What’s everyone’s take on them? Considering buying one for my next GSP visit.
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What’s everyone’s take on them? Considering buying one for my next GSP visit.
I've been using them for some time with positive results, there not magical , you still need to pay attention to you rig , but they give you the opportunity to have your drag to fight them with per set.
I've been useing Penn and Okuma's and very happy with both, but with a nod to the Okuma for its
line capacity. just my opinion
I use Okuma and love 'em. I like the fact when fishing, I don't have to tie my Rod down and waste time to untie the bungee when I get a fish on since the drag is loose enough to allow for the fish to run without pulling the Rod over the rail. Then all you have to do is pick up the Rod and start reading and the real automatically kicks in to the ad preset drag. Especially handy during Sheephead season.
What model youguys have and size?
I've got an 8000 Shimano and have caught bunch of Kings on it back before the shark fiasco we are in that the state won't help us get out of. Just quit Kink fishing got tired of feeding them my fish.
Just one more thing to mess with....fish with loose drag ,when fish hits and runs adjust your drag accordingly. ....I am always adjusting the drag, especially when the fish gets close to the pier and I need to control it an get it's head out of the water sucking a little air....takes the fight right out of it, ready for the gaff
Yah don’t know what that’s like iron. 4 weeks to GSP and still no fish over a couple pounds... need to make a stronger effort to meet more of the forum refs this year.
I had two of the Penn 500 baitrunners and they both went crooked on me real quick. John G. took them right back, one after the other, and outfitted me with the Shimano 8000 which has been working just fine for three years now---not that I catch all that many kings. It is nice to be able to put down your rod while you get a bottle of water out of the cooler and not have to worry about losing your rod. Actually, I also have one made for Cabela's (Salt Striker) that has worked just fine.
I've been useing Penn Slammer 460L and 560L
Okuma Salina SAF65 this one still hasn't been fished , will have to correct that .
Okuma Coronado CD55a X2
Very loose drag will keep your rod unattended just fine for a drink, or quick trip to the cart....same as a bait runner....I guess I am just set in my ways
Personal preference I guess
I like to do it that way alsoQuote:
Originally Posted by ironman172
Ironman,
thats what's nice about a bait runner. Both drags are already adjusted. Nothing to mess with when fighting the fish! Just pick it up and reel...
I enjoy adjusting, thumbing the spool, and changing the drag....as stated to each they're own.....
I love Live Liners and Bait Feeders... Okuma has a louder click than my Penn or Tica. On my local pier at Waveland I set 3 or 4 bait feeders out, flip the lever, sit back eat ham sammiches, watch my baby play and enjoy the sunset with my wife without ever worrying about a red or blacktip taking a reel over the rail. I love being able to grab my rod, let the fish feed and then set the hook when other lines are out of the way.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nimakdm
Okuma's: In the bait feeders, I have an Okuma ABF55(probably the perfect size for the pier, and ABF90, both work great, the 90 is large and holds enough 17lb mono for any run. Very sturdy reels, probably my favorite for reds and black drum. I don't get upset when I drop them or if something happens, I just take it back to walmart.... Adding a 40b and a 30b to my collection this week in fact.
Penn: I have a 8500 Live liner that my smokin hot baby momma got me 3 years ago... It's a monster, borderline to big for any long term cast/retrieves and pier use, your forearm will feel mushy after trying to King fish with it. The price is rather cheap, like $175, the drag is smooth, It's a reel that I can pass down to my daughter, where the Okumas will likely not make it that long.
Tica: I had a Tica sv600, It brought many blacktip to the pier with ease. The drag is not as smooth as the Penn,(2nd drag is rather quiet) but it's on par or better than the Okuma. I prefer these over Okumas if I can get them at a reasonable price. Otherwise Okuma it is....
All that said, you won't go wrong with Okuma, just make sure you rinse and oil it well. Mr. Mark(Chillinfish) briefly educated me on washing my reels prior to leaving the pier, he probably saved a dozen reels from my youthful Googaness...
Great info all! Looking at Okumas on Amazon now. Anyone ever try a Kastking reel?
No, I've seen them but I stay away, not sure why...Quote:
Originally Posted by Nimakdm
However, reading some reviews.. I would probably buy one now just to try it... I don't have high hopes for it, but I didn't expect the Okuma to outlast my Shimano's of equal price, yet they have(many times over)..Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Cleland
Yah I had the same initial reaction to them as well! Since I only salt water fish 1-2 weeks a year I might just get one to try out.
I had a Kastking it was pure junk , spooling line on it she always coned stacked it , the gearing felt like a old coffee grinder . and the drag wouldn't stop a goldfishQuote:
Originally Posted by Nimakdm
But if you want to try one go ahead , I'd just hate to see you come to the Gulf for only trip and it die then you'll spend you money a second time .
Okuma has been making a serious play for respectability over the last few years. From what I've seen, when problems surface with their higher end reels, they are pretty quick to respond with adjustments. They sell some cheap junk as well, but so do Penn/Shimano/Daiwa. Kastking doesn't seem to be operating in that ballpark yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Cleland
I used shimano reels for years fishing for big stripers up in New Jersey and I had 6000 4500 and 3500 series reels.I love the old model 4500 reel where I would anchor my boat put a chunk of bunker on and stick it the rod holder and set it and wait till it started to scream count to 5 very slow then lock them up and the fight was on.Very fun time in November and early December.I swear we all over fished the big stripers but we would come back to our marina and would be amazed at all those big stripers always a few 40 or even 50 pound stripers.
I still use all those models in shimano and love them.Now with your bait runners its important to set your bottom drag so it will click with a slight current or just tick and when that run starts wait until the fish gets that hook set before locking up your reel by turning the handle.then the top reel takes over and yes a double setting but once you get it set perfect your love it and when the fish of the day is on your reel you will be in awe of how great the reel can be. Tom
I have 3 different models (D, B, and OC) of the Shimano Baitrunner a Penn Spinfisher V LL, and a small Penn Fierce LL. I really like having the option to use the baitrunner feature if needed. I really like the baitrunners when surf fishing. The main drawback is that they have additional entry points for salt water so be extra careful not to dunk them. My Shimanos have many miles on them and have held up great. I still normally king fish with the bail open on the pier, but the option is nice to have.