Chater boat Reel decision

Hey Guys I think I'm overthinking this, but thought I would ask

I'm taking the GF on a crab combo charter boat tomorrow to catch her first non-anchovy, and she's really excited to go.

I usually have her using my Lexa 300, because it's lightweight and simpler than a lever drag.
I was going to bring the Lexa for her and my Penn Warframe for me instead of my avet just because I want the levelwind for dropping 200 foot over and over.

I've never used that much weight on the Lexa am I just overthinking it, or should I bring the Penn  for her and I just deal without levelwind with the avet?

I have fished 200+ FOW with up to 10 ounces on the 300 and the reel had no issues dealing with it. It’s to the point that I prefer bring along the two 300’s I have and leave my bigger conventional reels at home. The only concern with I have with the 300’s is hooking into something where I need enough line on the reel to survive some extended runs.

You could always pack along the other reels and change out on the fly if you had too, but I don’t think you’ll need them.

I usually take about 6-8 rods with me so I know nothing of limiting gear 

I will say, a 300 sized reel will be fine for the majority of coastal rockfish.  I have had days out at the islands where 16+ ozs were needed and I was crazy deep into the spool once you hit bottom.  At those weights a bigger reel with lower gearing  is just easier to manage, especially with a good fish on.

I go on charters all the time since my friend runs one. I've been out twice this year where we used 20 oz and 24 oz to touch bottom. The reels are normally not an issue, it's the rods and the people behind the rod that typically have more of an issue handling the heavy drop weights. Those 2 days were pretty rough. just fill ur spool with 30-40 pound brade and u will be fine! Bringing a back up rod and reel isnt a bad idea. Good luck out there!

I go on charters all the time since my friend runs one. I've been out twice this year where we used 20 oz and 24 oz to touch bottom. The reels are normally not an issue, it's the rods and the people behind the rod that typically have more of an issue handling the heavy drop weights. Those 2 days were pretty rough. just fill ur spool with 30-40 pound brade and u will be fine! Bringing a back up rod and reel isnt a bad idea. Good luck out there!

I agree with this assessment. 30lb braid will lift large lead and fish out of the deep with little issue, and you'll be able to spool ample line to reach 200, though I don't know the Daiwa's spool capacity all that well. If drag is your concern, a strong thumb can give considerable traction when needed, just be confident in your knots line to line, swivels, etc.  I think I read a post about rods, also, which is likely going to be the most important consideration for the upcoming trip. That, and which color to drop. .

Good luck!

Thanks for the replies everyone, I ended up taking the Lexa and the Wareframe and she much prefers the Warframe, I think mostly because of the handle length it was way easier to crank vs the Lexa.

she was Dropping 12oz with shrimp flies on 20lbs floro leader, I was dropping 16oz /w 5" then 8" swimbait and shrimp fly on 50 pound flouro, both on Shimano trevala and she was Kicking ass first drop she had a double with one chunky Canary, on her second drop an even bigger Canary! Wish I had taken pictures but it was raining the entire time, unfortunately my new phone doesn't have a waterproof case on it, Plus I had to catch up!

I think I caught 6 fish total, otherwise she helped limited me, and a couple of our neighbors that were having a really tough bite, I was able to hunt for lings with the lady getting all the rockfish, unfortunately there was only a couple spots we hit that anyone caught a ling.

all in all, 20 rockfish 20 crab ( one 7" one 7.5" the rest respectable 6-6.5), we couldn't have had a better time at the Islands given the weather, and when we got back, after I dispatched and cooked the crabs, she took over and picked the meat off ten of them while I cooked up a little dinner for our reward.

that Crab sure looks good!

Looks like you were out on the Cal Dawn. Sounds like you all had a good trip and not a bad way to end the year!

Looks like you were out on the Cal Dawn. Sounds like you all had a good trip and not a bad way to end the year!

Tigerfish out of Emeryville.  Cal Dawn is dope with the galley, but I like emeryville with the online booking vs berkley.

Thanks, it was a good rockfish session. with the nice crab bonus.