Bait runners

[biggysize1]

Who makes a good bait runner? looked at Shimano and Penn. Who is the better of the two and why.

[Reel Nice]

Shimano IMO makes the best baitrunner...All sizes

[chops67]

Personal prefrence. Both are good reels. The better reel is the one you can buy on sale. Buy one and have fun. I think there is another thread on the Barn about the same thing.

[Fishin' Rod]

I like the Penn Internationals, that's probably because there made here.

[Donna-Kate Charters]

Never used a Penn liveliner but love my shimano baitrunners. Can't go wrong with shimano baitrunners.

[Irish Wake]

Im a Penn man.But never used Penn baitrunner,But do have 2 Shimano Baitrunners,3500 and 4500,they work Great,5 years not one Problems

[NJ Joe]

There have been several threads on this subject. You should do a search and check out the history. Just a matter of preference, but I own 6 shimano baitrunners and wouldn't use a Penn if I had a choice. I would try them both and judge for yourself. Pros and cons to each side.

[AMPHIBIAN]

Shimano !
I have a 6500 for a few years, luv it, was looking today at a 3500.....:D

AMPHIBIAN (Tom)

[Re-Bait]

I am a Penn fanatic, and have had 2 5600's. Also have several 6500 penns a couple 5500's and some 4500's. I totally agree that the 5600's STINK. Both of mine went back to the factory, and I still wasn't happy. (one went back twice, was replaced with a new one and still problems engaging)....Shimano has totally won me over for live liners. I have 2 Shimano 6500 Bait runners, 2 Shimano 6000 Thunnuses, and 2 4500's. These reels are superior to the Penn equivalents IMO.

[Hard head]

Shimano all the way I've got 6 6500's and 4 3500's haven't had any problems with them.

[cityfisherman]

i like the ticas abyss and the sporterra:) both real good and they dont break the bank:D

[finaddict5]

I have a Shimano 4500s that I just got for Christmas and waiting to use. I also have an Okuma Avenger ABF50 baitrunner that worked great on stripers last fall. 30 lb fish were no problem for the reel using 50 lb PP. They are similar to the Stratus series of spinning reels available for CHEAP prices at Dick's. Look for the $10 off coupon in the NJ Freshwater Rule book, use it and it will net you out to $40 bucks for the reel. That's a helluva deal.;) Plenty left for Powerpro!:D

[garyS - NJ]

I've had a shimano 6500 for years without requiring service. I've caught a bunch of small tuna on it also (throwing striper plugs and shads at them)

[whatevermakesyouhappy]

Have lots of Penn reels but none are baitrunners. What I do have is Shimano 6500, two 4500 and a 3500 for the little guys in the back....... love them. ;)

[upchuck]

Shimano All The Way. They Stand Behind There Product, I Own Nothing But. You Won't Be Sorry If Buy One. I NOW OWN EIGHT AND THEY ALL WORK JUST FINE.
One more thing, don't expect to fine new reels on sale.

[lockard]

I just bought my first Penn baitcaster to nights ago and already caught one short stripper on it, it worked better than all the other poles i have bought but i never tried a shimano

[Slipperyeel]

I have a Penn 5600. This is my 2nd year with it and am happy with it, not probelms so far. The only thing I don't like is that the bait runner does not disengage when you reel.

[FreezOrBurn]

CABELAS

Have a great deal A shimono Bait runner mached with a perfect Salt striker Fishin rod. You can't Go wrong with that set up!

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat600380&id=0011450110084a&navCount=1&podId=0011450&parentId=cat600380&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat600380&hasJS=true

[Mark Horn]

I went with the Shimano Baitrunner also. I like that it disengages the baitrunner feature when you start reeling in. I don't beleive the Penn did that.

[zar2754]

shimano. x 10

[Mac Daddy]

I have a Penn 5600 liveliner and a Shimano 4500 baitrunner and I can honestly say they are both great reels and have caught an equal amount of stripers on them both. My Penn does not disengage the liveliner function when you reel in, but you simply push the button and its fish on. Penn has since changed that on their new slammer liveliners. So for me I bought them both to try them out and am very pleased with both of them so I would go with whatever one you can get cheaper. Be sure to match it with a good rod as these are my two best set ups for the rips.

Jim K

[Fishfinder]

The difference is in the liveliner drag. Set each one at both ends of the drag and see the difference. The Shimano actually changes from one end to the other. The Penn that I tried seemed to be the same drag regardless of where it was set.

[hookshot]

I have both shimano and Penn, both quality products.

[Icthiophile]

I have a shimano 4500. Has anyone ever had any problem with the free spool drag still being enough for a fish to feel? I usually fish a baitcaster in free spool and just thumb it= no resistance. With the baitrunner there is still definite resistance even when adjusted to the limit. Just wondering if anyone thinks its enough to make a difference.

[Chum Stains]

i have two of the new penn 460 slammer live line and they are great they land 30# stripers all day. and the live line disengages when you reel. go one e-bay $139 free shipping.

[finchaser]

Both great reels
Shimano graphite
Penn all metal

[zcap1956]

I have the 3500 and the 4500 shimano's and I am very pleased with them.

[FISHKILL]

Hands down!...Shimano takes them all I will fish nothing but. If not a baitrunner my Stratics do the trick. You get what ya pay for.

[Even Steven]

Get the Shimano. You will NOT be disappointed!!

Steve

[HookLine&Drinker]

I have the shimano baitrunner 6500. I can say it is the best reel I have ever owned. I have had it for about 4 or 5 years and never had to do any maintenance. I have landed some big fish on it. I've tried some of the Penn SS series and was never as happy as with the shimano.

[Baitrunner03]

I've had my Shimano baitrunner 6500 go'in into the 3rd season and works like a champ. Had one mishap with it on a knock down in the surf! Had to have it cleaned out, but its still my best work horse. You may want to take a look at the Tica Abyss. I just purchased one this season. Very interesting with the elongated spool. I want to see how well it casts.

[wimpy]

I have a Penn 5600. This is my 2nd year with it and am happy with it, not probelms so far. The only thing I don't like is that the bait runner does not disengage when you reel.

Both great reels. I have the Penn 5600. When you get used to the manuel you'll find it a bit quicker that way than trying to turn the handle and getting it out of free spool.

All you have to do is train yourself from grabbing the handle. It took me a season to learn. But once I did, I won't do it any other way now.

[reel_smooth]

Have a Tica Sporterra as well as an Okuma baitrunner. Haven't been disapointed by either one. The Tica especially has landed some nice fish and is the smaller 4007 model [my dad has a 4507]. My buddy has a Shimano, no complaints there either.