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Shimano Baitrunner D Spinning Reel (4.8:1)

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 548 ratings

Price: $174.99 $219.99 Free Return on some sizes and colors

Multi
Brand SHIMANO
Hand Orientation Ambidextrous
Color Multi
Material Blend
Fishing Technique Spinning
Item Weight 1.88 Pounds
Gearbox Ratio 4.4
Special Feature Baitrunner
Model Name BTR12000D
Fishing Line Type Monofilament, Fluorocarbon, Braided

About this item

  • This classic live bait reel features a secondary drag system that allows free spooling with the bail closed and allows your bait to move naturally
  • Utilizes an oval oscillation gear that provides a consistent spool speed which results in an even line lay that provides excellent casting and manageability
  • Better casting; better line lay; less backlash wind knots or tangles; less friction on the line; larger; more comfortable grips; a higher max drag as well as a wider range of baitrunner settings than its predecessors
  • Offers dyna-balance technology that eliminates wobble during the retrieve by counterbalancing the rotor to enhance sensitivity and smoothness while eliminating vibrations caused by the reel
  • Max drag: 20 lbs. / gear ratio: 4.4:1. / weight: 30 oz. / line retrieve: 37" / bearings: 3bb + 3rb – powerpro line cap: 50/505; 65/310; 80/23 – mono line cap: 12/550; 16/350; 20/26

Top Brand: SHIMANO

Highly Rated
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Product Description

The Baitrunner gives you the confidence of a legendary drivetrain and auto-return Baitrunner feature as well as better cast-ability; better line lay; less backlash wind knots or tangles; less friction on the line; larger; more comfortable grips; a higher max drag as well as a wider range of Baitrunner settings than its predecessors. From an angling perspective; every individual who has owned and enjoyed using Shimano tackle has a reason to thank a Japanese visionary named Shozaburo Shimano; who in 1921 declared “I aim to make Shimano's products the best in Kansai; then the best in Japan; and finally the best in the world."" For over 80 years; Shimano has concentrated on precision engineering; one step at a time. Creating the most innovative products and processes you can hold in your hand today.

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
548 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers appreciate the reel's quality, build, and functionality. They find it perfect for performance fishing, handling strong runs from large fish. The baitrunner feature is praised, as well as its smooth gear mechanics. Many consider it a good value for money, with reasonable price and a durable design that should last for years. However, opinions differ on the drag control and size.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

59 customers mention "Reel quality"57 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the reel's quality. They say it's a great reel for performance fishing, bringing in big Cobia and stellar Cerro Mackerel. It's also a good reel for saltwater live bait or chunking. The reel is described as a good product and a wonderful experience of fishing with it.

"...The cast great, have a strong drag, and reel smooth as butter. Awesome reels!..." Read more

"...this reel deserves one more 🌟 and it's because of the wonderful experience of fishing with it despite the aforementioned problem this reel is a gem..." Read more

"...When I opened the box, the reel looked like new but when I turned the handle it had a stiff spot in it and would barely spin...." Read more

"This is a great reel...." Read more

36 customers mention "Build quality"31 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the fishing reel's build quality. They say it's well-made, handles strong runs well, and expect it to last for years. The drag system and BaitRunner work great, and it holds up well to saltwater fishing.

"...Go with Shimano as they always build high quality products." Read more

"...smooth drag system and it hold up to fishing in salt water very well" Read more

"...won't be let down or disappointed if you purchase this real, built with high quality and super smooth retrieve I definitely recommend, and the drag..." Read more

"...It easily handled the strong runs from a 13 lb yellow fin tuna I caught from my kayak. The bait runner system is outstanding!" Read more

24 customers mention "Functionality"24 positive0 negative

Customers like the fishing reel's functionality. They say it works well, has decent line space, and the drag and Baitrunner work great. It performs well for live bait fishing for medium-sized Stripers and lighter live bait.

"...Those reels still work great. Just bought two of these in the last year to add to my surf fishing arsenal...." Read more

"This reel has performed very well! smooth drag system and it hold up to fishing in salt water very well" Read more

"It works well and it cast smoothly, but I don't like the weight of it and the baitrunner switch design. This thing is heavy in comparison to okuma...." Read more

"...My dad and I still have the older Shimano 6500 reels and work great. Keep in mind they are 20+ years old and have been abused...." Read more

24 customers mention "Smoothness"24 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the smoothness of the fishing reel. They mention it performs well, has smooth gear mechanics, and a great wind up ratio. The drag is smooth and plenty powerful for pulling. The Shimano reel is proven to be of quality, handling beautifully and casting great. It's lighter and more comfortable to use, and has outstanding action.

"...The cast great, have a strong drag, and reel smooth as butter. Awesome reels!..." Read more

"Smooth gear mechanics along with great power in the wind up ratio combined with a good looking comfortable changeable arm. This..." Read more

"This reel has performed very well! smooth drag system and it hold up to fishing in salt water very well" Read more

"...if you purchase this real, built with high quality and super smooth retrieve I definitely recommend, and the drag is so smooth as well." Read more

20 customers mention "Value for money"20 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the fishing reel's value for money. They find it affordable, tough, and powerful, resulting in more fish and less lure loss.

"Best value for your money of all secondary drag reels...." Read more

"...They are well worth the extra money. My dad and I still have the older Shimano 6500 reels and work great...." Read more

"...no no no.. So a good buy? most definitely worth it if you want to make your hubby happy or you wifey. whichever" Read more

"...baitrunners are a staple offshore for flatlining and trolling. relatively cheap and tough as nails...." Read more

14 customers mention "Bait running feature"14 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the bait running feature of the fishing reel. They say it's great for fishing croakers, throwing some bait out, and relaxing. The bait running feature allows live bait to run, which is easy to setup and use. It has plenty of line capacity and power to catch kingfish, snapper, and grouper. The baitcaster feature is a must for surf fishing, good for Rock Fish on the Chesapeake Bay, and sensitivity and power, which means more fish and less lure loss.

"...The bait runner system is outstanding!" Read more

"...as I use live bait my cast net brings in and this feature allows the game fish to pick up and run with the baitfish without feeling the drag...." Read more

"...a 12 foot rod and good for striper or any fish in that class and the bait runner function enables you to let the fis run with the bait before it..." Read more

"...Casts well when running a jig and allows live bait to run. Easy to setup and use...." Read more

9 customers mention "Drag control"6 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the fishing reel's drag control. Some find it easy to adjust in the middle of a fight, while others mention issues with the reel not tightening properly and having a stiff spot in the handle.

"...The cast great, have a strong drag, and reel smooth as butter. Awesome reels!..." Read more

"...box, the reel looked like new but when I turned the handle it had a stiff spot in it and would barely spin...." Read more

"...I much prefer the Shimano Baitrunner due to the better and lower drag control you can get using the Baitrunner/Liveliner feature of this Rod over..." Read more

"Reels build well, enjoy the secondary drag feature...." Read more

8 customers mention "Size"4 positive4 negative

Customers have different views on the fishing reel's size. Some find it suitable for various needs, while others feel it's too large and heavy. The handle and drag are praised for their effectiveness in holding large fish. However, some find the bait feeder switch too large and sharp.

"...With minimal care this should last a long long time. There's a size made for every need. Smooth smooth smooth...." Read more

"Shimano bait runners run small and dont hold much line compared to pretty much any other reel. Other than that they perform well...." Read more

"...Highly recommend it. I also have the 12000OC and I like the bigger handle. Baitrunner feature is great, leave the line open and listen for the bite." Read more

"Great reel, was a little larger than I wanted, but is another great shimano reel...." Read more

My 1st BIG catch with Shimano 8000 baitrunner.
5 out of 5 stars
My 1st BIG catch with Shimano 8000 baitrunner.
This is my 3rd use and got my 1st BIG catch with Dog tooth tuna.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2021
    Size: 16 Pounds/350 Yards 12000DColor: MultiVerified Purchase
    Best value for your money of all secondary drag reels. I have had Shimano Baitrunner reels ever since they came out with the model around 20 years ago. Those reels still work great. Just bought two of these in the last year to add to my surf fishing arsenal. The cast great, have a strong drag, and reel smooth as butter. Awesome reels! I tried a Penn Liveliner in between and it failed on the second time I used it. Go with Shimano as they always build high quality products.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2013
    Smooth gear mechanics along with great power in the wind up ratio combined with a good looking comfortable changeable arm. This
    is easy to fish with and for the price it sits as my top spinning reel in any category. I do no buy reels made for fresh water. Why bother.
    I always choose the corrosive resistance of a saltwater reel and then use that reel in both settings. I own 2 of these so I put my money where my mouth is. It may seem pricey at first but I've seen prices of the so called luxury reels for close to 600 bucks. With minimal care this should last a long long time. There's a size made for every need. Smooth smooth smooth. When you hold this reel it feels like it means business. I like the Fin Noir reels as well as some of the Penn offerings but I always reach for this reel. If you get one you'll understand what I mean immediately out of the box.
    15 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2024
    Size: BTR4000DColor: MultiVerified Purchase
    This reel has performed very well! smooth drag system and it hold up to fishing in salt water very well
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2024
    Size: BTR6000DColor: MultiVerified Purchase
    You won't be let down or disappointed if you purchase this real, built with high quality and super smooth retrieve I definitely recommend, and the drag is so smooth as well.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2018
    Size: BTR8000DColor: MultiVerified Purchase
    After reading many reviews in favour of this reel I decided ask my fishing Buddy for his take whether I should buy it over the penn spinfisher 6500ll and the answer was yes and I did I was so excited to hold the reel when it arrived and it was love at first spin it was so smooth I couldn't wait to show this beautiful machine to my fishing Buddy until about five minutes later the reel started feeling like it has a broken bearing I hadn't a chance to fish with it as yet. As I turn the handle at times it's smooth and other times not. Oh how I want to love this reel but I'm not allowed to because of the fault it is the last thing I expected from a shimano baitrunner d that is so popular and have such good reviews. I must say that this reel deserves one more 🌟 and it's because of the wonderful experience of fishing with it despite the aforementioned problem this reel is a gem it trumped the penn 6500ll by far I fished with both for same time and same conditions and the penn is no match.
    13 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2024
    Size: 16 Pounds/350 Yards 12000DColor: MultiVerified Purchase
    My first Shimano Baitrunner reel lasted over 8 years and helped me catch numerous yellowfin tuna and other pelagic species. The drag system on this bait runner D reel is just as smooth and very reliable. It easily handled the strong runs from a 13 lb yellow fin tuna I caught from my kayak. The bait runner system is outstanding!
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2014
    Size: BTR4000DColor: MultiVerified Purchase
    I was trying to save a couple of bucks and went for the used reel. When I opened the box, the reel looked like new but when I turned the handle it had a stiff spot in it and would barely spin. I own another Shimano 4000 like this one and have no problems with it. Amazon was great and returned it with no trouble but it was a big waist of time.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2015
    Size: 16 Pounds/350 Yards 12000DColor: MultiVerified Purchase
    This is a great reel. I have filled it with 20 pound test monofilament, mounted it on a twelve foot surf rod and intend to use it in the surf of Pensacola Beach and in the channel for the big Redfish that ply those waters. If going on a charter trip into the Gulf, I will mount the reel on a shorter rod and use it for any of the game fish we encounter out there, i.e. tuna, king mackerel, dolphin, and wahoo. All of my good reels are now baitrunners, as I use live bait my cast net brings in and this feature allows the game fish to pick up and run with the baitfish without feeling the drag.
    Recommendation: Be careful when ordering any of these Shimano reels as the Amazon ads are "messed up" and you might end up receiving the wrong model. They have not asked us what is wrong with their ad display yet, but we stand ready to help them fix it.
    24 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Michael Bennett
    5.0 out of 5 stars Solid and smooth as glass
    Reviewed in Canada on July 31, 2024
    Size: BTR8000DColor: MultiVerified Purchase
    Musky fishing. This is my second rig after the Ambassadeur 7000 reel. I paired it with a Predator series Musky spinning rod and it works well.
  • stephen gallacher
    5.0 out of 5 stars Typical Shimano pedigree,so well engineered.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 6, 2022
    Size: BTR6000DColor: MultiVerified Purchase
    Best baitrunner style reel i,ve ever used.Will never need another.
  • Rolli
    5.0 out of 5 stars Top Rolle Kaufemfehlung
    Reviewed in Germany on December 20, 2021
    Size: 16 Pounds/350 Yards 12000DColor: MultiVerified Purchase
    Ich besitze mehrere dieser Rollen und sie haben mich noch nie im Stich gelassen
  • Juan Cortez
    5.0 out of 5 stars excelente
    Reviewed in Mexico on August 14, 2018
    Size: BTR6000DColor: MultiVerified Purchase
    excelente muy buena calidad
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must have!
    Reviewed in Canada on October 28, 2017
    Size: BTR4000DColor: MultiVerified Purchase
    Best reel I've had so far! The quality is amazing and the drag is silky smooth!