4 hours ago, jitterbug127 said:

That’s great! I’ve got a 6.2 here I’ll try first.  It’s always nice when I’m looking for something and already have a viable option. 

That would be a great speed for wide glides.  Not so much for chop baits or multi jointed baits.

Bought a tranx 401 hg locally in great shape for $150. I’ve been wanting to get into musky fishing for while now and eyeing this reel. If I’m able to double dip some huge bass lures/smaller musky lures so be it. The curado k will do onto the victory for the moment. I’m still eyeing that Diawa 200 size reel or possibly a Shimano with dc spool on it. 

Has anyone used a lews bb1 pro as a swimbait reel? Buddy of mine has one he’d be willing to trade me for different reel. 

I have the same rod that I purchased for $200 😅, And I paired that with TranX 300.

30 minutes ago, ATA said:

I have the same rod that I purchased for $200 😅, And I paired that with TranX 300.

Nice! I have been looking at that tranx 301b for months. I might end up with it eventually 

14 hours ago, jitterbug127 said:

Has anyone used a lews bb1 pro as a swimbait reel?

I do. It's my only swimbait reel with spooled with heavy braid. I use this rig for running baits in heavy pad fields or open lanes therein. Wake baits are bound to snag up here, so dragging up pads by their root happens a lot. The reel has remained quite smooth 3 years in, and I haven't had a single backlash/lure break off. Unlike most big swimbait reels whose fully loaded spools are heavy therefore limited to heavier baits, I can tie on a typical bladed jig and cast it effectively. I like the versatility.

I’m late to the game - sorry…I have a lexa 300 paired to my 7’10 mojo bass. I feel like it’s big. I would throw a tatula 200 on there if I wanted to buy something to replace with.

Z2020 rules them all. I use mine for up to 7oz baits, and with a 7.10" rod as well. Simply couldn't glaze a reel more than this thing. OG ryoga2020 is another one that will last forever, but not as comfy to palm all day. For "cheap", the new Tat200 is best for the price. People been using it on the swimbait underground, and i haven't heard a single negative.

I actually got 3 swimbait rods off a guy for $20 total. Each needs a new eyelet. 1 victory and 2 mojo bass. Sold one mojo and gave mojo to

my buddy. The tranx 401 is a great reel but a bit big/heavy for all day casting I’m thinking. It pairs up better in my 8 6 musky rod anyways. I’d really like to get into swimbait fishing this year. I’m either going ti trade for this bb1 pro or trade for a Shimano curado k hg. I’ve got the curado 200 6.2 to try as well. 

On 12/10/2025 at 10:00 AM, jitterbug127 said:

I’m really a Shimano guy but it seems like they don’t offer anything that great in this department. Diawa seems to have it dialed in 

Disagree. Tranx is an amazing reel for swimbaits and a host of other baits. I’ve got the 150 for smaller glides and wakes. For the OP’s rod, I’d go with a 200 or 300, depending on size of baits he’s chucking. With the straight braid he mentioned, either reel would have enuf line capacity. 

9 hours ago, Micro Module Police said:

Z2020 rules them all. I use mine for up to 7oz baits, and with a 7.10" rod as well. Simply couldn't glaze a reel more than this thing. OG ryoga2020 is another one that will last forever, but not as comfy to palm all day. For "cheap", the new Tat200 is best for the price. People been using it on the swimbait underground, and i haven't heard a single negative.

I’ve got both the old and the new Tat 200. Love em both. Very easy to dial in. The older one developed a squeak and feels a bit geary so I think it may be dry/needs some lube, per most DAiwa’s after a year or two of use. The new one is flawless after a year of heavy fishing.

44 minutes ago, MontclairDave said:

Disagree. Tranx is an amazing reel for swimbaits and a host of other baits. I’ve got the 150 for smaller glides and wakes. For the OP’s rod, I’d go with a 200 or 300, depending on size of baits he’s chucking. With the straight braid he mentioned, either reel would have enuf line capacity. 

I’ve got both the old and the new Tat 200. Love em both. Very easy to dial in. The older one developed a squeak and feels a bit geary so I think it may be dry/needs some lube, per most DAiwa’s after a year or two of use. The new one is flawless after a year of heavy fishing.

I have been staring down a tranx 301 online a while. I am very tempted to get it. I’ve got the 401 now and I’m reading 301 is just about same size just narrower spool. The 201 k plams much easier than the 401 does. I was thinking something like bb1 pro or tatula 200 be more comfortable throwing all day. It’s really me trying to speculate without seeing 301 in person yet. Wish I could find one locally to hold. 
 

3 hours ago, MontclairDave said:

Disagree. Tranx is an amazing reel for swimbaits and a host of other baits. I’ve got the 150 for smaller glides and wakes. For the OP’s rod, I’d go with a 200 or 300, depending on size of baits he’s chucking. With the straight braid he mentioned, either reel would have enuf line capacity. 

I’ve got both the old and the new Tat 200. Love em both. Very easy to dial in. The older one developed a squeak and feels a bit geary so I think it may be dry/needs some lube, per most DAiwa’s after a year or two of use. The new one is flawless after a year of heavy fishing.

I don't believe its dry. Older Tats going noisy/grindy is normal. This is the main reason why i never cared, nor suggested any older Tats. Newer ones with new gears, and frame, tho, amazing for the money.

54 minutes ago, Micro Module Police said:

I don't believe its dry. Older Tats going noisy/grindy is normal.

My brother bought 3 of the previous gen in '22 when a seller on the naughty list was running a great sale. I have my doubts that Dave lubed his reel as he's not one to take things apart, but my brother did out of the box even though he said they came decently greased from the factory. They are still as smooth as they were then and he's often throwing crank down wakes with them in the 2.5-4 oz range.

 

My 150 is also still out-of-the-box smooth bought at the same time, and I've put a whooping on it fishing heavy cover. Not saying they're brand-new zillion G smooth, but none of them are anywhere near distracting while cranking under load. My '17 Tat SV is another story. Had to do a gear swap 2 years in after heavy fishing with braid, but it's been OK since. Strangely, my two Fuego CT 8spds bought in '18 haven't changed much, and they've mostly been fished with heavy rods in serious junk, and they're not geary. Totally acceptable. Go figure.