I've no experience with the TN's. The TE is certainly a more powerful reel than the 400B, but at the expense of slightly more weight and a higher profile. I can believe it is ideal for eels and other big baits when used with a powerful rod. The 400B matches well with muskie sized rods and has plenty of power to handle any bass you're likely to hook fishing that way. I think the 400 casts a bit further, why I'm not sure. You can also palm the reel better which gives you better control over the plug. I like both reels a lot.

Muskie Rod(Rogue 7') is exactly what I have my 400b on. I love it for Tog.

I actually prefer the bigger profile of the TE's. They fit my Gorilla mitts a lot better than the regular 400 and I like the cranking power better. I also like the position of the crossbar better on the TE. I prefer thumbing the top of the spool when I cast, and the 400b gets in the way of my thumb.(again I inherited some Bear paws!) I've not seen the difference in casting, though I usually am not making really long casts from the boat.

If you don't mind manual line winding, the TN 14 is far and away the best conventional reel I've ever owned, though if I used mostly plugs, I'd choose the TE. What do you run for line on your TE's?

BTW- Weekend plans: Enjoy my new daughter, Molly. Born on Wednesday afternoon!

Congrats and enjoy

Oh man! Forget fishing reels. A new child, a bigger family, and a whole lot more love in your life. Lucky man, soak it up. :cheers:

Hey Brian! Congrats!!! What no thread to spread the news??? No pics of your daughter??? Come on man!:bl:

Congrats again to you and your wife Brian!:btu:

Well thanks for all the congrats, Guys.

I suppose I could start a thread.. Backbeach suggested the same thing to me yesterday when we took our two older kids to the zoo. I wasn't sure if it was appropriate, but if you say so..