit smaller than the lexa 400, the whole set up is really light i really love this reel

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jimmy310 · 10-15-2015, 08:37 AM

40lb braid

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La_angler18 · 10-15-2015, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnybingbong

What's a Lexa 200???

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

La_angler18 · 10-15-2015, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy310

abu garcia revo toro s with power handle, i spooled it with over 200 yards of 40lb test, gear ratio is 5. something, 25 pounds of drag max, i love this reel is my first baitcaster and probably my last, i combined it with abu garcia veritas 2.0 7' 9 25-50 lb, its a bit smaller than the lexa 400, the whole set up is really light i really love this reel

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Nice! I was looking at that reel yesterday. Nothing but great reviews. How much did that whole set up go for? If you don't mind me asking. Thank you Jimmy310.

jimmy310 · 10-15-2015, 10:43 AM

the reel was 250, and rod was 150, i got it from j and h and got 10% off for preorder, so i saved like 40 bucks

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jimmy310 · 10-15-2015, 10:46 AM

its a super smooth reel, i cant believe how freaking far it can cast, for far ive cast 1/4 oz krocodile and im impressed, my goal is to catch a 30 pound yellowtail which i will do someday, you should go to the tackle shop and hold the lexa 400hd and abu garcia revo toro s and then decide what you want

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Dave Legacy · 10-15-2015, 02:01 PM

When I started kayaking I brought my Abu Garcia C3s back into regular rotation, because the line capacity is pretty good, the newer carbon drags aren't bad either, and they're just durable as all hell. I wouldn't want to try to fight it out with a yellowtail with one, but it could probably manage it in a pinch. I put a power handle on my C3 4600 for cranking in big swimbaits on my bass rod and I use a C3 6500 for just trolling around for bonito & friends.

2-Stix · 10-15-2015, 06:41 PM

i have a graftech rod 15-25# with a curado 300e with 50# braid. fun on bass, rock fish and game fish.

King Saba · 10-17-2015, 11:57 PM

Quote:

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 · 10-18-2015, 05:00 PM

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 · 10-18-2015, 07:27 PM

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 · 10-18-2015, 07:34 PM

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 · 10-18-2015, 07:54 PM

Quote:

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 · 10-18-2015, 08:25 PM

Quote:

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.

sandico · 10-19-2015, 11:52 AM

Revo Toro NACL is a great reel. Comes in a 50 and 60 size. 60 is going to give you a ton of line capacity and both have power handles. I fish calico bass tournaments and my partner and I both fish these reels. Great for bass and will work on the bigger models. Partner has caught yellows and dorado to 20lbs and tuna to 30 lbs. A fellow tournament angler who helped in the design of the Abu Volatile rods uses both the 50 and 60 to fish for yellows with bait and iron. Abu for Life!

Kerry
OEX MB

10-15-2015, 12:47 AM	#1
La_angler18 Junior Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 11	Baitcaster for the yak Whats going on everyone. I recently started looking around for a new baitcaster. I want something for an overall use. Strong enough for an occasional game fish but light enough for other species. I'm not trying to spend too much on a set up. I was looking into the new Abu garcia pro max Mh combo, okuma avenger (not a baitcaster), lexa 200, etc. Please give your input, it will be appreciated, thank you.

10-15-2015, 12:51 AM	#2
King Saba Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: SGV Posts: 848	What kind of fish are you going to be targeting primarily?

10-15-2015, 01:24 AM	#4
johnnybingbong Junior Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 16	What's a Lexa 200???

10-15-2015, 08:36 AM	#5
jimmy310 Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: cypress, california Posts: 60	abu garcia revo toro s with power handle, i spooled it with over 200 yards of 40lb test, gear ratio is 5. something, 25 pounds of drag max, i love this reel is my first baitcaster and probably my last, i combined it with abu garcia veritas 2.0 7' 9 25-50 lb, its a bit smaller than the lexa 400, the whole set up is really light i really love this reel Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-15-2015, 08:37 AM	#6
jimmy310 Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: cypress, california Posts: 60	40lb braid Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-15-2015, 10:43 AM	#9
jimmy310 Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: cypress, california Posts: 60	the reel was 250, and rod was 150, i got it from j and h and got 10% off for preorder, so i saved like 40 bucks Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-15-2015, 10:46 AM	#10
jimmy310 Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: cypress, california Posts: 60	its a super smooth reel, i cant believe how freaking far it can cast, for far ive cast 1/4 oz krocodile and im impressed, my goal is to catch a 30 pound yellowtail which i will do someday, you should go to the tackle shop and hold the lexa 400hd and abu garcia revo toro s and then decide what you want Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-15-2015, 02:01 PM	#11
Dave Legacy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Hacienda Heights, CA Posts: 427	When I started kayaking I brought my Abu Garcia C3s back into regular rotation, because the line capacity is pretty good, the newer carbon drags aren't bad either, and they're just durable as all hell. I wouldn't want to try to fight it out with a yellowtail with one, but it could probably manage it in a pinch. I put a power handle on my C3 4600 for cranking in big swimbaits on my bass rod and I use a C3 6500 for just trolling around for bonito & friends.

10-15-2015, 06:41 PM	#12
2-Stix Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 376	i have a graftech rod 15-25# with a curado 300e with 50# braid. fun on bass, rock fish and game fish.

10-18-2015, 05:00 PM	#14
FleshandBlood Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 87	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.

10-18-2015, 07:27 PM	#15
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,945	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.

10-18-2015, 07:34 PM	#16
TheToxicJon Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 42	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

10-19-2015, 11:52 AM	#19
sandico Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 94	Revo Toro NACL is a great reel. Comes in a 50 and 60 size. 60 is going to give you a ton of line capacity and both have power handles. I fish calico bass tournaments and my partner and I both fish these reels. Great for bass and will work on the bigger models. Partner has caught yellows and dorado to 20lbs and tuna to 30 lbs. A fellow tournament angler who helped in the design of the Abu Volatile rods uses both the 50 and 60 to fish for yellows with bait and iron. Abu for Life! Kerry OEX MB