Question for bait runner owners,

We are having trouble with the line on our bait runners, turning into a complete cluster flop after re-spooling them with new line. We spool the line on with the spool on its side as recommended. When we hook macs we open up the bail and let them swim freely, then close the bail and adjust the bait runner to the macs energy level....
With in three baits the line is jumping off the spool, closing the bail doesn't help......

Any thoughts?

Cheers
O.D.M.

Mono or Braid? If your in a boat you might try putting just a swivel on and let most of the line run off the reel behind the boat and then reel it back on while the boat remains in motion. This will allow the line to pack on the spool better and remove any/most twisting.

Mono or Braid? If your in a boat you might try putting just a swivel on and let most of the line run off the reel behind the boat and then reel it back on while the boat remains in motion. This will allow the line to pack on the spool better and remove any/most twisting.

Thanks. Did that already. Stripped the spools and reloaded with Momoi mono. Initially no twist but after a couple of bait releases and re-spools the twists returned.:wall:

Setup is mono:swivel:leader:hook

Are you using a swivel or just a hook? Perhaps the Mackerel are swimming in circles and causing the twist. You could put a rubber band on the spool after setting your baits out, this would defeat the purpose of a bait runner though and I'm running out of ideas:confused:

Are you using a swivel or just a hook?


Yes there is a swivel

i hae a few and hae zero problems....but i use braid-swivel-fluro leader
maybe your mono is a bit too heavy? you didnt say what lb test

2 reels have 20lb test and 2 reels 50lb test (OK this is a little heavy) but all rods seem to twist.

Spool one up with braid for a comparison. Mono has memory, braid does not.

maybe you're putting too much line on the spool. For the application your using them for (which involves a significant amount of slack in the line), i'd put less line on the reel, leaving at least an 1/8"-1/4" if not a bit more between the line and the lip of the spool. sounds like the line is "jumping" off the spool when it has no tension to hold it on.

50 lb line on a spinning reel is asking for problems IMO, but the 20 should be fine.

Conventional reels would work better all around for what your doing also.

Are you overfilling the spools......with the memory in the mono and if you are over filling they'll start to unravel on their own....try taking off some line and see if that helps.

Try soaking the mono in water before spooling. I do this to all my freshwater reels, and it seems to get rid of any memory problems, packs on tighter too. Load the reel while the mono is still wet.

Are you overfilling the spools......with the memory in the mono and if you are over filling they'll start to unravel on their own....try taking off some line and see if that helps.

Likely overfilling as it is a fresh load however the mono stays on the spool to begin with no problems: no twist, no unspooling. It is after a few bait releases and retrieves that the issues start.

3 BR's are 6500 and 1 BR is the 4500.

I originally had all PowerPro but started to go with mono after loosing some nice fish on the PP (50lb).

any time your doing an experiment

you need a control to measure against

so you could single out one BR to just cast a "heavy plug"
for distance

try five or six cast and retrieves and see how it works....

As an idea, tie one end of the line to a fixed object and stretch the line to your desired length. It would be best to do this overnight so as not to damage the line due to UV rays.
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Likely overfilling as it is a fresh load however the mono stays on the spool to begin with no problems: no twist, no unspooling. It is after a few bait releases and retrieves that the issues start.

3 BR's are 6500 and 1 BR is the 4500.

I originally had all PowerPro but started to go with mono after loosing some nice fish on the PP (50lb).

Can also be causing issues if the stripping guide is too small for the reels. lots of slap and odd line issues.

50 is way too high IMHO. I won't put Mono over 20 on most spinning reels, 30 on one used in really gnarly areas....

Likely overfilling as it is a fresh load however the mono stays on the spool to begin with no problems: no twist, no unspooling. It is after a few bait releases and retrieves that the issues start.

3 BR's are 6500 and 1 BR is the 4500.

I originally had all PowerPro but started to go with mono after loosing some nice fish on the PP (50lb).

live is possibly twisting during releases and retrieves. line twist + overfill results in the issues that your having, where overfill without line twist may not.

I never cared for the baitrunner line of reels but what Josh said is right.
If you are livelining, Macs, Pogies, Scup whatever. You should be using a conventional. Gives you better control with the reel in free spool and the clicker on. Just my opinion and it's what I have found to be successful

I never cared for the baitrunner line of reels but what Josh said is right.
If you are livelining, Macs, Pogies, Scup whatever. You should be using a conventional. Gives you better control with the reel in free spool and the clicker on. Just my opinion and it's what I have found to be successful

How do you manage 4 rods at once? Its fun with bait runners, can't imagine what it would be like with with conventionals....

How do you manage 4 rods at once? Its fun with bait runners, can't imagine what it would be like with with conventionals....

Leave the clicker on. throw the clutch, set the hook... :confused:

Leave the clicker on. throw the clutch, set the hook... :confused:

I spent the whole day casting a Avet with backlash after backlash, so I'm a little against the convech thing... So if I just put the clicker on that will stop the reel from backlashing? Interesting? Does it matter if I have 50 lb braid on it?

Buzz we'll need to try that next time...

Need to educate your thumb, as well as setting the reel for the weight of your lure or bait. Took me awhile to figure it out, but would not go back to livelining on a spinner. I use an Abu Record 61 for this. (Still plug the surf with vs 200.) Still get the occasional birdsnest, but they are pilot error. Its all in the thumb....

I spent the whole day casting a Avet with backlash after backlash

damn yuppie reel, thats your problem.... :smash::smash::smash::rotf2:


go get some Newells or just use the simplest reel you can find.

Can't beat a squidder or jigmaster for live-lining.....

Likely overfilling as it is a fresh load however the mono stays on the spool to begin with no problems: no twist, no unspooling. It is after a few bait releases and retrieves that the issues start.

This makes sense, when you're reeling in the line is likely not wound as tight on the spool as when they were first loaded.
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Leave the clicker on. throw the clutch, set the hook... :confused:

What Bryan said.

For the record, why 4 rods at once? If you have 2 out you are fine. 4 rods with 4 live baits swimming is asking for trouble with crossed lines. What happens if you get 2 takes at once? 2 guys you are fine. 3 or 4 takes and unless you have 3 or 4 guys someone is going to get tangles, crossed or break off.

damn yuppie reel, thats your problem.... :smash::smash::smash::rotf2:


go get some Newells or just use the simplest reel you can find.

Can't beat a squidder or jigmaster for live-lining.....



Yeah that's all I need more reels:smash::smash::rotf2::rotf2:

I love my Bait Runner....:love:

What Piemma said.
Babysitting 4 live, you're just torturing yourself.
Learn to be one with the thumb :kewl:

any time your doing an experiment

you need a control to measure against



Agreed! This is part of the scientific method, actually.