Disappointment with my Lexa...

I just don't love my Lexa 300HSL.  I wanted to... I tried... but, for some reason... I just don't feel the love.  Now, I love my Abu 5501C3... it is old and I bought it used... but it just seems to feel "right".  Because of this I am considering returning it... I was told I could bring it back if I didn't like it.  If I do this, I was considering getting a 6501C3.

So, for my question... What do you know of the new C3's?  I have even considered the C4's... but I wonder if the extra dough makes it worth it.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

You can't go won't with the C3 and C4s. I've had my C3 for well over a decade and it performs like a champ. Just do the yearly breakdown and maintainance and you'll have it for a long time.
Unless you forget to lock your rod in the rod holder and hook into a king, then you loose your rod and Abu. I think a guy names Langston knows something about that.

I just don't love my Lexa 300HSL.  I wanted to... I tried... but, for some reason... I just don't feel the love.  Now, I love my Abu 5501C3... it is old and I bought it used... but it just seems to feel "right".  Because of this I am considering returning it... I was told I could bring it back if I didn't like it.  If I do this, I was considering getting a 6501C3.

So, for my question... What do you know of the new C3's?  I have even considered the C4's... but I wonder if the extra dough makes it worth it.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

What don't you like about it?  I have the 100 for bass fishing it's great, although the drag leaves a little to be desired.  Oh and my first one the reel seat broke when I was attaching it, but I returned it but have been quite happy with it.   I was going to get the 300 for  egg and bobber fishing.

Mitch

Like I alluded to... I just don't FEEL the love.  I definitely don't like it for bobber fishing, I would use my 5501C3 for bobber anyday over the lexa.  It reels quick... it looks nice... I just don't like it.

I love my C4's and dearly miss one of them. 

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You can't go won't with the C3 and C4s. I've had my C3 for well over a decade and it performs like a champ. Just do the yearly breakdown and maintainance and you'll have it for a long time.
Unless you forget to lock your rod in the rod holder and hook into a king, then you loose your rod and Abu. I think a guy names Langston knows something about that.

Haha.

I really like my C4s and prefer the thumb set up of the spool release over the C3. It just feels right.

I have the C3 and really like it. The only thing that would make it better would be the thumb bar like on the C4. I have the abu Kalex 51 which has the thumb bar. It has caught me a lot of fish and I have had no problems with it. Its the  next model cheaper from the C3. The only thing i dont like about it is that its made in china, and the c3 and c4 are made in Sweden.

Rev,
The Lexa isn't really made for true "bait" fishing. It's mostly aimed at the lure tossers who follow basscar mentalities.

What i mean is, it's primary use is to toss and retrieve lures like zara spooks, shad imitations, stuff that needs some speed to make it work.  Thats why you see such high gearing in them.

If you truly don't like it and have that opportunity by all means go exchange it. Personally I've always found i fish better when i have gear i am comfortable and happy with.

By the way, they intro'd a 400 model this year, too. designed for the near shore salt, no less.

I have the C3 and really like it. The only thing that would make it better would be the thumb bar like on the C4. I have the abu Kalex 51 which has the thumb bar. It has caught me a lot of fish and I have had no problems with it. Its the  next model cheaper from the C3. The only thing i dont like about it is that its made in china, and the c3 and c4 are made in Sweden.

The Kalex's are a lot more of a PITA to work on as well, IMO.

The 300s work very well for the salt as far as I've seen, they're not just made for bass guys.  I've been using a 300 with a power handle for lings and cabbys and it is absolutely amazing.  I've been using the 100 size for rockfish, greenling and other small stuff and I've been very satisfied with its performance.  They do have models that are geared down to provide a slower retrieve and higher power, but I've never tried them.  There is a 300 with a 5.1:1 ratio and a 100 with a 4.9:1 ratio.  But I guess it's just that if it doesn't feel right for ya then it doesn't feel right for ya.

"....Ask 10 different fishermen, get 10 diffrent answers..."
Rev, ultimately it's your decision. If you don't feel the LEXA love, by all means make the switch to something you like better.

Or ask 11 fisherman, ...

I love my C4's too.

I'm a huge fan of Lexa reels. I own two 300's and one 400 and very happy. Sorry they're not working out for you.  You'll find something that will work soon

Rev,

I fish the Revo Toro Winch 60 for the salt and a Shimano Curado for Bait casting in freshwater. Both are sweet reels and and have strengths and weaknesses . I am pretty sure that the Revo is truly a winch. You can haul up just about anything with it. To get the power, they geared it very low and traded away retrieval speed.

The Curado, to me, has the perfect combination of power and retrieve speed. It's flaw is that it is not very forgiving. It is prone to spooling when changing casting/bait weight. You have to continually adjust it to match the weight.

I guess what I am trying to say is that everyone is different and have varied expectations and needs. The low profiles of the reels above fit my hands. Whereas the C4  I have feels odd and out of place. If you want to try a C4 borrow mine. I am sort of tired of moving it around.

Wobbler

I prefer the ABu C3 to the C4.  High speed retrieve means hard cranking on bigger fish and bigger gear.  I've hit the thumb bar too often when thumbing down on the spool and such.  I don't cast much though.  If I was casting a lot and needed to retrieve artificial quickly, the C4 would be a great reel. The Abu6500 c3 was my go to reel for everything until I started using the Avet SX reels.