THE SHIMANO BAITRUNNER AERO GTE B

Price:
5000: RRP £ 119.99, Street £ 84.99
6000: RRP £ 129.99, Street £ 89.99
8000: RRP £ 129.99, Street £ 89.99

I like the slogan that comes with the reel, for it says it all: “You don’t change the reel that has revolutionised carp fishing. The new Shimano Baitrunner has simply evolved.”

And it hasn’t changed from its most basic design concept; it looks different, being the new, in vogue silver/platinum finish rather than black, like its forerunner the XTE 10000, but really, only the materials and the engineering have changed, and for the better.

The big change is the spool, which is now cold forged aluminium for greater strength and rigidity. The drag is more positive and accurate and the internal ball bearings are more corrosion and wear resistant.

Specifications

Baitrunner Aero 5000 GTE B
Gear Ratio 4.5:1
Capacity 215m/10lb

Baitrunner Aero 6000 GTE B
Gear Ratio 4.5:1
Capacity 240m/12lb


Baitrunner Aero 8000 GTE B
Gear Ratio 4.5:1
Capacity 290m/12lb

  • 8 ball bearing equivalent
  • cold forged aluminium spool
  • spare cold forged aluminium spool
  • dyna balance
  • oversized power roller
  • aero wrap
  • long life bale spring
  • high efficiency gear

FISHINGmagic VERDICT

I’ve caught some hard-fighting fish whilst using this new Baitrunner B and the drag performed very impressively, much more efficient and accurate than the drag on the old model. The line-lay is good, the bale arm is positive and the whole reel has a more solid, quality feel to it, which it should have, for this new model has most certainly evolved on the upward path rather than what has happened before when reels have been downgraded to lower production costs.

Definitely not just a cosmetic change but a worthwhile upgrade from the old model.

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