I cannot speak for any brand except the cabelas salt striker. I fish with a guy who has a Baitrunner and he loves it. I like the Salt strikers and have had no problems with them. I even hit one with an anchor when I threw it out on shore and then followed it with an anchor. I just bent the handle back straight. I think the salt strikers might be a little less expensive but I'm not sure. I wouldn't be afraid of the other brands either, but I have never used them. You typically get what you pay for so buy a good name and you'll probably like it.
Thank you much, Shimano it is........you see the x-mas before last i received a catmaxx spinning reel on a 9 foot stout catmaxx rod......which i have come to find out is a pretty bad mismatch for an outfit sold as a combo. I'm gonna go ahead and throw the shimano on that rod and buy one of those medium action cat rods from wal-mart for the catmaxx reel. either the ugly stik or the berkely, i will decide when i get there............again thanks for all the help
Aaron, I have 2 of the 6500's. They are very easy to dissassemble for cleaning, are sturdy and can handle big cats. I have 50lb mono on both. They also have smooth and tough main drags. You will enjoy using it.
I just bought the penn captiva live liner cll 6000 model, have not had a chance to use it yet but it seems to be a nice reel. A buddy of mine has several of these reels he fishes with at the ocean and loves them. If your near a gander mountain store they have them for 60 bucks, and they sell the okumas,and the shimano ones.
If you decide on a penn reel you should take a look at a 209 they work real good on big fish and they can handle heavy line . I have 2 of them and they are good reels for the price. they have bait clickers to.
I have 2 Shimano 6500 Baitrunners and 2 Okuma EB50 Baitrunners. I definitely like the Shimano's better. The Okuma's are great though. I use the Okuma's at Lakes and the Shimano's at the rivers. I put my Shimano's on 9' Catmaxx rods when Im in a boat, or if Im on the bank casting 40 yds. or less. If I know Im going to be casting further I put them on my 12' Ugly Stick Big Waters. Ive got my Okuma's on 8' Cabela King Kats. I highly recommend the Shimano Baitrunners. Worth the extra money.
Been reading about Shimano Baitrunnners, which I see are a spinning reel. What exactly IS a baitrunner? How is it different from a regular spinning reel? Also, is the Penn Live Liner a type of baitrunner? Thanks
So far only spinning reels are known and sold as bait runners.Often the clicker is not strong enough to hold large bait or bait in swift water when using a casting or "multiplying type reel".My Shimano Charter Special 2000 Lever Drag works as a excellent bait runner feature.I do not see where you could not use any of the lever drag reels for such.Penn and Shimano both make 2 sizes with level wind.Some ABU die hards complain about the casting but most other folks seem to cast them just fine.I guess no one had told them that they could not do it .ABU also makes one without a level wind.If you want a baitrunner without going to spinning,check them out.They are also great salt and freshwater reels for the ones who fish both.I love you Brothers and Sisters.peewee
What Peewee Williams has just said is a Big Positive!! There is no reason that the Lever Drag systems on these reel will not perform the same as a (Baitrunner, Freespool, or Freeliner). If you prefeer a Baitcaster Reel, then may I further suggest that a Lever Drag Reel should be your First Choice! Way to Go Peewee and I Salute you for your continued support andvaluable insight!!!!!
I'm lost. Peewee, could you run that by me again. I own a spinning reel with a "bait runner" (Cabela's Salt Striker) and several Abu's baitcasters, all with "bait clickers". I also have a few Zebco spincasters with clickers. I am lost as to the differences that you are referring to. I do not own any lever drag reels, so I do not know the difference. I have always assumed that the function of the "line out alarm" was the same between all reel types in that it alerts you to a bite. The only thing I see not alike is that the spinner has a separate drag for the clicker where as the others do not. Please enlighten me, I am very curious, Thanks.
I'm lost. Peewee, could you run that by me again. I own a spinning reel with a "bait runner" (Cabela's Salt Striker) and several Abu's baitcasters, all with "bait clickers". I also have a few Zebco spincasters with clickers. I am lost as to the differences that you are referring to. I do not own any lever drag reels, so I do not know the difference. I have always assumed that the function of the "line out alarm" was the same between all reel types in that it alerts you to a bite. The only thing I see not alike is that the spinner has a separate drag for the clicker where as the others do not. Please enlighten me, I am very curious, Thanks.
The "lever drag"reels have a lever on the side that controls the drag from the minimum to maximum range that "you" preset into it.At the lower ranges it can be set for what you would want a bait runner set at and you just operate the drag with your thumb to get the drag where you want it to set the hook or fight the fish.You can constantly change your drag settings as you fight your fish.You preset your drag range and settings ahead of time and the drag stays in this range until you reset it,no matter how many times you use the lever.My Shimano Charter Special 2000 can go from 0 or no drag to a claimed maxed out 33 lbs.of drag simply with a thumb lever while I am fighting a fish,if I ever choose to set it that high.Being that my hands are crippled up and I have no strength anymore,I keep my max.drag at 7 1/2 lbs.as that is all that I can handle and is too much at times.The reel also has a Penn reel class loud clicker.Look up the Shimano web sight and you can pull up the reel that I have,including schematics.Same for the Penn level wind lever drags.A simple leaver that I operate with my thumb controls all that the Star and Wheel type drag controls do and can control tension on your bait.It would be great if you could find one to get your hands on to check out.By their design,they are able to have a single huge surface area drag which makes for a unbelievable smooth drag along with awesome drag pressure for their reel size.I hope this helps.I love you Brothers and Sisters.peewee
Thanks, the fog is starting to lift. So you use the lever to also control the clicker tension or do I misunderstand. The reels I have need to have the casting button depressed in order to function as a clicker. I don't believe the star drag has any bearing on it at that point as the reel is disengaged. Am I right or is it different on a lever drag reel?
Thanks, the fog is starting to lift. So you use the lever to also control the clicker tension or do I misunderstand. The reels I have need to have the casting button depressed in order to function as a clicker. I don't believe the star drag has any bearing on it at that point as the reel is disengaged. Am I right or is it different on a lever drag reel?
I think I understand what he is saying. The lever drag system allows you to switch between two different drag settings. You can set one drag setting very low to simulate a baitclicker system. You then set the other setting to your normal fighting setting. After you cast out, you reel enough to engage the reel and switch the lever drag to the lighter, or "baitclicker" setting.
It's not really a baitclicker system, but it can be used to simulate one.
The Shimano Baitrunner is, at first glance, a similar system. The big difference is that the lever drag reel switches between two settings of the same drag while the Baitrunner switches between what is essentially two different drags. There are some rare occassions where the Baitrunner's baitclicker can not be set high enough to keep current, wind, and bait from pulling line out (very rare, and only with very large live baits).
The one main issue with this is that the Lever Drag is not equiped with a CLICKER! They will perform the job as required, but this is not what they are for. This is said to be the Striking Position when the lever is at the lower setting. You would then push the lever forward to engage more drag resistance. The reel in the photo would be and example of the striking position and line would play out if it hangs or a fish hits the bait. The requirement for a heard or seen indication would be an external form for this type of reel.
My Shimano Charter Special 2000 LD reel has a level wind and a clicker.The clicker can be left on or off through out all of the reels functions.Reel in or out,drag or no drag.Free spool.You can have the clicker on or off as it is completely independent and loud.Also the drag does have two points you can stop it at called strike and full.The lever will go from no drag at all clear up to the max that you wish to pre set,even the 33 pound max.You can stop the lever anywhere in between and have the "infinite" drag pressures in between.All pressures from 0 to the 33 claimed pounds are available to you at any time with your thumb lever while playing around,fighting your fish or just looking at the moon if you wish.You can preset your drag to 5-10-11 1/2-16 1/4 pounds or whatever for your strike or Max setting.You can have the one of your choice set at your choice to go to in the dark,or whatever reason.It is amazing the first time you set down with the instructions and find all that you can do with it.You have complete drag freedom and control with your eyes closed.I love you Brothers and Sisters.peewee
Suddenly I think I want one! Or two or three...Does anyone have a short list of all the units that have a lever drag, levelwind, and clicker? I had no idea why people were so taken with lever drags but I am beginning to see now. When it is in light drag mode and a fish takes line I assume that you run the lever up prior to setting the hook just like engaging the reel from freespool on a standard clicker, is this right? Thanks for all the info and patience. What do these reels typically sell for?
Suddenly I think I want one! Or two or three...Does anyone have a short list of all the units that have a lever drag, levelwind, and clicker? I had no idea why people were so taken with lever drags but I am beginning to see now. When it is in light drag mode and a fish takes line I assume that you run the lever up prior to setting the hook just like engaging the reel from freespool on a standard clicker, is this right? Thanks for all the info and patience. What do these reels typically sell for?
You got it! and you can control and apply more or less hook setting or drag power each and every time by striking above or below your set setting whenever you choose.You can constantly change your drag setting with your thumb the whole time that you are fighting your fish.The Shimano lever travel or quadrant is 180 degrees and you can set it to go from 0 to 33 lbs.in that travel or set it down for tender mouth fish or cripples like me.I have mine set for 0 to 7 1/2 lbs.Max.in that 180 degrees of travel as that is all that I feel that I can now handle in a short battle.The range is amazing to me.This gives me 5.25 lbs. at the strike setting.I can just as easy set it for the 33 lb.max and I would have 23.1 lbs.at the strike position.There are 2 Shimano models(1000 SD & 2000 SD) that normally sell for $119.00.Penn has two models.Penn 320LD for approx.$130.00 and the 330LD for approx.$140.00.Okuma has many models and I think ABU & Pfluger has one each that I do not know the prices on.All the brands have websites.Now if you do not wish for or need "level wind",there are plenty of lever drag reels of all sizes and prices.I am only familiar with the new Shimano and the small & large Penns of old that I would help clean,or lube at every chance.I have personally seen these huge old reels cast off of the piers and beaches from Myrtle Beach S.C. to Naples Fla.by the old Shark fishermen.These were normally the idle wealthy who did not have to rise before dawn to work every day,mixed with a few good old boys on Friday and Saturday nights.When and if the fish was ever gotten into the surf,some brave expendable guy or guys would wade out and rope or gaff it.They then pulled it onshore with a surplus jeep or truck.This was all done at night by the feeble light of these vehicles.Talk about men with courage.Many of these were WW2 and Korea vets.Some had been Torpedoed,sunk,and ship wrecked.Some had seen the sharks feed on their friends as they waited(often days) for rescue.They had courage,and they had no like for sharks.This kid was in heaven as my father would let me hang around if it was not a school night.Some one would always see that the kids got home.That was the way it was back then.Kids belonged to everyone just as the adults belonged to the kids.I wish you good luck.I love you Brothers and Sisters.peewee
PeeWee, You are so RIGHT about the CLICKER. I had not even considered the fact that once you switch it on, you are able to hear it! I stand Corrected and Enlightened! Those of you that want to use these reels for Catfish or other species that are baited and set down for the bite, You have an Option!
HOPPY4
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