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Posts: 750
Location: Minneapolis, MN | So I need a new reel to go with the 9’ XH Predator that Thorne Bros is currently building for me. My other setup will be a 7’6” rod with a 400 B that I’ll use primarily for gliders/WTD and suicks, but may also see a little use for top water like creepers/hawg wobblers or slow rolling. This means the Predator will handle everything else (I estimate it will get 95% of the usage), cranks, bucktails of all sizes, spinners, and plastics. I imagine the Tranx PG will probably be what I end up with but wanted to see if others thought there might be something that would fit better. I had looked at the 400D as but didn’t think it would be fast enough for some applications and while I am really interested in the NACL, I really don’t want to throw 10’s and 13’s all day with the HS version.
Any thoughts or should I just stick with the Tranx?
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | The Tranx is a Tank of a reel but make sure your hands fit the reel, it is a big reel to use all day long. The 400D may not be the reel the Tranx is but U can fish it all day long with ease.
Also ck out the Lexa 400, smaller then a Tranx, and can be plam all day with ease. |
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Posts: 574
| I really like the trinidad 14a.. Tranx was too heavy, and too big to palm comfortably for me..
The 14a size trinidad is probably a hair smaller than a TE on the side you palm, and over 5 oz lighter than a Tranx..
Brings in 38 a crank witch is plenty fast.. Not quite a HG tranx, but way faster than the average 25 or so inches most regular reels bring in
I've had a Tranx hg, trinidad 16na, and an older (gold)trinidad 12..
The only fast reels I have now are 2 trinidad 14a's |
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| 400TE with the Trinidad 12 Handle |
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Posts: 127
| I really don't think the Tranx PG can be beat for what you are looking to do. I would just check on the size if that is something you would be concerned about. Don't shy away from the 400D either - great reel and if you have 300D gears installed the rated IPT would fall in the 30+" range!
Be cautious of the Trinidad if you are not used to this type of reel. I absolutely hate fishing with them (personal preference). People will mention how great the IPT is, but fail to mention they are running a 3/4 spool. Spool width and IPT are directly proportional. 3/4 spool means 3/4 IPT. So now we are talking 28-29". I know some people love them, and that is great, I would just advise you to try it before you buy it. |
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Posts: 697
Location: Minnetonka | I like the Trinidad 14A as well, if you find out you're not cut out for a Tranx HG/PG. |
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Posts: 750
Location: Minneapolis, MN | Originally I was thinking of getting either the 400D or the 5.4 NACL as I thought they would offer me a little more versatility in that I figured it would be easier to work WTD, glider, or other cadence style baits. However the IPT concerned me as I felt they would be too slow for burning buck tails and the line pickup for working big plastics would be slow as well. As 90% of the time I’m throwing buck tails, spinners, cranks, and plastics, I figured the PG Tranx would be the way to go. I also looked at the Lexa 400 but as I’m looking to start throwing 13’s this year, as well as make 10’s easier, the gear ratio I was looking at put it in the same category as the 400D and NACL. I looked at the Trinidad but the lack of a level wind turned me off from it. Honestly if Diawa had made the saltiest with a spool brake I probably would have just stuck with it and said oh well to 13’s, but as they didn't I sold mine and am now looking for a better fit.
Does anyone know how well the Tranx handles lighter baits like cranks and say buchertails or double 8's? |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | I have the HG and a PG both great reels I use my PG for blades HG big rubber. I was playing with them last year my HG I can use it on mepps musky magnum all the way to my pounders granted I cant get it out as far with my xx heavy as I can with my heavy but it dose get the job done. next time I get over to Thorn Bros ill be getting a x heavy built for a Tranx PG. |
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Posts: 127
| Tranx will cast double 8's with ease, and when you're reeling them in.... you probably won't even know they are there. Honestly, the PG makes 13's feel like 8's do on a 400TE. Crazy power. |
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Posts: 45
| I personally don't understand why sombody would spend the money for a nice lite blank, a fancy set of ti guides and then put a reel on it that weights 20 oz when one that weighes 11oz will do the job just fine. Just my opinion. Fished with Hammernick this summer and all he used were Calcuttas. |
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | Is it possible that he only runs Calcuttas on rods for his clients and other reels for himself? |
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Posts: 1100
| I don't have a problem throwing my Tranx all day long, even though it's a big reel and i'm small guy.
Like it so much i bought an other one, now i have 2 HG, but just ordered parts so i could change one of them to a PG, as i wan't to start throwing big bucktail more.
From what i read in your first post, i would stick with the Tranx PG. |
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Posts: 149
| My hands are not very big and I have no problem using a Tranx. On occasion, the side plate will work open but that may be the way I hold it.
A lot of comments on weight and size causing fatigue but it significantly reduces fatigue on your right hand. Cranking 10s for hours always burned out my cranking hand not my rod hand. I believe the Tranx extends my time and comfort on the water. |
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Posts: 750
Location: Minneapolis, MN | randy t - 2/19/2014 11:52 PM
I personally don't understand why sombody would spend the money for a nice lite blank, a fancy set of ti guides and then put a reel on it that weights 20 oz when one that weighes 11oz will do the job just fine. Just my opinion. Fished with Hammernick this summer and all he used were Calcuttas.
Was he burning 10's/throwing 13's or working less resistant baits?
Does anyone know how the Tranx compares in size on the non gear side to a Saltist 20? |
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Posts: 304
Location: Lino Lakes, MN | I fished both the 20 and 30 size Diawa Saltist for years and I believe that the Tranx is easier to hold and more comfortable to use. |
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Posts: 357
Location: Duluth, MN | Sorgy - 2/20/2014 12:17 PM
I fished both the 20 and 30 size Diawa Saltist for years and I believe that the Tranx is easier to hold and more comfortable to use.
X2
Dont have huge hands, and have no issues with palming my Tranx |
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Posts: 7094
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | randy t - 2/19/2014 11:52 PM
I personally don't understand why sombody would spend the money for a nice lite blank, a fancy set of ti guides and then put a reel on it that weights 20 oz when one that weighes 11oz will do the job just fine. Just my opinion. Fished with Hammernick this summer and all he used were Calcuttas.
My sentiments exactly, but I would go 400d. |
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Posts: 1100
| It's quite simple because a heavy rod and heavy guides bring the setup out of balance, which makes it uncomfortable to fish with. But the reel is placed so close to the center of gravity that it doesn't ruin the balance of the setup.
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Posts: 750
Location: Minneapolis, MN | Slamr - 2/20/2014 12:33 PM
randy t - 2/19/2014 11:52 PM
I personally don't understand why sombody would spend the money for a nice lite blank, a fancy set of ti guides and then put a reel on it that weights 20 oz when one that weighes 11oz will do the job just fine. Just my opinion. Fished with Hammernick this summer and all he used were Calcuttas.
My sentiments exactly, but I would go 400d.
Well here are my thoughts in response to this, please tell me if I'm wrong.
1st. If overall weight is important, would it not make sense to have the lightest possible rod paired with a Tranx instead of pairing it with a heavier rod?
2nd. The Tranx has 30 IPT at a gear ratio of 4.6:1 while the 400 D has 27 IPT at a 5.1:1 ratio. So the Tranx is going to bring in big blades faster and easier than the 400D as well as pick up line quicker when working plastics for a better hookup percentage.
So those two things make me feel like the Tranx and 400D are clearly not equal and don’t do the job the same.
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Posts: 1084
Location: Aurora | Why not go vintage?
C'mon.. You know you wanna.
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Posts: 1000
| I consider myself to have medium sized hands and I find the Tranx to be very comfortable. It'll cast baits as light as Mepps Giant Killers, but you just can't feel them so I switch to a curado in lighter applications.
I think a lot of people really underestimate the power of the Tranx PG until they use one. It pulls double 10's in so easily that you often find yourself thinking the blades are fowled. If you can, try multiple setups. I haven't tried an HG so I really can't speak for it. I probably underestimate the power of that reel as a result.
ALSO would like to mention that I've never had the power handle engage the reel mid-cast like some people experience w/ other reels (Toro's). |
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Posts: 142
| I wouldn't want to use a tranx for an all purpose reel. I traded a 400te just recently to get a Tranx, but that is going on a very specialized rod that is basically meant to do 1 thing very well. I would say get a 400 te for all purpose or the revo toro 5.4, or a curado 300 e or some of the other low profile 300-400 series casters. Just my humble opinion. |
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Posts: 750
Location: Minneapolis, MN | greenstealth - 2/21/2014 2:24 PM
I wouldn't want to use a tranx for an all purpose reel. I traded a 400te just recently to get a Tranx, but that is going on a very specialized rod that is basically meant to do 1 thing very well. I would say get a 400 te for all purpose or the revo toro 5.4, or a curado 300 e or some of the other low profile 300-400 series casters. Just my humble opinion.
Well like I said 90% of the time I'm throwing blades, plastics, or crank, 9% of the time I'm throwing top water, and 1% of the time I'm throwing something else, as I mentioned I really don't throw gliders or WTD style baits. Honestly if it wasn't for wanting to make burning 10's easier and starting to throw 13's I probably would just get a 5.4 NACL or 400 D. |
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Posts: 1084
Location: Aurora | Slamr - 2/20/2014 12:33 PM
randy t - 2/19/2014 11:52 PM
I personally don't understand why sombody would spend the money for a nice lite blank, a fancy set of ti guides and then put a reel on it that weights 20 oz when one that weighes 11oz will do the job just fine. Just my opinion. Fished with Hammernick this summer and all he used were Calcuttas.
My sentiments exactly, but I would go 400d.
Tranx can be had for 350d if you're patient.
Oh wait, you meant.
Never mind.. |
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Posts: 163
Location: NoDak | i had 1 NACL last year in the 5.4 gear, didnt have the extra power handle installed at the time, pulled my 10's great, loved it so much got another in 6.4 mine are size 50 with 80# with a 30mph wind i can bomb a dog or 9 inch shallow raider about half my line out but im thinking i am out about 70 yards, its a bit rediculous
love the finish and the strength of the NACL's and the extra handle comes with it free rather than a normal toro were you can find 4.6 gears but extra handle is $40 |
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Posts: 142
| Id go with a toro 5.4, in the end it's up to you but for me, I don't think I'll be doing any marathon sessions with my tranx. |
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Posts: 750
Location: Minneapolis, MN | I guess what I'll probably end up doing is when I pick up my rod after it's finally finished I'll have to see if the shop will let me out their display tranx on it to see how it will feel. If it's too big then I'll probably go with the 400 D over then 5.4 NACL since I'll already be giving up 3 IPT and and NACL would be slower yet.
Unfortunately TE's are not an option for me as whatever I buy has to come from Cabela's, as that's where I have all my giftcards and credit card points, and obviously they do t sell TE's anymore. |
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