The Shimano Tranx 500 baitcasting reel is a low-profile design that was designed specifically for the angler who loves using a baitcasting reel and wants to go after the larger species of fish that have a tendency to want to swim away once hooked.
What you have here is a giant Bass reel designed for saltwater fishing of large species.
The challenge with the traditional baitcasting reels is that they do not hold enough line on the spool, nor do they have enough drag to fight Tuna, Grouper, Stripers, smaller billfish and the like.
The other thing that the Shimano Tranx 500 delivers is speed when retrieving; this is particularly useful when stripers are not biting and you need to aggravate them to get them to bite.
The Shimano Tranx 500 comes in two different models, with a max drag capacity of 25 lbs and massive line capacities of up to 420 yards of 50 lbs test braid.
Tranx 500 Model TRX500HG is built for speed with a 6.6:1 gear ratio and has an incredible line retrieval rate of 43″ per handle crank.
Tranx 500 Model TRX500PG is built for power with a 4.6:1 gear ratio and a line retrieval rate 30″ per crank.
If you are looking for the highest-performing, most powerful baitcaster ever made, you have found it.
The Bottom Line
- My favorite large baitcasting reel for large topwater baits and lures.
- Very smooth reel with a great drag system
- High level of manufacturing and quality components throughout
- Very durable design with oversized drive and pinion gears
Revolutionary design and shape provides the comfort of low profile with the capacity of a conventional reel. X-SHIP and HEG technologies combine to provide massive cranking power with a smooth effortless retrieve.
Features
S A-RB bearings
These bearings are the same as the standard A-RB bearings, with the exception that they are shielded on both sides by a stainless steel shield for the ultimate in corrosion resistance and contaminant protection to reduce the likelihood of any salt dirt or water penetrating and affecting the smoothness of the bearings.
Super Stopper
Shimano uses a one-way roller bearing that will allow you to set the hook instantly when you want, without any backplay in the reel.
Dartanium® II drag washer
The Dartianium material provides the smoothest drag possible from Shimano. It allows for a wide range of drag settings, which is important when fighting larger species that take your equipment off the edge of its limitations.
Ergonomic Power Handle
The handle grip is made of a very comfortable, non-slip rubber and is designed to provide maximum comfort while at the same time allowing the angler to apply an incredible amount of torque when fighting a fish.
For anyone who has spent the day using a heavier rod and reel setup without a comfortable handle, you know what your hands feel like at the end of the day. OUCH!
Super Free System (SF)
The super free system is designed so that a ball bearing suspends the pinion gear and thus has less friction. It is also free and smooth, allowing you to make much longer casts.
Some pros I have seen using the reel are launching baits and jigs as far as 100 yards. In a traditional baitcasting reel, once the clutch bar is pressed down, the pinion gear is freed, but it tends to create friction on the spool shaft, which, in turn, will limit the distance of your cast.
E.I. surface treatment
The Tranx 500 is designed for harsh saltwater conditions. Part of this design eliminates any possibility of a saltwater-soaked braided line corroding the spool and other reel parts.
Once the anodization process has been completed, a secondary surface treatment called E.I. penetrates the smallest surface impurities. This not only locks out the saltwater and adds another layer of corrosion resistance but also makes for a super smooth finish to the reel.
HEG® drive and pinion gears
HEG technology stands for High-Efficiency Gearing. HEG consists of the gears, frame, set plate, and handle-side side plate.
The drive and pinion gear have been beefed up to offer increased leverage and power. The one-piece frame incorporates the set plate, and by adding a one-piece stamped side plate, Shimano has eliminated nearly all of the flex in the drive train that can cause gears to bind and then strip under pressure from large fish.
When you combine the HEG with Shimanos X-Ship, you get a smooth but incredibly strong retrieve day after day.
Durable X-Ship – X-Ship combines features to create much greater efficiency. It stands for Extra, Smooth & High Power.
Positioning the pinion gear close to the large-diameter drive gear’s center line transfers more power from the handle to the spool. Two Shimano A-RB roller bearings also support the pinion gear.
This increases the efficiency of the reel and adds to its durability over its lifetime.
Features at a Glance
- S A-RB® A-RB® coating
- Super Stopper®
- Dartanium® II drag washer
- Ergonomic Power Handle
- Superfree bearing-supported pinion gear
- E.I. surface treatment
- HEG® drive and pinion gears
- Durable X-Ship design
At the heart of the Shimano Tranx 500 are two technologies that Shimano has incorporated into several of their reels: HEG and X-Ship. This combination is what makes them so smooth, even under heavy loads.
When hooking into a large fighting fish such as a Tuna, Wahoo, or a smaller billfish, you know that you are in for a ride, and if you want to be in control, you need to have the right gear.
The power and speed you find in this reel when pitching and retrieving larger lures come from what Shimano calls HEG technology, which stands for High-Efficiency Gearing. HEG consists of the gears, frame, set plate, and handle-side side plate.
The drive and pinion gear have been beefed up to offer increased leverage and power. The one-piece frame incorporates the set plate, and by adding a one-piece stamped side plate, Shimano has eliminated nearly all of the flex in the drive train that can cause gears to bind and then strip under pressure from large fish.
By eliminating the flex, increasing the leverage, and then combining the extremely smooth X-Ship technology, you can retrieve at incredibly high speeds and deliver an unbelievable amount of torque while enjoying the smooth, silent retrieve Shimano is so famous for.
Look at how far you can cast this reel and how quickly you can retrieve the lure. What you need to decide now is which model is right for you.
The TRX500HG is your ticket for quick retrieval of topwater lures, and the TRX500PG is what you will want to go with for bait fishing or bottom fishing when you need that extra pulling power to pull large fish in like Grouper.
Let’s talk about the level of wind for a minute. I know several anglers that prefer the baitcasting reel over a spinning reel, and most of them are not fans of a level wind as they feel that it interferes when casing and slows the line as it pays off the spool.
I would have to agree that with most reels, this is true, but I have found that this is not the case with the Tranx 500.
Pros
- Smooth
- Line capacity
- Fast retrieve
- Strong and Durable
Cons
- Pricey
Alternatives
If the price point of the Shimano Tranx 500 requires you to mortgage your truck, then you might want to take a look at the Daiwa Lexa 400. While this is a slightly smaller reel with a considerably smaller line capacity, it comes at about 2/3 of the price of the Tranx 500.
In Conclusion
I love this reel, especially when launching a larger lure when top fishing. The overall feel when you retrieve is that it is strong, durable, and smooth.
The level wind works as it is supposed to without interference. You can load up 400 yards of 50 lbs. braided line to haul those hard-fighting fish in, and it is well sealed from the elements, so I will not have to replace or rebuild this reel for years to come.
With minimal annual maintenance, I am sure that I will have this as part of my arsenal for the next decade. With that said, the price is up there, but it is a fine piece of equipment, and this is one instance when you are getting what you pay for.
Revolutionary design and shape provides the comfort of low profile with the capacity of a conventional reel. X-SHIP and HEG technologies combine to provide massive cranking power with a smooth effortless retrieve.
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Barry Demchuk
Thursday 13th of August 2020
want to go light with plenty of action and versatility with my new outfit....Alaska fishing ...jigging for 20-90lb Halibut in 200-300 ft of water with up to 16 oz of weight plus casting for giant ling cod with 6-16 oz swimjigs...
Probably looking at 2 different rods but as for reels ...Lexa 400h, or Shimano Tekota A 600....50 to 65 braid.....or the older Tekota 700
Please give reel and rod combo advise...had enough of the old heavy duty stuff...this is for personal use to keep it fun