bait runner reels

GP_Angler

New member
Hi Guys.

Would truly appreciate some advice.

Whenever I take my out with the bait boat, I click my reels into bait runner mode. I was having problems with my Rovex 5000 Nexiums, they always clicked off bait runner mode while the boat was going in. (No problems with the Rovex 7000, Shimanos or Okumas)

Anyways, when I questioned this at Solomons, I was informed that switching to bait runner mode when taking lines in with a bait boat would damage the reel.....is this true? I would hate to damage my reels, thus any advise would be appreciated.
 

Monsoonwave

New member
Thanks - also learned a valuable lesson here, and I have done the same with my baitrunners! No wonder they feel a bit run down! (good excuse though to buy new ones):)
 

Boerboel

New member
Hennie is correct, always open your bail arm when taking out your lines, as it will damage your reels, but it also causes a lot of line twist
 

HennieB

Sealiner
Opening the bail arm is the best way, it puts the least amount of wear on the reels and won't cause line twists.
 

Enigma

Moderator
Open bail arm to reduce line twist.

The baitrunner clicker is a very small plate, even smaller than the one on the spool drag and will lose it's spring or snap off with constant taking in of lines.

Rather hold the rod in hand and feather the line as it is released from the spool keeping tension on it. Once the bait has dropped use the swing arm to draw the bow out of the line and set it taught
 

carpoholic

New member
Only let down with taking line(mono) out with open bail is that the line will snag(stick) on the spool a lot.This is okay when using baitboat as you can just help it on by hand when it does stick.

It is however a different story when taking your rod out by canoe or duck.when dropping your bait and heading out towards the bank with the bail arm open,more often than not,your line will stick and drag your weight a bit.This happened to me countless times when I was still fishing mono main line,so I closed bail arm,problem solved.I would rather mess up my free run ticker and know that my bait is lying where I left it.To me baitrunner function is overrated anyway.Another advantage was that I could here my line running off the spool with the bail arm closed.In heavy winds with bail arm open you need to feather or brake your line with one hand,whiles holding the rod with other hand,controlling the motor's speed and direction,just to avoid a massive loop in your line.with the bail arm closed you got a spare hand to help do other things.The resistance it takes to turn the spool when heading out makes for less slack line in the water.I would buy baitrunner just for this reason.

It all depends on your method of fishing and placement.If you buy a single drag reel,make sure you always open the bail when taking lines in or out.With braid,no problem!
I had and sold my shimano 10000's after fishing them like this for three years,all tickers still worked.
 

HennieB

Sealiner
I only drop my lines via dinghy and always open the bail arm, never had any issues. What I do is to the line a bit on the spool, makes peeling off a bit smoother and I only fish with mono.

Each to his own.
 

MadCarper

Sealiner
I know what you're saying carpoholic, you do get the line to stick abit sometimes when taking the rod back to the bank. But it was never really a problem for me and i used to fish 3-4 rods often at long range... I'd say the number of times the line really stuck bad enough that I had to reposition the rig, I can count on my one hand in the last 5-6 years. It would normally happen when the line has taken some abuse and needs replacing that it would happen. I suppose you could just keep the bail-arm closed and just loosen the drag enough, but i'd be worried about line twists then...:)

But hey, just shows, men CAN multitask hahaha.... Taking the line back to the bank, holding the rod pointing past the back of the boat, keeping finger on the spool, keeping an eye on the line coming off, steering the boat, looking that you're going straight, and keeping an eye out for canoes and other boats, all at the same time, HAHAHA!!!!! Met Eish JA!!!!!! :kaykak:pad::
 
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