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Posts: 287
Location: Oconomowoc, WI | Just looking for a little feedback. I've got some Bass Pro bucks stashed away and the reel trade in event is a few months away. I'm strongly considering getting a Tranx PG. I had a chance to use one side by side with a Saltist 20 while buring Supermodels on LOTW and it really shined.
My thought is that with some time and practice, a Tranx PG could become my go to reel for most of my fishing. Once summer gets going I tend to throw DC10's, Mag Dawgs, Topraiders and other medium to large baits.
Here's my question. Would you get a Tranx PG or a combination of two reels that end up being similar in cost. Possibilities could be a LEXA/Saltist pairing or a NACL/Saltist or a Curado EJ/LEXA. Just looking for some opinions. Here's what I've got for primary rods/reels.
Rods: 8' MH Premier, Sling Blade, Big Dawg & Big Nasty
Reels: Calcutta 400B, St. Croix AVID 300, Abu Garcia 6600 Royal Extreme 6:3:1
Should I pull the trigger on the PG and never look back?
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Posts: 1100
| I would go with the TranX, |
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Posts: 284
Location: Eagan, MN | Tranx...but consider the HG over the PG. When you get it, take off the stock handle, sell it here on the swap board, go on-line and purchase the handle that comes on a Trinidad 16NA, attach, wash lures, rinse, repeat, then thank me later.
You already have reels that do slow, but you don't have reels that can do what the HG does...and it does things no other reels can do and does them flawlessly.
Brian |
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Posts: 1100
| I also use the HG, i fish way more rubber then blades, but i also used it for, suicks, cranks, jerkbaits, and all sorts of stuff. |
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Posts: 1000
| HG - never seen speed like that
PG - you've felt the power of that
Do you have anything that can throw lighter stuff? If so, I'd get whichever fits your style |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | I have HG and PG .for blades PG all the way. Big rubber HG .yes you can use the HG for blades and PG for big rubber. You all ready know what the PG can do if your looking for a reel for big blades buy the pg and don't look back |
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Posts: 908
Location: South-Central PA | Get the Tranx if it's going on a rod for 10's and bigger. This reel is a game changer. When I use mine (PG) on a Big Dawg or TI XXH, I can throw any bait with it from pounders down to single 8's.
jeremy |
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Posts: 555
Location: Tennessee | If your hand fits the Tranx setup, then by all means you won't regret the Tranx. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | ditto what BrianF said...HG w 16NA handle... nothing compares... I also have an HG on a different rod for big rubber.. |
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Posts: 750
Location: Minneapolis, MN | It’s all about personal preference and if you think it’s worth the price. The Saltist is an awesome big bait reel and can’t be beat for the price, 35 IPT is huge and it fekt more solid then my Tranx. I had one and got rid of it for a Tranx but it was personal preference and because I only run 2 setups, a 9’ XH Predator with a Tranx PG and a 7’6” Cabelas XH Tourney Trail with a Calcutta 400B. I had no issues with the Saltist for retrieving bucktails, but the lack of a spool brake was a deal breaker for me, sometimes I’m just lazy. However when it came to heavier baits, weighted bucktails, mag dawgs and pounders, I had no issues whatsoever with the reel.
You could sell you Premier and then 1 or 2 of your other reels and then have money to play with. There is/was a NIB saltiest on the B/T for $170 which I would assume you could probably get by selling the rod and 2 reels. Then you buy a Tranx PG from Bass Pro, and run the Sling Blade with the 400B, Big Dawg with the Saltist, and the Big Nasty with the Tranx PG.
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Posts: 287
Location: Oconomowoc, WI | Thanks for all of the feedback! Wondering what the Trinidad adds to the HG? I have a hard time dropping 500 on a reel much less paying more for a different handle.
Thanks |
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Posts: 284
Location: Eagan, MN | The Trini handle is longer, beefier, and has a larger handle knob. You will get noticeably better leverage when reeling in big baits like double 10's and, I think, have more power to seat hooks when crunch time happens. I'm a big guy, with large hands, and appreciate the large handle knob to grab and hold. You can really bear down on those fish when they hit with that thing. Also, I've seen the original Tranx handle bend under the stress of reeling and fighting a fish, such that the angler could not reel any longer...and lost the fish. I don't think that is going to happen with the Trini handle. Sell the original Tranx handle when you get it and up-grade to the Trini for a net difference of maybe $35. It's worth it, especially considering that this is such a small percentage of the total reel cost. If you can afford a $500 reel, I'm betting dollars to donuts you can probably afford another $35 handle up-grade for a noticeable improvement in performance.
Brian |
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Posts: 284
Location: Eagan, MN | . double post |
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Location: Contrarian Island | there have been lots of barely used Tranx HGs on the boards for 350ish...snag one of those... get the handle as Brian mentinoed and you are set |
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Posts: 1000
| You can get them brand new for $400 from ebay stores. Shimano supports this warranty. This is not a $500 reel |
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Posts: 287
Location: Oconomowoc, WI | Thanks for all of the replies. While I respect and appreciate all of the info about the Tranx.
Is anyone willing to chime in on the other side of the debate? Would love to hear people's thoughts on some of the reels mentioned, especially the Lexa 400's. I'd really like to hear how they stood up after a year of abuse. |
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Posts: 1283
| If it were me Id go with 2 NACLs. A 60 5.4 and a 50 6.4. You can pretty much do everything with those two reels. They are light and compact and bullet proof cast greaqt and are super smooth with 22lb of drag. I had the tranx, Curados, Lexa 300&400. Not a fan of the LEXAs and the Tranx was just to huge and heavy to be comfortable all day fishing. |
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Posts: 304
Location: Lino Lakes, MN | How is the reliability of the NACL's? Will someone who fishes alot wear them out in a year or two? |
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| I just purchased a NaCl 50 off Ebay for $200.00 and free shipping. |
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Posts: 1283
| I got a few hundred hours washing baits casting mostly 10s/rubber and 0 issues with my NACLs. Ask Pike Master I pretty sure he recommends them highly. |
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Posts: 337
Location: Watersmeet, Michigan | I've looked at the Tranx (and lusted and drooled over them!), but every time I pick one up I have the same reaction: they're just too heavy. I'm pushing 60 now and really appreciate anything that's lighter and easier to use. My plan is to go with a 6.3:1 Lexa, not only because of the significant price difference, but also because my Calcutta 400B is all I need to handle any of the slower moving, larger baits. The higher speed Lexa with 33.4” per turn retrieve will be ideal for burning the big blades my Curado 300 just can't handle.
Fr. K |
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Posts: 379
Location: Thief River Falls MN | oconesox - 1/30/2015 4:51 AM
Thanks for all of the replies. While I respect and appreciate all of the info about the Tranx.
Is anyone willing to chime in on the other side of the debate? Would love to hear people's thoughts on some of the reels mentioned, especially the Lexa 400's. I'd really like to hear how they stood up after a year of abuse.
Had one Lexa 400p and one 400h. Threw the h a ton with no issues. Casts a mile and handled everything smaller than tens really well. Alot of work pulling tens.
The p was a different story. Had issues with powerhandle engaging mid cast. It was a good reel for tens and other larger baits until It locked up on me. I am not a fan of power handles as it is inevitable at least for me, to have one engage early on occasion. I think the reel would be great with a double paddle handle as I am positive the reason for mine locking up was due to my power handle issues. |
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Posts: 1247
Location: Walker, MN | achotrod - 1/30/2015 6:24 PM
I got a few hundred hours washing baits casting mostly 10s/rubber and 0 issues with my NACLs. Ask Pike Master I pretty sure he recommends them highly.
The only thing bad you will hear about these reels is from Shimano guys 
B.T.W. I like Shimano too. |
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