Fixed Spool & Baitrunners

A fixed spool reel with a baitrunner facility is the all-round workhorse for carp, specimen, barbel and feeder fishing, letting a taking fish run before you pick up the rod. Every reel here is price-checked across the UK shops that stock it, so you see the lowest current price on each one before you buy.

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These are the mid-size, do-most-things reels that live on a lot of bank sticks, not the big-pit distance models. Rather than open a tab for each shop, you get the live lowest price on every reel in one view, and we track around eight retailers per reel.

Prices run from about £30 for a Mitchell Mx1 FS up to £162 for the Shimano Baitrunner XTB CI4+ LC. Most anglers here spend between £40 and £80, and the busiest band is reels under £50.

Filter the range the way you fish. Narrow by price band if you have a budget, by brand if you run Shimano, Daiwa, Fox, Mitchell, Okuma or Avid Carp, or by size to match your rods.

Smaller sizes such as 2500 to 6000 suit barbel, tench, light carp and feeder work on rivers and smaller waters. Bigger 8000 to 10000 sizes hold more line for general carp work on open stillwaters.

The baitrunner or freespool lever is the point of these reels. It lets line peel off under light tension to a taking fish, then engages the main drag the moment you wind, and you can sort by our review score to see the reels that have earned the best ratings first.

18 products in this category
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How to Choose a Fixed Spool Baitrunner Reel

Match the size to the fishing first. A 2500 to 4000 reel balances a barbel, feeder or light carp rod, while a 6000 to 10000 reel suits heavier carp rods and longer casts on open water.

The baitrunner system is what sets these apart from a plain fixed spool. A second drag, set with the rear lever, lets a fish move off without dragging the rod in, and a turn of the handle drops you straight back onto the fighting clutch.

Front drag reels like the Shimano Baitrunner ST and DL keep the adjustment near the spool for fine control. Rear-drag models put it under your thumb, which some anglers find quicker to feel for when a fish bolts.

After size and drag, the things that decide a buy are line capacity, gear ratio, build quality and how smoothly the freespool engages. It pays to match the reel to your rod and the line you fish most.

Fixed Spool Baitrunner Prices and Reviews

There are 18 reels listed here, 10 of them carrying an eTackle review score. Each reel is judged on how it casts and retrieves, how cleanly the freespool works, the drag, the build and what you get for the money.

That lets you weigh a sub-£40 reel against a £150 one on the same terms. Every listing shows the lowest live price we can find across UK retailers, updated regularly.

If you would rather start from a shortlist than the full range, our best baitrunner reels guide picks out the standout reels by budget and fishing style. Otherwise, use the filters above to shop the complete range at the best available price.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a baitrunner or freespool reel?

It is a fixed spool reel with a second drag system that you switch on with a rear lever. Line peels off under light tension so a taking fish can run, then the main clutch engages the instant you turn the handle.

What size baitrunner reel do I need?

A 2500 to 4000 size suits barbel, tench, light carp and feeder fishing on rivers and smaller waters. Step up to a 6000 to 10000 size for general carp work and longer casts on bigger stillwaters.

Is a baitrunner reel only for carp?

No, the freespool facility is just as useful for barbel, tench, pike and big bream where you fish with the bail arm closed and want a fish to run before it hooks itself. Plenty of anglers use one reel across several of those styles.

What is the difference between front drag and rear drag baitrunners?

Front drag reels adjust the clutch with a dial on top of the spool, which gives fine, repeatable settings. Rear drag reels put the control at the back of the body, which is quicker to reach mid-fight but generally less precise.

How much should I spend on a baitrunner reel?

The median price here is around £55, and there are dependable reels well under £50 such as the Daiwa Black Widow BR and Mitchell Mx1. Spending over £100 buys lighter build, smoother gearing and a cleaner freespool action rather than a different job done.

Do I need three matching reels for carp fishing?

Most carp setups run two or three matching reels so each rod behaves the same, but you do not have to buy them all at once. Many of these reels are sold individually, so you can build a matching set over time.