By popular demand, DAIWA’s new LX HD 500 is engineered for long casts with big baits to pelagic predators and inland muskies. 

FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (February 26, 2024) – Ever been spooled? Your story retold countless times about that fabled leviathan peeling away every inch of line, never to be seen again. We can’t verify that your story is true, but it does happen. Either the spool’s line capacity simply couldn’t accommodate the fish’s run toward the horizon, or the gear was undersized, perhaps inferior, and not up to the task.

DAIWA listened to its saltwater and muskie-fishing faithful about their line-capacity needs. They requested a super-capacity spool on a full-figured but pristinely performing baitcasting reel. DAIWA answered with the new LEXA HD 500.

“They’ve been waiting for this size,” said DAIWA Marketing Manager and offshore saltwater ace, Marc Mills, about west coast anglers wanting a larger, low-profile baitcaster to hurl large baits to species like wahoo, yellowtail, and a surging population of bluefin tuna. Top west coast offshore and inshore captains Duane Diego and Gerry Mahieu have been asking for this reel. Now they have it.”

“These guys and gals are chucking big baits like wahoo bombs, poppers, stickbaits, and surface iron (huge flat-sided spoons screamed across the surface) to some seriously big fish. The LEXA HD 500’s upsized spool provides the capacity needed for long casts and even longer runs.” How big? Mills says DAIWA’s new LEXA HD 500 is built to bring 40- to 200 lb. fish boatside.

“And what’s totally impressive is the LEXA HD 500 still casts like a 400,” said Mills about not losing any performance with the increased size.

 

How much line capacity are we talking about? “With 60-lb. braid, which is a common weight, that’s more than three football fields!” In fact, it’s technically a whopping 380-yards. (Full chart below.)

Across the heartland to the east coast, Mills said there’s a growing army of anglers parking their spinning gear and reaching for low-profile baitcasters. “More and more Florida anglers are throwing swimbaits for species like snook and tarpon and graduating to baitcasting gear.” Same is true up the Atlantic coast for striped bass, he added.

And now for something completely different… The LEXA series in general has gained fame with freshwater muskie anglers. And they, too, were asking for something larger. Tailormade for long-bombing upsized bucktails, jerkbaits, and super-sized plastics, the DAIWA LEXA HD 500 is sure to be a hit in the north.

Beyond its super-capacity spool, the LEXA HD 500 is fraught with exclusive DAIWA features and technologies:

ADVANCED TOURNAMENT DRAG (ATD)

DAIWA’s ATD uses an improved drag grease that exhibits a low viscosity at rest yet becomes more viscous immediately after drag start up. This reduces initial drag start-up inertia and results in a smoother drag from the hook up.

ROBUST CONSTRUCTION

In concert with its exceptional performance in saltwater, the LEXA HD 500 features a full aluminum frame and sideplates, as well as a strong clutch for engaging powerful gamefish.

MAGFORCE CAST CONTROL

DAIWA Magforce spools feature a dynamic rotor that can adjust out and back from the spool. As you start a cast and the spool approaches maximum speed, the spool’s rotor is kicked out towards the magnets, creating a smooth braking pressure to prevent overrun.

6CRBB, 1RB

Lasting 12 times longer than standard stainless steel bearings, DAIWA’s corrosion resistant ball bearings feature specially treated stainless steel and a protective shield on the bearing race that seals out sand, fine grit, salt crystals, and other abrasives. The result is a longer lasting bearing that’s protected from the corrosive elements that destroy traditional bearings.

Rounding out the LX HD 500’s features are its aluminum frame and side cover, generous 120mm swept handle, and stainless steel gears throughout.

LX HD 500 FEATURES:

• Super-Sized Spool
• Aluminum Frame and Side Cover
• T-Wing System
• Magforce Cast Control
• Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD
• 120mm Swept Handle
• Stainless Steel Gears – Main and Pinion

MSRP $449.99

For Daiwa’s latest color catalog and/or information on Daiwa dealers in your area, call Daiwa’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: [email protected]. The URL for Daiwa’s web site is daiwa.us