Daiwa Lexa 100 Size Line Counter

love it

Daiwa is quickly becoming my new favorite reels after being a Shimano fan boy for years. I love their toughness, smooth operation and drag, and good price. I highly recommend this reel.

I think the top choice currently when it comes to trolling for Salmon with bait caster / line counter style reels would be either Okuma Coldwater 350 line counter reel or Diawa Lexa 300. Both make outstanding reels. You can't go wrong with either option. Far superior to conventional style reels that are overly heavy and have way to much line capcity for Salmon catching .In my opinion the 300 Diawa size is the winner and ideal reel for salmon fishing /trolling in Portland vicinity rivers. It is light yet robust, with more than enough drag for any salmon and even oversize Sturgeon. I spooled on 165 yards of 65lb braid onto the 300 size Lexa, a remarkable amount of line in such a small package. The Lexa feels less bulky and overall better quality when compared to the Okuma Coldwater reels. The sound of the Lexa's ratcheted clicker and star drag is very pleasing. You will not be disappointed with this reel.

This reel is very smooth. The darg seems to hold good. I put 140 yards of 10 lb test for trolling for trout and land locked kings.

This is a de facto standard reel for Kokanee trolling in the PNW, as far as I can tell. Seen pretty much everyone around using it. Light, smooth and sturdy. Paired with 7.5' Daiwa North Coast Kokanee rod, 10lb mono (Izorline) gives you an excellent trolling setup. Check the Split Milt channel on Youtube for more info. Planning to try in in salt water later this year.

I own 8 of these reels. I use them for Kokanee, Trout, Walleye, Sockeye and the occasional fall Coho salmon on the Columbia River. They have held up well over the last few years, these line counter reels are very well made, and hold up well. I have read reviews from people saying the drags were junk and wouldn’t tighten down! Beware if you use braid on these reels, you need to put a backing on the reel before the braid. If you don’t, the braid will slip making you think the drags are not holding! These reels are not matched at their price point.

These reels rock! I have always found Daiwa reels to be the most reliable, and I've tried every brand out there. Although I love my Sea Lines, I was happy to see they finally have a low profile line counter reel, in left hand. I'm right handed but prefer a left hand reel, I catch big salmon and need my strongest arm to fight the fish. Goodbye to my Coldwater low-pro's! The drag on the Lexa is infinitely better than the CW. The CW has a lot of stiction ... you'll be sitting there loosening the drag with no effect, and then all of a sudden it lets go and it's too loose. No such issues with the Lexa, it works great. This is a really, really nice reel. Pricey compared with the competition, but worth every penny. Be sure to put some tape on the spool before you spool up your line, otherwise it'll slip!

Very fun to use. Very small and lightweight, with good operation. Holds good amount of line. Quality appears excellent. I lost the cap that controls spool speed, and Daiwa’s customer service immediately sent me a replacement free of charge. Couldn’t ask for more.