If you like fishing with big baits, you’re going to love today’s review. The latest toy from Shimano has hit the market, the all-new Tranx 300 B. I’ve been playing around with this thing for five or six trips now and have been pleasantly surprised. Here’s why.
Shimano Tranx 300 B Reel: First Impressions
I say pleasantly surprised because I didn’t know what to think when I first pulled the Tranx reel from its box. The massive Power Handle hanging off the side of this reel threw me for a loop to start with. I’ve never fished with a reel that had a large, single knob like this. And when I first grabbed hold of it, it reminded me more of a yo-yo than a reel handle.
Still, I rigged it up on a swimbait rod and spooled the combo up with 25-pound fluorocarbon. I paired this reel with the new Shimano Gravitator 220 SS Glidebait, which was designed by the company to pair with this reel. With the ensemble assembled, I headed out on the water.
Shimano Tranx 300 B Reel: On The Water
I believe it was my second or third trip with this setup when I really hit my stride with it. On that day, the best five bites I got would have weighed around 20 pounds. Unfortunately, two grown ones weighing around 5 pounds each hit close to the boat and pulled off.
Still, I was able to boat one close to 4 pounds and a few other chunks. I had a ball fishing the Gravitator that day, and the Tranx 300 B handled the bait well.
I was surprised by how quickly I adjusted to the one large knob. I thought that my hand would miss more, in search of the other knob that wasn’t there. Instead, I had a pretty sure grip on the big knob most of the time, and got to where I really didn’t notice it at all. There was a tiny bit of play in between the reel and the reel seat when I really heaved the bait, but it was negligible. And I was able to both work the bait and winch the fish in easily with the Tranx.
Four Different Models, Two Different Handles
One very important thing to note, not all of the Tranx 300 Bs have the big Power Handle. This feature is only on the right- and left-hand reels in the higher 7.6:1 gear ratio (300 HGB and 301HGB). T
he slower, 5.8:1 reels have a more traditional Double Paddle Handle. I have not fished with the slower reels (300 B and 301 B). But, if you’re not into the big handle, there is that option for you too.
Dual Brake System
The Tranx 300 B comes equipped with the dual SVS Infinity MD Tune brake control system. There’s an external control that can be used to fine-tune the reel. And then you can also take off the side plate to find eight internal brakes that can be turned on or off to make larger adjustments.
CoreSolid Technology
Shimano used their CoreSolid technology to create a single aluminum body consisting of the frame, outer side plate, and level guard. The latter part — as I understand it — is the metal piece that keeps the line coming onto (and flying off of) the reel smoothly. For big bait reels, combining all of these components into one piece eliminates a lot of the play that you experience using a reel with multiple parts.
Shimano Tranx 300 B Reel: Other Features
Shimano incorporated other top-end tech into the Tranx 300 B. The body and MicroModule Gears are both made using Shimano’s HANGE cold-forging metal working process, which is a big deal that has set the Shimano reels apart for years.
The X-Ship technology is another difference maker when comparing Shimano reels to others. With X-Ship, a bearing is used on both ends to support the pinion gear. This design element creates a more secure pinion gear, which translates to a longer-lasting, more durable reel with more cranking power.
Then there’s the Cross Carbon Drag, which delivers 18 pounds of drag on the 7.6:1 reels and 22 pounds of drag to the 5.8:1. Each turn of the handle of the 5.8:1 takes up 31 inches. And one rotation of the Power Handle pulls in 41 inches of line.
Final Verdict
Priced at $300, this is a great reel for someone looking for a 300-size reel. Shimano makes stellar products, no doubt, and I’ve really enjoyed fishing with this one. I haven’t fished with a lot of 300-size reels, and I’ve never fished with a reel with a handle this big.
So, I don’t really have a lot to compare it to. But, as capability goes, I think it’s a pretty fantastic reel that I’ve already used to create some awesome memories.
