Reel question...anyone with baitfeeder/baitrunner experience

[Audiochem]

I've been looking buy a Daiwa Regal Plus Bite N Run or Okuma ABF's. Anyone had any experience with baitfeeders? They sound like a good idea and a safe way of not losing your gear should your sand spike give way.

Or are they just a waste of time?

Also, does anyone know of another model that might be better with the same function?

Thanx

[greybeard]

The shimano baitrunners are the top of the line that are for sale in the US. I have the shimano BTR, daiwa, penn, and a Roddy that I got off ebay and should have left there. Yes they are good. If you search airnuts, you will see that he uses shimano baitrunners to catch large sharks. He has pictures of his setups and a kinda neat tutorial on how to do it. I'm sure Jettypark will tune in, he uses the shimano also. I wish that one of the companies would come out with a moderately priced long cast model. There is one that you can get but it's an overseas model. I'd say it would be kinda lacking in parts support. Thats my .02

[chump]

I've got a Shimano Baitrunner 3500 and love it. Use it mostly for livelining spot off of a pier though. Not the best distance caster out there, but if you have the Baitrunner on, you won't lose your gear.

[HellRhaY]

i have no daiwa baitrunner but i have 5 shimano's with baitrunner features.
2 shimano 4500b baitunner
and
3 shimano spin power power aero
..they work real well, the baitrunner feature is a real help.

[F I LetsGoFishin]

I have one okuma with bait feeder, While I have had no problems YET after 18 m. I will say this. be sure that when stored that you back the bait feeder and drags off all the way or they will stick and the washers compress making them weeker over time. The guts of these reels leave a little to be desired and must be attended to regularly.

other than that it is a nice feature and would be better if it were equiped with an alarm

[RuddeDogg]

I have several. Penn Captiva, Okuma Expior and Coranado, Tica, and Shimano. What it boils down to is what brand you want and how much you want to spend. It doesn't matter what brand you buy as long as you take care of it, it will last.

[Fishman]

Shimano Bait runner or Thuunus if you have the $$$. I dont care for the Daiwa bait runner reels. Ill stick with the Shimanos and Im a Diawa fan.

[1obxnut]

Shimano Bait runner or Thuunus if you have the $$$. I dont care for the Daiwa bait runner reels. Ill stick with the Shimanos and Im a Diawa fan.

Yup..Thunnus if you got the cheeze! but the weight of it makes it a chore unless your name is MrMarkEdwards, then you can throw the thing all day. They were designed more for livelining on boats. If you get the "big pit" (long spool for the UK market) like MrMarkEdwards, then it would good for surf.

Get the Shimmie BTR-B's size of it is up to you. I sold mine earlier this year, and regreting it.

[Stevie Wonder]

I totally agree. Get the Baitrunner. They are time tested! Good Luck!:fishing:

that both reels you chose cost about $60...and seeing that the Shimano baitrunner is $120, you can get two reels for the price of one baitrunner....(I would pass on the "Thunnus" $240).....if you are trying to stay within a buget, then pick one of the two you listed. They are both about the same....but you will have to take care of them really good......"Shimano" baitrunner.....is one of the best reel out there, with a baitrunner mode.....it hold a good amount of line the drag system is great....And the reel hold up really well to just about anything.....The "Baitrunner mode" is something great to have, when you are soaking cut/live bait. You lay the pole down by a railing and set your BR mode at the lightest setting and not worry about it.....and when a fish does take off with your bait....all you have to do is turn the handle and your bait drag come on......not unlike other reels....where you have to put the drag on a low setting and when a fish takes off. You have to stop and think about tighten your drag by hand and still be able to fight the fish....in a sand spike i like to add more pressure on the BR mode....and not have it really loose(circle hooks).....(If you have the sand spike set right!! it shouldnt fall over) You can load the BR6500 with braid and go sharking that nite with it.....is this reel worth the extra money.....YES!!!! I would go to a store that carry them....and match them up and see how they feel.....And you will notice the Shimano is just more rugged and built to take a beating....from you and any fish out there.....:fishing:

[seajay]

The bait runner feature is great. But I would look at a clip type set up for a Spinning reel or just use a Bait caster with a clicker if needed.:fishing: