Reel with baitrunner: how the mechanism works and how to choose

Why do you need a baitrunner on a reel?

The baitrunner in the mechanism of operation of the inertialess reel acts as a second braking device, capable of both spontaneous release of the main cord and its rigid fixation. In combination with the clutch, the main brake of the inertia-free action, the possibility of a backup allows you to configure the reel to more effectively catch large fish and prevent the loss of gear as a result of its being pulled from the supports at the time of an aggressive bite or temporary loss of sight of the gear. Another practical feature of the mechanism is the function of measuring depth using a marker float.

Important! Ordinary fishing reels without this functionality differ from baitrunner reels in that they are lighter in weight and visually look less massive.

How the mechanism works

Operation in the activated state is the ability to provide the reel mechanism with complete disconnection of the spool from the transmission mechanism circuit. As a result of this action, the cord from the spool becomes free to spontaneously drop, which occurs fully automatically under certain maximum loads. The load on the cord is provided by the fish that takes the bait.

When a bite is detected, the fishing reel with the baitrunner is switched to normal operation by rotating the mechanism handle or bringing the function lever to its original position, which is identical to the actions of the fisherman during fishing. Further functions of the brake and control of the release of the cord are taken over by the clutch, which completes the manipulations of catching the trophy, bringing it to its logical end.

Scope of application of the function in fishing

Baitrunner reels are simply irreplaceable in bottom fishing for large fish. This is due to the fact that sometimes the fisherman has to wait quite a long time for a cautious fish to bite, and at the same time it is not always possible to observe the loaded fishing tackle. With this method of fishing, which is mainly carp fishing, several rods are often used simultaneously. In this case, simultaneous bites threaten the loss of the rod, simply pulling it into the pond. Therefore, a baitrunner on a reel is needed.

By activating the function on the rods located in the rod, the angler can calmly engage in secondary activities, only strictly reacting to the sounds of bite alarms. There is no need to worry about the integrity of the rod.

Important! The baitrunner ensures unhindered release of the cord before the operation of hooking the fish through the direct actions of the fisherman.

But the rod protection function is not the only advantage of such reels. A baitrunner on a reel is also an excellent opportunity to supply bait or lure to the fishing area. Fishermen carry out this technique when installing live bait or other bait, when they transport the installation by water to the fishing area and install it at a certain point. By activating the cord release function, the rod is delivered to the shore and mounted in its working position.

This feature of a spinning reel performs approximately the same function in trolling fishing. Here the angler activates the mechanism for free release of the cord while the boat is moving, when it is necessary to move a wobbler or other similar equipment to a certain point with particular precision. Leaving the wobbler on the surface, lower the required length of cord, transferring the reel to the clutch operation. When marking and determining depths, it is quite rational to use the capabilities of a coil with this function. Having moved the depth gauge equipment to the required point, after casting it, the free feed mechanism is turned on and the depth level is determined by measuring the cut of the fallen fishing line or braided cord. Using a baitrunner in all the cases presented above is quite simple, comfortable and effective.

What are they like?

Inertia-free reels with rear drag are most often used for float fishing. The point is not only that when fishing with a float, the weight of the catch is not so significant. Often on such fishing we come across roaches or bream weighing up to half a kilogram. Another advantage is that to catch small fish there is no need to equip the reel with powerful brakes, which naturally makes it heavier. Spending a full day on the river holding a fishing rod and a heavy reel in your hand is not the best option.

The rear brake, due to its significantly smaller size, also has less weight. The diameter of the brake washers is also smaller, so they are not designed for high breaking forces and line bleeding forces. Due to the same factor, it seems possible to more accurately adjust the braking forces on thin fishing lines, which are most often used in float fishing.

Since the spool does not have a front brake, changing the spool is very quick. You need to unscrew the brake nut that secures the spool to the reel. By pressing a button, the spool is removed and replaced with another one, for example, with a thinner line. A reel with a rear drag usually comes with two spools. The main one is made of light metal, and the second spare one is made of plastic or graphite. There are reels with rear drag, which can have 3 or 4 spools in the set.

Inertia-free reels with a rear brake are equipped with ball bearings in all critical components. Modern inertia-free reels with rear drag have from 4 to 10 ball bearings, which greatly facilitates their movement and extends their service life.

Coil Setting

Important! The main condition for setting up the mechanism is its synchronization with the main brake or clutch.

The baitrunner adjustment itself, which adjusts the tightening force of the line by means of the spool rotation speed, is carried out by a clamping mechanism, which, when tightened, increases the load on the rotation of the spool, and when loosening the screw, it is completely removed. By adjusting the clamping force in this way, they pull the cord from the spool, determining the desired parameter for the magnitude of the applied force.

But in this case, it is worth noting that not all models of spinning reels that have a baitrunner function are equipped with a mechanism for its fine regulation. Often a function in a mechanism can be either completely turned on or completely turned off using the lever already described above. With this option, there is no practical need to synchronize the two brake mechanisms, but in the opposite case, the clutch settings are made more rigid than the baitrunner settings.

How to choose a reel with this system

An angler who has decided on the question of why he needs a mechanism with a baitrunner must also understand the principles of choosing the appropriate thing, based on its appearance and functional capacity. It is worth choosing a spinning reel in a metal case and preferably made of light alloys, since the presence of great functionality of the product significantly increases the bulk of the reel.

The components of the case must be screwed together without flaws, which indicates the high quality of water resistance of the mechanism. The operation of braking systems is determined by the application of force to a piece of cord tied to the spool. The movements of the spool should be even and smooth, without lameness or extraneous noise. The regulating mechanism should allow maneuvering the tightening forces of the cord both upward and downward, which should be clearly felt.

A good product has adequate weight, it is not very light, it has a neat appearance, without sagging in the coatings or dissimilarities in the gaps. We can definitely say that cheap plastic plagiarisms will show their weaknesses even at the first significant load, and their practical implementation will only cause frustration from missed opportunities.

How to choose the right fishing reel?

Since its invention, the reel has simply served to store a supply of fishing line (so that it does not get tangled). Over time, classic reels have undergone more and more changes. Modern fishing reels, in addition to their main function of storing a supply of fishing line, also seriously affect the casting distance. In addition, a correctly selected reel model will make landing large fish much easier. Today, almost all fishing rods are equipped with fishing reels, which differ in appearance and technical characteristics.

Let's look at everything in detail...

Types of Fishing Reels

Inertial coils are distinguished, first of all, by their affordable price. An inertial reel mounted on a float or ice fishing rod is mainly designed to store fishing line and extend it onto the fishing rod. When fishing with a spinning rod from a boat or shore overgrown with bushes and grass, large inertial reels (from 10 to 15 cm) are usually used. In this case, the spinning rod is used as a donkey. The inertial reel is usually equipped with either a blind or friction brake. The dead brake reliably fixes the position of the drum. A friction brake differs from a blind brake - it weakly fixes the spool. Ultimately, when the line is pulled tightly, the spool rotates. This property of the reel becomes especially important when fishing with thin equipment. That is, when the fishing line is pulled strongly, the spool will turn and the fishing line will not break. Some models of inertial reels are equipped with a reverse brake or ratchet. Inertial reels are usually used for fly fishing, less often for spinning fishing.

Inertial multiplier reels are equipped with mechanisms for braking the spool and changing the gear ratio, as well as a line guide and line counter. The most powerful options are used for trolling. The spool of the baitcasting reel rotates both during casting and when reeling in the fishing line. Thanks to this mechanism, the casting energy is transferred to the line and spool, and if cast incorrectly, this leads to unexpected line slippage and the formation of a “beard”.

Using an inertial multiplier reel for long-distance casting of light baits will not achieve good results right away. Experienced fishermen have good skills and a keen sense of casting. Classic baitcasting reels have a built-in gear system that selects the required gear ratio in each individual case. The gear ratio is considered to be the numerical relationship between the number of revolutions of the reel handle and the number of revolutions of the spool. It is usually indicated on the reel body. For example, the reel says “4.5-1”. This means that with one turn of the handle, the spool will make 4.5 turns. That is, the gear ratio of this coil will be 4.5.

In terms of casting range and ease of casting, modern baitcasting reels are almost as good as spinning reels, and in terms of power and reliability, they are even superior to them. The most important element in a baitcasting reel is the friction brake, which allows you to avoid tangling the line when casting. Choose a reel model that allows you to manually adjust the friction brake. It can be adjusted to the specific weight of the bait being thrown. Fine adjustment will allow the line to flow smoothly when casting, without twisting around its axis.

The power and durability of baitcasting reels allow them to be used for catching large fish. Typically, such reels are used for spinning and sea fishing. A multiplier reel can be safely used on all gear where power, reliability and quality are needed.

How to wind fishing line onto a multiplier spool?

If the spool of your multiplier holds approximately 170 meters of fishing line with a diameter of 0.3 mm, then you need to wind this entire length. To do this, you need to buy two paired reels (100 meters each) or one large reel that holds 200 meters or more. We pass the end of the fishing line through the line guide and tie a regular double knot around the spool. Next we need an assistant. He must position the reel in such a way that the line does not twist when winding.

Today you can find a lot of braided cords on the market with excellent test results. Can they be used on multipliers? When casting light bait weighing up to 15 grams, we do not recommend it. The thing is that ordinary fishing line is elastic and resilient. Thanks to these qualities, when winding onto a spool, the top layer of fishing line does not cut into the bottom layer. Braided cord is generally inelastic and soft and will deform when laid. And therefore you will not be able to cast the spoon very far with it. To cast bait weighing more than 15 grams, you can safely use a braided cord. In this case, it has proven itself very well in practice.

Spinning reels are rightfully considered the most popular among experienced and novice fishermen. First of all, thanks to its high versatility. When casting, the line comes off the reel and does not rotate the spool. Inertia-free reels completely eliminate the possibility of fishing line tangling.

The body of the spinning reel contains some information that needs to be correctly deciphered. The first is the relationship between the diameter of the line and the maximum length that can be used on a given reel. For example, “0.15-170”. This means that the reel holds 170 meters of fishing line with a cross section of 0.15 mm. Secondly, this is the relationship between the weight of the bait and the casting distance. Also, the gear ratio of the gearbox must be indicated on the body of the inertia-free reel. If there is the inscription “Long cast”, then the reel is designed for long casts; if “ATS”, then the reel is equipped with a system that reduces line twist (anti-twist system).

The main advantages of a spinning reel: • With its help, you can cast even the lightest baits that cannot be cast with a conventional reel; • The inertia-free reel eliminates tangling of the fishing line and the formation of a “beard”; • Rewinding speed can be either slow or fast; • You don't have to worry about the line breaking due to the presence of a friction brake.

What should you pay attention to when buying a reel?

Number of bearings

Bearings ensure smooth and more stable operation of mechanisms. There can be from 1 to 20 pieces on one reel. A reel without bearings will fail faster, and its operation will be less reliable than that of bearing models. In addition, reels without bearings are usually equipped with low-quality parts, although there are exceptions. The best option is a reel with 4-7 bearings. This is a high-quality and reliable product that guarantees a soft and smooth ride.

Gear ratio

It represents the ratio of one revolution of the handle to the number of revolutions of the line guide. As a rule, reels with a small gear ratio (1:3 – 1:4.6) are used for spinning fishing, when the movement of the bait must be smooth and slow (catfish, pike).

A high-speed reel (1:5.2 – 1:6.2) will not allow you to move the bait evenly and smoothly at a slow speed. In addition, it is not designed for catching large fish. A high-speed reel can be used for a float fishing rod (for example, sharp reeling with an empty bite).

The most versatile are considered to be reels with an average gear ratio (1:4.6 – 1:5.2). They are great for spinning fishing when fast or medium retrieval is required.

Friction brake

Friction brake is a device designed to prevent the line from breaking during a strong jerk, that is, one that exceeds the breaking load of the line. In this case, the spool will begin to rotate and release the line until the load decreases. Depending on the type of location, the brake can be front or rear. Front – ensures smooth operation of the spool. If you adjust the brake yourself when landing fish, then it is better to use a reel with a rear brake. In addition, it allows you to change the spool faster, unlike the front one, which requires a certain time for this.

Long Cast System

The long-casting system is a special elongated spool with which you can make very long casts. It allows the use of thin line and does not require thickening. For ultra-long casting, it is necessary to wind the lines one and a half to two millimeters, slightly short of the cheek of the spool. It should be noted that the longer the spool, the greater its resistance to slipping and slipping.

Zero backlash system

A specific coil is designed for a specific load. If you are hooked, for example, on a braided line and use a spinning rod to pull the boat towards the hook, the reel may break. The zero-reverse system is designed to prevent the line guide from reversing.

Anti-vibration system

It is designed to eliminate vibration of the coil that occurs when it rotates. Most modern reels include an anti-vibration system.

Anti-twist system (anti-twist system)

This system is designed to reduce line twist. This is achieved thanks to the special shape of the line roller. Twisting is transferred to the end of the line that is not wound on the reel, and as a result, the line is placed on the spool, which is already twisted 25-30% less. And reducing the twist of the line naturally reduces the likelihood of it getting tangled when thrown into the water.

Spare spool

A spare spool is a must, especially if you have two reels. It allows you to use line of different thicknesses for fishing in different conditions. A spare spool will become indispensable if you break the line. It is better to always have 4-5 spools of line of different thicknesses in stock. For example, for fishing with a float rod, you need spools with lines with a diameter of 0.1, 0.12, 0.14, 0.16 mm. Otherwise, if you find yourself in an unusual situation (for example, a change of reservoir due to weather conditions, an unexpected approach of a large fish, etc.), your fishing may simply be ruined. Therefore, we recommend stocking up on bobbins of different diameters in advance.

Now that you have familiarized yourself in detail with the types of fishing reels, with their characteristics, qualities and advantages, you can independently choose and purchase the necessary reel. We can only wish you successful fishing!

Rating of reels with baitrunner

The rating of reels is based on their quality and cost characteristics, which allow the fisherman to combine the reliability of using the mechanism and at the same time not put undue pressure on his budget, observing the principle of democratic accessory cost.

Mechanisms produced by Shimano are very popular among carp anglers. Exage 4000 RC reel in the manufacturer’s line deserves special attention. After all, the lightweight body and high gear ratio provide the most comfortable conditions when catching large fish. The price relative to other top companies is much more pleasant, but the reliability of this company has been tested over the years and is beyond doubt.
The well-known Daiwa is no less loved by anglers. Its fishing accessories are valued for the reliability and balanced operation of the mechanism. The price of the company's products is only slightly higher than that of the previous top manufacturer, but such an excess is not a hindrance for fans of the brand. I would like to mention the lightweight reel with the Regal 3000 XIA . Smooth running and meticulous adjustment of the brake mechanisms provide ideal control over the fishing of especially trophy specimens.
Okum has presented a masterpiece in this field of fishing products. Epixor Eb Dfitfeeder model is distinguished by high water resistance and a large spool volume, which in addition has a titanium non-wearing finish on the side and the base itself. The budget is also reasonable.
BANAX GT Extreme-3000 is worthy of being among the top buyrunner representatives. The manufacturer was able to achieve high reliability of the mechanism by making the working gear transmission from a brass component, and the body itself from a duralumin alloy, which significantly reduced the weight of the product and eliminated the possibility of corrosion, without compromising its performance qualities. Price is in the middle range.
The top five will be closed by the representative of the Salmo company, the hard worker Diamond Baitrunner 5+1 RD . A lightweight reel with an elegant main aluminum spool with a hinged side and the ability to wind up to two hundred meters of line. Five bearings of the mechanism guarantee reliable operation and fast winding. The price is budget.

I hope that the presented list will help a beginner save on money and get a reliable base of gear at the beginning of his career, and will provide food for an experienced fisherman for a comparative analysis with mechanisms proven by personal experience in practical use.

Carp reel pull

The torque of a carp reel depends on its gear ratio, which is indicated on the spool and shows the number of rotor revolutions per revolution of the handle, for example, a value of 5:1. The higher this value, the faster the reel winds the line, but the weaker its pull. Reels with a 4:1 gear ratio are much more powerful than those with a 5.5:1 ratio.

A gear ratio that is too high means that when working with heavy weights and large fish, the reel is subject to more wear and tear, which in theory reduces its service life. And a smaller gear has a certain power reserve, making it more durable.

To extend the life of the carp reel, try not to put a large load on it, but work by deflating the rod.