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.

Budget freespool reels do the same basic job as the flagships, so the extra money goes on lighter bodies, smoother gearing and a cleaner freespool action. Most carp anglers buy two or three matching reels so every rod behaves the same.

Filter the way you fish. Narrow by price if you have a budget, by brand if you already run a matching set, or by size from a compact 4000 for barbel and tench rods up to a 12000 for long-range carp rods.

The free-spool system goes by different names depending on the maker, from baitrunner to BR and FS. Each one lets a fish run before you pick up and the main clutch takes over.

44 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 44 freespool and baitrunner reels here, 13 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 budget freespool and a flagship 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. Baitrunner was the original trade name for the idea, 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?

A budget freespool reel still gives you a proper second drag and a clean switch back to the main clutch, which is the part that matters on the bank. What you usually give up is a little weight and some smoothness in the gearing.

The review scores on this page show which budget models hold up best. The price filter narrows the list to what you want to spend.

Which brands make the best baitrunner reels?

The best-known names in carp fishing all make freespool reels, and their flagship models are close in quality. The differences show up more in weight, drag feel and how smoothly the freespool engages than in the badge on the side.

Use the brand filter above to see each maker's range, price-checked across the shops that stock them. The review scores help you separate them on more than price alone.