Built for Big Baits, the Beast that is the Daiwa Lexa
Type-WN 400H (continued)
Price
& Applications: The Lexa Type-WN corrosion resistant ball bearings that can
take a beating from the elements and the reel’s outstanding drag also gives the
reel the capability to tangle with the largest freshwater predators including
Pike and Tiger Muskie and just as easily pull double duty in the saltwater as
well when tossing big iron or trolling plugs.
The Lexa Type-WN
400 is built like a tank, it is a monster of a reel, and one that is a joy to
fish when you tie on anything with a large enough caliber to appreciate what
this reel can really do.
The handle is swept for better
leverage
The biggest downside of the Lexa is without a
doubt the weight, and while Daiwa has done an admirable job making sure it
doesn’t feel colossal there is no denying that this is a heavyweight of a reel.
Even the Winn Grips are finished
with metal components
Paired with a big enough rod the Lexa will feel right and the Winn Grips also
are a constant reminder that Daiwa wants this reel to feel natural, comfortable,
and fun to fish with. By the end of my four months with the Lexa 400H I found
myself really appreciating not only how good of a big bait launcher this reel
was but how so many other reels designed for the same task feel unwieldy in
comparison.
Though large the Lexa WN400H
actually sits pretty low on most rods
The Lexa 400H is designed to handle just about anything on the large side of the
freshwater spectrum, and does so with a level of refinement that you usually
don’t find in a reel retailing for only $249 dollars. The Shimano Tranx has that
level of refinement but not the capacity, and the Abu Revo Toro compares more to
the smaller Lexa WN300 and also doesn’t have the sheer capacity of the Lexa
400H. Anglers seeking a low profile reel with the capacity of a round reel will
find that the Lexa 400 Type-WN reels are hard to beat at this price point.
Ratings:
(We've
re-calibrated our
ratings standard for
2008 and have
included a key at
the bottom of the
following matrix as
a guide):
|
Lexa
Type-WN
400H
Baitcasting Reel
Ratings
(?/10)
|
|
Construction/Quality |
Built
with
aluminum
this
reel
feels
solid
and
surprisingly
refined
for a
reel
that is
this big |
8.5 |
|
Performance |
When
used for
what it
is
designed
to do
this
reel
really
delivers.
When
casting
and
retrieving
big
baits
the Lexa
really
shines |
8.5 |
|
Price |
A reel
this big
and with
this
feature-set
could
easily
cost 50
dollars
more.
The Lexa
400H is
a very
good
value |
9 |
|
Features |
A great
cast
control,
an
exceptional
drag,
and Winn
Grips.
This big
bait
reel is
loaded
for
battle |
9 |
|
Design
(Ergonomics) |
This is
no
lightweight
but
Daiwa
has done
a good
job
making
sure
that the
Lexa
feels
and
fishes
more
like a
baitcaster.
The
inclusion
of the
Winn
grips
works in
this
reel and
they
feel
comfortable
all day
long |
7 |
|
Application |
Great
for
inshore
and salt
applications
but also
exceptional
for big
bait
anglers
tossing
big
swimbaits
and
plugs
for
everything
from
largemouth
bass to
tiger
musky |
8 |
|
Total
Score
|
8.33 |
Ratings
Key:
1 =
terrible
: 2 =
poor : 3
=
lacking
: 4 =
sub par
: 5 =
mediocre
: 6 =
fair : 7
= good :
8 =
great :
9 =
excellent
: 10 =
unbelievable!
For More
Details
of the
updated
rating
system
visit
our
explanation
here |
Pluses and Minuses:
|
Plus
Minus
|
|
+
Built
like a
tank,
the Lexa
makes
use of
aluminum
to
provide
a solid
platform |
-
Not a
lightweight
at
15.3oz. |
|
+
Powerful
gearing
that
holds up |
-
Only
comes
with one
handle
option
(single
power or
dual) |
|
+
High
capacity
in a low
profile |
|
|
+
Excellent
drag! |
|
|
+
Designed
with
freshwater
anglers
in mind,
this
reel is
a big
bait
special! |
|
Conclusion:
If you are looking for an everyday casting
reel this is not it, the Lexa is simply too big and heavy to be your primary
casting reel, and it feels silly cranking back any bait that doesn’t have a
substantial volume or weight. Tie on a big swimbait and the exact opposite is
true, the reel feels like it was born to launch massive baits, and it does it
without ever taxing the angler.
The most striking
feature, the Winn
Grip Knobs, are a
welcome addition to
the new Lexa and
provide the reel
with better
ergonomics and a lot
more character
Winding down on this
Lexa really inspires
confidence, and when
there is a big bass
on the line the
combination of the
Lexa’s heavy-duty
gearing and
excellent drag only
reinforces the
feeling that fish
simply don’t stand a
chance.
The Lexa Type-WN
Series reels were
clearly designed
with freshwater
applications in mind
and are a great
choice for slinging
swimbaits. Big Bait
Special!
The Lexa Type WN family of reels provide anglers with plenty of options, and
with both 300 and 400 sizes there is likely going to be a reel that meets your
big bait needs. The Type-WN reels are like the SUV of fishing reels. They are
designed to tackle a wide range of applications and yet are comfortable to use
all day, every day. Anglers get a lot of reel for
the money with the Lexa 400 Series and while they can certainly be used for
saltwater applications they both look and fish like they were made specifically
for trophy hunters that love slinging big baits. For only $199 dollars for a
WN300 and $249 for the tank that is the 400N these reels are an undeniably good
value, and a Best Value in our book.
Daiwa Lexa Type-WN
Reels?
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Tackle Warehouse
