Daiwa Lexa 300CC Bait Cast Reel

I bought this reel sight unseen, just seen pics in the Daiwa catalog. It's the same body as the Lexa 300HD and has the double paddle handle of the original Lexa 300. But this has a bait clicker.

Most Daiwa bait cast reels have magnetic braking, but due to this reel has a bait clicker, the braking is accomplished by centrifugal braking. Not used to Daiwa using a different braking system.

Upon opening the side plate, the braking is a 6 pin system like most current Shimano bait cast reels. So I guess I'm happy to see this instead of some funky braking system like on Quantum and Okuma bait cast reels.

Only thing though, when you take off the side plate to access the brakes, the whole side plate comes off. 

This feels a bit lower profile in the hand than the Curado 301 that I have. I'll have to check them out side by side later,  I just got the reel.

It's a good looking reel, this is 6.8:1 gear ratio, 28" IPT. Daiwa also has a lower gear ratio Lexa 300CC.

I'll mostly use this for swim baits, but I'll have 50lb PP braid, so it will be used in other applicstions.