Decent mid range reel ?

[Down-the-drain]

I'm looking to buy a decent reel in the next day or so but am a bit confused as to which sort and what it all means. Baitrunner , fixed spool , free spool , free spin ?

I'll be mainly specimen fishing for big chub and barbel , tench and possibly the odd pike.

Can anyone recommend a decent mid range reel that would do the job , or even a couple so I can choose myself.

Cheers in advance.

[BoldBear]

For Barbel, Tench and Chub and even Pike I use Shimano 5000 series Baitrunners, the Okuma Baitrunners are also great reels and less expensive.

I'm not very good at expaining things but Ill have a go:

The reels described above are all fixed spool reels where the spool is fixed and does not revolve but there is a bailarm that revolves around the spool when the handle is turned which winds the line onto the spool.

'Free spool' is just a term that describes a spool that is dis-engaged so that it can turn freely etc. to take it out of free spool you just trip a lever so that the spool is once again fixed.
A 'Baitrunner' is just a reel that you can put into freespool mode if you need to by flicking a lever.

A baitrunner is very useful when using two rods or more for ledgering and will give line freely without having your rod pulled in by the fish. When you strike you just re-engage the spool and strike, then play the fish in as normal.

When I am fishing for Barbel or Tench with a hand on the rod ready to strike I don't use the reels Baitrunner facility but when I am Piking or Carping where the rods are sitting in rod rests waiting for a run it can be very useful. It is also useful when you are pouring a hot coffee and not concentrating on your rods.

[Down-the-drain]

Thanks alot for the reply , thats a great help.

[Down-the-drain]

Cheers for the advice , just bought myself a new ltd edition Shimano 5000 baitrunner for 30 quid from a well known auction site. Cant wait to attach it to my Wychwood rogue barbel rod !

[Down-the-drain]

Just another quick question. Could the front or rear drag on a reel be used as a type of baitrunner if set very low ? then tweak it up and strike when ready ? Is a baitrunner just an easier and more convieneant method of doing this ? i.e instead of having to turn the dial you just flip a switch.

[BoldBear]

Originally Posted by Down-the-drain

Just another quick question. Could the front or rear drag on a reel be used as a type of baitrunner if set very low ? then tweak it up and strike when ready ? Is a baitrunner just an easier and more convieneant method of doing this ? i.e instead of having to turn the dial you just flip a switch.

It is not practicable to use the front or rear drag on a reel set very low and then tighten it up when you get a run as most runs are fast and furious and by the time you have tightened the drag and gained control the fish has already had a chance to find the sanctuary of some lillies or another snag, if it hasn't already spat your hook out.
You wouldn't use the baitrunner function if you were only after small fish.

The Baitrunner facility is much easier, reliable and more efficient. we used to have to leave our bailarms open while waiting for a screaming run and then close the bailarm by turning the handle before we struck, we sometimes had problems with wind spilling line from the open spool while waiting for a run but we don't need to worry about any of these things with the baitrunner facility.
A quick flick of the switch immediately engages the gears while the bailarm remains closed throughout.
The beauty of a baitrunner is that although you have this facility you don't need to use it, but it is still there for when you do.