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Reels (to go with that full armoury of rods)?

3500s for me - for my short range carping, tenching, piking and barbelling.

I have four of the original seaspins and three 3500bs.

Great reels in my opinion, with a superb clutch.

For lighter feeder and float work, shimano stradics. Which can themselves be used as a barbel reel. Do the job v well indeed.

When one of the above isn't being used, it is usually a Speedia that finds its way onto my rod of choice.

Decisions, decisions.....
 
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Already used them on Friday Phil, no double but did get a couple of smaller barbel. Might be a bit of a wait now for some more milder weather.
 
shimano 4500 Biomasters

although i have a few other reels my biomasters are nigh on perfect for my barbel fishing, front clutch 2nd to none, really quick retreive, small,
and most who seen them thought they were a new model, and when told they were around 30 years old looked at em with a disbeleiving look in their eye, these have had a hard life covering a lot of my carp fishing and barbel fishing during their lifetime and i wouldnt swap em for anything:)....j.w
 
For me pins most of the time, I just love using them, Garry Mills Barbel Catchers, Purist II, Richard Carter Aerial Gem also a Speedia that I love using, plus one or two more that I have not told the Mrs about, lol. Shimano 3500bs and Okuma EPB 40s for the bigger rivers and longer casts.
 
Me being a cheapskate and all, I've got two Shimano 5000 RE's that I love and use for everything and a tf gear x pin for when the mood takes me. I've also got two old Okumas that I use for spodding and marker work, and a little daiwa that I use for spinning, but they're nothing to do with barbel fishing!
 
I've only ever used shimanos and that's because I know what I Like and I like what I know . I have 2 5000 gte-b and 2 8000 gte- b , backed up by a crouch aerial and a mk2 rolling pin and I love them all !!
 
Pair of 54's with aluminium spools.
Pair of Shimano baitrunner GTE-C'
Pair of Abu Suverans 3000's
Walton Pin
Okuma Pin.

Sold all of my 55's, just did not use them enough to warrant keeping, they needed to be used to catch fish not gather dust.

I also have a pair of Biomasters for pike fishing and a pair of the 8010 XT-7 baitrunners, had them years and not really broken them in yet.

I have a couple of Ambidex, they work, when i get round to it they will be sold on as will my Allcocks Duco.
 
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Chris Jones said:
Now that we've established here that some have a much bigger armoury of rods than others, what about reels to go with them?
Personally, it's a couple of old Shimano 5010 baitrunners and a couple of shiny new Shimano 5000 GTECs for me. I can also pilfer my carp reels (GTEC 10000s or Ultegra 5500 XTBs) should I end up chucking for the far bank on a big river.
After making the mistake of picking one up in a tackle shop, I've got a hankering for a pair of Shimano 4000D baitrunners, although I'm not entirely sure why.:eek::D

So, what is it? A couple of trusty small baitrunners to do everything? A lovely looking and very expensive centrepin? Huge, big pit reels that seem to hold more line that a bulk spool has on it, or a combination of the lot?
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The old Abu 55s are fabulous reels, the carp fishers choice in yesteryear, might consider the 57 as well. The baitrunner finished these off and In my opinion, the first Shimanos are a better bet than the new ones. For example, the old Triton Seaspins are bomb proof. As for the centrepins, used them as a kid, they need a fair bit of skill to use them properly. That's why I don't use them! If you like the Stratos FS, the 7000s can be picked up for as little as £30 new, with spare spool & two handles.
 
Chris Jones said:
Now that we've established here that some have a much bigger armoury of rods than others, what about reels to go with them?
Personally, it's a couple of old Shimano 5010 baitrunners and a couple of shiny new Shimano 5000 GTECs for me. I can also pilfer my carp reels (GTEC 10000s or Ultegra 5500 XTBs) should I end up chucking for the far bank on a big river.
After making the mistake of picking one up in a tackle shop, I've got a hankering for a pair of Shimano 4000D baitrunners, although I'm not entirely sure why.:eek::D

So, what is it? A couple of trusty small baitrunners to do everything? A lovely looking and very expensive centrepin? Huge, big pit reels that seem to hold more line that a bulk spool has on it, or a combination of the lot?
Click to expand...
if anyone is after a small, light and well built baitrunner, i just picked up a shimano FA4000 DL, front drag btr, i think there is a smaller 2500 as well, i'm very impressed, it's smart and light.
 
Looked at the new baby 2500 &4000 baitrunners, nice , neat reels, but waiting until I get a play with the revamped 4000D seaspins, basically the same, but with the better line lay, and much more expensive!!!!!
peter
 
I’ve paired my I-Powers up with a pair of 5000 XTE-A’s, and find the balance superb, I’ve used them for two seasons now, and they’re still as smooth and reliable as the day I bought them, so much so that I’ve just purchased a third 5000 XTE-A to go with the new Torrix Stalker I’m waiting for Mark Tunley to finish building for me. I’ve also got a Shimano Aspire 4000SRA, which I’ve coupled up with my Torrix 12' 1.25 TC multi-tip for chubbin and summer Tench. I still haven’t managed to bring myself to use the Youngs B.J Lightweight Centre pin which I bought two years ago. So if anyone out there fancies giving me some Centre pin tuition, it would be much appreciated :):)
 
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Pete, the revamped 4000d seaspins you mentioned are these a replacement for the current 4000d's and if they are are there any photos about?
 
David Hall said:
but is it any better than the DL'S, i doubt it.
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Give 'em a spin, you might just change your mind:D. I won't be swapping mine for new DLs and the cash difference any time soon. For the price differential they should be in a different league. As far as I'm concerned, they most definitely are.;)
 
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