Shimano Tranx worth it?

[clemsondds]

Been thinking about picking one of these up for cranking. Haven’t ever had a chance to use one…but I hear good things. Can anyone share their feedback?  Would be using it for mid to deep crank. Thanks 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Theyre just good solid reels with exceptional torque for their size.   

[clemsondds]

8 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Theyre just good solid reels with exceptional torque for their size.   

Thank you!  So the main way they differ from normal reels is the torque they can provide?  I assume they also have a slightly larger handle?  What size do you recommend? (150, 200 or 300)

[A-Jay]

I use the 300 Tranx for plus size Green Bass south of the border.

Swimbaits, underspins, Jigs & big Shpabinner baits.

Might be my favorite casting reel.

A-Jay

[Big Hands]

I had a Tranx 400 that I used with a Phenix PSW869 for swimbaits and large deep divers. Heck of a setup, but it was a beast to use and I ended up selling it for that reason alone. Had I chosen a lighter duty setup with a Tranx 300, I would probably still have it. In fact, I am keeping my eyes open for a good deal on a lightly used Tranx 300 for myself.

 

Tranx are not fancy and for some, the tendency to knock the side cover switch to open inadvertently is a bit of a negative if you handle the reel that way (not everyone does). It might give up a little distance to some 'swiss watch' type offerings, but it is a well built reel that can survive for the long haul when you want to throw big baits around. A true workhorse that performs very well. 

[WRB]

On 1/22/2023 at 6:38 AM, clemsondds said:

Been thinking about picking one of these up for cranking. Haven’t ever had a chance to use one…but I hear good things. Can anyone share their feedback?  Would be using it for mid to deep crank. Thanks 

What rod do you plan to use and line type??

Tom

[GetFishorDieTryin]

What makes Tranx different is its durability and power.  Its a reel with no unnecessary frills, just good corrosion resistant BBs where it needs them and a smooth sealed drag.  That formula just happened to make it a good big swimbait reel, which made it a very marketable reel.  Since Tranx was building a following among the FW crown they came out with the smaller model 200 and now the 150.  

Ive had only had personal experience with the 200 throwing 1oz darters at blues and bass off of the jetty, which it did great.  Im not the best person to ask about which one would be better, but for deep cranking I would go with the 200.  I wouldnt be surprised if the 150 is essentially a Curado with some of Tranx tech.

The 200 has a power handle, and I would think the 150 would as well, but I really dont know.

[ATA]

I have a 300 for my XH travel combo and it is very nice reel. I just one day during striper fishing, had no drag experience (lost drag) in cold which after sharing the issue here experts said it could be my braid slipping around spool or someone said cold can does that to TranX. Anyways after fixing my line and respelling I didnt have that issue with it anymore. I am happy with it and planing to get a 400 size as well.

[WRB]

The reason I ask the above question regarding rod and line helps to answer the question is the Tranx worth it?

Tranx is a excellent reel but do you need it for medium diving cranks baits is my question. Simple answer is no you don’t need a strong bait casting reel as most 150 to 200 size 6.3:1 ratio reel works good enough.

Tom

[Susky River Rat]

I just ordered a tranx 151. I have not got to use it yet.  I used tranx 500 for musky for years. I can say from the musky side of things there isn’t a smoother more durable reel out there. It is just huge. I hope the 151 follows suit. I have read about people saying it’s a curado but, made for salt water. 

[Hulkster]

I have a tranx 400A that i use for pike and one day musky (still trying lol) and its amazing. 

 

I have no doubt the smaller sizes are just as good. 

 

one thing to note though is that the 200 size has the curado K thumbar design that no one liked lol 

 

so with the 150 size they changed it thankfully. 

[clemsondds]

On 1/22/2023 at 10:15 PM, A-Jay said:

I use the 300 Tranx for plus size Green Bass south of the border.

Swimbaits, underspins, Jigs & big Shpabinner baits.

Might be my favorite casting reel.

A-Jay

Im a little confused. Some say that the 200 is just a curado with a coating on it which makes it better for salt and fresh. But seems like it’s a staple cranking reel…is there a difference in the cranking system or something? 

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, clemsondds said:

Im a little confused. Some say that the 200 is just a curado with a coating on it which makes it better for salt and fresh. But seems like it’s a staple cranking reel…is there a difference in the cranking system or something? 

Can not comment on what other anglers perceive.  My experience tells me these reels are very effective when utilized how, where and when I need them to.  Any of my most recent Lake Baccarac reports threads can support that.

A-Jay

[clemsondds]

2 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Can not comment on what other anglers perceive.  My experience tells me these reels are very effective when utilized how, where and when I need them to.  Any of my most recent Lake Baccarac reports threads can support that.

A-Jay

I’m sorry. I wasn’t questioning you. I’m literally just wondering why you like it for cranking?  

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, clemsondds said:

I’m sorry. I wasn’t questioning you. I’m literally just wondering why you like it for cranking?  

@clemsondds I should be the one apologizing and I am sorry.

I think the cold & snow has partial frozen what little brain I have left.

Please just disregard my post above - it's mostly not applicable.

Allow me to start again.

  . . . . . . 

I do Not crank with a TranX.

My cranking reel of choice is a Shimano Calcutta 200D and has been for a while.

I did a demo and a review from TW a while back.

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/106174-new-shimano-calcutta-series-d-casting-reel-demo-review/

Loved it.  Bought one, and then promptly bought two more.

The 5.7:1 ratio, smooth powerful gearing and large comfortable knobs make cranking big baits All Day actually pleasant.  I could start a day with another reel, but an hour into it, I know I'd be back to the 200D.  I would rather reel fast with a slow reel than reel slow with a fast one. 

TranX is still a killer reel but I only have the 300's and they are too big for my needs locally.

Good Luck with your search.

A-Jay

 

[clemsondds]

28 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

@clemsondds I should be the one apologizing and I am sorry.

I think the cold & snow has partial frozen what little brain I have left.

Please just disregard my post above - it's mostly not applicable.

Allow me to start again.

  . . . . . . 

I do Not crank with a TranX.

My cranking reel of choice is a Shimano Calcutta 200D and has been for a while.

I did a demo and a review from TW a while back.

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/106174-new-shimano-calcutta-series-d-casting-reel-demo-review/

Loved it.  Bought one, and then promptly bought two more.

The 5.7:1 ratio, smooth powerful gearing and large comfortable knobs make cranking big baits All Day actually pleasant.  I could start a day with another reel, but an hour into it, I know I'd be back to the 200D.  I would rather reel fast with a slow reel than reel slow with a fast one. 

TranX is still a killer reel but I only have the 300's and they are too big for my needs locally.

Good Luck with your search.

A-Jay

 

Ha no worries!  And I misread your post and thought you said you had all Tranx 200s…eyes getting lazy!  Thank you for the insight! I’ll look at that review! 

[Ben Dayho]

I just returned from El Salto and utilized the Tranx 200 for crankbait fishing. So pleased that I will order a couple more for my next Amazon Rainforest trip. 
Lightweight and smooth. The 7.2 was just right!  I had an Okuma Hakai with 8.2 that is a very nice reel but that gear ratio along with the small handle was tough to get a grind on anything over 5#. 

[Bigbox99]

The Tranx Curados are like the Daiwa Coastal reels except Shimano put more effort into them to make them better suited for salt water with a hydrophobic coating and a modifed spool to keep water out.  I'd take the Tranx 200 over a Curado 200 just for the aluminum handle side plate even if they are basically the same reel.