Reels: Saltwater rated, LH RetrieveLevel-Wind, Baitcasters

I’ve been shopping for reels. This isn’t a “what reel is the best” kind of post. I have some specific criteria I am looking for. Once you start whittling away at the vast sea of reels with option preferences, it’s pretty easy to narrow the list down.  Most specifically- It’s frustrating searching for Left-Handed reels! It’s not a normal search option and almost seems to be to the point of discrimination. Furthermore, my “non-scientific” observation tells me there are a lot more that prefer lefties than the market is representing. But I digress… I will spare the digression of why lefties are better, and get to the point…

Obviously, a lot of personal preference comes into play when choosing a reel as well as its intended use. I have used and tried and own many different reels and I know what I like.  Most of what I own today are now very old (but goodies) but now in need of replacement. The salt has not been kind to my mainstays. I have done my homework and narrowed my list down to a few reels, and now probably down to just splitting hairs, yet I’m still left in a conundrum because I can’t have it all!  I don’t mind paying more for something if the quality rates it. Let me know your thoughts. Please keep in mind the preferences. In other words, I don’t want to hear how great an Avet reel is for example, because there’s no such thing as a level wind left hand Avet!

Use: Local saltwater jigging and casting (and all-around use), to be paired on a MH/H 7” rod

My preferences by priority:
1.   Salt water rated
2.   Left Hand
3.   Level Wind
4.   Baitcaster style (thumb bar behind spool NOT a button or lever on the side)
5.   Compact, light, but with good line capacity and heavy drag capabilities.
6.   Lever drag (would be nice!)

Choice #1
Model: Abu Garcia Record 6601HC
This is the one I’m most interested in hearing reviews on! I wasn’t aware it even existed until I held one in my hand at Cabelas. All I ever hear about is the C3’s and C4’s which is possibly one of the most popular and other lesser-end Abu’s.

Choice #2
Model: Lexa 300 or 400
Why I like it most: Low Profile, and meets the most of all options
Biggest drawback: Price, (perception of) serviceability compared to #1

Choice #3
Model: Okuma Solterra SLR-15LX
Why I like it: It’s the only reel I can find that that meets 1-3 above AND has a Lever Drag.
Biggest drawback: Lever Release-Not a thumb bar baitcaster

Choice #4
Model: Penn Fathom FTH20LWLH
Why I like it: Heavy duty with 30 Lbs of Drag
Biggest drawback: Lever release- Not a thumb bar baitcaster

Here is my input for you, just my two cents:

-The Lexa 400 is big. It has a low profile design, but it has the size of a regular salt water conventional reel, which is weird when you pick one up and play with it. It's overkill for your planned usage.

-The Lexas are very straight forward when it comes to taking them apart, greasing and cleaning them. I clean mine once every one or two years, depending on how much each reel gets used but they see a lot of salt water use. They are also a great fit for your planned uses and come in lefty models.

-Kayak fishermen pretty much never need more than about 20 lbs. of drag in a reel. Of course, others may want to debate me on this, but I'm convinced.

I have owned your top two choices. I did not like the lexa. I felt it was to easily rendered unhappy with sand and salt. I own a bunch if 5501 and 6501 and 1 6601... I actually prefer the button on the side... I feel like the lever on the 6601 gets in the way of my being able to use my thumb to provide the tension I want. 

I have an Avet and it is left handed but it doesn't have a worm drive. You have to use your thumb to guide the line evenly on the reel. I wouldn't recommend this reel to anyone. It was awesome at first, I really like the lever drag and release. The design allows for saltwater to really get inside the reel and that has wreaked havoc on my reel's performance. I tried to be good about rinsing it out after every use but that doesn't seem like it is enough. I have had my Avet for less than six months and I'm having problems with corrosion/pitting on the main housing. I'm pretty bummed about it and I'm also exploring other options in salt water reels.

I favor the lever release over the button type. It seems to me that there is less chance of the lever failing, like I've experienced with every thumb button release style reel.

The Record is a sweet reel. I have a buddy that uses them for salmon. He's too much of a weenie to fish the ocean in his kayak, but I imagine it would be a great bottom fishing reel.

Another plug I forgot to make about the Lexas is that they come off the shelf with carbon fiber drag washers.

Ok, the Daiwa guy is shutting up now.

Rawk loves his lexa. I remember the first time I said I didn't like mine and took it back... He was aghast.

I'm a lefty and I have two of those reels. the Record and the Fathom...


The fathom is really a pretty heavy duty reel in a small package. It would be a great salt water setup for Northwest fishing. Suitable for trolling, halibut, rockfish, salmon whatever. The fact that the spool does not engage by turning the handle on the reel might be considered a drawback but otherwise this reel is great.

The record is very smooth and I had mine for one year but I took it apart for a cleaning and must have screwed it up. Other than that it's suitable for a lot of fresh and saltwater trolling, jigging rocks and lings, etc.

I have not added the Lexa to the lineup - I have a Lexa spinning reel and it's smooth but not what you are looking into..

Another reel which is budget but seems OK so far (had it two years??) is the Okuma Coldwater...

Good luck fishing.

I forgot to mention there is a minor issue I have had with the Penn reels... The paint seems really prone to chip off... This goes for the Battle and Spinfisher series spinning reels. It looks like that's the same paint on my Fathom but I don't have a ton of mileage on that reel yet...

I would add another to your list.
The Abu Revo. Some of their line is saltwater rated like the toro and the winch. Awesome little reels.
I know you said lever drag would be great but you are not going to find a lever drag with a thumb release. Also 95% of lever drag reels aren't level wind. After you use a non level wind reel for a while you get used to laying the line with your thumb. Narrow spools are your friend.

The Abu Garcia Ambasadeur Record Model #RCN6601HC-LH IS NOT your Classic 6601. It is a significant upgrade in components over the C3 and C4

For comparison, here is what you get for the difference in price between the #1 and #2 choices:
Low Profile-Advantage Lexa
Both have Carbon drag system  but there is 22lb drag on Lexa vs 15 on Record-Advantage Lexa
Lexa 10.5 oz vs. Record 11.8 oz- Advantage Lexa
Magnetic cast control- Advantage Lexa
Choice of gear ratio- Advantage Lexa
Power Handle available on both models- Draw
7 Bearing System (2CRBB, 4BB +1RB) vs 7 stainless steel HPCRTM bearings + 1 roller bearing- Advantage Record

BUT!
In all fairness... lets compare apples to apples! Abu Garcia makes a high capacity, low profile,  salt water left hand reel that is more directly comparable to the Lexa- The REVO TORO NaCL (Scientific name for saltwater btw.) RVO-TORO NaCl50/NaCl51/NaCl60/NaCl61
The 50 size is comparable to the Lexa 300.

Or the Shimano Curado CU301 for that matter....

I would add another to your list.
The Abu Revo. Some of their line is saltwater rated like the toro and the winch. Awesome little reels.
I know you said lever drag would be great but you are not going to find a lever drag with a thumb release. Also 95% of lever drag reels aren't level wind. After you use a non level wind reel for a while you get used to laying the line with your thumb. Narrow spools are your friend.

Sorry. I must have posted the same time about the Abu Revo. I think you are right that is the Toro that is rated for the salt. Not so sure about the Winch.

I know how to thumb! I just don't want to! Been there, done that. Yeah... what you said.... but I want it all!

sorry i didn't note the Record... skimmed right over that.  I would choose the abu over the lexa regardless... cause I disliked the lexa so much.

I own 2 Lexa 300's, 1 w/ power handle and 1 with regular handle. I love mine.  They have both easily handled large chum, kings, silvers, and all the bottom fish we target.  I don't think you need the 400 as is it a little larger and the 300 can handle anything we do aside from trolling and large species (sturgeon & halibut).  I would suggest the regular handle unless you primarily are jigging. 

I would second what Fungunnin said with the Revo inshore and also add the Orra inshore to your list.  They will be smaller, more expensive, but just as nice.  I dont have the new inshores (black and blue) but the older version and it was one of my primary reels.  I used it for all bottom fish to include flounder in the sound, fishing for salmon on the rivers, trout in ponds and casting to salmon in the sound. 

I hope this information helps!  Best thing is know what your price range is and stick with it.  Find the reels you narrow it done to and hold them in your hand to see what feels good.  Good LUCK!!

i was thinking about getting the lexa 300. rev, what did u dislike about the lexa?

I would add another to your list.
The Abu Revo. Some of their line is saltwater rated like the toro and the winch. Awesome little reels.
I know you said lever drag would be great but you are not going to find a lever drag with a thumb release. Also 95% of lever drag reels aren't level wind. After you use a non level wind reel for a while you get used to laying the line with your thumb. Narrow spools are your friend.

+1 on the Revo Toro Winch, I own one which I use for just about everything Salt water and heavy lifting.  It has been in constant use for about ten years. Other than yearly cleanings it has not had a single glitch. The one I own 61h is a tad big for the kayak but works great. If I had my druthers i would get the 51 both are left hand retrieves
Look at the Abu Garcia Revo Toro NaCI-HS Low Profile Baitcast Reel. You may be impressed!

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