Tranx 400HG goes into gear when casting

[Classtime]

This is my son's 400HG. It goes into gear sometimes when he casts. He has a power handle that if not oriented just so, it advances and puts the reel into gear at the start of the cast. Is this common? Or is there something that needs attention?

[MarkT]

It's common! Make sure the handle isn't in the wrong position and don't swing for the fences.

[alantani]

It's common! Make sure the handle isn't in the wrong position and don't swing for the fences.

this......

[ReelClean]

Unfortunately not much, the inertia is overcoming the spring tension in the trip mech.  If you put in some sort of resistance as they do with the rubber ring to stop the rotor spinning on manual bail arm spinning reel systems you will increase winding resistance.
I got nothing, anyone else?

[oc1]

We have to assume Shimano tests such things before a reel goes on the market.  "Upgrading" to a power handle means you are using the reel in a way that it was not intended or designed for.

But, with that said, the old greenie Spinfishers would sometimes do the same thing with the stock handle.

[steelfish]

Is this common? Or is there something that needs attention?

almost any baitcaster with a power handle suffer from this same problem, nothing to do to avoid it unless you pay attention to dont to power casts and stop the rod (just like Mark said) , another way to reduce the problem is to swapt the power handle for a power handle with counter weight.

[jurelometer]

We have to assume Shimano tests such things before a reel goes on the market.  "Upgrading" to a power handle means you are using the reel in a way that it was not intended or designed for.

But, with that said, the old greenie Spinfishers would sometimes do the same thing with the stock handle.

They come from the factory with power handles.  But I wouldn't be surprised if the trip mechanism was designed for  a paddle handle, and the power handles came later without a redesign. Most saltwater levelwinds have both paddle style and power knob options.

 Okuma and Daiwa use light foam for the power handle knobs on their competing products.  The Shimano  knob looks to be hard plastic or aluminum. It might be heavier. If that is the case, then swapping to a lighter foam knob might help.  Or switch to the paddle handle.

-J

[Cor]

I use 500 HG's and the first thing I do with a new reel is to remove the auto engagement mechanism.   It's not so much the mechanism that is at fault but with hard casting my forearm touches the handle which throws the reel in to gear.

It's easier to modify the reel then to retrain my arm.

[JasonGotaProblem]

Put the power handle in the forward position before casting and there's nowhere for it to go. It won't swing backwards just for the heck of it.

[Classtime]

He likes his power handles. We'll look into a one of the lighter aluminum knobs. His is the solid white one.

Funny that this is common to the reel and I couldn't find mention of it anywhere on the www.

(Next up for me is the slipping clicker on one of his Trinidads. My son is a "This is not the 80s dad!" kind of kid and can't appreciate the simplicity of a classic Penn.)

[Gfish]

I use 500 HG's and the first thing I do with a new reel is to remove the auto engagement mechanism.   It's not so much the mechanism that is at fault but with hard casting my forearm touches the handle which throws the reel in to gear.

It's easier to modify the reel then to retrain my arm.

Cor, not familiar with the Tranx, so I'm prolly missing something here, but how do you get it back into gear after disengaging the auto-engage(it's a kick lever system right?)

[Cor]

I use 500 HG's and the first thing I do with a new reel is to remove the auto engagement mechanism.  It's not so much the mechanism that is at fault but with hard casting my forearm touches the handle which throws the reel in to gear.

It's easier to modify the reel then to retrain my arm.

Cor, not familiar with the Tranx, so I'm prolly missing something here, but how do you get it back into gear after disengaging the auto-engage(it's a kick lever system right?)

I manually move the, called a "Quick-Fire II Clutch Bar" Part BNT4482 up or down.

[Gfish]

Gotcha, thanks. Interested I tried my baitcasters. No on the older ones Abu Amb. 9000, Abu Amb. 5000 and an Abu Amb. Ultra Mag(1980's reel, thought that one might work). Yes on a late model Abu Garcia Revo Toro Beast.

[jzman]

I cast with the power handle parallel to rod with the knob closest to me and the reel is always held vertically when overhead casting.  It also helps that when I overhead cast I'm a lefty for some reason so my left hand is thumbing the spool and its no where near the handle.

[Lunker Larry]

This is common with all unbalanced power handles (unlike the old ABU 7000 balanced handles). With all the weight on one end It acts as a pendulum. When these reels are properly lubed they will cast a mile without having to strong arm the cast.