New Shimano Baitrunners

[Sweet Caroline]

Has anyone fished the new Shimano Batirunners yet? I fished them for the first time the other day and I think I like the older models better. I felt the lightest setting on the baitrunner drag was too heavy for the subtle bites. After missing several fish I was forced to drop the rod angle considerably in order to reduce the tension the fish was feeling on the pickup. The spool design is different as well and seems backwards to me. The outer lip of the spool is larger than the inside lip. I feel this causes more drag on the line reducing your casting distance. I am looking for some feedback to see if others feel the same way or do I just need to spend more time with them. I am a big Shimano fan but would probably bump up to the Thunnus if given the option in this case.

[CaptLeoNYC]

I have never tried the new models yet, I own a few older 4500B and 6500B and even have a Penn 460L live liner which I feel are the best live bait reels ever made. I have tried some lower model of reels such as the Penn Captiva CLL6000 which just felt cheaply made in my hands, and also tried out a Okuma Avenger which was in the same low budget live line class. Although I have never tried a Thunnus, as i hear its a beefed up framed version of the great Baitrunner series we all loved. I may treat myself to one soon after I buy the wife a new digital camera lol.

[gottaflylee]

Sweet Caroline, I think I know what your talking about. The new spool design is for casting braid. Shoot Squid on the board a PM, he can answer your questions...