Available in 5500 (medium) size and 14000 (large size)
More suited for experienced carp or pike anglers who require more advanced features on a reel
Featured in our guide on the best pike fishing reels as a top deadbait baitrunner.
| Feature | What This Means |
|---|---|
| 2-speed, Aero Wrap II Line Lay | This reel offers two different speeds for retrieving your line. The Aero Wrap II system ensures your fishing line is laid evenly across the spool when reeling in, preventing tangles and improving casting distance. |
| CI4+ Body Material | CI4+ is Shimano’s advanced carbon fibre-reinforced material that’s significantly stronger than standard graphite reel bodies. It makes the reel extremely lightweight yet incredibly durable, and won’t corrode like metal can while maintaining exceptional rigidity. |
| 6+1 Bearings | The reel contains 6 ball bearings plus 1 roller bearing. These work together to create smooth operation when casting and retrieving. More bearings generally mean smoother performance. |
| Cold Forged Aluminium Spool Material | The spool is made through a cold forging process, where aluminium is shaped under pressure without heat. This creates a stronger, more durable spool that’s resistant to warping and maintains its shape under heavy loads. |
| Waterproof Drag | The drag system (which controls line tension) is sealed to prevent water intrusion. This means consistent performance even in wet conditions and extends the life of the internal components. |
| Screw In, Machined Alu Single Handle | The handle is precisely machined from aluminium and screws securely into the body. This creates a solid connection with no wobble, while being lightweight and corrosion-resistant. |
| Line Capacity: 0.35-550/0.40-400/0.45-300 | This shows how much line the spool can hold at different line diameters. For example, it can hold 550 metres of 0.35mm line, 400 metres of 0.40mm line, or 300 metres of 0.45mm line. |
| Gear Ratio: 4.6:1 | For every full turn of the handle, the spool rotates 4.6 times. This ratio provides good power for fighting larger fish while maintaining decent retrieval speed. |
| Line Retrieve: 110cm | With each full turn of the handle, the reel brings in 110 centimetres (or 1.1 metres) of line. This helps you understand how quickly you can retrieve your line. |
| Oscillation Speed: Slow | This refers to how quickly the spool moves up and down when retrieving line. A slower oscillation typically results in better line lay on the spool, which improves casting distance and reduces tangles. |
| Spare Spool Included | The reel comes with an extra spool, allowing you to quickly switch between different line types or strengths without having to re-spool. This is particularly useful when targeting different species or fishing in varying conditions. |
Many claim that the Baitrunner Ci4+ XTB-LC is Shimano’s ultimate Baitrunner reel. The legendary name, easy-to-use rear operation Freespool facility, large ultra-long casting spool with superb line lay, and weight-saving Ci4+ construction, all combined perfectly into one stunning reel.
If you are looking for an ultra-long-range reel with an easy-to-use Shimano free spool facility, the Baitrunner LC is the reel to choose, and this version is made from Shimano’s exclusive ultra-light Ci4+ composite. The weight saving is remarkable for such a big reel and helps you maximise rod speed when casting, which ultimately results in more distance. The stealth graphics and refined slim body profile look fantastic and in use the freespool facility is faultless. If you fish medium and smaller waters, a ‘medium-sized version is also available.
In the hand, Shimano’s biggest Baitrunner feels impossibly lightweight. But there is so much more to this stunning reel than just the remarkable lightness. Internally HAGANE Gear and X-SHIP deliver smooth, powerful rotation with enormous cranking power. The huge aluminium AR-C spool compares in size to a ‘Big Pit’ reel and benefits from Slow Speed oscillation combined with Aero Wrap, delivering stunning line lay.
There’s Shimano’s best X-Protect water protection and Instant Drag makes adjusting the drag whilst fish-playing easy and precise. In fact, it is remarkable that so many features have been combined so well into one reel. And if that isn’t enough, the reel is supplied with a spare spool and a complete set of line reducers.
Here’s how the reel performed in testing and/or from experience and feedback from other anglers.Â
The Shimano Baitrunner CI4+ represents a remarkable achievement in reel engineering, combining lightweight durability with premium construction. When first setting eyes on the reel I was particularly drawn to the ‘Medium’ version which is equivalent to a 5500-sized reel.
This version is exceptionally well-balanced with a beautifully smooth action that makes it perfect for medium-sized waters fishing for Carp or deadbait fishing for predators.
The CI4+ carbon fibre composite body delivers an almost startling lightness that belies the reel’s larger-than-average size. The build quality is exceptional throughout, from the precision-machined aluminium AR-C spool, the robust HAGANE gear system and the water-resistant X-Protect system. Each of these quality features contributes to the reel’s excellent 8.6 overall score rating.
The reel’s slim profile and stealth aesthetics make it look superb on the bank which will satisfy even the most picky of tackle tarts, whilst the inclusion of a spare spool and line reducers demonstrates Shimano’s attention to detail and value.
In testing, this reel’s performance consistently impressed across all key areas. The Aero Wrap II system, combined with the slow oscillation speed, delivers remarkably even line lay that enhances casting distance, particularly noticeable during long-range work.
The Baitrunner facility operates flawlessly, with smooth engagement and disengagement that has been flawless through many sessions. The waterproof drag system provides precise, reliable control while playing fish, and the X-SHIP gearing maintains smooth rotation even under heavy loads.
The 4.6:1 gear ratio strikes an excellent balance between retrieval speed and cranking power, making this reel equally capable of handling both distance work and closer-range situations.
The elephant in the room is the reel’s price point which isn’t cheap, but if you are looking for one of the best baitrunners out there, with all the latest bells and whistles, this is absolutely worthy of any serious anglers’s consideration.
Here is how the Shimano Baitrunner XTB CI4+ LC Reel compares against other products in its category. This table shows the overall rating based on the average of the key attributes that go into making a top fishing reel.
| Name | Overall Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fox EOS 10000 | 8.1 | £62.99 |
| Daiwa Black Widow BR Reel | 8 | £57.77 |
| Shimano Baitrunner DL | 8.3 | £76.95 |
| Shimano Baitrunner XTB CI4+ LC Reel | 8.6 | £279.99 |
| Daiwa 23 Ninja LT Reel | 8.1 | £54.99 |
| Savage Fazor Spinning Reel | 8.3 | £143.99 |
| Fox Rage TR Reel | 8.3 | £124.99 |
| Shimano Stradic FM Reel | 8.4 | £179.99 |
| Daiwa 7HT Mag Multiplier Reel | 8.5 | £199.99 |
| Wychwood Agitator S1 Baitcasting Reel | 8 | £59.99 |
| Greys Fly Tital Reel | 8.5 | £206.99 |
| Greys Fly Cruise Reel | 8 | £44.99 |
There are four key attributes that form the basis of our reviews on fishing reels. These include the following:
Build Quality: – When we assess the build quality of a fishing reel, we test and review the materials used in manufacturing the reel and how it all comes together in the finished product.
Cast & Retrieve: – This part of the review is fairly self-explanatory and focuses on how well the reel casts and smooth the retrieve is. Distance isn’t a factor in this assessment whereas accuracy and efficiency is.
Drag System: – When reviewing the drag system on a fishing reel we are testing how smooth the drag is and how convenient it is to use. There is no bias as to whether a reel has a front or rear drag system, it is solely judged on how smooth it can take out line relative to the amount of pressure that it is being applied.
Value for Money: – Again, this is self-explanatory in terms of an assessment but yet an important part of the review process. Having value for money as a criterion allows us to judge how well a reel performs vs its price point and in turn allows us to recognise good-performing reels at bargain prices.
Here is how the Shimano Baitrunner XTB CI4+ LC Reel performed against is peers in each of these important attributes:
| Name | Build Quality | Casting & Retrieve | Drag / Clutch | Value For Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox EOS 10000 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 9 |
| Daiwa Black Widow BR Reel | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 9 |
| Shimano Baitrunner DL | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| Shimano Baitrunner XTB CI4+ LC Reel | 9.0 | 8.5 | 9.0 | 8 |
| Daiwa 23 Ninja LT Reel | 8.0 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 9 |
| Savage Fazor Spinning Reel | 8.5 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.5 |
| Fox Rage TR Reel | 8.5 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| Shimano Stradic FM Reel | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8 |
| Daiwa 7HT Mag Multiplier Reel | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8 |
| Wychwood Agitator S1 Baitcasting Reel | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 9 |
| Greys Fly Tital Reel | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8 |
| Greys Fly Cruise Reel | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 9 |
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