This is the best saltwater baitcaster in my opinion. I have the 200,300 and 400 they all perform well. Amazing reel for the money.

The Tranx 400 is an amazing reel. I also have the Tranx 500. I fish the mangroves of Baja California with this reel. I highly recommend the Shimano Tranx 400.

Perfect reel for all my fluke fishing, both in the bay and on the ocean. Light weight is great for working a bucktail all day. While there isn't much difference between the 200A and the 200HG, the slightly lower gear ratio of the 200A results in a small difference of inches per turn on the retrieve which definitely makes reeling in larger bucktails and bigger flounder less of a chore. Great match for any medium or even medium heavy conventional rods.

Used for quite a few party boat trips for Fluke this year on South Shore of Long Island. Handled very well. Drag is smooth and if you need a little extra oomph you can thumb the spool easily. Caught a few large bluefish with this reel as well and no hiccups. Highly reccomend for Fluking with Bucktails.

Bought this for deep cranking and smaller swimbaits. Handles both tasks perfectly. Although not known as one of Shimanos best casting reels, it bombs baits farther than I expected and winches in hard resisting baits with ease. Very happy with the purchase and have since purchased the 300 size for larger glide baits (up to 5 ounces). Another great product from Shimano.

Use primarily for Fluke and Tautog fishing. Left hand retrieve and power handle make reeling very comfortable.

I purchased about 1 month ago, I went out of San Diego on Overnight chasing Tunas and Yellowtails. Hooked on a 35lb. bluefin it was amazing, button down the drag and just started reeling it in with ease. The reel is soooo smooth. Next week I went to Daimond Valley Lake and Hooked to a 18lb striper and it was so smooth to Reel the fish in..I would RECOMMEND anyone who wanted small Reel with power and smoothness for saltwater and freshwater..

Ok this reel is alright, but it's not a good saltwater reel. It's a musky reel made for freshwater. Daiwa lexa tw has replaced the larger size tranx's but I still have my 200. The Daiwa lexa tw has a better saltwater design than the bigger 300-400 tranx and a lot more torque maintaining the same weight and better cast ability.

I honestly believe the tranx 300 is better suited for salt than the bigger tranx's because of it's lack of bearings, there is pretty much nothing to corrode.

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My lucky day included a beautiful 25” fluke on the kayak, AND pulling a heavily encrusted tranX 300a attached to a 7’ St Croix rod. The rod and reel were so covered with saltwater nastiness, that I had no idea what I had pulled up at first. Regardless, I brought it home to throw in the trash rather than just toss back in the ocean, then noticed the Shimano font on the reel cover. A quick pressure wash later (and a little bit of toothpick work) and the reel worked. Smooth as butter. I cracked open the case the next day to see that almost zero growth was inside. A tiny bit on one for the bearings that was easily removed. When I say it looked new inside, that’s zero exaggeration. I’m going to put a new star drag and handle on purely for aesthetics. Reel (and rod) worked like new. I’ll never know for sure, but I’m guessing that the combo was immersed in a saltwater bay notorious for heavy growth for a minimum of a year. Can your Diawa do that? Two that I threw in the trash after months of use (and several $ervice appointments later) couldn’t. I’m actually amazed. That CoreProtect is real!

very fun to handle when the fish runs...

Awesome reel for my bottom fishing needs in the Northeast. Can't wait to test it on Tog

Bought this to pair with a G-Loomis E6X swim bait rod. Rod is on back order, but so far it has been amazing on every rod I’ve used it with. When rigging my rods prior to fishing. I always tie my anticipated “best lure” on it. I’m getting ready to order another one when I get a shipping time frame on the G-Loomis.

I bought this for throwing bucktails and larger soft plastics (1-3oz) and it does this very well! I wanted it to be a heavier setup I keep on my kayak Incase an opportunity presented itself on a big striper or a big cobia. So far I have only caught big specks and schoolie sized bass. It is easy to manage and pairs well the the bigger baits. The handle is amazing too. I put a oz egg sinker on and I can cast well over my barn which sits 88 yards away and is 25’ tall.

Amazing reel, feels great in hand, casts well, and has the brakes of a truck.

I bought this reel specifically for fishing west coast bays - something I have done for decades. I have used my small Shimano Calcutta's in the past, and was looking for a low profile reel for flipping docks and throwing swimbaits for Spotted Bay Bass. I was contemplating this reel or a Shimano Curado - which I have owned before for Largemouth fishing in the Southwest. I chose the tranx because of the saltwater use and the extra level of protection it offers for this environment. I just used it for the first time on Mission Bay and it performed better than I had dreamed. Don't get caught up in counting bearings - I learned long ago that bearing count isn't nearly as important as bearing QUALITY! And this reel will throw a 3/8 oz jig into the wind with no issues - Sure any baitcaster can sling a 1 oz but when you go light, that's where you see just how smooth and drag free the reel truly is. Had a blast fighting plenty of Spotties up to 2+ pounds - Fishing 10# mono, they will pull drag and require some quick reeling to yank out from the dock pilings - which the reel did to perfection. Not to take anything away from a Curado - but if your fishing salt - this reel is the ticket!! I know its bigger brothers are fantastic offshore - but this little guy definitely deserves its family name and can hold its own in the light line salt game. Put your money where your mouth is - I am - I am purchasing 2 more. Well done Shimano!