New 6500 Shimano

[Black_Rat]

Decided to shout me one of these. (Shimano 6500 bait runner) Chasing Mac's on the bay !
What colour fireline ????? Pink, green, or smoke ?? Thinking 20 lb smoke fireline ????
Damo.

[MTpockets]

Damo,
I own an older version of that reel and I have nothing but praise for it.
I first leared about it from a video done by Rex Hunt and Steve Starling called "Big Red"
They used the baitrunner exclusivly for the big Port Philip Bay red snapper and what sold me was those big reds grab the bait and make a run till they feel like swallowing the bait and at that point the drag is engaged to set the hooks. It really is a great reel, pity its in pieces at the moment waiting for me to take it to a reel fixer to make it good again #
You wont go wrong mate.
cheers
Les

[Jeremy]

yes it s a good reel, but it's not the BEST choice for macks. The BTR 6500 has a gear ratio of around 4:1. The TSS4 has a gear ratio of 6:1. There is no substitute for speed.

My BTR 6500 does 6.2:1

Jeremy

[damons33]

OMG jeremy ! you cog swapper!

[Heath]

yes it s a good reel, but it's not the BEST choice for macks. The BTR 6500 has a gear ratio of around 4:1. The TSS4 has a gear ratio of 6:1. There is no substitute for speed.

My BTR 6500 does 6.2:1 #

Jeremy

Jeremy,

Extremely interested in your retrieve rate increase for the 6500. What cog did you use?

[Tony_N]

.


....The BTR 6500 has a gear ratio of around 4:1. The TSS4 has a gear ratio of 6:1. There is no substitute for speed.

My BTR 6500 does 6.2:1 #.......

I'm always interested in this gear ratio thing: It is obviously important for speed, but the diameter of the spool is also a determining factor as to how fast the lure is travelling. Gear ratio and spool diameter together give retrieve speed.

The spool on my Daiwa Emblem Pro is much larger than the spool on my BTR 6500. It also has a higher gear ratio (5.1:1) than the BTR 4.2:1


The Daiwa claims a retrieve speed per crank of 122cm or 48 inches.

My BTR handbook doesn't state a retrieve speed, Does the TSS4 bring more line in than 122 cms per crank? And Jeremy do you know how much line does the modified BTR brings in per crank?

cheers

Tony

[Black_Rat]

.mmmmmmm.............. TSS4 a cheaper reel then the 6500 BR and higher retrieve ratio
Would probably give me enough change to buy a rod to match
decisions .. decisions....

[Black_Rat]

After a quick ring around the usual haunts seems the TSS4 spinning reels are few and far between # with most stores sold out & not getting new stock untill next year #

[SeaHunt]

Just seen one in Mossops at lunch time for $189, Blackie. 8)

[Black_Rat]

Best price thus far $150 still working a few more stores

[Aaron_Fogarty]

Damo
Are you using the 6500 for throwing slugs? Having owned 2x6500 and 2x4500, my mates and I only use them for float baiting reefies. Isnt the TSS4 built primarily for fast retrieval slug fishing? If you want to chase macks with slugs I would shy away from the 6500. For the money though, the 6500 is the best reel in terms of reliability and durability for floating baits.
Aaron

[Black_Rat]

Aaron,

I'll be using it mainly for slug casting so I'm in two minds now and currently leaning towards the TSS4 for its faster retrieve. # Will make the decision in about an hours time

Damo.

[SeaHunt]

Where is the one for $150, ?
For that I will buy one too. 8)

[mackmauler]

nothing wrong with the baitrunners for spinning up mackerel, side by side with the tss4 on my boat the catch rate isnt much different, same with the penn spinfishers and there not the fastest gear ratio going. in the right hands you dont have to wind super fast a lot of the time.

[Bowser]

Have a look at the Okuma Epix. Especially in the largest size. Big spool and 6.3:1 Have had a couple of casts with it at Mack Tuna who weren't that helpful, but the speed of this is incredible. My son was casting with a large spooled reel and 4.1:1 and it appeared to be standing still beside the Okuma. And they put together a solid reel.