Baitrunner Spinning Reels Explained

What is a Baitrunner Spinning Reel?

So what is this reel they call a Baitrunner or Free Spool as some refer to it all about? If you are not familiar with the Baitrunner reel, then let me explain.

They are used when you want to fish with either live or cut bait and want to allow the fish to take the bait and “run” with it before the hook is set.

The Baitrunner was first introduced to the market by Shimano in 1987, and Shimano trademarked the name Baitrunner. Other common names for this style of reel are:

Free Spool
Live Liner
Bait feeder
Bite-n-Run

Shimano Baitrunner OC Spinning Reel | Dicks Sporting Goods

The Shimano Baitrunner OC Spinning Reel delivers improved castability, line lay and durability to saltwater anglers. Built with the signature S-Concept design, the Baitrunner is smooth, silent and strong with a machined aluminum handle, repairable clicker and XT-7 graphite frame, rotor and sideplate.

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“Here at saltedangler.com we participate in affiliate programs and may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.”

A Baitrunner reel is designed with both a primary and a secondary drag system. (see image below)

Baitrunner reel has what is called a “teaser lever” to engage the secondary drag system. When the secondary drag is engaged, you create what we call a “controlled free spool“, meaning that the drag is light enough to allow a fish to take the bait and run with it without feeling the very light drag.

The secondary drag is typically adjusted with a drag knob located on the bottom of the reel and only offers a few pounds of drag or tension. This secondary drag is only designed to keep the reel from unspooling and to allow the bait to swim freely.

Once a fish takes the bait and starts to swim with it, the reel will allow the line to come off the spool very easily — remember there are only 1 or 2 pounds of drag on the reel at this time.

Now, all you have to do is pick up your rod and wind the handle a single turn in most cases and that will disengage the secondary drag system so that the main drag can take over and you can set the hook.

The advantage of the Baitrunner is that it allows you to fish live-lined bait without having to adjust the main drag or flip the bail and hope that too much line falls off the spool and makes a tangled mess.

When to Use a Baitrunner

Baitrunners are often used by freshwater fishermen for species such as carp and catfish when fishing chunk bait. When the Baitrunner reel was first introduced back in 1987, it was the UK carp fishermen who were the early adopters of this new technology.

In the world of saltwater fishing, you will most often be considering the use of a Baitrunner reel when surf casting or inshore fishing from land for bottom-feeding fish, or fishing from a boat for reef fish like snapper or grouper.

A major advantage of the Baitrunner is that it will allow you to fish multiple rods at the same time. Since a fish can take your bait and run with it with some tension on the line, you can then easily pick your rod up from the sand spike or rod holder and then proceed to set the hook.

Some of the most common species that are targeted with Baitrunner reels are Stripers, Bluefish, Kings, Jewfish, and Snapper.

How to Use a Baitrunner Spinning Reel

The primary difference between a conventional spinning reel and a Baitrunner spinning reel is the secondary drag system. The secondary drag is also referred to as the rear drag on most of the Baitrunner style reels.

You want to set the secondary or rear drag to a very light setting that is just enough to keep enough tension on the line to keep it from getting tangled but light enough that a fish can take the bait and run with it without getting spooked.

The strength of the current where you are fishing is going to be a factor in how much tension you place on the drag. Once you have cast the bait, the spool continues to let line out very slowly and then you will need to tighten the drag a click or two at a time until no more line is being let out.

Once the fish is running with the bait then you need to set the hook. Typically I count 4-5 seconds before I set the hook as I want the fish to have a good opportunity to get the bait fully in its mouth.

The last thing you want to do is to set the hook too quickly and rip the bait from the fish’s mouth. Remember the fish has no idea that there is a line attached to the bait as the drag is so light.

As far as a hook choice goes, I typically will use a circle hook as they will set themselves, but the timing of the hook set is really not so important.

With that said, I still like to give the fish 4-5 seconds to make sure that they have the entire bait in their mouth.

Pros

Best for live bait
Fish multiple rods

Cons

2 drags to maintain

Conclusion

If you have decided that your style of fishing is going to include fishing with live bait, then I would highly recommend that you get a Baitrunner-style reel in your hands and try fishing with it.

Most people who use a Baitrunner and have been taught how to use it properly swear by them. I have some friends who based on the type of fishing they do, will not use a reel that does not include a dual drag system.

Shimano Baitrunner OC Spinning Reel | Dicks Sporting Goods

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“Here at saltedangler.com we participate in affiliate programs and may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.”

If you’re in the market for a top-quality Baitrunner reel, the Shimano Baitrunner is an excellent choice.

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David Edwards

David is a freelance writer. He enjoys fishing as much as you do. He understands the challenge to pick the best fishing rod or learning the lifestyle. He provides a detailed review of the available products in the market. He wants to ensure you make the right decision for your next shopping day.