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Front Drag reels for barbel fishing with no baitrunner......

Agree with Terry - the snatchy nature of rear drag baitrunners is horrible and using any baitrunner to release line (especially with the smaller shimano spools) is just asking for line twist. Just as easy to flick the anti reverse!

For 'proper' carping (and I don't mean overstocked puddles where multiple takes can be the norm) Big pit baitrunners are heavy and arguably unnecessary - my clutches are always set tight and the alarm / indicator and rod tip will let me know I've got a fish on way before the clutch gives even a centimetre. A lot of the time we are fishing at relative range and the pick up includes any slack line or indeed mono stretch if fishing tight lines - in this instance and with the stiff rigs we use a fish is already hooked 90% of the time anyway - no need to let it rip off / run ridiculously!.
A no nonsense front drag (whether QD'd or not) and simply cupping the spool on the take becomes second nature; once the fish is under control only then does fiddling with the front drag come into play. With baitrunners picking up a rod / striking / turning the handle to engage the main drag all at the same time is simply weird and as previously stated if both the baitrunner and front drag aren't reasonably close it can be a recipe for disaster - hence I still cup my spool on the take with my barbel reels irrespective of the fact that the baitrunners are sometimes engaged.

Do agree with Riches argument with regards convenience (double takes / having a p*ss / nodding off etc) . . .all horses for courses!
 
Anthony James said:
My argument is simple. I don't like to use a bait runner switch and then goes on to the reasons why... e.g. I prefer to be tuned into the bite and not let a fish take my hooklink 40 yards downstream while I mosey on down to my rod. Excuse the brevity but not sure how else I can say it.

If I don't used cruise control why would I pay for the added option.

This is simply a difference of process, not sure if you chaps invented the baitrunner mechanic but no offence was intended.
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And no offence was taken 🙂
 
Terry Harman said:
He needs to be publicly flogged for selling those 850,s 😉
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They were lovely looking reels but not practical for me fishing with two rods. I landed that first one in hawthorns just seconds before the second tore off.
I’m not pissing about fiddling with clutches while playing barbel on the other rod.
It’s not so bad for you ….. you seem to just target the baby ones 🤣
 
Although I normally use X Aero baitrunner reels they were both "Locked Up" in yesterdays swim as I had a fallen tree less than 15 mtr downstream 😬 I have no problem with using front drag reels though and have Diawa Emcast Evo reels on my Carp rods but obviously leave them loose and then tweek the drag as required during the fight.
 
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Richard Isaacs said:
They were lovely looking reels but not practical for me fishing with two rods. I landed that first one in hawthorns just seconds before the second tore off.
I’m not pissing about fiddling with clutches while playing barbel on the other rod.
It’s not so bad for you ….. you seem to just target the baby ones 🤣
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Someone has to keep an eye on the smaller ones make sure the river is in good health… you need the bigger ones to put a slight bend in those harrison scaffold poles 😉😉
 
If a baitrunner is not required; one that has come up on my radar is the Daiwa whisker 25qd. Very tempted to pair that with my Basia 2.75s, for general trent fishing.
 
Used a Shimano Twin Power 4000 FA and later a FB for a few years barbel fishing. However, missed the easier 'pulling line off' with a bait runner. Have used non runner ABU, Daiwa, Shimano reels.
 
I know it's a personnel preference for most anglers, but I just don't see why, given the option, barbel, carp, tench and pike anglers don't opt for a bait-runner facility every time. Having been brought up without the BR option, I have experienced how much more convenient BR's are, in comparison to the alternative. You can fished locked up (BR off) or free-spool (without having to fish bail-arm open Mitchell 300-410 type). What's not to like? Nearly all my quality bait-runners have the front drag feature, but generally don't use the drag, I nearly always back-wind, unless I am fishing near a snag feature, when it is hook and hold with the drag clamped up to near its maximum. With my BR's I tighten up the free spool adjustment (BR on) to very tight, to give the minimum of line, but not so tight, as to have the rod pulled off the rod rest. BR's are so flexible.
 
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Anthony James said:
My argument is simple. I don't like to use a bait runner switch and then goes on to the reasons why... e.g. I prefer to be tuned into the bite and not let a fish take my hooklink 40 yards downstream while I mosey on down to my rod. Excuse the brevity but not sure how else I can say it.

If I don't used cruise control why would I pay for the added option.

This is simply a difference of process, not sure if you chaps invented the baitrunner mechanic but no offence was intended.
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None taken. You've given a good reason and it's all personnel preference.
 
Anthony James said:
My argument is simple. I don't like to use a bait runner switch and then goes on to the reasons why... e.g. I prefer to be tuned into the bite and not let a fish take my hooklink 40 yards downstream while I mosey on down to my rod. Excuse the brevity but not sure how else I can say it.

If I don't used cruise control why would I pay for the added option.

This is simply a difference of process, not sure if you chaps invented the baitrunner mechanic but no offence was intended.
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Why would you assume that you or others would need to ' let a fish take my hooklink 40 yards downstream ', and if you were to mosey on down to the rod to pick it up, that would be enttirely down to you, and nothing whatsoever to do with a baitrunner facility on a reel ! You can be as 'tuned' into the bite with a baitrunner reel as any other.
 
Ian Grant said:
Why would you assume that you or others would need to ' let a fish take my hooklink 40 yards downstream ', and if you were to mosey on down to the rod to pick it up, that would be enttirely down to you, and nothing whatsoever to do with a baitrunner facility on a reel ! You can be as 'tuned' into the bite with a baitrunner reel as any other.
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My answers were tongue in cheek, and actually to Rich.

Light hearted sarcasm on the back of Rich suggesting "non bait runner reels are a carpy thing.

Honestly not meant to trigger anyone at all, I guess I read the tone wrong.
 
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