If you’re a bait fisherman, and most of us are on some days, then you’ll know that having a fishing reel with a baitrunner or baitfeeder mode is a key feature to being successful on the water.
They give you the ability to feed the bait and get a solid hookset without the hassles of playing around with your drag.
After considering all the options our top picks were…
In this article, we have rounded up some of the best baitrunner reels on the market and compared them against each other, so you can find the best one for your fishing needs.
Our Best Three
These are our favorite reels from the review.
Best All-Rounder
Penn Fierce III Baitrunner Reel
The combination of the full metal body, side plate, and a carbon fiber multi-disk drag system comes together to create a durable, quality, and robust saltwater reel.
Penn Fierce III Baitrunner Reel
The best all-rounder reel is about being as good as a reel can be but for a good price.
It should do everything well, be durable, have good features but not make you wince when you see the price tag.
The best allrounder reel from the reviews is the Penn Fierce III Baitrunner Reel.
It’s the ideal balance between quality and price with an awesome set of fishing tools, a solid baitfeeder mode, a pretty smooth drag, and the promise of lasting durability.
Best on a Budget
Yoshikawa Baitfeeder Spinning Reel
A great value piece of equipment that does the job but not as reliably as the more expensive options.
Yoshikawa Baitfeeder Spinning Reel
This spinning reel does the basics well.
It’ll last for a long time, be durable, have all the tech you need, and have the lowest price possible.
The best on a budget from the reel reviews is the Yoshikawa Baitfeeder Spinning Reel.
It’s durable, well-made, comes with the specs of more expensive options, and the baitfeeder mode is awesome.
You can’t ask for much more at this price.
Editor’s Choice
Shimano Baitrunner D Spinning Reel
A spinning reel made with a high maximum drag, large line capacity and the spool is made for heavy-duty line/braid. If you love your inshore and light offshore fishing, this is one of the best baitrunner reel to consider.
Shimano Baitrunner D Spinning Reel
After considering the reviews online as well as my own fishing experience, the Shimano Baitrunner D Spinning Reel line is my favorite choice of reels.
The price is a bit high but this along with the respected brand denotes quality and reliability. Whilst being a dream to use it is also built with durableness in mind.
All the features added to this model really do pay off in terms of casting and line management, plus the basics such as the smooth retrieve, bait feeder mode, and drag system are all top class.
Our Baitrunner Reels Of Choice
Here are all the top reels we reviewed.
We’ve lined out our top picks for baitrunner reels and pitted them against each other.
Each one’s a winner in its own right and they all have their different strengths.
Let’s take a close look at each one of them…
Best All-Rounder
Penn Fierce III Baitrunner Reel
The combination of the full metal body, side plate, and a carbon fiber multi-disk drag system comes together to create a durable, quality, and robust saltwater fishing reel.
Penn Fierce III Baitrunner Reel
The Penn Fierce III is one of the best baitrunner reels around.
Sizes
It comes in a range of sizes from 2000 to 8000, covering most fishing situations from freshwater species to most near-shore species.
However, the smallest model isn’t quite small enough for ultralight enthusiasts.
The combination of the full metal body, plate on the side, and a carbon fiber multi-disk drag system comes together to create a durable, quality, and robust saltwater reel.
Drag
The drag is smooth as silk and when combined with the Live Liner mode, is guaranteed to ensure you don’t miss a bite.
The Live Liner mode is adjustable, so you can preset the tension while in free-spool. Allowing you to feel even the most sensitive bites while fishing, also disengaging as soon as you turn the handle.
This means you’re automatically in fight mode when hooking up and there is no need to move your hands around during the fight.
Retrieve
The retrieve is quick and smooth thanks to the 4 stainless-steel ball bearings and the excellent gear ratio.
It also features a high line capacity, a super line spool to aid with management of line, and a heavy-duty aluminum spool bail wire.
Overall it’s an excellent fishing reel, made of durable materials with top features.
Specs
- Reel Size- 2500 Reel
- Mono Capacity Yd/Lb – 255/6 175/8 140/10
- Braid Capacity Yd/Lb – 240/10 220/15 160/20
- Bearing Count – 5 stainless steel ball bearings
- Max Drag – 12lb | 5.4kg
- Gear Ratio – 6.2:1
- Retrieve Rate- 33" | 84cm
- Weight- 12.30 Oz
- Handle Position- Right/Left
- Anti reverse Feature – Instant Anti Reverse
Pros
- Easy to engage the drag from the live line mode with a turn of the handle
- You can adjust the tension in live liner mode
- Made from quality and durable materials that will last for a long time
- Stainless-steel ball bearings and excellent gear ratio for quick and smooth retrieve
- Carbon fiber multi-disk drag system
- Comes in a range of sizes to suit most fish species
Cons
- The smallest model size is a bit heavy for super light fishing
Best on a Budget
Yoshikawa Baitfeeder Spinning Reel
A great value piece of equipment that does the job but not as reliably as the more expensive options.
Yoshikawa Baitfeeder Spinning Reel
Yoshikawa is a lesser-known brand but they still design and make quality fishing products and this baitrunner fishing reel is no exception.
The spinning reel comes in 4 different sizes to suit light freshwater and inshore fishing.
It can also withstand being used in the sea.
These spinning reels feature a front drag and rear drag system with a baitfeeder.
Baitfeeder Mode
To use the baitfeeder, you simply flip the lever at the base.
You can then adjust the tension using the rear drag system.
To turn off baitfeeder mode, just wind once and your pre-set top drag will be engaged. This system is very easy and the adjustability is ideal for getting the correct setting for sensitive or powerful bites.
Once fighting the fish, you can also move the bottom drag for adjustments to save your fingers from getting in amongst the line.
Gear Ratio and Ball Bearings
The Yoshikawa Baitfeeder Spinning Reel also comes with a high gear ratio and a high number of ball bearings, 10+1 to be exact, giving you a smooth and fast retrieve. This is ideal for when every crank matters and a fish is trying to dash for snags. The only downside is there is some give in the handle.
Spool
The spool is made from machined CNC aluminum and comes braid ready
This is ideal for filling your line and the aluminum means it’s guaranteed to last life in the salt. They’ve also designed it well to ensure the line rolls off smoothing for long easy casting.
It’s a great value piece of equipment that does the job but not as reliably as the more expensive options.
Specs
- Reel Size – 2500
- Weigh:15.0 Oz
- Max Drag: 28lb
- Line Cap.(Lbs/Yds):8/220,10/165,12/130
- Anti Reverse System
- Handle – Right/Left
- Gear Ratio: 5.5:1
Pros
- Excellent baitfeeder mode for easy hookups
- Dual drag system makes it easy to adjust mid-fight
- Comes in a good range of sizes to suit most species
- Made of durable materials and built for the sea
Cons
- There is some give in the body when winding
- Not as robust as more expensive reels
Editor’s Choice
Shimano Baitrunner D Spinning Reel
Made with a high maximum drag, large line capacity and the spool is made for heavy-duty line/braid. If you love your inshore and light offshore fishing, this is one of the baitrunner reels to consider.
Shimano Baitrunner D Spinning Reel
Shimano fishing reels are known to be legendary.
You might have to spend a bit more but it’s worth it for what you’re getting.
After all, fishing time these days is hard to come by and the last thing you want is your fishing reel to fail while you’re out there.
This Shimano baitrunner spinning reel is made for sea fishing as you can see by the specs below.
Each Shimano Baitrunner spinning reel is made with a high max drag, large line capacity and the spool is made for heavy-duty line/braid.
If you love your inshore and light offshore fishing, this is one of the best baitrunner reels to consider.
Build and Features
The materials used are all excellent and are made to survive life in the salt.
Being Shimano, the spinning reel also comes with a bunch of extra features.
This spinning reel features a secondary drag system that allows free spooling with the bail closed and allows your bait to move naturally.
They have built-in Dyna-Balance technology to remove any wobbling while fishing and to add some extra smoothness to your retrieve.
Oval Oscillation & Propulsion Line Management
There is an Oval Oscillation gear that ensures a consistent spool speed to give you even line lay, and a Propulsion Line Management System to reduce backlashes and assist with casting.
Baitrunner Mode
The baitrunner mode is simple, just flick a switch to engage and disengage free spool. It works pretty well but over time the switch can stiffen up a bit.
Being a sea fishing reel, the models have a high weight and are heavy to cast with, plus you won’t find one for ultralight fishing.
Specs
- Reel Size – 4000 Reel
- Mono Capacity Lb/Yd – 8/240, 10/200, 12/160
- Braid Capacity Lb/Yd – 15/270, 20/190, 40/145
- Bearing Count – 4
- Max Drag – 15lb
- Gear Ratio – 4.8:1
- Retrieve Rate- 28”
- Weight-13.5 Oz
- Handle Position- Right/Left
Pros
- Ideal for targeting bigger fish species and sea fishing
- Excellent maximum drag and line capacity
- High quality and smooth baitrunner mode
- Oval Oscillation gear that ensures a consistent spool speed
- Built-in Dyna-Balance technology to remove any wobbling while fishing
Cons
- Made for larger species, no ultralight fishing model
- Heavy to cast with all-day
- The baitrunner switch can stick after a long while
Okuma Avenger ABF B Baitrunner Reel
One of Okuma’s best baitrunner reel and it features a dual drag system, one normal, and one for the baitfeeder so you can adjust the tension to suit you
Okuma Avenger ABF B Baitrunner Reel
Okuma is a well-known brand that makes a great fishing reel.
They have a knack for providing quality with a great price and the Avenger baitrunner reels are no different.
Dual Drag
This is one of their best baitrunner reels and it features a dual drag, one normal, and one for the baitfeeder so you can adjust the tension to suit you, but it can be a bit unpredictable on rare occasions.
To engage the baitfeeder drag system, simply flick the switch while fishing and disengage with one crank of the fishing reel to hook up.
Easy to Use
It’s simple and easy to operate and is one of the best reels Okuma makes and is up there with Shimano.
The range offers a fishing reel for every occasion, from ultralight freshwater to heavy inshore/light offshore with a high line capacity and maximum drag.
Gear Ratio & Durability
Each of the Avenger ABF B baitrunner reels comes with a high gear ratio and six ball bearings to give a smooth and fast retrieve, ideal for both bait fishing and normal spinning.
This Avenger ABF B is also made to be tough and is made from advanced materials that ensure it lasts day after day.
Specs
- Reel Size- ABF-20b
- Line Capacity Lb/Yd/Mm – 190/4 (0.17), 110/6 (0.22), 90/8 (0.25)
- Bearing Count – 7
- Max Drag – 8lb
- Gear Ratio – 5.0:1
- Retrieve Rate- 25”
- Weight- 8.9 Oz
- Handle Position- R/L
Pros
- A great range from ultralight to heavy inshore
- Excellent value for money
- Durable and tough, you can treat it mean
Cons
- A little heavy for long days of casting
- Baitfeeder drag system is a bit unpredictable
Shimano Baitrunner Reel OC
One of the top Shimano baitrunners reels around and is a little different from your average baitrunner as it’s design is purely for sea fishing
Shimano Baitrunner Reel OC
This is one of the top Shimano baitrunners reels around and is a little different from your average baitrunner as it’s design is purely for saltwater fishing.
Ball Bearings
The bearings are double shielded to stop anything nasty getting in there and each model comes with high max drag and a large spool to give you a high line capacity while fishing for large fish species in the ocean.
Extra Features
As with any baitrunner Shimano makes, you get a ton of quality features with it too.
The OC comes with Dyna-balance to reduce any wobble during the retrieve, solid Fluid Drive II gears to increase each cranks efficiency, their propulsion line management system, and great anti-reverse.
Overall
All these come together to make spinning reels that cast exceptionally well, can handle the salt, and put a hurt on large sea species.
The baitfeeder mode is similar to most using a switch at the bottom to engage and simply crank to disengage.
Specs
- Reel Size- 4000
- Line Capacity Lb/Yd – 4/219
- Braid Capacity Lb/Yd – 15/265
- Bearing Count – 4
- Max Drag – 15.4lb
- Gear Ratio – 4.8:1
- Retrieve Rate- 28”
- Weight- 13.4 Oz
- Handle Position- R/L
Pros
- Great baitfeeder mode
- Ideal for sea fishing
- Well made with some great added tech
- Super large spool for great line capacity
Cons
- Not made for light line fishing
- A bit weighty for heavy casting days
KastKing Sharky Baitfeeder III
One of the best reel Kastking produces. The Kastking Sharky Baitfeeder III models come in 4 sizes from 3000-6000 to cover light freshwater fishing all the way up to heavy inshore. And it’s pretty light on your wallet too.
KastKing Sharky Baitfeeder III
This KastKing Sharky Baitfeeder fishing reel is one of the best baitrunner reels Kastking produces. The Kastking Sharky Baitfeeder III comes in 4 sizes from 3000-6000 to cover light freshwater fishing all the way up to heavy inshore. And it’s pretty light on your wallet too.
Build
This Kastking Sharky baitrunner fishing reel is made from quality durable materials designed to last a long time in salt or freshwater.
Each of the Kastking Sharky Baitfeeder III models comes with a large spool, high line capacity, a smooth and quick retrieve rate, plus a high max drag and solid drag system. The KastKing Sharky is also one of the best catfish fishing gear, so it won’t let you down if you plan on using it to catch those monster cats.
Drag System
The Kastking Sharky Baitfeeder III uses a multi-disc carbon fiber drag system that’s tough and super smooth.
This Kastking baitrunner fishing reel is surprisingly light for its power and size which is a huge design benefit while spinning and casting for long hours.
Baitfeeder Mode
To engage the baitfeeder mode you can simply flick a switch at the base and to disengage you can crank the handle once or simply flick the switch again.
For all it’s positives, there are some negatives about this fishing reel, but only a few. The baitfeeder mode won’t disengage sometimes after a while in the field, but this can probably be fixed with some good maintenance.
The other drawback of this fishing reel is that the body can flex a lot when fighting a heavy load, especially in a strong current. This will affect your fight and crank efficiency quite a lot.
Specs
- Reel Size- 3000
- Line Capacity Lb/Yd – 6/305, 8/210, 10/180
- Braid Capacity Mm/Yd – 0.30/140, 0.25/200, 0.20/330
- Bearing Count – 11
- Max Drag – 17.64 Lb
- Gear Ratio – 5.1:1
- Retrieve Rate- 29.9”
- Handle Position- Right/Left
Pros
- Relatively lightweight for long days of constant casting
- Good gear ratios for a smooth, fast retrieve
- Comes with and extra spool for quick changeovers
- Multi-disc carbon fiber drag system that’s tough and super smooth
- Simple and easy baitfeeder system
- Made from durable materials
Cons
- The body flexes a lot under pressure
- Baitfeeder mode doesn’t disengage sometimes
Okuma Ceymar Baitfeeder
I.deal for those on a budget looking for a quality fishing reel at a good price. It’s light, easy to manage, and full of handy features.
Okuma Ceymar Baitfeeder
Review
The Okuma Ceymar Baitfeeder is probably the best baitrunner fishing reel Okuma makes for freshwater fishing. It’s light, easy to manage, and full of handy features.
It’s also ideal for those on a budget looking for a quality fishing reel at a pretty good price.
Build
The body of this fishing reel is made from graphite, the spool and handle are aluminum and the drag consists of a multi-disc oil felt drag system which is smooth as butter. These are all very durable materials that will stand the test of time.
Elliptical Gear System
The fishing reel also comes with a precision elliptical gear system to reduce friction while casting, this is in order to help improve both casting distance and accuracy, which we all want that extra help with.
Gear
The fishing reel gears are housed in a rotor equalizing system to remove any wobble and to keep the gears aligned as well as smooth.
This ensures you get maximum efficiency out of every crank, which comes in handy when fighting a stubborn fish.
Line Capacity, Retrieve Rate, & Baitfeeder Mode
The line capacity and retrieve rate are high enough on every model of this spinning reel thanks to the large spool.
The baitfeeder mode is simple and can be engaged/disengaged with the flick of a switch and a crank.
There are some negatives to these baitrunner reels, but they are minor.
The grip on the handle isn’t very solid, which can become a problem when fighting a big fish.
Also, the clicker in baitfeeder mode is a little quiet so be sure to look out for it, or you might miss a bite or two.
Specs
- Reel Size- 330
- Line Capacity Mm/Yd – 0.20/240, 0.25/155, 0.30/110
- Bearing Count – 3
- Max Drag – 6.6 Lb
- Gear Ratio – 5.0:1
- Retrieve Rate- 25”
- Weight- 8.18 Oz
- Handle Position- Right/Left
Pros
- Very lightweight, ideal for long days and light freshwater fishing
- Sensitive and well functioning baitfeeder mode
- Comes with an extra spool for changing mono/braid sizes on the water
- Precision elliptical gear system to reduce friction while casting and improve casting distance and accuracy
- Includes a water and dirt intrusion protection system
- Has a smooth retrieve and solid maximum drag
Cons
- The handle grip is a little small and flimsy
- The clicker in baitfeeder mode is a bit quiet
- Not made for use in the ocean
A Buyer’s Guide To Baitrunner Reels
When it comes to buying a new baitfeeder fishing reel, there are a few important questions to ask yourself.
Here we have put together everything you need to know about baitrunner or baitfeeder reels (they are the same) to help make sure you’ll find the best one for you.
When To Use A Baitrunner Reel
The key is in the name here and the best time to use a baitrunner fishing reel is when fishing with bait.
Bait describes quite a broad category and it can be a whole dead fish, chunks of meat, or something else and live bait.
When you’re bait fishing, you need to give the fish a good amount of time to taste the bait before setting the hook.
This means allowing the fish to run with the bait without feeling any resistance.
Once you think the fish has had enough time to take the bait into its mouth, you can disengage and set the hook.
This is what the baitfeeder feature allows you to do.
What Is A Baitrunner Reel?
A baitrunner fishing reel is like a spinning reel with an added baitfeeder feature.
This feature allows your fishing reel to go from free spool or minimal drag pressure to your chosen pressure setting, at the flick of a switch or button.
So what you’re getting is a spinning reel with all the normal features plus a bait-running/feeding system on top.
How To Use A Baitrunner Fishing Reel
Using a baitfeeder is easy…
You simply attach your bait, set your drag, and then cast your bait to where you think a fish is lurking, just like you would with any normal spinning reel.
Then you engage the baitfeeder mode.
TIP
How you do this may differ with each model but it’s usually done by flicking a switch or button.
Baitfeeder Mode
When the baitfeeder mode is engaged, the line and bait will run off the reel freely or with very low resistance.
When a fish eats your bait, you’re going to wait for 3-5 seconds or more and allow it to take the line in baitfeeder mode.
This gives the fish time to taste the bait and hold it in its mouth.
Once you’re satisfied that the fish has it, you flick the switch taking the reel out of baitfeeder mode to engage the drag and set the hook.
You can now fight with your normal settings that you preset at the beginning.
Why Are Baitrunner Reels Useful?
It can be a bit of a nightmare trying to manually take your spinning reel from zero to the correct drag setting in a matter of seconds whilst also trying to hookup.
You’d have to set your fishing reel to free spool mode and then turn it up again once you’re trying to hook a fish.
Getting this done in terms of timing and finding the exact setting amongst all the excitement is almost impossible.
With a baitfeeder, all you have to do is flick a switch at the correct time and the rest is done for you.
It lowers the likelihood of mistakes, lost fish, and lost tackle during a run.
What Makes The Best Baitrunner Reel?
Now that we know what a baitrunner fishing reel is like, plus when and how to operate one, here are the key features to look out for.
A Reliable Baitfeeder Mode
Baitrunner features on a spinning reel range across fishing reel brands.
The most important quality you’ll need is the ability for it to engage smoothly.
This will take your fishing reel from zero drag to your set drag without any hang-ups so you can feed the bait, hookup and fight immediately.
If the baitrunner was to stick, turn on and off, or simply fail, you would risk losing a lot of bites, bait, and possibly a lot of tackle.
Durability
Durability is one of the most important attributes of any baitrunner reel.
Like any other gear, the last thing you need is for a fishing reel to fail after a short term.
This is especially important with a baitrunner as you’ll most likely want to take it out on both your freshwater and saltwater fishing trips.
Seawater is unkind to reels and it’s important to ensure the baitrunner fishing reel you choose can handle being rocked around a salty environment.
RECOMMENDATION
Make sure the spinning reel you choose is made from quality durable materials like graphite, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, or carbon fiber.
A good sea fishing reel will be sealed or come with a kind of protection system to stop sand, dirt, water, and salt getting into the inner workings.
Features
Every baitrunner fishing reel comes with its own set of features to differentiate it from others in the marketplace.
There are some key things to look out for in the fishing reel you choose and the most important ones are line capacity, the drag system and drag power.
Make sure to check and take a close look at those features.
Drag System
The drag system will define how smooth the drag is and how long-lasting it is.
Both the line capacity and drag power of your fishing reel need to correspond to the size of the fish species you’re looking to catch.
Line Capacity
The bigger the fish, the more line you’ll need on your reel, and the more drag power strength you’ll need to stop it with.
Every type of fishing reel comes in a range of sizes.
The larger the size, the more line you may fit on the spool, and the more powerful the drag.
TIP
Make sure to get the best baitrunner that suits the size of the species you plan on targeting.
Conclusion
Let’s take a quick look at our top three picks…
Best on a Budget
Money wise, I think the best fishing reel on a budget is the Yoshikawa Baitfeeder Spinning Reel.
It’s the least expensive of all in the review but still comes with excellent features, a solid range for a variety of fishing types, and a good baitfeeder drag system.
Plus it’s pretty durable too.
There are some drawbacks as mentioned in the review, but this is always the case when on a budget.
Best All-Rounder
For an allrounder reel, the Penn Fierce III fishing reel is a fantastic choice.
It’s the combination of durable materials, trusted Penn features, saltwater protection, and the awesome live liner mode that make it such a tough contender.
It’s perfect for freshwater and semi-heavy ocean fishing and comes in at a very reasonable price too.
In my opinion, the best fishing reel has to be the Baitrunner D from Shimano.
Editor’s Choice
If you’re not on a budget and looking for the best option out there, this is it.
Made with the Shimano quality that we all know and trust, this is the model you go for when you know you’re up against big fish.
It comes packed full of additions from the high maximum drag, large spool, and high line capacity, to the adjustable baitfeeder mode to make your days on the water easier and have a more enjoyable fishing experience.
If you find this article helpful, Feel free to share it!
It might help someone you know find a baitfeeder reel they like.
And also don’t forget to read my other articles. There are many to choose from like the Best Underspin Reels or this KastKing Stealth detailed review . We have a lot of info that you may need. Don’t hesitate to check them out.
