Shimano Tranx 300B Baitcaster - A More Refined Beast for Big Baits and Bigger Fish

Total Score: 8.60 - EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD

Introduction: When Shimano released the original Tranx 300A, it quickly earned a place on the decks of anglers who needed a compact yet incredibly capable power oriented baitcaster. It became a staple for throwing large swimbaits, working big plugs, and even handling some saltwater duty. This season, Shimano has refined the proven platform with the release of the Tranx 300B, bringing with it a more rigid frame, smoother gearing, and upgraded cast control. After three months of testing across both the California Delta and San Francisco Bay, it’s clear this is more than just a minor refresh - it’s a stronger, more confident reel designed to push the limits of what a 300-size reel can do.

Shimano has refreshed their power fishing reel, the Tranx 300

Impressions: At first glance, from the front the new Tranx 300B looks similar to the outgoing model. It still features the compact, low-profile form factor that made the 300A so easy to palm and fish for extended periods. But once you turn the reel to the non-handle side you will notice that the reel features the CoreSolid style frame design, similar to the current generation Bantam and Metanium reels, just bigger.

The biggest change from one generation to the next is the new CoreSolid body design

Not only does CoreSolid change the overall design and profile of the reel it also comes with significant upgrades in performance, ergonomics, and overall handling refinement. Styling-wise the new reel maintains the silver and black elements, without the blue tones found in the previous generation drag star and handle.

The reel maintains the same high capacity (14/180, 17/150) as the 300A model

The 300 and 301 models come with the traditional baitcaster double paddle handle while the higher speed 300HG and 301HG reels come with the oversized power handle which comes with a single oversized round knob.

At certain angles the Tranx looks like a Bantam, just bigger

On paper, the new 300B adds a touch of weight over the 300A (11.8oz vs. 11.6oz). Which doesn't usually bode well in terms of performance and refinement from one generation to the next. Specs aside, we wanted to see if any of that would make a difference on the water.

For most of my big swimbait setups I prefer to switch out to aftermarket handles, in this case DRT Varial with WCZ flat knobs

Real World Tests: To really see what the Tranx 300B could handle, we took it straight into battle in San Francisco Bay, where unexpected catches can push tackle to its limits. One evening near the South San Francisco shoreline, the reel met its match in the form Bat Rays. After that saltwater test, the reel saw heavy rotation back in the California Delta and nearby reservoirs, where we paired it with a range of swimbait rods for throwing mid to large-sized baits.

The 300B is a smoother caster and also a more refined one with the ability to tune the cast control on the fly externally with the SVS Infinity MD Tune

Casting: The previous generation 300A reels made use of the reliable VBS cast control system which does a good job managing casts but doesn’t allow for fine tuning on the fly as the brakes are accessed under the non-handle sideplate. In our Tranx 300A reel review back in 2017 I described the reel’s casting performance like a “normal baitcaster, only bigger” with no extra effort or thought required to catapult mid to large sized baits. I also noted how the reel casted more like a machete, versus a scalpel, and how it felt much more at home casting big baits.

Like the Bantam and Metanium accessing the spool requires a simple rotation of the cover lock

Casting performance was the first area where I found the new Tranx 300B showed meaningful improvement. The new reel is outfitted with Shimano’s SVS Infinity MD Tune braking system, a more refined centrifugal design that excels at managing heavy lures and high-inertia setups.

Removing this you can access the spool, centrifugal weights, and spool bearings

Internally, like the last generation reel the 300B has adjustable brake shoes which control spool speed during the initial phase of the cast, while an external dial now allows for more precise, on-the-fly tuning as conditions change.

The Tranx makes use of S A-RB bearings which are smooth and corrosion resistant
 

The result is a braking system that feels more controlled and refined, even when launching bulky, air-resistant baits like large glidebaits and swimbaits. In testing, the 300B delivered longer, smoother casts with noticeably less risk of backlash, inspiring the confidence to really lean into each cast without fear of overruns.

Whether lob casting or flat-out launching big glides and wakes, the new Tranx 300B just consistently felt smoother and more composed throughout the entire span of each cast. In some ways it even felt like an oversized Bantam reel.

The new reel sits very low on most rods, helping make it more comfortable to palm