Need your help.... ideas ?

[Fish Chris]

I know I've asked about this before, but don't remember any solutions.....

How can I turn a non-bait runner type of spinning reel, into a bait runner ?

I'm just tired of holding my microlight, bail open, and finger on the edge of the spool, until my bait gets blasted, at which point I lift my finger and let them run.....

What can I use to put "enough holding power on the line" (adjustable pressure would be beneficial, depending the tide, strength of the bait fish, etc) but which will release, and let the line flow freely, after it gets blasted ???

I have loosened my drag all the way up, then when it starts singing, I pick up the rod, flip the bail open "and try" to get the drag back to the correct setting quickly.... but that can be a big PITA, as with the line spinning off of the spool, it will try to catch your hand.... Urgggg....

Ideas please ?

Thank you,

Fish

I promise I won't forget this time, as I will need a good idea for tommorrow...

[Fish Chris]

Not to answer my own question..... and I'm still open to any better ideas...

But I was thinking about this:

How about taking a small stick of styrofoam. I usually have a good chunk of it with me anyway, for use as floats.

I'm thinking it could be cut maybe as thick as a pencil, and 2" long, but of course the size could be adjusted, as required.

So, I could wrap my line around the center of it, just a couple times, then let it pull up to the back of the first guide, with the bail open.

As soon as it gets blasted, the little stick of styrofoam breaks, in half, and the line is free to peel off.

Do you see any problems with this ?

Fish

[Triton21]

How about putting a rubber band on spool that is just barely tight enough to keep the line from unspooling. That way you could close the bail at the proper moment to set the hook.  You could put the rubber band on the reel skirt or just let it ride on the line when casting.

Kelley

[Lund Explorer]

Kelley got close to how we use a rubber band. Move it onto the rod handle.

Take a medium thin rubber band, spin it a couple of times around the rod handle where it sits directly above the spool on the reel. After casting out, close the bail on the reel, pull out a little slack line and place the loop under the rubber band, then re-open the bail.

When the fish hits, you should see a little bit of loading on the rod tip prior to the loop of line comes free. If you want extra help seeing the bite, tie a small string of brightly colored yarn onto the line just past the rod tip. It is easier to watch the yarn leaving the rod if you don't want to stare at the rod all day.

BTW, the line from the spool to the loop should be tight.

[WRB]

Chris, when I fished with live bait years ago, I use a paper clip taped to the rod between the reel and first guide, open end facing the first guide. Make loop in the line and slide the loop between the open clip end. You add pressure with how tape the clip and where you place the line in the clip.

Tom

[Chris at Tech]

Sounds like what a guide did on a sailfish trip I took a year back

Open the bail and secure the line through a loose loop of wire that's connected to the rod.  It's strong enough to not release when bait is swimming, but light enough to release when a fish picks it up.

[Fish Chris]

Hey much thanks guys.

That rubberband one around the handle sounds pretty simple too.

Hmmmm.....

Cool.

So now what I need, is some big Stripers to test this out on

I'm about as confident as I ever am though. It's just been so consistent.... About 10 bites, 5 hookups, and 2 or 3, nice 8 to 25 lb fish in the boat, every trip, for the last 8 trips or so !

And a great tide tomorrow ! No rain ! Getting over this cold.... It's freaking on tomorrow !

Peace,

Fish

[5bass]

[movedhere] General Bass Fishing Forum [move by] five.bass.limit.

[Bassn Blvd]

U need one of these.

http://www.tackledirect.com/shimano-baitrunner-btr4000d-spinning-reel.html

Also, Google "Shimano Baitrunner."

[Hamby]

He stated that he wants to use a non-bait runner type real in the same way...so obviously he knows what a bait runner is.