Shimano Bait Runner 3500 vs Penn LiveLiners

[Scott]

I have formed some real general opinions but would like to hear others thoughts on these reels.
I just finished a 7’ spin rod 12-20 lb class and I would like to put one of these reels on it. Anyone have experience with both reels ?? One or the other ???


Thanks !!!

[Capt Chuck]

Scott

The Penn "Slammer" version LiveLiner is a little pricey. I just snagged a Penn Captiva Liveliner CLL5000 on eBay for $44. It appears pretty solid. I filled it with 20lb PowerPro line. I am strickly using it for live bait catching, replacing my old Penn #710. I have not had much time testing it yet. It has 10 ball bearings vs Shimanos 3. The retrieve ratio is 5.2 to 1 vs Shimanos 4.6 to 1. It does weigh 4 oz more than shimano but the #4000 weighs the same. I like the appearance and smoothness better. It appears to have a better drag assembly on the LiveLine feature than does the Baitrunner. The cost was also a big factor in my purchase [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Come on down and I'll let you test it out on some dolphin [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Scott]

Come on down and I'll let you test it out on some dolphin [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Lets go man !!!

I really like the Slammer reels but that liveliner version does gets up there in cost.

Never thought about that reel. and it would go better with the colors on the rod .... You know its that Gucci thing [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]


Oh and the 710 ... I have one of them ... The green version [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

[peterb]

I have two baitrunners (4300's I think) and both have broken on me. I have had better luck wiht the Penn 4500 and 5500's

[Scott]

Peter ...What happened to them ??

[peterb]

The anti reverse broke on both of them

[warthog5]

I have nothing but Shimano Bait Runner's.
I love them.
1]350 old style
1]650 old style
2] 3500's
2] 6500's

The 650 has been in the shop once for a antirevurse spring.

[John R]

I am disgusted with the amount of corrosion in my Penn 975 conventional and the arrogance of some Penn employees (management) on my website. The arrogance was noted in the spring, the corrosion was noticed this week.

As far as reliability, you are hard pressed to beat an older 704Z converted to a manual pickup or a plain old 706Z (almost same reel stock bailless). While I am very impressed with my Van Staal I still can't justify the $650 retail price and have a hard time swalling the super deal I got on one.

The Shimanos are nice but don't like getting dunked much, the recent Penns are not the stalwart of fishing the used to be...

How much you willing to spend on a real??