We just got back from spending the weekend at the Fly Fishing Show in Somerset, New Jersey. This is one of the really great outdoors shows every winter. No one selling socks or Sham-Wows. Just aisles and aisles of fly fishing gear, artwork and destinations.
Our favorite find at the 2012 Fly Fishing Show wasn’t exactly fly-fishing related though.Tucked in a corner of the G. Loomis booth, behind the rows of high-performance fly rods, was the new Shimano Tranx, a massive low-profile baitcasting reel due to hit shelves March 1.
The concept of the reel came from muskie anglers looking for a heavy duty reel that had a high speed retrieve, could cast well and had the guts to handle the constant casting and retrieving of heavy lures and baits. Plus it would need to be able to tame big angry fish.
Anybody who’s ever used a big metal lip lure knows that gear-wise, fishing for muskies has the same demands of fishing for striped bass. In fact, add in the saltwater element and the fact that big stripers run in packs, and striper fishing may be even more demanding than muskie fishing. But the Tranx has already proved itself in saltwater, and with tougher game than stripers or muskies – tuna. The reel packs 25 pounds of drag pressure – plenty enough to tame the school-sized bluefin that were so abundant from south of Martha’s Vineyard to the Jersey Shore this past summer.
The Tranx comes in two models, the high-speed TRX500HG, which retrieves 43-inches of line per crank, and the low-speed TRX500PG, which retrieves 30-inches of line per crank. The reels will hold up to 270 yards of 65-pound PowerPro braid. Both sizes retail for $499.99.
The profile of the reel makes it very comfortable in the hand, and with the guts and drag of a heavy-duty conventional and the castability and retrieve ratio of a high-speed, low-profile baitcaster, the Tranx is bound to have a number of applications both inshore and offshore here in the Northeast.
I wish I could try this reel before thing of buying it ! I use all Abu big games for the canal for plugging and jigging with braid but the retrieve per inch just cannot come close to all the new fixed spool models out there today. I just can’t compete with all the pluggers to get myweighted plug up on the surface fast enough and to get the action I need to make the plug perform properly! I’m convention by heart but unfortunately will have to make the switch. U don’t know how it will break my heart!!!!!!!!!!! I also been comm, striper fishing for 18 years and people now a days can’t even throw or use the old faithful squidder that startered it all!!!!! Sure wish I could experiment with one first. ANY suggestions before I break my tradition?
does the tranx bird nest line easily when casting? it has always been a problem for me with conventional reels. i fish both shore and boat at capecod, wich reel retrieve would you recommend i could use for both types of fishing.is there any tackle stores on capecod that i could try the reel?
Judd: The reels will be out on March 1st. I know they were displayed at the Worcester Sportsmans Show over the weekend, but not sure which shops will be carrying them in the Cape Cod area. When we find out, I’ll post it here.
Pete: This reel may be worth a look, before you switch to spinning gear. Not sure if there will be an opportunity to demo it after its March 1st release date, but I’m sure a number of fishermen would like to see it in action. We’ll post any more info we get on the reel on here.
Birds nests are more a product of the user over the reel. You need to learn to cast a bait caster to avoid birds nests. Most all bait casters have a backlash control and braking at this point, but certainly wont 100% protect you from backlash.
I really hope they come out with a 400 size. That 20oz. is a turnoff for stripers when there are so many other capable reels that are much lighter. I still have one of these on my short list for tossing big plastics and plugs though!
I’m getting the TRX500HG from my wife for my b-day that is coming up in 2 weeks and I would like to know from you guys what would be a good rod to go with this beast?
Most of my fishing is done from Rockport to Plum Island by boat if that matters!
Thanks!
What kind of saltwater rod does shimano recommend for the tranx
Clint,
What species are you planning on targeting with the Tranx?
Shimano recommends pairing the Tranx with a rod from their Terez Series. This makes for a nice casting combo that, depending on the rod specs, could be well suited to stripers or tuna.
I am a huge Shimano fan but for that $$$ I would go with a 100% truth bait caster made in America and it’s $100 less than the tranx do your research!!! support the American worker if you’re going to drop some $ on a new reel think about it