Baitrunner Reels
 

Looking to pick one up to replace the one that just broke last season....probably going with the Shimano but was just wondering if there are any others worth considering 1st.

Penn liveliner? :huh:

cabelas salt striker bait feeder 55 (SSBF55) 50 dollars, made by okuma, but WAY better than the avenger... check it out online... I vouch for this reel... its a champion... took a 44 pound bass in heavy surf/boulders... so much reel for your money... check online...

I had the penn captiva 6000 live liner before the cabelas reel... I hate it... the bail flips shut OFTEN... I've lost many many plugs with it... the handle is uncomortable as well, and if you dont keep it super clean, the live liner switch wont even work... ask anyone who owns one... I hate the penn live liner.

http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/c...1?$main-Large$

link: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...rue&hasJS=true

*I dont mean to promote a big-box store, but the guy asked....

Van Staal is about to release a bait runner.. its go a titanium finger that flips the line off the roller when it senses a hit and will cost $400 extra :hihi:

hahahahaaa...

and even better ....it's made in China with guaranteed quality Chinese manufactured parts :btu:

I'd stay with the Shimano.

I'd probably just stick with the tried and true Shimano, but these new Daiwa Bite N' Run with the baitrunner feature and longcast spool look pretty interesting.

http://www.tackledirect.com/daiwa-se...ing-reels.html

I'd stick with Shimano for ease of repair and service parts. Cabela's-unknown service and parts. Okuma are decent with good customer service, but not as good as Shimano for the salt. The biggest issue with the Shimano is with the 6500 size line roller. It's a sh*tty design that hates salt. Plan on dis-assembling it at least once per year or an expensive bill for replacement parts. (Same issue with the Thunnus reels) The 4500 size is a different design.

Daiwa spools have superior casting distance for some reason... My baitrunner is a bit to heavy for my surf rod
so i've been looking for an alternative... but i love the rear adjustment drag...

The main benefit of cabelas is that they will exchange ANYTHING used, without box, without question if it fails... salt encrusted, scraped and scratched, broken...no receipt, no hassle...

A good warrantee is important not sure if Shimano has a no questions return policy they probably do. I just never had to use it.
I fish a 6500 that I bought when they fist came out (10 yrs. or more ? ago )and had no problems (lineroller) anything. I wash it after down after use a little wd40 is all it's ever needed.
The outside is pretty banged due to areas I fish but the innerds are just fine.

The Baitrunners had a couple of bad years with the anti reverse but I swear by them. As much as I like the Saros and Stradic the 3500B and 45OOB won't break the bank and you could actually let a bud use one without cringing. I'm not big on someone dragging my better stuff around on the marsh
I guess I'm a Googan but paired with an ugly stick they won't break the bank and will give you years of service. I do get them serviced every winter @ $14.00 a pc but that's not even the price of a new plug or a few Mackerel.

If it means anything, most carp fisherman use and prefer the Shimano . The baitrunner feature is essential in Carp fishing and fish as large as 40 pounds are landed with fish from 12 to 20 lbs routinely landed. It is a good reel!

Dad, PS- Quantum is coming out with a Cabo and Boca baitrunner this year. That might be worth a look.

is the 4500 enough reel for most striper fishing?

Have you tried to replace the drag yet? I have a shimano freshwater reel with rear drag and I loved it, until I tried to take it apart to clean at the end of the season. Hugh pain in the rear.

Lots have come (Like the Mitchell Orca) and gone but I think the Shimru is still the best bet.

4500 for stripers, yes sir, no worries.

redlite has a 6500 baitrunner up in the classifieds.

It's the size I prefer when livelining.