Which Baitrunner?

[castamasta]

Hi guys
Looking at a baitrunner type reel for live baiting cobes,mackies etc using 8-10kg
The Penns have always been a reliable reel,so thinking of the Slammer liveliner range.
How do these compere to the Shimano"s ? As always,any and all opinions are appreciated.
Cheers

Gav.

[Carry]

Hi Castamasta,

I haven't had any personal experience with the Penns but I have Shimano Baitrunners, with 3 being the 6500B series. I have one new 12000 'D' series baitrunner but I am not entirely happy with it compaired to the 'B' series. A couple of mates have had major failures with the new 'D' series already while the 'B' series just keeps on going strong. Hope this helps.

Cheers

Carry

[shy guys]

Agree with carry the shimano 6500b,4500b,3500b series are hard to beat they take a beating the new d Series are just not built the same

[The Woo]

Another vote for the original B series Baitrunners. I have some going on 20 years that have caught some big fish, had long fights on 8kg, still going strong.

[castamasta]

Thanks for the heads up guys.
Gav

[Crunchy]

+1 for the b series shimano 6500

[softplasticsdude79]

hey mate,i just happen to have one for sale in the classifieds.

[castamasta]

hey mate,i just happen to have one for sale in the classifieds.
Hi dude....your not going to believe this,but i found your add just after i committed to buy one elsewhere,timing is a wonderful thing
Thanks all the same
Gav

[Heath]

The 4500 is plenty big enough for macks

[fat-buoy]

And the 4500 seems to be a fair bit lighter also :)

I have both the 4500 and the 6500 and the 6500 just sits around until the day I want to go fighting bigger fish :)

[JB]

D series are rubbish.. pathetic joke that shimano actually released this to market

[diabolical]

And the 4500 seems to be a fair bit lighter also :)

I have both the 4500 and the 6500 and the 6500 just sits around until the day I want to go fighting bigger fish :)

The 6500 has a metal rotor and the 4500 a graphite one which accounts for alot of the weight differance
.

[The Woo]

I want to ask you guys, given the "D" is so appalling, what about the Thunnus Baitrunner?

Do they justify the substantial price premium over a "B" series?

I've been extremely happy with the performance and longevity of my B's... but there will come a time when updating with be required.

[Heath]

Thunnus baitrunners had issues of water getting in through the rear of the reel. Same as the Big Baitrunner Big-BTR they are also rubbish.

Stick with the A & B models IMO

[metaloid]

D series are rubbish.. pathetic joke that shimano actually released this to market I have replaced my trusty 4500BTR with the new 4000D and I couldn't be happier!!! Nothing wrong with the BTR of course, but the 4000D is heaps lighter/smoother/better balanced. So I am a bit surprised at the level of criticism against the D serie! :-?

Anyway, if I go live-baiting for cobs/kings I use an OH with 24Kg mono and a locked drag, not an eggbeater!!! ;)

A friend of mine who doesn't like to waste time playing (any!) fish swears by the Quantum Cabo (http://www.quantumfishing.com/products/1905/Cabo-PTs-Bait-Teaser.aspx) and judging by the jewies he's caught on it, it must be plenty strong! ;D

[reggy]

Does the 6500b have a metal body also? and would it be strong enough to use 50 pound braid on?

[diabolical]

Graphite/Titanium body but plenty strong enough for 50lb.

[castamasta]

Interesting imput guys,thanks.I did buy a 6500b,just liked the extra line capacity compered to the 4500.
Cheers, Gav

[nigelr]

daughter's bf has the largest daiwa regal z baitrunner and has been very pleased with it. runs 20lb mono and floatlines for snapper etc.
nice reel it is, too.

[diabolical]

Anyone use the OC Baitrunner. Looks like the D version only silver and black like the old B model.

[whiteman]

I've had a 6500b for a few years. The first couple of times I used it in "bait" mode it was smashed by macks and I actually got a birdsnest in the line. Since then I have used it like any other reel - back off the drag a bit when the bait is on. I'd never by another reel like this as can't see the point. Even Fingermark (which are very touchy on the bite) are easily handled with the drag backed off a bit. I bought it from *Mart when I knew a lot less and the sales guy thought he knew a lot more.

The 6500b has landed a number of large tuna and GTs so it is strong enough and the line capacity a great match.

[The Woo]

I've had a 6500b for a few years. The first couple of times I used it in "bait" mode it was smashed by macks and I actually got a birdsnest in the line. Since then I have used it like any other reel - back off the drag a bit when the bait is on. I'd never by another reel like this as can't see the point. Even Fingermark (which are very touchy on the bite) are easily handled with the drag backed off a bit. I bought it from *Mart when I knew a lot less and the sales guy thought he knew a lot more.

The 6500b has landed a number of large tuna and GTs so it is strong enough and the line capacity a great match.

The Biatrunner feature comes into it's own when fishing with line-class line IMO. The ability to SET the drag with accurate scales (on my 6500's I run 8kg test set to 2.8kg drag) and effectively use the reel exactly as you would a lever drag overhead reel.
Shame you don't find these reels as useful as I do, and I have to say, I've never had an "over-run" either.

If I had to chose just ONE combo for the rest of my like, it'd be my 6500B and Albagraph 5 combo.

[TCSunCoast]

Hi all, I have a 6500B and love it, however I noticed the spool was running off and on inspection the shaft was bent.
I ordered a new one from my local tackle store and got it today. I have just gone to fit it and it is bent as well??
Are they like this or have I been sent a dud?

[whiteman]

The Biatrunner feature comes into it's own when fishing with line-class line IMO. The ability to SET the drag with accurate scales (on my 6500's I run 8kg test set to 2.8kg drag) and effectively use the reel exactly as you would a lever drag overhead reel.
Shame you don't find these reels as useful as I do, and I have to say, I've never had an "over-run" either.

If I had to chose just ONE combo for the rest of my like, it'd be my 6500B and Albagraph 5 combo.

Point taken. I fish with a line class of minimum 50lb braid!

[diabolical]

I think the small 4000 size baitrunners would be great for soft plastics. The ability to let a little line out and kick it into gear without having to lift the bail arm would work great I would think. Anyone use one for this?

[Cav(J.C.)]

Hi Gav,
Have had an Okuma Coranado for more years than I care to remember. Took it for it's first service six months ago. Nothing wrong---just my concience getting the better of me, it had done such hard work. The guy gave it a spin and said---Don't open it up, it is perfect.
Have just bought the latest equivalent from the States . A package of two Okuma Avengers with spare carbon graphite spools, delivered to the door for $175. This includes $50 priority postage. Had them out to the shelf yesterday---they are brilliant.
If you need some info as to where to get them, reply to me.
Cav(J.C.)