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Posts: 1100
| Yes you can, i installed a toro NACL power handle on my Tranx 301A |
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| After watching the video comparison and take down of reels there is no doubt in my mind which reel will serve my purpose best. Since I fish until freeze up, reel icing becomes an extremely big issue. The least amount of water in the inner working of a reel I use will be a giant plus. I also have a great idea of which reel I wont be buying.
Thanks for posting that. I watched it in its entirety. |
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Posts: 3
| Hello, new to the site and glad I found it!
I am looking to get set up with a muskie rig, and looking for some advice. For a little background, I will be fishing mostly rivers and very small tributary creeks. Due to the water I'll be in I am looking at the 7'-7'6" St Croix Premiere rods. I've been looking hard recently at the new Tranx reels, and feel like it will be between them and the Calcutta 400b for me. As for lures, I plan to use mostly small to moderate size Muskie cranks, spinners, and some rubber. I will not be fishing everyday, probably between 10-20 a year for Muskie.
My question for this thread relates to the Tranx 300hg. I can get a good value on one at BPS due to gift cards and trade in program, but I am not real good with matching gear ratios to specific applications. Do you guys think that the high gear ratio of this reel will fit my setup and lures well, or should I hold out for a lower ratio model? Right now the 300hg is the only model in stock at BPS.
I appreciate any information you guys can offer, and I look forward to frequenting this site!
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Posts: 218
| Mabren I would take into consideration the typical current flow on the rivers/streams you'll be fishing. If the current is pretty consistently fast then the high gear option would be my first choice. If you're fishing backwaters or slow moving rivers then it won't matter as much. If you're interested in the 300 A or either of the 400 Tranx choices why not just hold off a little bit. Shimano is just in the process of getting these reels to market and more seem to be arriving all the time. Don't force yourself into a decision based on what a store has available "today". You also mentioned the Calcutta B which is an excellent choice for an all around reel. They have been a proven, dependable reel for many years. It is on the slower end of the line pick-up spectrum so if you're considering a high gear option that might not work the best for you but otherwise I've got nothing but praise for the Calcutta 400 B's I've owned over the years. Good luck. |
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Posts: 3
| Thanks for the reply. I will not be fishing in very strong current. As far as the different Tranx models go, I really have no preference, I just want to make sure I get the one that will suit the way I will be fishing the best. I prefer low profile reels overall, which is why I lean toward the new Tranx, but if i go with a round reel it will likely be the Calcutta. I completely agree with not rushing the purchase, but I do like the $50 trade in rebate and only have a couple weeks to take advantage of that. However if the consensus is that the slower reel will be better suited for my style, then I have no problem waiting and spending the extra $50. Since I am starting from scratch with muskie fishing, the $90 in trade in rebates between the rod and reel will allow me to buy some of the other goodies I will need. Thanks again for the advice! |
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Posts: 1000
| Welcome to the site! I'd suggest creating a new thread specifically on this.
Regarding the tranx, if you buy on the bay you'll probably save quite a bit. I'd hold off a few more weeks.
Regarding the rod, why only 7.5? Aside from all the usual benefits of a longer rod (figure 8's, better hook sets, line pickup, and lure control), I'd imagine the casting distance would be helpful for shore fishing. If space is an issue, multiple mfrs (TI, Okuma, Shimano, St Croix) offer telescoping options. Given that you're new to the sport, I'd look hard at one of these.
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Posts: 3
| Yeah, I maybe should have done a separate thread. I didn't really want to hijack, I guess I was just thinking that since the reels I'm interested in were being discussed here I might get some opinions from people who are currently looking at the same reels.
As far as the rod, I will be fishing from a boat, but the primary spots I'll be targeting are quite small tributary creeks. They're not very wide at all, and there is a substantial tree canopy overhead. I know in my research I see the long sticks being suggested most often, but I just don't think they will suit what I will be doing well. Thanks for the reply! |
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Posts: 29
Location: Romeo Michigan | Regarding the 400HG, how would one get a paddle handle instead of the power handle? |
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Posts: 300
| Wondering the same thing. To me, it makes more sense to have the power handle on the PG Tranx. I like high speed reels to have paddle handles, because I think I can reel them faster. That being said, I just ordered a HG model and will probably love the power handle on it. |
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Posts: 1000
| Shimano said they'd offer it for $39. You can probably order it through your local muskie shop or online
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Posts: 424
| A good video :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCCgHz53HqM
esoxone |
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Posts: 291
Location: Madison, WI | Looking at picking one up. Mainly going to be used for small bucktails/cranks however undecided on 7.6 or 5.8. Never had a musky reel before with that much pick up. Obviously for burning the blades higher is going to be better but also not sure if that gear if more for saltwater applications. HG worth it? |
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Posts: 300
| I picked one up as well. I went with the HG, but I am using it for my rubber rod. This one does not have the power of the 500 series HG. If you arent using 9s and 10s...I think the HG would be fine. But mine wont ever reel in a bucktail. |
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Posts: 1000
| If you're burning big blades, the 500 is still probably the best way to go in terms of comfort and durability. All I know is I've never seen a double 10 move like I have with a 500HG.
The 400HG is probably going to be an excellent rubber reel though. |
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Posts: 291
Location: Madison, WI | My bad, I should have been more specific. What I meant was burning small blades....nothing more than 8's. I use a winch on the larger stuff that is re geared to 5.3.
Just smaller bucktails, cranks. Even then, would the 40" per turn be too much if not used for line pickup (rubber, jerkbaits, etc.) |
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Posts: 300
| I wouldnt think it would be. Depending on how big of cranks you are throwing. |
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Posts: 668
Location: mercer wi | So I got a 400 hg to try and I filled the spool to Shimano suggesttion. I went to a local boat launch that has open water and casted a cowgirl with hooks removed. I only casted 10- 15 times. I was impressed by the easy of the pull. Not a whole lot of resistence. The power handle is sweet for the hg. I was reeling at a I would call a medium pass and the blades were bolging great. Time will tell the rest of the story but this reel is sweet. Had it on a big nasty by the way. |
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Posts: 408
Location: MN | ^ Great feedback. That's really been my question - will it be the only smaller LP reel with 38+ IPT that can pull 10s.
Any chance you could measure the radius of the handle? That is, distance from the shaft to the center of the knob? By comparison, the Beast paddle is 52.5 mm, Komodo SS 364 is 49mm, and the 400 Komodo is 60 mm. Just wondering how the power handle leverage compares with the competition. |
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Posts: 135
| Tranx 300/400 "A" low gear model has a 102mm double handle with oversized rubber knobs. (51mm from center.)
Tranx 300/400 "AHG" high gear model has a 70mm single handle with a Ci4+ handle knob.
Tranx 500 power handle is 65mm.
The Tranx 300/400 power handle should be available for separate purchase for around $40: part BNT5474
The Tranx 300/400 power handle knob is size "B" so could be replaced with the Tranx 500 or Curado 300 rubber knobs.
Also, the handle post is the usual 5mm x 8mm, so it will accept many Daiwa and Abu power handles (but need an 11mm hex nut rather than those brands 10mm nut), Tranx 500 handle, LJV handle, Trinidad handles or aftermarket handles such as those from Jigging World. Only consideration is that some longer/heavier handles may generate enough force to flip the bail closed on a cast...this is why the Tranx 300/400 power handle knob is made from Ci4, to keep it light weight.
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Posts: 408
Location: MN | Awesome - thank you. The above report makes sense given the length of the power handle.
Neglecting internal friction, the force applied to the handle is proportional to IPT / handle radius. That ratio for the 300/400 HG Tranx is slightly less than a Beast 50 HS or NaCl 5.4:1 with their double paddles.
Very excited about this reel. Hopefully it will hold up over time. |
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Posts: 470
Location: Blaine, MN | If anyone is interested in selling their AHG Power handle before the end of May (When I will just buy from Shimano) I would take if off their hands at a premium. My season will already be 2 months old by then. |
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Posts: 5
| http://tackletour.com/previewshimanotranx.html |
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Posts: 309
Location: Elgin IL | I haven't casted it yet but my first impression I was disappointed in the size but did like the huge paddle handle. Little bigger than a Curado...4 drag washers bigger spool...I may buy the power handle and the HG gear and pinion and switch back and forth.
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Posts: 1100
| Why were you disappointed in the size, is to big or to small ? |
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Posts: 309
Location: Elgin IL | Small...was thinking more like a Lexa 400 size |
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Posts: 859
Location: MN | How big is the 400 compared to the curado 300ej? |
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Posts: 1660
Location: central Wisconsin | NathanH - 4/6/2017 12:19 PM
How big is the 400 compared to the curado 300ej?
It is bigger than that. I'd say similar to a Revo Toro 60. |
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Posts: 196
| does anyone know if/when Cabela's will be getting the 400 size reels? I"ve got some Cabela's cash I need to use. |
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Posts: 7009
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | PredLuR - 3/24/2017 7:57 AM
Looking at picking one up. Mainly going to be used for small bucktails/cranks however undecided on 7.6 or 5.8. Never had a musky reel before with that much pick up. Obviously for burning the blades higher is going to be better but also not sure if that gear if more for saltwater applications. HG worth it?
They will go faster, as will the life span of the reel. Don't buy a high speed reel for big blades. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | crazy talk! tranx 500s don't break...and the HG will reel them in faster than other reels... |
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