• You need to be a registered member of Barbel Fishing World to post on these forums. Some of the forums are hidden from non-members. Please refer to the instructions on the ‘Register’ page for details of how to join the new incarnation of BFW...

Reel thoughts?

Steve Roffey

Steve Roffey

Senior Member
My Shimano 5010's are getting on a bit and I'm considering replacing them with a pair of the XT4000FA baitrunners.
Anyone got any experience with these?, or any other reel in that sort of price bracket that would be worth considering, must be a front drag.
I already have a pair of 3500B's but need something slighter lighter which will cast further, and double up for tench use.
 
I have 5000 gte baitrunners, great reel but find the spools too small. Coils the line up too much.
So i got a pair of Daiwas, wider spools with generally smoother front drag and at around £55, cheaper than Shimanos. Happy with them but not as well built as the Shimano.
Looking at the baby Ultegras now, might be a bit big for my Barbel/Tench rods?
However I will be fishing the Trent a bit this year and a large reservoir for Tench so might be worth the investment.
So sorry Steve not much help:rolleyes:
dave
 
Steve,

I've gone to a 4000FA on one of my rods, and I am impressed with it so far. Though to be honest I've not had much that's fought back since. Line lay is excellent and the front drag very smooth. Some may say it's too small if you're fishing rivers like the Trent or Thames, but Im not sure I agree with that logic. People were managing to fish these rivers with cardinal 55's and alike 20 years back, so I dont see the issue.
 
Been using a pair of the 4000dl baitrunners, (navy blue ones) fantastic reels, front drag is superb and there the perfect size and weight for barbel rods.they'll be great for tench aswell 10/10 from me
 
I have a pair of XT2500FAs for my lighter specialist fishing. I use 4000Ds for my small/medium river barbelling. Had the XTFAs been about when I was buying the 4000Ds, I'd have got them. They are very similar but the XTFAs are cheaper, come with two spools and the line clip is metal and far better than the little plastic thing that is to be found on many small Shimanos.
 
Thanks for the replies so far guys, just been talking to my son and he showed me his Mitchell Avorunner 5500 that looks pretty solid and I like the chunky handle.

At less than half the price of the Shimano I'm tempted, anyone used one?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top