The aerlex xs is a big pit reel for £50.

http://www.birdstackle.com/shimano-sp/shimano_aerlex_xs_reels.html

The okuma interceptor 65 is a free spool reel for £30.

http://www.swiftys-fishing-tackle.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=5287

I'm goona be using them on a france fishing holiday and only really have a reel budget of upto £50. Also how do big pit reels work, if the dont have a baitrunner, do you just have to totally loosen the drag and then hold onto the spool when striking and then tightne up when playing?

oh dear, how did we survive before baitrunners?

Why do you need a baitrunner Danny?

If you are unable to know the difference between a reel with or without a baitrunner and what it is used for and why, then you should be fishing your local cut for sliver fish until you've gained some knowledge.

i know what a baitrunner is mate. Flip the switch and line is let out when the fish takes the bait, used with a bolt rig. I've also got a shimano 6010GT. I just cant afford another one of them at the moment. I just want to know which would be a better reel for me to purchase on my other carp rod, a big pit reel or the okuma baitrunner? What one would you choose?

If your going to be fishing at range then opt for a big pit reel.Yes you do have to losen the drag and tighten up when playing the fish unless you get a free-spool system.Diawa do a "universal bite and run converter" but i doubt it fits shimano reels.Why choose the aerlex over Diawa Emblem S or emcasts?

You should be able to pick up a Shimano 6010 or similar on ebay for under £50. It will ofcourse be second hand but many have only been used a few times and so should still be in realy good nick. In my opinion a second hand Shimano for £50 will always be better than a brand new Okuma or similar budget reel.

Danny,£50 isn`t going to get you alot in the way of reels,what are you useing at the moment?
You can allway`s fish close in or closer still the margin`s.

well i'm using at the moment a shimano hyperloop rod 2.75lbs and a shimano 5010GT with 12lb mono mainline on rod one, but rod two I've got a red wold 2.5 test curve carp rod and looking for a reel to acompany it as my shimano alivio is a bit cheap and worn. I've been looking at the okuma interceptor baitrunner reel for 29.99 thats been gettin good reviews or a shimano aerlex big pit reel.

I' gonna be using them for carping on a campsite lake in france (la croix du viuex pont, berny riverie, Paris region) and the River Aisne for carp. The lake has a high no of 30s and and 40s and most days you catch around 15 - 20 fish, its great fishing.. The river has them running to 50 but not as good fishing.

However I may try to pick up a shimano 6010 or 5010 on ebay. I'm gonna be doing all styles of fishing. What would you recommend me to get?

the people who run the sites sell the fish from time to time....

its not a huge lake from what i've read/seen and a lot of its close range, wouldnt worry about a big pit specially as its not really a big pit rod...go for the okumas, actually quite well made, probably better thn a 6010 thats been hammered...

Michael,I use Daiwa Emblem x`s4500, I think, have only used them for about 4 years but can`t be bothered to go and check,anyway I use a line clip on the rod,set the drag before you cast,cast, reel the slack in,clip to the indicator, open bale arm, set the hight of the indicator and then clip up to the rod clip,you can try it the way you discribed but if you are near weed or snags,you could be in trouble the time you have set the drag.

Thanks for the help, have you seen or read much on the lake - la croix du vieux pont , berny rivere, Paris lately. Would be interesting to see how the place is doing and what sort of weights are being pulled out recently. Going there early august and looking forward to it!

Probably go for the okuma then!

Leave the Okumas in the shop! They are sh*te and wont last much longer than one season. I have had them before used them a few times and then flogged them to the first idiot to come along. Stick with Shimano and they will never let you down. I had a pair of Shimano 8010s for 10 years and thay never let me down. I sold them a couple of months ago for around £50 each.
Not bad money hey for a 10 yaer old reel but that just shows you how good they are.

Buy quality and you will never be disapointed and will probably save you money in the long term.

The baitrunner GTEs are ok but i play fish off the drag and drag system on the baitrunner is terrible.If it decides to work then its uneven and stiff.

I've used my friends okuma interceptor baitrunner and its pretty smooth I must say and the drags nice, but it is new. I've got a 5010GT and I've noticed the drag is, well its good but i've used better, it is un even I must say at times. The okuma 65 is only 29.99 so it aint that bad if it goes wrong and from the raving reviews, it doesnt look that bad. I prob just try and get a decent reel off ebay!

Okumas are ok, Shimanos are better, but on a budget the Okumas are great value for the money.

yeah but i've noticed my shimano 5010GT is a liitle stiff on the drag, is the RE series better?

My Shimano's drags are fine all you people having problems when was the last time they were serviced.

Yeah I took my 5010GT aero apart today greased it and the drag is great. I really am impressed. So much so that i'm gonna get a 8010.

Okuma's being advertised in the mags are currently being sold with a 5 year guarantee!

Never used one myself!

I have never used an Okuma so I can't comment. What I can say is that the Aerlex reels certainly do the job. They are great for casting and I caught a 30.08lb mirror carp on mine just last week.

Joskin,
So Okumas are sh--e,are they ,glad to read your obviously scientific and informed post,Not.
Okumas are excellent value and in the more expensive models will give any shimano more than enough competition.
Danny,
Ignore Big Riks comments,which were condescending and hardely encouraging,and not everyone has oodles of money to spend on the latest cult reel.
In my humble opinion,a £50 quid Okuma is an excellent reel,and an absolute bargain.
Good Luck,
The Pons.