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Posts: 601
| Haven't seen one of these threads in a long while. Is there a new favorite reel for big blades? |
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Posts: 1745
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | Nothing tops the 500 Tranx to date IMO. |
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Posts: 78
| If you spool the 500 HG until you get about 36-38 inches per turn, 12s and comically big crankbaits should be very easy to retrieve. If I had to guess, I would say that the spool is 80-90% full at that point. I'd rather fish lefty, but nothing comes close to the HG in terms of speed and ease of cranking.
I tried the 500 PG but didn't like it because I couldn't feel 10s spin at all.
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Posts: 601
| I heard that the Shimano Calcutta Conquest MD is better than Tranx 500 HG but wanted to see if anyone would share their thoughts on this reel if they have used it. |
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Posts: 259
| The MD is a smooth and polished high-end product, however it (and all other reels) simply are not big enough to match the speed + cranking power of the Tranx 500. The Tranx 500 is special because it, and in particular the spool diameter, are so big that you can use a relatively low & high cranking power gear ratio while still possessing a very high IPT. |
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Posts: 2052
| Agree with the above, they should make a Calcutta conquest 700! With 50” Ipt  Still have an old TE700 those reels are pretty much bullet proof. I love a 500 PG when throwing 10’s or 13’s for hours on end, big time mechanical advantage to reduce fatigue , 8’s and 9’s I grab a HG |
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| I am curious about the TranX 500. I am not going to be buying one, but have picked one up in the store and wondered about the weight and balance. It seemed substantially heavier that the 401 TranX. Does that create any challenges for balance when casting?
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Posts: 78
| You're probably putting a 500 on an XH, XXH, or heavier rod (unless you're one of those guys who doesn't care if your rod bends a lot during the 8), so it balances fine. I've never noticed the extra weight on my big blades or rubber rods when casting or retrieving. IMO, it results in much less fatigue than other reels because it's easier to retrieve your baits. |
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Posts: 147
| North of 8 - 5/29/2025 9:47 AM
I am curious about the TranX 500. I am not going to be buying one, but have picked one up in the store and wondered about the weight and balance. It seemed substantially heavier that the 401 TranX. Does that create any challenges for balance when casting?
I've got it on a 9ft XH and it works great. Balance is fine and I haven't noticed much in the way of increased fatigue over my 400. It's a bit more unruly, but not bad. |
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| Thanks for the responses. Again, probably not going to buy but the difference in weight was noticeable when compared to a 401. I might change my mind if they made the 500 in a left handed model. Have used left handed reels for last ten years. |
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Posts: 1745
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | My 500’s are on 9’6” 9’8”, and 10’ rods. For blades they can’t be beat. I fill mine up and use a power handle from the LJV reels from years ago. Unfortunately those handles are now discontinued. IIRC the full to the top 500 measured 47” per turn. Let the big dog eat. |
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