Shimano Baitrunner ST 2500 FB Review and field test

Have you ever reached for your flask whilst out fishing and at the precise moment you take your eye off your float it dives under and you miss a bite?
How about turning back and seeing your rod take off at lightspeed into the lake?
It happened to me a while back whilst fishing a small commercial carp lake using a non baitrunner type reel and it's not funny.
Rods and reels are expensive.
So going forward... I'm now using an entry level Shimano baitrunner reel.
Let's have a quick look at its features, and then let's test it down the lake shall we?

[@shauncorless8965]

Got one yesterday just for my light 10ft tip rod ,,,ideal😊

[@Kfjdnej]

😂 I was looking for a cheap reel with a baitrunner feature because I lost my reel from a carp pulling it in the water

[@nenillogaming8438]

Personally, I find it amazing that they still make reels with 1 bearing.

[@DirkRomanowski-gq4jy]

It´s amazing that the ST has two plastic bushings on the left and right side of the main gear. You can change these against two ball bearings and you´ll have a DL, which costs 30€ more.

[@nenillonenin4754]

@@DirkRomanowski-gq4jy In the end I bought the "Fishing Ferrari Hypno Feeder 40" 5+1 ball, so far I am very happy.

[@weekendwildcamps1988]

Hi, great video, short and sweet, but lots of information. Lovely looking lake, where were you fishing?

[@spikeymikeyangling6218]

Thanks for that kind comment.
The lake was on the Old Bury Hill complex in Dorking.

[@jimquantic]

Thank you, very useful

[@spikeymikeyangling6218]

You are welcome!

[@user-qx3dy2tu2k]

measure the distance from the beginning of the top of the leg at the fastening itself -and to the beginning of the spool?
and isn't this coil afraid of heavy torrential rains?

[@briansilver6196]

Wots goin on then geezer

[@Jimmymag909]

I wonder if they fixed the reel main drag engagement

[@sixstone]

I have one ..😂

[@hoylecasino]

Is it saltwater ready

[@spikeymikeyangling6218]

Hi. I've been using various Shimano baitrunner reels including this one for 30 years off piers and rocks etc.
I aways wash them in warm soapy water and oil them afterwards and I've never had one seize up.
I don't think any reel is gonna last long if you just throw it in the cupboard after a saltwater fishing trip without basic maintenance.
So yeah, I would definitely use this for light float and ledger work with light leads in the sea.