|
|
Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | Been quite a bit of chatter on the new Tranx reels in the smaller sizes. I'm in the market for a new reel. Last year bought a Revo Toro S and Toro Beast in 60 sizes. Been great reels so far.
The Tranx 400A has me interested for a double 10, Rubber, multipurpose reel. I would likely be adding a power handle to it.
Questions: Is the Tranx 400 for $299+ $40 for a handle upgrade worth it vs the Beast which comes with 3 handles and I can get for about $288? If so what makes it that much better?
Side note/question: does anybody know if the handles from either the Revo Toro NACL's or the Toro S/Beast will fit on the Shimano Tranx reels?
Thanks,
Tucker |
|
| |
|
Posts: 211
Location: Wisconsin | If you buy the 400A at jigging world when they get them back in stock you can add their power handle for $1. I really wanted to go that route but did not want to wait for them to get it back in stock. I have had both the Nacl and the S and can say from experience that I personally think the tranx is a nicer reel. Very smooth on the cast and very comfortable to palm. I have only used the beast a handful of times and its definitely a nice reel also, that being said i would still roll with the tranx. From time to time jigging world has discounts posted on facebook up to 15% off. I got both of mine at Monster fishing tackle for 269.00. shipped when they had them in stock. The stock power handle on the tranx brings in big blades much easier than the power handle on the S. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 28
| I don't have a 400A, but I used the 400AHG a decent amount last week on LOTW, and was very impressed. Very smooth and seems well put together. I did have a few backlashes, but that was likely due to me throwing a 2x4 jerkbait into 25 mph winds...
Used it mostly for dive/rise and rubber, but also threw 8s with it and was very pleased with how it handled them (very fast). My buddy used his 400A (w/ a power handle) and said it was awesome for throwing blades.
I actually am thinking about selling one of my Beast 60s to get a 400A, strictly for throwing 9s, 10s, and topwater. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1675
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | Definitely go Tranx over the beast. I have a ton of hours on my first 400 and just bought 3 more. I have all 5.8 reels and one has the Shimano power handle. The nacl handles will fit, but you will need the nut and retainer from the handle you install. The beast/s handles have square drive instead of the rectangle like the typical reels use. I repair reels as a side job and see a fair amount of beast reels with issues. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | Interesting. If i take the handle and nut from a nacl, can I then put the handle and nut from the shimano on the nacl? That would keep me fron needing a power handle, or at least get me by for a while. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1675
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | curleytail - 7/20/2017 11:00 AM
Interesting. If i take the handle and nut from a nacl, can I then put the handle and nut from the shimano on the nacl? That would keep me fron needing a power handle, or at least get me by for a while.
handle, nut, retainer, and retainer screw and the handles will work. I have a Lexa 400 paddle handle that I have rotated to my grey toro 60's and tranx 400's.
I drilled and tapped a hole for the different retainers to fit so I could keep the original components with the reels other than the handle. Not hard to do if you are handy and have access to metric taps. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Tucker, we were just up on LOTW and met up with Dick P. He had bought a Tranx 400A based on the hype here to try for tens. I threw it twice and agree completely with his assessment. Even with power handle it is not a dbl ten reel. I like my Beast 4.9 for that application much better. To each their own however |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | Propster, that's a surprise. Are you saying it had too much resistance? At about the same line pickup as the Revo Toro 60S and a significantly longer power handle, it seems the lower speed 400A would make them pretty easy.
I've been using a HS Beast 60 so I imagine the slower 400A would be easier.
Tucker |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Yes more resistance than I care for. Way different than the same 30 ipt of the Tranx 500. But if you're using a Beast 6.2 at 34 ipt then it probably would feel a bit better. But still not good in my opinion |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1675
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | The 400a 5.8:1 with the power handle is easier than my 500PG. I'm guessing you did this at the end of a long day... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Nope. The 500 PG I have used you can barely feel the blades when retrieving dbl tens at medium pace. The 400 was definitely more difficult. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1675
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | Propster - 7/26/2017 7:28 PM
Nope. The 500 PG I have used you can barely feel the blades when retrieving dbl tens at medium pace. The 400 was definitely more difficult.
I completely disagree. I own 500's in both speeds and 4 400's. The 400 5.8 with the power handle is about 2/3 the resistance on the handle as my pg. the 400 power handle is longer than the 500 handle even... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1901
Location: MN | A matter of opinion I guess. I won't be buying one for that purpose anyway |
|
| |
|
Posts: 386
| Propster - 7/26/2017 11:22 PM
A matter of opinion I guess. I won't be buying one for that purpose anyway
Great reel, but definitely not a double 10 reel, at least from a longevity standpoint. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | Pat, what makes you say that about them? In comparison would you consider the Abu Beast or S good 10 reels from a longevity standpoint? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 211
Location: Wisconsin | I had the S and i can tell you the Tranx 400 brings in bucktails much easier with the power handle. Watch the youtube video on the comparison of the reels and the internal components. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 386
| curleytail - 7/27/2017 6:39 AM
Pat, what makes you say that about them? In comparison would you consider the Abu Beast or S good 10 reels from a longevity standpoint?
At ICAST I spoke with several Shimano Reps about the new 400 and it was the general consensus they were not built to take the beating from hard-pulling baits. I'm not saying they won't but this is coming from the horse's mouth. I really like my 400's as a general use reel and feel they would be fine for occasional use with larger baits but I would highly suggest going to the 500 as a dedicated big-blade reel. If you're not a fan of the 500 then I personally feel the 4.9 Beast to be a good option. I would not get the S for larger bucktails. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | Interesting. Wonder if the reps concern of 10's is real or if they are just pushing the Tranx 500 hard for big baits.
Overall I'm not a fan of the price, weight, or size of the Tranx 500. That's not to say I'll never have one though.
I've been using a HS Beast and an S for 10's and pretty much everything else for the last year. Can't say I've had any durability issues with either yet. I did have the Beast engage on the cast a couple times and it may be a bit rougher than before and need new gears/pinion, but no issues that would have been caused by pulling double 10's at a pretty fast clip with the extended jigging handle.
Tucker |
|
| |
|
Posts: 815
Location: Waukee, IA | I can't comment on the tranx 400, but I definitely wore a toro S60 out pulling tens last summer. Fast retrieval of hard pulling baits on reels with brass gearing simply doesn't work, no matter the manufacturer.
Everybody has their favorite brand that they love talking up, but physics is physics. Brass isnt hard enough to deal with the strain. If you want high speed, go with a reel that has stainless gears (tranx 500, saltist, Komodo ss, etc) |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1901
Location: MN | When did Tranx 500 switch to stainless gears? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1675
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | Propster - 7/27/2017 9:45 AM
When did Tranx 500 switch to stainless gears?
Never. Tranx 500 has brass gears. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1133
Location: NorthCentral WI | Any rumors of a Tranx 501 yet? Patiently waiting... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 815
Location: Waukee, IA | My bad, I thought the 500 had ss gears. The size of the gears must help it's longevity |
|
| |
|
Posts: 253
| No rumores for a 501
I blaim the americain fishing industry |
|
| |
|
Posts: 304
| "Life' is opinion and perspective.Here's my opinion on the 400.It is NOT a D10 reel,with or w/out power handle,and wasn't made to be.A Zebco 202 will pull 10s so of course the 400 will as well,but not without too much resistance.My cabin is next to a Resort that is a hotbed of activity by many hardcore musky fishermen.I dock my boat there.I've had numerous people try the reel and ALL agree with me.(this includes a well known hardcore Shimano devotee and also the owner of that Resort who guides for muskies)Great reel,usual Shimano smoothness and quality,but not a D10 reel like their Tranx 500,Trinidads etc.(on the quality aspect,I and another have found the 'cast control' on the 400 to be 'touchy' at best)
One more thing,if you have thumb issues like I do,the Beast thumb bar is lower and at a better 'angle' than the 400 by a significant amount.Try and compare,your mileage may vary.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 211
Location: Wisconsin | Used my 400pg this weekend throwing double 9's and it worked great. I don't throw 10's that often so I think this reel will do everything I need it for. I don't think it would be a great dedicated double 10 reel but I also don't think the beast is great for that either. For less money the tranx seems like a great option. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | Thanks for the feedback. The comment about opinions is pretty true I think. I'm wondering if some opinions about reels have changed since the 500 Tranx came out. A whole lot of 10s were thrown before that big reel came to life. I've never used one and maybe I'm missing something, but so far I've done well enough with smaller lighter reels. If I did get a 500 if would have to be thr Hg as most 30 ipt reels with a decent power handle are easy enough as is I think.
May give a Tranx 400 a shot yet and see how it does.
Tucker |
|
| |
|
Posts: 199
| I tried out a 400ahg over the weekend while pan fishing with our daughter. Only had a revolution 9 and it was easier to me than my ej300 with a lazer. The 400ahg paired with my long ranger is going to be the perfect double 8 combo and small bait setup. |
|
| |
