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Reel Review


Plenty of Muscle to take on Big Game, the reasonably priced Shimano Tyrnos
 

Date: 10/17/05
Tackle type: Reels
Manufacturer: Shimano
Reviewer: JIP






Total Score: 8.33

Introduction:
Shimano has built a high-speed offshore reel for targeting big game fish either on the troll or tossing bait. The Shimano Tyrnos levelwind reel is bulletproof and lighter than most reels of its size, and this season we had the opportunity to put the Shimano Tyrnos up against some good size Albacore tuna in the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.
 

Shimano Tyrnos (TYR30) Specifications

Type Conventional
Line Capacity (lb/yds) 30/600, 40/450, 50/350
Gear Ratio 5.0:1
IPT 45
Weight 38.1 oz
Bearings 4
Drag (Max) 33 lbs
Drag (Strike Max) 16.5 lbs
Additional Features A-RB, oversized gears, diecast aluminum frame, oversize handle shank, twin pawl anti-reverse, loud clicker, ratcheting drag lever, reel clamp
MSRP $259.99

 

Introducing the Tyrnos with a high gear ratio of 5.0:1

 
Impressions:
The first thing many anglers notice when they set eye on the new Tyrnos is the color of the reel. Some have even mistaken this reel for being a larger Torium or even a Tekota. Though the Tyrnos holds the same brand and reliability of the Torium and Tekota, it is a completely new beast. The Shimano Tyrnos is designed to tackle big game fish either on the troll or tossing bait with supportive features to ensure the highest performance. You will find such things as Shimano’s trusty A-RB (Anti-Rust Bearings), oversized gears, oversized handle shank and knob, and twin pawl anti-reverse mechanism. The Tyrnos 30 is actually quite lightweight compared to some other reels of this size and weighs in at only 38.1 ounces thanks to its graphite sideplates with structural aluminum braces. Though the side plates are made of graphite, you won’t have to worry about durability because the reel sports a die cast aluminum frame.

 

A loud clicker is incorporated into the Tyrnos

 

Complete Rig for Tyrnos 30 Tests

Rods

Quantum CaboPT Offshore

Reel

Shimano Tyrnos (TYR30)

Lines 50 lb Ande Premium

  
Field Tests:
Built for high-speed applications with a gear ratio of 5.0:1, the Tyrnos isn’t for every type of fish. Rather this reel is good for smaller big game fish such as small Bluefin tuna, Albacore, Dorado, Wahoo, etc. Using the Tyrnos TYR30 we trolled and fished irons and swimbaits on the slide for Albacore tuna 40 miles off the coast of California.

 

Graphite sideplates reduces the overall weight

 

Casting/Trolling: Like most big game reels, the Tyrnos wasn’t designed for casting, and while we didn’t put this reel to any real casting tests, we did perform a few underhanded chucks when setting the trolling spread and live baiting and fishing on the slide. To let line out pull the lever drag towards you to decrease the amount of drag pressure on the spool until a desired line flow is achieved. If you wish to let line out at freespool, set the lever to the “free” position to completely disengage the drag. Do so with caution when letting line out at freespool because you still can create a nasty birdnest with thick 50 pound fishing line. We recommend you set the clicker on when freespooling line off the spool to prevent birdnests or loose line on the spool, which can become problematic when a fish peels line from the reel while trolling.

 

Though high-speed, this conventional reel has plenty of power

 

Retrieve & Power: Most single-speed offshore trolling reels are designed with a lower gear ratio for greater power under the load of a huge fish. At first we were uncertain as to how the Tyrnos’ 5.0:1 would do when battling Albacore tuna but after I landed our first fish, a 27 pounder, a big smile lit up on my face. While I was playing tug-o-war with the tuna I knew I had an upper hand when with each turn of the handle I gained a lot of ground. Thanks to the oversized gears and powerful long shank handle and large knob, I was able translate my muscles through the reel to bring the fish to the surface.


Next Section: Power, Durability, and Ratings
  

 

   

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