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Posts: 1000
| People who have been running them, how's it been?
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| Just might be the best ever made........price, quality, smooth, speed, distance, drag, size, sweeeeetness |
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Posts: 88
Location: Wisconsin | Used my 400AHG for four days so far. Very impressed. Cast great. Smooth. Comfortable for palming. Only threw D8's and smaller, so it wasn't a real hard test. Bought it for throwing rubber. Tom |
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Posts: 859
Location: MN | Love the 300 ph didn't switch to the powerhandle as I don't think it's needed. |
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| They might not do everything but pretty dang close. I doubt you will find a dawg ripping big rubber bait thrower anywhere that does it better than the 400ahg.. As far as the A, I am ordering the power handle which should add the sweetness to it for 10s. If you wanna pull 13 you are going to have to get the 500pg. |
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Posts: 1084
Location: Aurora | Not a big fan of the disengaging level wind.
Line rips off the reel when it stops on the side, even with an 8 weave braid.
Swapped my 400 even up fer an Okuma Komodo 463 and couldn't be happier. |
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Posts: 859
Location: MN | Sidejack - 6/4/2017 6:57 PM
Not a big fan of the disengaging level wind.
Line rips off the reel when it stops on the side, even with an 8 weave braid.
Swapped my 400 even up fer an Okuma Komodo 463 and couldn't be happier.
I have two of the smaller Okuma Komodo's my favorite reels. Wish they offered a slower gear ratio. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | I took my 500 off my buck tail rod and replaced it with the 400 . Cast great size is nice light easy to palm. I got the pg worket great on show girls . Aly biger blades ill use my 500 . |
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Posts: 272
| Howdy,
How does the 5.8 Tranx perform with 10's? Can it replace the 500 Pg? Also, how does it compare to the Toro Beast line of reels?
Take care,
Ruddiger |
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Posts: 153
Location: Storm Lake, IA | so what does every one think is the right size? I'm looking at getting one for an all around reel. Topwater, jerkbaits, slow blades. |
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Posts: 251
| Does anyone have an issue with line pilling up on one side or the other? When I point the rod tip right at the bait it doesn't happen which could be the case for all reels but I don't recall it happening on any of my other reels if my bait is off to one side or the other. I agree with all other comments that it is great! |
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Posts: 272
| Howdy,
I do NOT have a Tranx 300/400 yet, however, I did have this happen with a Calcutta 300D. It seemed that if I fished the same shorelines, from the same direction, that the line eventually stacked up on one side of the reel. The opposite was true if I went a different direction.
It occurred like clockwork (particularly on a straight retrieve with bucktails or topwaters) and was, I assume, based upon the angle I held the rod in position to the lure as I worked the trolling motor.
I noticed that it was significantly more of a problem with larger diameter line than smaller diameter line (ex-worse with 80lb than 65lb).
Take care,
Ruddiger |
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Posts: 251
| I wonder if it is a design issue with the newer Shimano reels. I don't have an issue with my Tranx 500, Curado, TE or Toro S. |
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Posts: 425
Location: MN | I have a 300ahg and 301ahg.
Good:
- fits great in my smaller hands, more comfortable than a Beast, similar to NaCl 50
- cranking force needed is manageable with everything I've tried so far (10's, some cranks, etc.) Not sure about 12's. I can crank a 3.5 oz double 10 just slow enough to stay under the water for an extended period of time.
Bad:
- line bunches up on side as others have noted
- constantly have to tighten star drag down. Particularly bad when ripping crankbaits.
- the screw that holds on the metal piece that retains the handle shaft nut fell out on both reels within a couple days. The metal piece then fell off and the nuts loosened. I noticed when after a cast, my #*^@ handle was gone! Handle fell in the drink along with several pieces underneath. Checked the other reel and it was getting loose as well. I called Shimano and they want me to buy all of the parts - "handles don't just fall off." So I'm expecting to shell out another $60-80 just to get them back to original after 4 days of use. Will put some loctite on those screws moving forward. |
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Posts: 46
| for those saying the 400AHG will be perfect for big rubber.... with 18lb max drag, will that be enough on big fish hook sets? Thinking husky dussa in august bringing bait up from deep when its 5-10ft out from boat, miss piggy jumps on for a ride. Will 18lbs on a xxxh 8ft rod be enough to get hooks home where they need to be? Idk, im skeptical. Wish it had over 20lbs drag. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | I used to use Okuma Indurons. I think they had sonething like 10 pounds of drag and I never cranked them all the way down. Never had a problem and I think I land a prettt high percentage of fish, on rubber too.
If you learn to clamp your thumb down on the spool at the hookset you'll never have a problem. Even at that 18 pounds should be plenty if you don't. |
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Posts: 307
| Never seen a musky that would pull 18 lbs of drag on the hook set. There's far too much give in all your other components including rod. |
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Posts: 46
| Thats good in theory but when i work big rubber i hold the fore grip of the rod, not palming the reel. More torque that way and easier to rip the bait and set the hook.
Reason i ask is this has happened to me with drag tightened down on saltists before and all i have is drag slip and no hooks in the fish. Or even when ripping into weeds and then a hard rip to try and clear the bait or weeds... Guessing thats reel failure but still. More power the better when it comes to drag in my mind with this.. can always dial it back, can only make it so strong. But is 18lb enough?
As far as give in equipment... we use 100lb line and 150lb leaders and xxxh rods. 18lb seems like that would be the weakest link and designed that way so we can control it? |
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Posts: 307
| Then I guess this isn't the reel for you. |
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Posts: 272
| nar160 - 6/8/2017 2:14 PM
I have a 300ahg and 301ahg.
Good:
- fits great in my smaller hands, more comfortable than a Beast, similar to NaCl 50
- cranking force needed is manageable with everything I've tried so far (10's, some cranks, etc.) Not sure about 12's. I can crank a 3.5 oz double 10 just slow enough to stay under the water for an extended period of time.
Bad:
- line bunches up on side as others have noted
- constantly have to tighten star drag down. Particularly bad when ripping crankbaits.
- the screw that holds on the metal piece that retains the handle shaft nut fell out on both reels within a couple days. The metal piece then fell off and the nuts loosened. I noticed when after a cast, my #*^@ handle was gone! Handle fell in the drink along with several pieces underneath. Checked the other reel and it was getting loose as well. I called Shimano and they want me to buy all of the parts - "handles don't just fall off." So I'm expecting to shell out another $60-80 just to get them back to original after 4 days of use. Will put some loctite on those screws moving forward.
Howdy,
Out of curiosity, what pound and brand of braid are you using? Some brands are larger than others for the same break strength (ex-Cortland Spectron is significantly larger than Tuff Line XP in the same "pound").
Take care,
Ruddiger |
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Posts: 425
Location: MN | 80 lb. Sufix 832
When choosing 300 over 400 my primary concern was IPT loss at the end of a cast. By my calculations, using 80 lb sufix or pp, at the end of a long cast (120 ft) the 300 is approx 33 IPT and the 400 is approx 34.5 IPT. I consider that a relatively small difference and worth the comfort tradeoff. With most 100 lb braids, the difference is more significant. Also, to be clear, the 400 is not huge by any means - about like a Beast or S. For larger hands, the 400 may actually be more comfortable. |
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Posts: 213
Location: Wisconsin | I was set on buying one of these new Tranx 400's and now i am a bit more hesitant with some of the reviews that i have read on these. Might lean towards the Komodo 463 instead |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | nar160 - 6/8/2017 1:14 PM
I have a 300ahg and 301ahg.
Good:
- fits great in my smaller hands, more comfortable than a Beast, similar to NaCl 50
- cranking force needed is manageable with everything I've tried so far (10's, some cranks, etc.) Not sure about 12's. I can crank a 3.5 oz double 10 just slow enough to stay under the water for an extended period of time.
Bad:
- line bunches up on side as others have noted
- constantly have to tighten star drag down. Particularly bad when ripping crankbaits.
- the screw that holds on the metal piece that retains the handle shaft nut fell out on both reels within a couple days. The metal piece then fell off and the nuts loosened. I noticed when after a cast, my #*^@ handle was gone! Handle fell in the drink along with several pieces underneath. Checked the other reel and it was getting loose as well. I called Shimano and they want me to buy all of the parts - "handles don't just fall off." So I'm expecting to shell out another $60-80 just to get them back to original after 4 days of use. Will put some loctite on those screws moving forward.
Tell me what you need and I will order them for you and save you 30%. But the nut isn't just "on and then off", it is threaded so has to work its way off - can't believe you didn't feel the handle being loose on at least a cast or two (retrieve) before it would have came off to the point where the handle falls off and you don't even notice it. |
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Posts: 425
Location: MN | ^ Thanks - will PM you.
That's a fair point about the nut, but keep in mind it's not super thick and it caps the shaft, so there aren't a ton of threads between fully on and falling off. The nut on the other reel was almost falling off and I didn't notice that until I looked at it either. With the nut almost falling off, the handle does wobble, but not by an extreme amount. It's something I will definitely keep a closer eye on now. |
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Posts: 670
Location: mercer wi | Is the issue from a reel straight out of the box? Did you try to swap handles or take handle off? I ask because I swapped the paddle handle for power handle and the drag didnt just fall into place, had to get it to seat correctly and was almost spring loaded. Once drag was seated correctly the handle fully theaded and is rock solid. Also when tightning handle nut, the drag needs to be tightened down a bit to expose enough thread.
Just a thought |
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Posts: 425
Location: MN | Straight out of the box. I just put line on them and started fishing. After 4 days the handle nut plate had fallen off of both. On one, the handle nut worked its way off and the other, it was just loose. |
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Posts: 670
Location: mercer wi | I've had that happen on other reels too. Stuff just not tight. But strange. I'd call Shimano and log a complaint. Maybe they have you send reel back to them and they could replace the parts. The nut retainer screw would of had Fallin off first the plate then nut. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | WiscoEsox94 - 6/8/2017 9:12 PM
Thats good in theory but when i work big rubber i hold the fore grip of the rod, not palming the reel. More torque that way and easier to rip the bait and set the hook.
Reason i ask is this has happened to me with drag tightened down on saltists before and all i have is drag slip and no hooks in the fish. Or even when ripping into weeds and then a hard rip to try and clear the bait or weeds... Guessing thats reel failure but still. More power the better when it comes to drag in my mind with this.. can always dial it back, can only make it so strong. But is 18lb enough?
As far as give in equipment... we use 100lb line and 150lb leaders and xxxh rods. 18lb seems like that would be the weakest link and designed that way so we can control it?
Tie your line to a fish scale once and load the rod as hard as you can. I'll bet you a steak dinner you can't pull 18 pounds. Probably not even on a hookset.
Did this once when I was about 14 with my very strong uncle. He couldn't pull more than 10 pounds. Longer rods now give us even less leverage. I think 18 pounds is plenty but my fishing style is also different than yours. |
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Posts: 425
Location: MN | upnortdave - 6/9/2017 8:34 PM
I've had that happen on other reels too. Stuff just not tight. But strange. I'd call Shimano and log a complaint. Maybe they have you send reel back to them and they could replace the parts. The nut retainer screw would of had Fallin off first the plate then nut.
I did call them and explain the situation - they directed me to order replacement parts. I did that before posting anything here, hoping my feedback would be "had this problem, but Shimano took care of it." Maybe I should have been more aggressive on the phone, but I can also see why they might be skeptical. In any case, the parts are on the way so I'm just going to eat the cost at this point. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | Went out Friday let my nephew use my 400 pg had him start with a dubel sho girl then he then cow girls . Then let him use my 500 pg then 500 HG. He like the 400 pg up to cow girls until he tried the 500 .he really liked the 500 HG for rubber. After trying different set ups he thinks he is getting the 400 pg |
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Posts: 743
| How could the nut loosen up with the handle nut plate on? |
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Posts: 425
Location: MN | The screw for the handle nut plate loosens first, then falls out. Then the nut plate falls off. If you don't expect the reel to fall apart, it is easy to miss when those components fall off. After they are gone, the nut loosens.
Hopefully, the solution is to simply add blue Loctite to the nut plate screw. |
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Posts: 1000
| Ran the 400A all weekend. The reel is unbelievably smooth on the cast and retrieve. Very comfortable to reel all day.
My impression was that it's an excellent all-purpose reel. Jr Cowgirls were great on it. I wouldn't recommend 10's with the paddle handle. I'm definitely getting the HG later this year. and possibly another 400A with a power handle. Really, really happy with these reels
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Propster - 6/9/2017 11:13 AM
nar160 - 6/8/2017 1:14 PM
I have a 300ahg and 301ahg.
Good:
- fits great in my smaller hands, more comfortable than a Beast, similar to NaCl 50
- cranking force needed is manageable with everything I've tried so far (10's, some cranks, etc.) Not sure about 12's. I can crank a 3.5 oz double 10 just slow enough to stay under the water for an extended period of time.
Bad:
- line bunches up on side as others have noted
- constantly have to tighten star drag down. Particularly bad when ripping crankbaits.
- the screw that holds on the metal piece that retains the handle shaft nut fell out on both reels within a couple days. The metal piece then fell off and the nuts loosened. I noticed when after a cast, my #*^@ handle was gone! Handle fell in the drink along with several pieces underneath. Checked the other reel and it was getting loose as well. I called Shimano and they want me to buy all of the parts - "handles don't just fall off." So I'm expecting to shell out another $60-80 just to get them back to original after 4 days of use. Will put some loctite on those screws moving forward.
Tell me what you need and I will order them for you and save you 30%. But the nut isn't just "on and then off", it is threaded so has to work its way off - can't believe you didn't feel the handle being loose on at least a cast or two (retrieve ) before it would have came off to the point where the handle falls off and you don't even notice it.
I second that. |
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Posts: 132
| Ran my 400HG a bit on Sunday, I am a big fan. Very, very smooth. |
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| I used my 400A for the first time on Sunday and it performed quite nicely. I threw mostly double eights and it casted awesome and the pull on the retrieve wasn't bad at all. I only managed one backlash on a ridiculous snap cast straight into the teeth of the wind. I didn't see any of the uneven line lay that other posters have been talking about. |
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Posts: 1753
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | Propster - 6/9/2017 11:13 AM
But the nut isn't just "on and then off", it is threaded so has to work its way off - can't believe you didn't feel the handle being loose on at least a cast or two (retrieve) before it would have came off to the point where the handle falls off and you don't even notice it.
^^^^^^This guy nailed it. I don't buy that the screw simply fell out. Shimano uses blue loctite on the handle nut screws. Even still, if they missed one, you can't tell me you would not feel something out of the ordinary with the reel and be able to stop abusing it until the issue is corrected. |
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Posts: 3157
| Ill cut to the chase- do you think this reel stands up to dbl 10s burned!!! 3-4 hours a day,twice a week 3 1/2 months a year??? Can't afford and too reckless to buy a 500hg. |
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Posts: 464
| I will further this. Should this be the next reel purchase 400a for all around low profile use? Sucks, twitch baits, top waters, buck tails. Looking for the 5 iron of the bag. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | happy hooker - 6/12/2017 2:30 PM
Ill cut to the chase- do you think this reel stands up to dbl 10s burned!!! 3-4 hours a day,twice a week 3 1/2 months a year??? Can't afford and too reckless to buy a 500hg.
Without having used one, but just knowing how most other reels we've been discussing the last several years feel, I will venture this: For the HG, no way. Too much frickin' work. For the A (30IPT is it?), I would say that you're not going to get much burn out of it, unless you supply all the burn. Seems like our search for a smaller version of the Tranx 500 will continue. It may simply not be feasible to achieve. |
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Posts: 425
Location: MN | happy hooker - 6/12/2017 2:30 PM
Ill cut to the chase- do you think this reel stands up to dbl 10s burned!!! 3-4 hours a day,twice a week 3 1/2 months a year??? Can't afford and too reckless to buy a 500hg.
No comment on durability yet - need to put the time in and see what happens.
But when it comes to effort, my question would be how do you define burn?
With an HG you can pull a cowgirl fast enough to blow out without too much effort. I build my 10s to about 3.5 oz and the HG will pull them just slow enough to not blow out with a moderate amount of effort. You certainly can pull a bucktail faster - I have some smaller bucktails with #8 IN blades that are built up fairly heavy that I retrieve quite a bit faster - the HG would probably not be sustainable on a double 10 at that speed unless you have really strong hands and wrists. |
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Posts: 1000
| happy hooker - 6/12/2017 2:30 PM
Ill cut to the chase- do you think this reel stands up to dbl 10s burned!!! 3-4 hours a day,twice a week 3 1/2 months a year??? Can't afford and too reckless to buy a 500hg.
Thank you for the laughs. I needed that alongside my stiff Monday drink.
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Posts: 38
Location: WI | Check out muskyhunter forum. Jim Saric did a full review of the 400hg, 400pg and 500pg. comparison. Quite interesting! |
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Posts: 7090
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | happy hooker - 6/12/2017 2:30 PM
Ill cut to the chase- do you think this reel stands up to dbl 10s burned!!! 3-4 hours a day,twice a week 3 1/2 months a year??? Can't afford and too reckless to buy a 500hg.
No. The reel MIGHT, you won't |
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Posts: 121
Location: Forest Lake, MN & Bemidji, MN | First hookset. I have spoken with Shimano, under warranty but I have to send the entire reel at my expense and be without a reel for at least three weeks.
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | You're doing it wrong  |
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Posts: 121
Location: Forest Lake, MN & Bemidji, MN | Hahaha! Possibly Keith! I do find it odd that the rest of my shimano reel's handles don't have the same shape after catching fish? Hmmm, noggin scratcher. I do love the reel, the handle... No comment. |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | Wow!!! So...how big was the fish??? |
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Posts: 121
Location: Forest Lake, MN & Bemidji, MN | Unsure, I lost it. Happened at 10pm Thursday night, fish hit going into the first turn at boatside in the dark and when I set the hook I thought the handle came off. Then I tried reeling and my reel was all jacked up and as I was flailing it jumped and went back under and the first headshake once it was back under water it came off. No surprise, the line was not tight. I'd guess 42-44", I saw it decent when it jumped. Thankfully I caught a skinny 46" (using a calcutta ??) on Friday at noon so it wasn't as much of a bummer for my two days on the water for the week. |
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Posts: 532
| Maybe I'm missing something. If the handle bent and it's the only thing wrong why not take it off and straighten it your self? Takes 3 minutes.
Seriously if that was done on the hook set I have to ask why are you pulling your reel handle to set the hook? |
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Posts: 121
Location: Forest Lake, MN & Bemidji, MN | Wow, I guess I set the hook pulling in one direction with both hands. Not sure the position of the handle relative to my rod etc at the time. I was surprised by the fish, it was dark. I don't practice my form or anything at home. I have caught plenty of fish and never had anything remotely similar happen.
I didn't bend the handle back straight because in my experience metal doesn't get stronger after it bends multiple times, so it will happen again if it happened the first time.
Since you think I am lying (for god knows what reason) please call Thorne Brothers in Minnesota (where I bought the reel) and ask for a guy named Erik, he answered when I first called them about it Friday asking what was best to do with it. Hoping I could swap it out or something. He talked to another employee about it as well. He told me what to do with the reel and he also told me I was the second person he has heard of that this has happened to. So I'll sleep well tonight knowing someone else out there sets the hook wrong too. Sorry that I shared my experience. |
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Posts: 1100
| That also happened quite a few times when the Toro NACL came with the power handle, if i remember correct. |
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Posts: 532
| It could be read as if I was doubting your story, I was more making light that your not using the rod hand to set the hook but your reel. I believe most would say you need to tweek your technique if that's the case.
Regardless, if by sending the whole reel back and not having it for three weeks is better than straightening the handle that's up to you. I feel that using a straighten handle every fishing trip and saving the shipping money to buy another more sturdy handle would be a better option in my eyes.
Yes the handle you bent in the present would be more prone to bend, if straightened that could serve as a learning tool not to use your reel to set hooks.
If you do send the reel back, I hope they put on a different handle for you. But Likely it will be the same handle That came on the reel, and may bend on your next hook set. |
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Posts: 670
Location: mercer wi | Hopefully you didn't strip the threading on the shafts with that much torque you put on handle nut. That's cool Shimano will warrenty the handle for human error. I've done it before.
O yea, I really like my 400's. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | Geez. I broke the power handle knob off an Okuma once too. Only happened once, years ago. Guess I need to seriously reevaluate my hooksetting technique now. I sure feel silly. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | P.s. I pull "some" on the handle when I rip big rubber too. Obviously we shouldn't set the hook with the reel handle but in my mind the handle should be build to take some amount of sideways stresses.
With that said these new reels do sound nice. Anybody else have an issue with line stacking up to one side of the spool? Any idea if Shimano is selling the power handles for these and what they cost? |
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Posts: 256
Location: Janesville | I have the 400 and love it . caught some fish on it and the drag works great. I really like this reel will be buying more. |
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Posts: 1660
Location: central Wisconsin | curleytail - 6/25/2017 9:03 PM
P.s. I pull "some" on the handle when I rip big rubber too. Obviously we shouldn't set the hook with the reel handle but in my mind the handle should be build to take some amount of sideways stresses.
With that said these new reels do sound nice. Anybody else have an issue with line stacking up to one side of the spool? Any idea if Shimano is selling the power handles for these and what they cost?
We had the line stack up enough on one side that the line was rubbing the frame. We trolled all the line out, rewound it and it was fine. Don't know why, we will see if it happens again. |
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