A-Jay

I have four of the TranX 300 reels. Two each of the 300 & the 300HG. (Top row right) They are used exclusively during trips to Mexico where they really get put to the test. I am routinely throwing 1-3 oz swimbaits, using 20-25 lb FC. These reels are IME perfect for that job and have accounted for 'several' very respectable LMB up to & including fish over 10 lbs. As for 'anything to know ahead of time', I'll say that these are very study reels, that cast the bait weights mentioned above with ease. They hold plenty of the right line and are equip with a very dependable cast control as well as drags system. Most importantly, I guess, is to know that the 300A, 301A, 400A & 401A models include Double Paddle Handle 300AHG, 301AHG, 400AHG & 401AHG models include Power Handle. I do not like the power handle for bass fishing, so on the reels that come with it, I switch it out for the double paddle version. Shimano part number BNT5527 https://www.ebay.com/p/864997855 Hope that helps and good luck with your future purchase. A-Jay

Me Too ! It's just a little bit further to the corner. Happy Holidays my friend. A-Jay

Big Fan ! A-Jay

It's like a Scooby Snack for Brown Bass. #shaggyapproved A-Jay

Interesting opinion right there. These may be rhetorical questions however I'd like to ask, how does the reel know the difference between a bass pulling drag vs an old guy ? And how is one more correct than the other ? A-Jay

Big Congrats To Mr & Mrs @Mobasser Made it (somehow) 13 years the first time. Super fortunate to get it right the 2nd time. Hitched again in 99 and we're at 24. A-Jay (the very definition of marrying up ~ Waaay up)

To answer your question, I pull line out against the drag, but I don't ever reel baits to my rod tip either. Seems to jack up the tip top insert eventually. In the past every spinning came with it, but I rarely actually needed it. Currently, I have a mix of reels (older & newer) with it and without. I NEVER back reel or really don't have any other need for the anti-reverse deal. So I don't miss it at all. A high quality bearing in the line roller is more important to me. YMMV A-Jay

Do enjoy seeing everyone's canine companions; Past & Present. We do dogs ~ Big dogs, little dogs and some in between dogs. From reputable breeders, animal rescue & animal shelters. Even do a bit of 'fostering' from time to time. I don't feel like dogs dwell on where they're from, but are all about where they are. Currently it's Tank & Kya keeping us on our toes. A while back, we did quite a bit of this deal. Extra fun for all involved too. https://youtu.be/YjH3hczMp5M?feature=shared https://youtu.be/GzhqKzc6uVk?feature=shared A-Jay

Sweet ~ Congrats ! A-Jay

106 Days ~ This winter's bizarre weather continues . . . A-Jay

Yea - Not buying it ! #kansashammer A-Jay

My Brown Bass fishing efforts & adventures are routinely concentrated early and later in the open water season here. Mid-summer I'll make some sporadic trips, many of which I find myself in the Old Town Canoe on smaller water. 2023 will easily be remembered as "intense"; both on & off the water. I might have floated somewhere around 50 times. Which often averages out as 2 to 3 workouts per fishing trip. Probably will again this year too. Hard water season already feels too long. That's a bad sign - it really is. A-Jay

Total Body Day 4 today and I liked it. Hoping to keep as much momentum as I can heading into the new year. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Looks available here ~ https://www.gullwingpaddles.com/buy.html A-Jay

Over 4 Years later and I'm still confident in my above position. I have Zero problem admitting I am way far from a DD bass expert, I have caught and seen others catch a few up to and including 11+ lbs. All done more than half a continent south of Michigan. A 12 lb plus bass from this state seems like triple powerball odds to me. I've only ever seen ONE that size. Seemed unreal at the time as I had nothing else to compare it to. And while I was super glad to have been in the boat, I didn't catch it. https://youtu.be/CkW-lxMZcok?feature=shared If & when a MI basshead does actually top the current state record LMB, I really hope they either never tell a soul, or do the due diligence required in this day & age of " undeniable proof", to have it recognized accordingly. Fish Hard A-Jay

Boxes are stored flat. A-Jay

Yes and oh yea..... A-Jay

Not sure who they are. But back when every stick was glass and the only line was mono, which was like rubber rope, I had some colorful names for them. A-Jay

OK ~ Now I get the skating reference . . . . 🤓 A-Jay

Total Body Day 3 today. Objective is always to complete the cleanest reps I can. Felt good about how this one went. #borninfiftynine https://youtu.be/TKepaObPr7I?feature=shared A-Jay

WTH is "street fishing" ??????? A-Jay

This is a selection of 'Power Finesse' rigs I run from Brown Bass ~ Shimano & a couple of Diawa. A-Jay

In my world, the rod determines what a rig is used for. Whether it's 'power' or 'finesse' sounds cool on video but is virtually meaningless in the big picture. Lighter gear is finesse like and heavier gear is leaning toward the power fishing route. I will match the reel to the rod and the size & type of line I plan on using and I'm done. Every piece of fishing gear does not need to be 'classified' or designated to be effective. A-Jay

All my snow is way gone. Looks and feels like mid-April. This is a Huge snow & winter fun destination. Skiing, snowshoe action and of course Ice fishing. Especially over the holiday/school break. We are surrounded by MILES of nicely groomed snow machine trails - all over the northern part of this state. Tourist $$$ is depended on. Not a banner year here for that deal. A-Jay

109 Days to go ~ This doesn't exactly apply here today (raining), but it most certainly has in the past and will not doubt again in the very near future ~ A-Jay