Reel with baitrunner recommendations

[pablo7uk]

Hello,

 

I'm looking to upgrade my current reels which are many years old and don't have spring loaded line clips and the other modern features of good reels.

 

I have always used baitrunner reels so looking for a good upgrade with this feature... unless someone can convince me that quick drag big pits are the future haha 

My current reels are diawa regal Z

Thanks

Paul

 

[yonny]

What do you want to spend buddy?

[Pelamid]

For me and river carp the Shimano Oceana OC Baitrunner in 6000 or 8000 size is perfect. It does not have a "longcast" style spool but casts up to 100yds with a 3ozs weight smoothly. I use mine with 30lb braid and the drag and baitrunner have been faultless.

As for the line-clip I am not sure, I only use mine to hold things in place when not fishing!

The price is not bad either - about £110 if you shop around.

My 8000 OC is at least several years old now, has done a lot of sea fishing and topped with several carp to over 40lb on the river Lot, France.

This carp was caught on the 6000 OC......

[pablo7uk]

16 hours ago, yonny said:

What do you want to spend buddy?

Willing to consider all options at the moment. I bide my time and buy a lot of tackle second hand to save a few quid. I just feel like I don't know where to begin with a reel upgrade.

 

What's your opinion on quick drag Vs baitrunner?

[yonny]

10 minutes ago, pablo7uk said:

What's your opinion on quick drag Vs baitrunner?

I've used both (and neither). There's no difference other than the means of adjustment. You get used to what you're using at the time.

You get what you pay for when it comes to reels mate so a budget would help.

I know the Penn Affinity's are rated highly for the money and they would be a big upgrade over the Regal Z's.

[pablo7uk]

I always felt like QD seems a bit of a fumble when you get a fish on, baitrunner is one click as you're picking the rod up and your drag is set perfectly rather than twiddling the front drag on a QD until you think it's right and those few seconds could lose you the fish. I think I have this mindset due to when I was younger losing one or two decent fish almost straight after the take due to having the drag set wrong.

 

I've just recently got diawa emblem apps reels for my spod rod and marker rod. Thinking there could be a decent diawa that could convince me to part with some cash. Over £100 each maybe. There are so many different models within even just diawa though I'm honestly overwhelmed. 

[yonny]

7 minutes ago, pablo7uk said:

I always felt like QD seems a bit of a fumble when you get a fish on, baitrunner is one click as you're picking the rod up and your drag is set perfectly rather than twiddling the front drag on a QD until you think it's right and those few seconds could lose you the fish.

Just put your finger on the spool and tighten the clutch buddy. I have used several none baitrunner, none QD reels (tournies for example) and never come close to losing anything. Just don't panic, pick up the rod, tighten the clutch, happy days.

10 minutes ago, pablo7uk said:

Thinking there could be a decent diawa that could convince me to part with some cash. Over £100 each maybe.

You'd be looking at the Windcast/Crosscast for this kind of money. I'm a Daiwa user but I don't actually rate the budget models. If you can stretch to 130ish the Emblem 35 SCW 5000C QD is worth looking at but might be tricky to find them in stock anywhere at the moment.

[salokcinnodrog]

I use Shimano Beastmasters, but this is the current version, shop around for price:

https://fish.shimano-eu.com/content/fish/eu/gb/en/homepage/Product-detail.P-BEASTMASTER_XB.html/

From Yonny's comment it seems Daiwa go up a price range, whereas with Shimano go budget or top range. 

[pablo7uk]

I've been having a look around and just can't decide haha. I really can't get my head round QD which seems to be on the majority of carp reels. I'm not sure how I feel about no visual sign that the reel is set to free spool  and also yes the drag is quickly engaged but never to a precise level as you would just turn the dial right? So it would be down to me to turn it exactly right every time? Whereas baitrunner you set it before you fish and when you click it on then it's right? 

[elmoputney]

10 minutes ago, pablo7uk said:

I've been having a look around and just can't decide haha. I really can't get my head round QD which seems to be on the majority of carp reels. I'm not sure how I feel about no visual sign that the reel is set to free spool  and also yes the drag is quickly engaged but never to a precise level as you would just turn the dial right? So it would be down to me to turn it exactly right every time? Whereas baitrunner you set it before you fish and when you click it on then it's right? 

Tbh you pretty much slacken it off, everytime you set your bobbins to pull a bit of line off or something, if you are fishing snags etc you just make sure it's done up tight once it's on the alarm and you set up how you want it, it soon becomes second nature, they aren't difficult to use front drag reels I don't think, I would probably say simpler after a few uses, the main thing i forget to do is turn my alarm back on, and let's be honest while they are new you will be out checking on them every 5 minutes anyway,won't take long til they are 2nd nature 

[...]

My uncle was an avid baitrunner user, but until I sold him my Vader X reels, he thinks they are easier after a few times used. 

But if ure mind is stuck on baitrunners, Sonik Vader X Pro, Sonik Vader X FS, Kodex Kelositi, Shimano Baitrunners on Angling Direct page from £49.99.

[pablo7uk]

Thanks for all the replies, I've just bought 3 X daiwa Emblem 35 SCW 5000C QD for £100 each so I'm happy. Just bit the bullet and thought I'd go for it!!

 

Particularly thanks to Yonny for the recommendation, they have fantastic reviews for the money.

[salokcinnodrog]

22 hours ago, pablo7uk said:

I've been having a look around and just can't decide haha. I really can't get my head round QD which seems to be on the majority of carp reels. I'm not sure how I feel about no visual sign that the reel is set to free spool  and also yes the drag is quickly engaged but never to a precise level as you would just turn the dial right? So it would be down to me to turn it exactly right every time? Whereas baitrunner you set it before you fish and when you click it on then it's right? 

I always play fish by back winding, so to me it is second nature to tighten the baitrunner spool and click the anti-reverse off. 

After a while You don't think about it, even after waking up at night to a take. 

[ouchthathurt]

23 hours ago, pablo7uk said:

Thanks for all the replies, I've just bought 3 X daiwa Emblem 35 SCW 5000C QD for £100 each so I'm happy. Just bit the bullet and thought I'd go for it!!

 

Particularly thanks to Yonny for the recommendation, they have fantastic reviews for the money.

Good choice there mate, you shouldn’t have any problems with them. 

[yonny]

On 16/04/2021 at 08:44, pablo7uk said:

I've just bought 3 X daiwa Emblem 35 SCW 5000C QD for £100 each so I'm happy.

Absolute bargain mate. I'm sure you'll love them. You'll get used to the QD in no time believe me.

[pablo7uk]

2 hours ago, yonny said:

Absolute bargain mate. I'm sure you'll love them. You'll get used to the QD in no time believe me.

Yeah I agree, I thought the process through and I'm sure you're all right. Half a turn on the front drag whilst picking up the rod is hardly any different to flicking a baitrunner switch whilst picking up the rod for a take. I think I'll be fine and can't wait to get that first take and feel that nice smooth drag as the fish roars off haha

[pablo7uk]

Been using my new QD reels for a bit now and I quite like them actually. I do find them pretty easy to use and I've got it in my head now how much of a turn to give them to get the drag roughly right with the minimum amount of fiddling.

 

Just a thought though I'm out pike fishing today and using running rigs as you would expect. Do you think they have more resistance than baitrunner systems? I'm wondering if I'm more likely to get dropped runs especially with pike when using QDs. Does anyone use their QDs for pike fishing too?

[finchey]

14 minutes ago, pablo7uk said:

Been using my new QD reels for a bit now and I quite like them actually. I do find them pretty easy to use and I've got it in my head now how much of a turn to give them to get the drag roughly right with the minimum amount of fiddling.

 

Just a thought though I'm out pike fishing today and using running rigs as you would expect. Do you think they have more resistance than baitrunner systems? I'm wondering if I'm more likely to get dropped runs especially with pike when using QDs. Does anyone use their QDs for pike fishing too?

I do use qd reels for pike fishing but you want as little resistance as possible so I use them with open bail arms, as I would with any type of reel while pike fishing. 🙂👍🎣

[pablo7uk]

On 18/06/2021 at 16:08, finchey said:

I do use qd reels for pike fishing but you want as little resistance as possible so I use them with open bail arms, as I would with any type of reel while pike fishing. 🙂👍🎣

So do you just tighten up to the lead and then open the bail arm and let the hanger basically drop to the ground/fully slack or do you have those hangers that are for pike fishing that hang on the line from behind the reel?

[finchey]

I have the rear drop off indicators for pike fishing. So you tighten up to the lead and clip into the drop off's and fish with tight line, much better indication for your pike fishing. 

[finchey]

And once you've tightened up to the lead open your bail arm.🙂👍

[pablo7uk]

Looks like I've found something else I need to buy 😂😂😂

[salokcinnodrog]

On 18/06/2021 at 15:50, pablo7uk said:

 

Just a thought though I'm out pike fishing today and using running rigs as you would expect. Do you think they have more resistance than baitrunner systems? I'm wondering if I'm more likely to get dropped runs especially with pike when using QDs. Does anyone use their QDs for pike fishing too?

Hmm! 

As a member of the PAC, Pike Angler's Club, I don't think fishing for pike before September or even October is good for the fish. The water temperature is far too high and playing pike in these temperatures causes stress that can, and will kill them. I have seen it, even on rivers.

The Broads system regularly loses fish killed by the holidaymakers 'dabbling with a spot of pike fishing in summer', which is why specialist tackle shops like Steve Burgess of Bass Online in Horning will not sell pike gear to holidaymakers between June and September, no matter what the cost. 

The exception is the deeper colder waters of Scottish Lochs and the English Lake District where bottom temperature stays around 4 or 5 degrees Celsius. 

 

Next problem is any baitrunner system has more resistance than an open bail arm; in carp fishing we use that resistance in our favour, however in pike fishing we want minimal resistance. 

Baitrunner systems (and playing fish off the clutch or drag) also create line twist, so you actually only ever should want to use it on a take. 

[finchey]

On 15/07/2021 at 22:30, pablo7uk said:

Looks like I've found something else I need to buy 😂😂😂

There's always something mate 😂🤣😂