SHIMANO TYRNOS 10 - 13/02/2009
TSF gets afloat to test Shimano's new baby, the Tyrnos 10, specially designed for the lighter, more fun side of fishing.
New for 2009, the Tyrnos 10 is perfect for UK style fishing with 20lb or 30lb braid. It features a rigid Diecast aluminium frame, anodised aluminium spool and a machined aluminium handle with a large rubber power grip. The stated spool capacity is 200m of 20lb mono but I feel it will perform best when you're using braid. There are four A-RB ball bearings to ensure a smooth running plus oversized gears with a fast ratio of 6:1, so you can retrieve your gear quickly. The ratchet is loud to warn you when a fish takes and the superb lever drag system allows you to preset the drag, so you don't break off on the fish of a lifetime.
We loaded the reel with 300m of 30lb braid topped with a 30lb fluorocarbon leader. High winds scuppered a couple of planned trips but I did eventually manage to get afloat off the Essex coast for a bash at the codling and whiting. I coupled the reel with a 20lb to 30lb-class braid rod and this outfit felt well balanced. I started by lobbing a running leger loaded with a lug and squid cocktail over the stern. Bites soon came and a succession of whiting and small codling came over the gunnels, but I wanted a decent cod to really test the reel. 
Lever drag reels are not the best for casting but out of curiosity I cast the gear about 50 yards off the stern. It performed quite well for a lever drag reel, but with no braking system you do have to feather the spool with your thumb during the cast. I would have liked to hook something big to get a good feel of the drag system because the small codling just didn't do it. However, the drag can be finely adjusted and it released line very smoothly and the 6:1 retrieve gets the gear back quickly. The quick retrieve will come in handy if you hook something fast like a tope or smoothhound; you'll be able to keep in contact when they turn and run back towards you. The handle has a huge rubber knob, great when your hands are frozen and you're cranking in a heavy gear. When our day afloat was over, I felt the reel would be really at home when drifting shads and pirks over wrecks and reefs. I feel a testing times revisited happening in a few months time!
INFORMATION
Facts At A Glance
Gear ratio: 6:1
Ball bearings: Four A-RB
Line capacity: 200m of 20lb line
RRP: £174.99
ROGER'S RATINGS
Appearance 10
Casting 8
Fishing 10
Value for money 9
Contact Shimano UK Ltd on 01386 425826
Website: www.shimano.com
