As we settle into autumn, swimbait fishing is hard to beat. Bass are looking for big meals, and many lakes and ponds in the Northeast are either being stocked with trout or seeing large forage, like alewives, pile into coves, creeks and rivers. If you’re looking for a trophy swimbait eater, it’s only right to equip yourself with a swimbait system built for success. The Shimano Outlier Swimbait System brings together three perfectly-matched components: the Outlier swimbait rod, Tranx 300B, and Gravitator 220 SS glidebait. This trio packs the power and versatility that Northeast bass anglers need to handle our region’s changing conditions and hard-hitting bites during the fall.
The Outlier Series casting rods range from 7’4″ to 8′ and are the backbone of this operation. Shimano’s Spiral X and Hi-Power X blank construction technologies — which enhance torsional rigidity (twist resistance) and reduce blank distortion — work to boost casting accuracy and distance. Each model delivers the strength and sensitivity required to launch and control big baits. I enjoy using the 7’11″ heavy fast-action rod because it has the ability to cast every swimbait in my box, although it is a bit deceiving at first. The rod is extremely light and sensitive, so I was wary of throwing my largest, heaviest lures, but over a full day I built confidence in making long, aggressive casts. It has a softer tip to allow for great action on retrieves, especially with glides, while the rest of the rod is primed to deliver firm hooksets and keep big fish pinned. Still, my favorite feature is the spiraled EVA handle — the extremely comfortable grip makes these rods just a little more special.
While the Outlier rods are designed to grant anglers enhanced casting accuracy and distance, the Shimano Tranx provides smooth, dependable cranking power for battling heavy, cold-water giants.
The Shimano Tranx 300B model, specifically, is the reel that keeps on giving. It provides a nice balance of finesse and power in a low-profile package, which is why it is one of the most versatile and reliable swimbait reels available. The refined gear design and effortless retrieve make it capable of fishing everything from mid-sized glidebaits and soft swimmers to heavier, full-profile hardbaits. Built with Shimano’s CoreProtect technology and a rugged all-metal frame, the Tranx 300B is engineered to withstand the harsh, unpredictable conditions of the Northeast, from cold rain and wind to salt-tinged air and icy mornings. Durability, versatility, power, and smoothness — it boasts all the qualities that serious swimbait anglers demand from their reels when the time comes to throw the big stuff.
The Shimano Gravitator 220 SS glidebait completes the system with unmatched realism. Designed to mimic the large, abundant baitfish that dominate Northeast waters such as herring, alewives, trout, and perch, the Gravitator’s wide color lineup makes it easy to match the local forage and dial in a bite. It also includes Shimano’s FLASHBOOST and SCALEBOOST technologies, which amplify its natural appearance with a spring-balanced mirror that reflects light through the etched scale patterns. Its slow-sinking, fluid glide allows anglers to experiment with cadence and tempo, teasing those reaction strikes that make swimbait fishing so addictive.
When this rod-and-reel combo is paired with the ultra-realistic Gravitator 220 SS, it covers everything from slow, methodical glides through clear lake waters to bold, aggressive presentations around cover.
Piecing together a glidebait bite is one of the most rewarding challenges in fall bass fishing. Every cast becomes a calculated move to trigger a predator’s instinct to ambush big prey. When that moment comes, and a giant surges out of the shadows to crush your bait, the Shimano Outlier Swimbait System shines.
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