surf/baitrunner reel options - help plz

[zimeric]

hi folks
i havent posted in a while but wanted some advice on getting a new surf reel with a bit of quality.
i know its not exactly breaming but im guessing at least some of you spend some time fishing for tailor, salmon, smaller kingies, pinkies etc.

im leaning towards a baitrunner and have found a few reels with the features im after but now am looking for some 3rd party advice..

option1: okuma Coronado Baitfeeder CD55a online price: AU$133 less shipping

option2: shimano baitrunner D BTR8000D online price $229 less shipping

option3: regal Z BRi RGZ 5000 online price: AU$139 less shipping

i like the features of the okuma and its a pretty good price
the reputation of the shimano baitrunner system is a bit of a draw card but the price is a little offputting compared to the others..
the wow factor of the daiwa ( a more recent find) has me licking my lips but im not one to read a book by its cover...

so its up to you folks now i guess

[agz_67]

go a shimano baitrunner for sure. even the shimano baitrunner B series is way better than the okuma or daiwa. only problem i have with them is their weight and low line capacity. in saying this i have used the daiwa regal and own an okuma epix and would whilst they are ok i would much prefer a shimano baitrunner. both the okuma and daiwa had to much play and could even feel them bending under high strains, they dont feel anywhere near as strong as one of the shimanos.

[zimeric]

thanks for your input i also have an okuma epix which is why im favouring a baitrunner/feeder type system... the 2500 is a great little reel for bream on bait, but im finding im a little undergunned when fishing the close reefs and surf for salmon here on the southwest coast, i was blown away 3 times in as many minutes on some thumping salmon a couple of weeks ago and ive decided to upsize my gear a little for these 4-5kg monsters

[blueh2o]

I have fished with Okuma baitrunners for the past 7+ years and absolutely flogged them to death and they are still going strong today I have an Epixor, Salina and Eclipz reels and Salina 2, yes they have cosmetic wear but they have a lifetime warranty and dosnt matter what Okuma i can swap spools with any of the range in the same size, I havnt fished with the Shimano or the Daiwa but I havent needed to buy another Baitrunner because the Okumas have done everything I could ask for

[yellow door 1]

If you are used to the old Shimano Baitrunner Sizes.

Dont get caught out by thinking the new 8000's will be a fair bit bigger than the old 4500's - they're not.

Always pays to check the spool capacity before purchasing - or you can just do what I did and assume they will be bigger

The reel on the left is the newer 8000D and the one on the right is the old 4500B.

[zimeric]

interesting... what line have you spooled your 8000 with?

[silvertreva]

i have a daiwa regal and it is the worst reel i own, the shimanos are expensive and crap imo. id go the okuma anyday

[hixsta]

I had a baitrunner 6500B and it was HEAVY I mean soo heavy I sold it. Dropped $50 on that reel, used it only about twice.

The question is, do you really need a baitrunner? They are over rated in my opinion, buy a stradic 8000 and make sure you inspect the drag washers (should be carbon fibre on the later models) and apply a little cal's drag grease. You don't need a baitrunner for West Aussie Salmon. My Stradic 5000 has 11kg drag and enough 15lb line to tame any Salmon. Go the 8000 (6000 is the same with less line) if you want more line and grunt. I got an FI for $200 recently.
My two cents ;-)

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by zimeric

interesting... what line have you spooled your 8000 with?

Got it second hand and the description said - "Spooled with 300m of 30lbs Powerpro Yellow and 150m of Sufix performance braid (yellow)"

[Piscateur]

If you really want the bait runner function then Shimano has it over Daiwa in theis department. Many times over. As others have mentioned above The down side is the weight. But they are bulletpoof.
Have not fished with the Okuma to provide a comment either way.
The old BTR 4500 in YD's pic has huge capacity I managed 500yds of 30lb powerpro on mine. Have used these reels for the boat and surf for over 5 years and they are seriously as smooth as when they were bought. I am anal with thier care.

[bubba]

Come see me at work Zim. Will sort something out for you

[zimeric]

cheers bubba but youll be surprised to hear im no longer living in perth... Esperance Baby!!

[tuan]

In order of preference and actually having used these before:

Shimano BTR B
Penn Liveliner
Okuma Salina (old style - black colour)

BTR and Liveliner are pretty much on par. BTR has a better 2ndary drag mechanism/lever but the Penn feels much more modern. Salina was just a workhorse

[Jules01]

Mate i would recommend you go for a deicated surf reel such as the daiwa emblem pro. Has a wide spool for better casting and is tough as hell. Shimano has a new range to consider too.

[Tonka-T]

Originally Posted by Piscateur

.....they are bulletpoof.

I must be living in the wrong neck of the woods, havent come across one of these before