Shimano Baitrunner Question

[castlemaine]

I got given two baitrunners for my birthday.

My problem is that on a recent trip, I set a slight drag on the baitrunner facility and a normal two kilo drag on the main drag. Everytime the baitrunner took off I pick the rod up and wind to engage the normal drag, and strike, I'd lose the fish. Chasing Snapper but Bream is sometimes a by-catch in the area.

To say I'm a bit disappointed, is an understatement but I know it's not the infamous reel but something I'm doing.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Hooks = 2 x 2/0 gangsters, joined together with a swivel
Rig = Small pea sinker on top hooks

Cheers

[Noelm]

try using the same rig and reel without using the baitrunner feature! that way you can prove it is the "runner" that is causing the misses, rather than some other factor.

[NAGG]

Try tying off ...... and walk rapidly way with the bait runner feature in use - then turn the handle and see if the main drag engages ( do this through the rod).

From my experiences once a snapper started to move away under the baitrunner feature once you engage the reel the hook up rate was fantastic ! .... setting the baitrunner tension was important.

Love the baitrunner for snapper & jew

Chris

[whatscracken]

Are you using braid? Might be an idea to use mono for a bit until you get used to the baitrunner action.

[Si]

I got given two baitrunners for my birthday.

My problem is that on a recent trip, I set a slight drag on the baitrunner facility and a normal two kilo drag on the main drag. Everytime the baitrunner took off I pick the rod up and wind to engage the normal drag, and strike, I'd lose the fish. Chasing Snapper but Bream is sometimes a by-catch in the area.

To say I'm a bit disappointed, is an understatement but I know it's not the infamous reel but something I'm doing.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Hooks = 2 x 2/0 gangsters, joined together with a swivel
Rig = Small pea sinker on top hooks

Cheers

dont know exactly what the issue would be but
i used to just flick the baitrunner off once the fish has taken a bit of line with the rod pointed level and then strike while lifting the rod, then wind. that way there is no momentary lapse while the reel eventually decides to engage the main drag. i never used the handle crank to engage the main drag just flick the switch over with my thumb. seems to take too long via the handle plus the 'noise' transmitting down the line could put off a fish.

[Si]

after twenty-one years of service i had to put sentimental reasons aside and put my bait runner to rest. The drag was basically gone, handle was loose as a goose and was missing a few parts here and there. in saying that it was a great reel and i caught a tonne of fish on it. whereas other reels I've had havent even lasted two years. i think in the long run, once you get familiar with it, you wont be disappointed.

[SeaHunt]

after twenty-one years of service i had to put sentimental reasons aside and put my bait runner to rest.

21 years is pretty good going for any reel.
None of mine last that long, my last baitrunner only lasted about 2 months, but I liked it that much I immediately bought another brand new BTR3500B, only done one trip.
What happened to the old BTR3500B I hear you say?
Lets just say you should always secure your rods properly before taking off after tuna smashing bait and it is now in 70 foot of water about 2k SW of Tangalooma.

But back to the original problem.
I am not sure about the 2 x 2/0 gangs and swivel.
The fish might not like the taste of all that hardware in their mouths and be spitting the hooks before you strike.
I use a single 3/0 or 4/0 and often have the rod in the rod holder and after I get a bit of a run gently take it out and flick the bait runner feature off and wait for another good bite before striking.

[castlemaine]

I don't use braid, but your replys seem to be consistent of flicking the bait runner feature off manually.

I never doubted the capability of the reel only the user.

I'll go back to single hook or a double snooded rig on my second rod to see if it makes a difference.

Thanks for the replies!

Cheers

[Cheech]

I use braid on my baitrunners. I set a pretty light drag on the main drag because I think that if the fish has already taken off, you want line to come off when you flick the baitrunner function off, otherwise you are going to pull the hooks. I have light drag on everything actually.

Normally I do not use a baitrunner for snapper. I just use it for floaters. I find the size fish I want do not need that much playing with to get a hookup. The better fish just slam the bait and go. Thus enough drag to get a hookup, and not too much to pull the hooks.

I agree with the comments about too much hardware. In the bay I just have a running ball sinker straight above the hook. No swivel, and no other hardware.

Each to their own in styles.

[Platitudinus]

I assume you are floatlining with the baitrunner rather than bottom bouncing? I use the 8000D with braid with no problems but middle and deep water snapper fishing you get some short runs before the snapper come back and wallop it. You can feel the difference and if you have ever seen a video of how a snapper turns a pillie sideways before fully sucking it in then you know what you are dealing with. The big bites are easy to hit but if you get a light bite or short run you will pull the pillie off and wind in disappointed.
Cheers
Plato.

[charleville]

. I just use it for floaters.

That is all that I have used my 6500B baitrunner for as well but I have just bought an 8000D version as my primary active fishing reel simply because I like the convenience of being able to strip a bit of line off, either when negotiating with a nibbling fish or more usually, when I am changing terminal tackle or re-baiting and just want to be able to pull off some line under the light pressure of the baitrunner drag.

All of that means that I am a lazy bugger and cannot be bothered with flipping over the bail arm to let out some line.

[castlemaine]

Normally I do not use a baitrunner for snapper. I just use it for floaters. I find the size fish I want do not need that much playing with to get a hookup. The better fish just slam the bait and go. Thus enough drag to get a hookup, and not too much to pull the hooks.

I agree with the comments about too much hardware. In the bay I just have a running ball sinker straight above the hook. No swivel, and no other hardware.

Each to their own in styles.

This fits in with what I experienced last trip, floatlining. After reading Charleville's 'Saltwater Report', I was going to go back to basics but stuck to my old habits. Maybe the Baitrunner is more suited to less hardware as I have had good success on my 2 hook rig previously.
Thanks again, all

[Si]

That is all that I have used my 6500B baitrunner for as well but I have just bought an 8000D version as my primary active fishing reel simply because I like the convenience of being able to strip a bit of line off, either when negotiating with a nibbling fish or more usually, when I am changing terminal tackle or re-baiting and just want to be able to pull off some line under the light pressure of the baitrunner drag.

All of that means that I am a lazy bugger and cannot be bothered with flipping over the bail arm to let out some line.

haha, i like the conveniance of that too.

[whiteman]

I have a 4500. It is rarely used in "baitrunner" mode - mainly night fishing fingermark which spit the bait. Have tried the baitrunner setting when floating baits and this just spins the spool too fast when a fish hits - better to use the drag setting. I got mine real cheap and use as a normal spin reel but would never buy one otherwise.

[castlemaine]

I have a 4500. It is rarely used in "baitrunner" mode - mainly night fishing fingermark which spit the bait. Have tried the baitrunner setting when floating baits and this just spins the spool too fast when a fish hits - better to use the drag setting. I got mine real cheap and use as a normal spin reel but would never buy one otherwise.

That's the main point of my disappointment ... is that when I was asked what do I want for my birthday, I suggested everyone put in for a baitrunner and I got two. Why Baitrunner? Is because it is extensively used in Victoria and South Australia for Snapper. Thought they were the 'ant's pants'.