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Quick drag reels vs bait runner

J

Jason Bean

Senior Member
I've always used bait runners and I've been totally happy with them. This year I thought I would treat myself to some new reels and I was unsure whether to buy normal reels without a bait runner. After a lot of research on the web and speaking to carp anglers I decided to bite the bullet and buy 3 shimano ultegra 5500 xtd's and change the drag washers to ice carbon washers(not cheap)which speed up the drag to about half a turn on the knob.

After a few sessions out with them fishing for tench and carp I'm now totally sold on them, modern compact big pit reels have so much cranking power and despite my worries of struggling with setting the drag on hooking a fish it just seems so much easier to use and there is less to go wrong on the reel.

So if your thinking of getting new reels and your after something medium to large size I would definetly consider moving away from bait runners.
 
I've got a pair of those. Very happy with them. Perfect for the Trent or other big rivers with there extra casting distance.
 
Never liked playing off the clutch, feel safer with back winding, especially with rivers. So I only use bait runners for safety's sake on the take, and the netting.
 
Tried quick drag types, got rid, Baitrunners all the way for me, I want to set the drag and forget about it, not constantly be setting it all the time and tweaking, also you get the visual confirmation the baitrunner is on, what if you forget to loosen the drag when you put them back on the rest?, it happens.

Modern drags on the likes of Daiwa's and Shimano's are smooth as silk and can be trusted 100%, no need to be back winding IMO.
 
Agreed I like a good clutch. I know others who hate to play off the clutch but I like the sound of a slipping clutch almost as much as a centrepin. Like many I tend to mate a reel to a rod for a job, so the rig on that rod rarely changes. I know the clutch will slip before the hook link goes, I don’t yank fish I like to play them and let the rod and reel work for me.
 
I've just bought a pair of Shimano x aero 2500 & the clutch is superb. I wanted to be able to easily change the drag so chose a front drag reel drag but I wouldn't be without the baitrunner system.

Being woken up whilst night fishing and trying to remember the drag is loose would be way beyond me. I set the drag before fishing & then engage the baitrunner once I've cast out - pretty foolproof. Other than the fool at the other end!
 
Ile second the shimano 5500xtd..Have used them for a year or so now mainly for Carp but intend to use them on the river this season..The bigger sized spools are better when using Fluro as main line as the fluro does not twist as much compared to smaller spools ..
 
Jason Bean said:
I've always used bait runners and I've been totally happy with them. This year I thought I would treat myself to some new reels and I was unsure whether to buy normal reels without a bait runner. After a lot of research on the web and speaking to carp anglers I decided to bite the bullet and buy 3 shimano ultegra 5500 xtd's and change the drag washers to ice carbon washers(not cheap)which speed up the drag to about half a turn on the knob.

After a few sessions out with them fishing for tench and carp I'm now totally sold on them, modern compact big pit reels have so much cranking power and despite my worries of struggling with setting the drag on hooking a fish it just seems so much easier to use and there is less to go wrong on the reel.

So if your thinking of getting new reels and your after something medium to large size I would definetly consider moving away from bait runners.
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im using shimano4000 xt fa now but looking at the 5500 xtd's but like yourself i was dubious about the front baitrunner and the actual size and weight of them, ive got 2lb torrix rods and didnt know if they would be too big. whats your thoughts on this.. what rods are you using them on. cheers
 
Interesting discussion as I have been looking at the 5500's as an alternative for when/if my 5000 xtea give up the ghost.

There are some considerations.

1. I only use the baitrunner system currently when baiting up or having a coffee/wee. My fishing is generally one rod 95% of the time and being on the rod.

2. The mixture of rivers I fish include ones like the Warks Avon. The big pits seem very overkill for this type of river. I do also fish Severn / Wye.

3. I play fish off the clutch. The very odd time I have used a front spool clutch has felt very fiddly, fingers in the way compared with a fine twist of the bottom clutch if required for a fish under the rod top.

So. What real (reel) alternative to the Xteas. Happy to go down to 4000 size?

I have 4000/3000 shimano reel but don't trust the fighting drag system.

Fine for piking and trotting when I just use the clutch.
 
I’d take a look at the Daiwa Theory 4000 SP Graham. I’ve had mine a few years and from a personal point of view it’s the best reel I’ve ever owned. The clutch is very responsive and far far better than the Shimano 4000D that I’ve used in the past and it’s a really solid, compact reel. I also have the 5000 XTEA which is one of the great reels too, Felindre have just serviced it and it’s as good as new.
 
Must admit that I love the convenience of baitrunners when pulling off slack when baiting up etc and taking a leak. Found the 4000D very good and have a few, but use a Shimano Sustain when I don't require the facility - excellent reel.
The most confusing reel I've had is the Shimano Tri Drag (front, rear and fighting drags). Still got a couple somewhere.
Review here :
https://barbel.co.uk/forum/threads/shimano-twinpower-ci4-3000-4000sra-tri-drag.4893/
Agree with Graham - I can't quite trust the fighting drag system.
Cheers
Bob
 
The fighting drag is a bit of a gimmick tbh. At least for most of us. When fishing for match fish it allows you to dial the clutch the hook length and let fish run or tighten up on them a bit. For most here I bet, like me, a reel has a rod it’s matched to. The setup in terms of breaking strain mainline and hook lengths is virtually always the same. You set the clutch to give, as firm as you dare in relation to the hooklength. Once it’s set it’s set.
I like a front drag and preferably a bait runner. That said the time the bait runner is engaged is limited and I use it more for on bank stuff, like unhooking and rig maintenance than I do actually fishing. A lot on my swims the runner would be set too tight to work well and tbh I don’t want the fish shooting off down river into the snags.
 
Derek Funcks said:
Shimano 3500b's, Rolls Royce smooth, and bomb proof, " IF ", you can find any. ;):)
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I've got 3 and got the two most used ones out to send to Shimano Felindre for a service. I got the boxes down to pack them in and the receipt was in there. I thought I'd had them for about 7 years, turns out its actually 11! They were back from the guys within 2 days and as good as the day i bought them. I wouldn't swap them for anything else and although line lay isn't great the clutch is like a Swiss watch and would stop a train. Fantastic reels that I'm convinced have helped me put more fish on the bank.
 
Gene Brownless said:
im using shimano4000 xt fa now but looking at the 5500 xtd's but like yourself i was dubious about the front baitrunner and the actual size and weight of them, ive got 2lb torrix rods and didnt know if they would be too big. whats your thoughts on this.. what rods are you using them on. cheers
Click to expand...

for stillwaters I use them on drennan distance tench 2lb which have bigger and fewer eyes on and they look and feel great. for bigger rivers I use them on Sonik 2.25lb specialist and while it feels great in hand and the cranking power is excellent the smaller eyes make them look a little out of match at first but after using them a few times it doesn't matter because the reels perform so well.

and definitely would not go back to bait runners now.
 
Darren.
The SP is a front drag. No good. And single handle.

Seems nothing similar to 5000xtea on market.
So maybe good RE or older C or B version as back up.

Am sure a 5000 XTEA new version or similar would sell sell sell.

Such a coverage of carp pike barb zander anglers.
Might have answered myself there!
 
I think it's worth bearing in mind that a mini pit reel isn't necessarily the best option as a pairing to a traditional barbel rod. Having a smooth drag won't help when your line wraps over your butt ring on the cast and you crack off!
 
I’d opt for a 3500 to 4000 size reel with a 1.5-1.75 tc rod and average sized rivers.
My current daily (usual) rod is a Korum Barbel 1.75 in 11ft with a Shimano 4000 ST FB. It’s a modest set up just under £100 complete and is perfectly capable on both my local rivers and the Wye. The gearing is a touch off for 3+oz casting weights but that’s being picky.
I don’t really do “expensive” stuff because my kit lives in my van quite often and it does get scratched etc.
 
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