Hi all. This year i'm going to try and be a bit more specific on the species i'll be targeting , with Tench and Bream as the main culprits. I will soon be getting my new rods , Greys Specialists but need to get a couple of reels to match up with them -

So far , there's 3 contenders .

Shimano baitrunner GTE 5000

Fox Stratos 7000

Okuma Epix pro EPB 30.

 Has anyone used these reels for fish other than carp ?

How did they perform ?

Are there any other freespool reels that i should be looking at ?

I don't like and feel i don't need big reels and so these three contenders fit the profile of what i'm looking for .

Honest reviews please lads

 Many thanks in advance

Paul

I have had a pair of Okuma Epix pro EPB 30's for about a year now good reels had no problems with them. Ideal for medium feeder work but if you want to fish at distance or use heavy line or weights go for the 40 size.

I have a pair of Okuma metaloids in the 40 size and these are ideal for heavier work so this year I'm going to get myself a pair of Okuma Epix pro EPB 40's.

Another reel to think about is the daiwa  Regal Plus 3500BRi I have a pair of these and they seem bullet proof and have amazing cranking power so ideal for barbel/carp.

The daiwa's feel better quality than the Okuma's but the okuma's to me feel better to use if that makes any sense. The okuma's just feel right to me. It might be that I haven't used the daiwa's much and I may get used to them with time but the Okumas felt good from the off.

For yearsI used to use a pair of mitchel 300pro's for feeder and light specimen but I retired them and got a pair of shimano stradics which I used for about 7 years. I then decided to buy a pair of bait feeders so got a pair of Shimano baitrunner's 5000's but could not get on with them. So I traded them in against a pair of Okuma's.  I  find the front drag on the okumas and the daiwa's more reliable than rear drags.

Shimano for me as well. I have Shimanos, Okumas, and Daiwas.

Personally I feel Shimanos definately have the edge.

And without doubt they have the best after sales service.

I have shimano 6010's Paul, but last year bought 2 abu's I think mine are 303's but I have used them for tench, barbel and chub, for the dosh they are spot on mate.

Not for tackle tarts