baitrunner? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

leptar · 09-22-2005, 08:50 PM

if you can handle the weight the 4500b is a good reel for plugging... and makes a pissah eeling reel

other reels i like in that price range..
Spheros 8000 i think it is the best bang for the $
older penn 104's green or black with black spool

Elmo · 09-22-2005, 09:00 PM

I have a spheros 8000, smooth as silk. I also have a 10 year old baitrunner 4500 that works like new and it has never been serviced (not professionally anyway). You can't go wrong with shimano.

love_2_fish · 09-23-2005, 07:18 AM

Doc, If your not going to bait fish why get a shimano baitrunner? It will only add extra weight and you will not be using it's primary feature. I would go with either a Stradic or a Spheros. I have both the 4500B and a Stradic 8000 and use only the Stradic when I am plugging. The Stradic is a good reel, but the Spheros is cheaper and it's got a waterproof drag. I'd also look at the Diawas in the same price range.

Youngmoon74 · 09-23-2005, 07:26 AM

If you think in the future you might be fishing bait occasionally or livelining, baitrunners have done well by me just make sure there is a "B" at the end of the model #. The original series without the B are not nearly as good.

Van · 09-23-2005, 07:38 AM

If your'e not deadsticking with bait, I don't see why you would need a baitrunner.

This year I got the shimano stradic, sweet smooth reel. But pricey..

reelecstasy · 09-23-2005, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Van

If your'e not deadsticking with bait, I don't see why you would need a baitrunner.

This year I got the shimano stradic, sweet smooth reel. But pricey..

they are nice for eelin and bait but other than that, too heavy...Go with the Stradic's silky smooth I got a few of them and baitrunners, but they do more sittin than fishin.......

Diggin Jiggin · 09-23-2005, 09:35 AM

I've got 2 baitrunners.

Both of them sitting on a shelf in my garage with broken anti-reverse. Also my 6500 which I did use pretty heavily for fishing herring for a few springs is no where near as smooth as it used to be...

I've been trying to stay away from bait this year so I didn't even bother fix them.

NaCl H2O · 09-23-2005, 09:40 AM

I have 2 4500's and a 6500. They're awesome reels. As far as the second drag system goes I find I use it a lot even when plugging for letting out line, reaching for the lure at the end of the line, etc. I really miss it when I'm using my penn 6500 which btw, is way heavier than either shimano.

kayaman · 09-23-2005, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Youngmoon74

If you think in the future you might be fishing bait occasionally or livelining, baitrunners have done well by me just make sure there is a "B" at the end of the model #. The original series without the B are not nearly as good.

I would beg to differ on this... I also have three baitrunners that are over 10 yrs old... no problem with any of them... did pick up a "B" model last year and it does not have the "feel" of the older ones... when I was up to surfland talking to kay she said she has had a lot of the new ones come in with problems... apparently she said the older ones had better bearing... she stated that she opened one new one that had virtually no bearings left.... and this is what made shimmano what they are... their bearings...

humphrys · 09-23-2005, 11:09 AM

Hi,
Every Penn I bought was breaking. MVP was very good and was replacing them, but I got sick of it and eventually switched to either 45 or 5500s. Love them. I now have 2. One is at least 5 years old and the other new this year. Not one problem.

doc · 09-23-2005, 04:15 PM

...thanks for all the insight and advice....given my impulsive tendencies, i just picked up a shimano spheros 6000...feels a bit heavier than my penn5500 but definitely smoother...hopefully it will prove more durable as well...will give a post after i give it an inaugural weekend...

thanks again!

seabass · 09-23-2005, 07:25 PM

I have 2 4500's, best live linning reel by far, but if your plugging this is not the reel to buy! Try a stradic, you wont be dissapointed.

greenmeanie · 09-23-2005, 08:18 PM

I have the 4500 and like it. Been throwing plugs with it mostly and it seems well for that but something a little smaller could be better. I also took a fall in the rocks with it and landing right on the reel which it took the hit just fine

doc · 09-23-2005, 08:35 PM

anybody use the shimano spheros?

Pete_G · 09-23-2005, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc

anybody use the shimano spheros?

Yes, it's a great reel. Not to knock the Stradic, but I think the Spheros is a better reel for the surf. It's built for saltwater, the Stradic really isn't.

Look in a Shimano catalog sometime, there's only three reels listed in the saltwater spin section. The Thunnus, the Baitrunner, and the Spheros.

Save a few bucks unless you need the spare spool that comes with the Stradic. You can also just buy a Spheros spool separately and it will still be less $$.

Either way it's real tough to beat Shimano customer service in the event you need it.

basswipe · 09-24-2005, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc

anybody use the shimano spheros?

On my 3rd season with the 8000.Haven't had an issue with it yet.Super reel for the price.

Just walked in the door after fishing with it.