It’s the start to another wonderful tarpon season here in Southwest Florida and I’d like to share some info about a new setup I’ll be adding to the quiver. It’s the new Shimano Tranx conventional reel paired on an 8′ Heavy Sewell Custom Rod, designed for casting jigs and soft plastics.
I worked with Matt Sewell to develop this build, which features a extra fast action blank, with a very stout back bone. The fast action of the rod is perfect for feeling every little bump as your jig swings along in the current, while having a lot of strength in the back section for fighting big tarpon and snook.
I spooled up the Shimano Tranx with 65lb Power Pro Classic in Green. It’s a great size for stability and abrasion resistance, as I plan on using this setup for throwing jigs into some pretty abrasive areas.
Casting with the rod is very comfortable and it’s quite easy to throw a 3oz bait 50yds or more. The tip is light enough for casting 2oz weights, but it’s hard to get the rod tip to load lower than that. The rod can easily handle casting lures or jigs up to 5oz, when casting using a side arm “lob” style throw.
All in all, this will be an excellent setup for taking a break from casting the spinning outfit for hours on end.
Cheers,
Capt. Ross
