Free Spool / Baitrunners

A baitrunner reel has a second drag you flick on, so a taking carp can pull line off a free spool without dragging the rod in. Browse every freespool and baitrunner model here and we will show you the lowest live price each one is selling for across the UK shops.

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Every reel on this page is price-checked against the UK shops that carry it. You see the lowest current price in one view instead of opening a tab per retailer to find it.

Prices start at £21.99 for the Fox EOS 10000 and run up to £349.99 for the Daiwa Infinity X BR. Most carp anglers spend £40 to £130 a reel and buy two or three so they match across their rods.

Filter the way you fish. Narrow by price if you have a budget, by brand if you run Shimano, Daiwa or Fox, or by size from a 6000 margin reel up to a 12000 for long-range rods.

The free-spool name changes with the maker. Shimano calls it Baitrunner, Daiwa calls it BR and Fox calls it FS, but each one lets a fish run before you pick up and the main clutch takes over.

19 products in this category
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How a Baitrunner Reel Works

A baitrunner carries two drags. The free-spool drag, set with a lever or dial at the back, holds the spool under light tension so a taking fish can pull line away cleanly.

Pick the rod up or wind the handle and the reel switches to its main clutch for the strike. That stops a run pulling the rod off the pod, which matters most on slack lines and at close range.

Size is the next call. A 6000 to 7000 suits margin and short casts, a 10000 covers most open-water carp fishing, and a 12000 holds the line you need for distance rods.

After that, look at line capacity, gear ratio and how smooth the free-spool tension feels. A reel that engages with a knock rather than a clean pickup will bump fish off on the take.

Baitrunner and Freespool Reel Prices and Reviews

There are 19 freespool and baitrunner reels here, 11 of them carrying an eTackle review score. Each score reflects how the reel casts, how cleanly the free-spool engages, how the clutch holds under a run and what you get for the money.

That puts a £38 Daiwa Black Widow and a £350 Infinity X BR on the same terms, so you can see where the extra spend actually buys you something. Every listing shows the lowest live price we find across UK retailers, refreshed daily.

If you would rather work from a shortlist than the full range, our best baitrunner reels guide picks out the standouts by budget. Otherwise use the filters above and buy at the best price we can find.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a freespool or baitrunner reel?

It is a reel with a second drag system sitting on top of the normal clutch. Flick it on and the spool turns under light tension, so a fish can take line freely without feeling the rod.

Wind the handle or strike and the reel drops back to its main clutch. Shimano named the idea Baitrunner, and freespool is the same system under a different name.

What is the difference between a baitrunner and a big pit reel?

A baitrunner has that second free-spool drag for letting a fish run before you engage. A big pit reel is built around a long, deep spool for distance casting and high line capacity.

Some reels manage both, but most anglers pick one to suit their water. Margin and runs water favours a baitrunner, while large open pits favour a big pit.

Do I need a baitrunner for carp fishing?

No, though it helps in some situations. It earns its place on slack lines, at close range where a tight clutch could pull the rod in, or when you want a fish to move off before you strike.

Plenty of anglers now fish big pit reels with a fast-set drag instead. Both approaches land carp, so it comes down to how and where you fish.

What size baitrunner do I need?

For margin and short-range work a 6000 or 7000 is plenty and keeps the weight down. A 10000 is the all-round size for most carp fishing.

Step up to a 12000 if you fish long-range rods and want more line on the spool. Match the reel size to the test curve of your rods.

What is a good budget baitrunner reel?

The Fox EOS range is the usual starting point, with the EOS 10000 listed here from £21.99. The Daiwa Regal BR and Black Widow BR sit just above it and still come in under £40.

These give you a working free-spool system without the price of a flagship. The review scores on this page show which budget models hold up best.

Which brands make the best baitrunner reels?

Shimano invented the Baitrunner, and their DL, ST and X-Aero models remain the benchmark. Daiwa BR reels and the Fox EOS freespool range are the other names you will see most.

This page lists models from all three, price-checked across the shops that stock them. The review scores help you separate them on more than price alone.