Baitfeeding spinning reels

[Crickschop04]

Anybody use these? I was just looking for ideas on Brand/model I'll be using this mainly for channels with a possibilty of a couple of Flattie trips. I am almost exclusively a shore fisherman so I don't want to spend too much on a reel thats gonna get at least a little beat up.

ps-I'm currently looking at the Okuma line.

[Flaco651]

The Okumas and the Cabelas salt striker would be good choices.

[Shack]

I could be wrong, but I think Cabelas is fazing out the Salt Stricker.

I got one a couple weeks back and it was from the BC in back. I did get it at about 40% (of) the retail price and I do love this reel.

[DARK30]

That Penn Slammer Live Liner reel has caught my eye. I had planned on checking it out at the sport show but nobody had one. I want to handle one before buying it if possible. It looks to me like a great all around HD spinning system good for both rannel rats and mudeyes.

Maybe I can find one out East next week.

[jtk15]

I have both Okuma and Saltstrikers-both in the department your looking for-low price, and durable for the price. Cabelas had had baitfeeding saltstrikers in the cave for over two years now. Just be sure to check there rather than paying the full retail....I did the same thing the last time I was in the market. For the discounted price, I would get another saltstriker over the okuma solely based on price-equally happy with both.

I had heard at one point, they are actually both Okuma's.

jk

[TRKNUTZ]

Just got the Cabela's Salt Striker SSBF-80. this is a big reel. I've got it mounted on a Cabela's 7'2" Whooping Stick. A great combo that will withstand the heavest of channel or flats.

[slipperybob]

I personally don't, just becuase I'm using a baitcaster. The thing I find just a little weird is that the thumb bar on my Cardiff 400A is right shifted. Granted the lever is on the right side and all, but it took me a while to adjust as since the smaller sized baitcasters have a thumbar flushed with the length of the spool. The other thing I factored in my decision was also weight. Baitrunner/baitfeeders are great, but because of the extra component, they also tend to be heavier.

If anything else a fighting drag feature on a Shimano Symetre 4000 reel is near the same thing as the baitfeeder/baitrunner system. It's designed more for bass but should work very well for catfish.

[icehousebob]

I have a Salt Striker SS65 on a 9 ft. MH Whuppin Stick that has 50# Power Pro that I know can handle 20# Channels. My new one for this season is a Mitchell 7500 Fullrunner spinning reel with 80# Tufline. It has the baitrunner drag on it that should work well. I have it on an 8ft. H UglyStick. If it doesn't work for Flatheads, I can always use it to tow trucks with. I have trouble with baitcasting reels so almost all of my rods are spinning rods.

[keith schultz]

crickschop04,

Ihave asilstar reel rxb70m i've had it for 5yrs plus it never let me down. but what you buy you should take care of. Caught a 35lb samon with it last yr at two rivers Wi. they are not cheap.went to cabelas also to look at the penn, but they did not have it . the new style you turn the handle and it sets the lever back to fighting position automaticly the one ihave you have to do it manuly.