the thunnus ci4 has better gears and is more versatile and durable but if all your doing with this reel is casting then this one is the way to go because of the long cast spool and sweet line lay (aerowrap)

I have one, had it about 12 months now. I love it. Built like a german tank. I even use it on my boat, and is my go to big reel off the beach, lob out a big bait, flick the bait runner feature on and away you go. Have caught everything from big pink snapper to school sharks on it, eats 'em up. Holds a lot of line too. With backing and 300m of 30lb braid the spool was nowhere near full.

I can't fault the reel thus far. Only downside would be its size, I probably wouldn't want to be casting it all day long. Live baiting for mulloway though it would be perfect.

 Hi crezz

i have had one for a few years initially I had alot of problems with bearings Seizing up that obviously arnt fixed under shimano warranty.  This happened after its first outing with absolutely no salt water ingress after alot of complaining to the Perth store I bought it from and dunphy sports who carry out the repairs I came to the realisation that that aftermarket sales service is no existent for a lot of tackle stores that advertise this service so I built a bridge.  So I got it fixed and just thought I might have been unlucky with a dud bearing then it happened again really pissed off now, so I got it repaired and tried to sell it but had little interest.  I then left it in the shed for 12 months or so but I have recently started using it again with no dramas.  It is a nice reel and the long cast spool is a real benefit I can only hope mine stays trouble free. Due to the spool size it is actually a fairly quick retrieve also this is the only thing I don't like about the saltiga surf(not a baitrunner anyway) also have a look at the shimano ultrgra

I initially brought the reel for the baitrunner function but I don't use it as in my experience a light to medium drag setting will set the hook before the fish can shake it out. Most reviews you will find are probably uk based as the big baitrunners are quite popular there

yer rig all the reviews were from the UK. the whole reason im interested in it is to live bait for mullas and to try slide baiting. do you cast significantley further with the long cast spool?

Was given two of them but didnt like them so opted for a saltiga surf

IMO every beach fisher person should aim at having a setup they can cast as far as possible, not always required but good to have up your sleeve. Long cast spool certainly helps this.
I find the reel a little clumsy to cast and much prefer the saltiga surf as a casting reel. I cast mine in low mount spin position and the saltiga in high mount spin position
I don't think you necessarily will want a baitrunner for the fishing you want to do but that's your decision.
I like the reel but I still have questions over its durability.
If you want to fight big fish time and time again get the reel sandy and wet then consider the saltiga surf

 crezz, the lc bait runner has shimano's best line lay system. it looks like it might even be a worm gear oscillation system. make no mistake- line lay is the #1 defining factor in casting distance! this reel looks like it will cast a mile. but given the size of the thing its not as versatile as some other reel options, it will weigh a lot.

cheers

cheers guys, i would love a saltiga surf but their a bit expensive. might just have to bight the bullet and save enough for a surf.

If a Saltiga Surf is too much maybe look at a Daiwa Emblem Pro or even cheaper a Daiwa Emcast Sport. Both reels cast a mile with long cast spools, come with two spools, and have plenty of grunt to stop Sharks and Mulloway.

i have just started doing reserch on the shimano ultegra xtc. might go for that

i have just started doing reserch on the shimano ultegra xtc. might go for that

Hey Crezz,

I have a Big Baitrunner LC and fish with a mate with the Thunnus 12000D.  I agree with a lot of comments abover regarding set up etc ultimately affecting casting difference rather than spool design, that said I reckon I can punt an extra 15m using my LC over the Thunnus for every 80m of a cast.

I've had no issues with reliability what so ever and have beasted it over the last 18 months. Its been used by rellies during visits to scull drag some hefty fish out with little care, dropped in sand and surf repeatedly without muttering so much as a complaint. Similarly so for the Thunnus though, my mates is well looked after - its about 5g lighter than the LC (I think they are 720g vs 715g) and little different in the 'smoothness' during wind - though I'd say the Thunnus has the edge.  The other thing to consider is the handle - the power knob on the Thunnus is definitely a more preferable design ergonomically than the standard handle on the LC. However - I wouldnt swap my LC and its a good addition to the stable - and for the price - if I get a few years out of it, I wont be complaining about replacing it.

As for the choice overall against other reels, if your aim is to improve casting distance primarily i would recommend lighter long conical spool design reels...such as the Ultegra's, Saltiga's or Emblem's already mentioned. I recently picked up a Shimano Ultegra XSA Ci4 which Im having a lot of fun playing with at the moment. The spool capacity on the thing is enormous - 480m od 10kg low stretch or ~ 800-900m of 50lb braid if not backed - so you could even use it for ballooning!

It weighs in at 620g and the composite body is very well sealed, the reels get smashed with pretty horrendous conditions in the UK and live on without much issue. I considered a Saltiga but have bad experiences with reliability and after market service previously with the brand so reluctant for the time being to go down that road......but Im not making this a Shimano vs Daiwa debate, I have a couple of Daiwa reels that have served me well.

I don't know what the Oz availability on the XSA's is like since I brought mine back during a recent trip to the UK, but I can put you in touch with a good agent/alternatively )apologies to the sponsors) I will be topping up with a small order soon so by all means drop me a PM.  Interestingly Shimano do a front spool baitrunner system on the XTB's I think - but having tried this out I wasn't too improessed. It works like the 'quick drag' system which Daiwa use on the Windcast models - which IMO is a horrific design - when I have a decent fish on I like to have a good range of adjustability in the drag system which simply isn't there when you have a system which goes from free-spool to locked in two turns, but thats just me.

Lastly, you have to link the reel to the rod - Im sure you have thought about this. The big baitrunners are combersome and I think they add a little extra flex in the rod butt when casting, where as lighter spin reels with much lighter masses can sit flush to the butt and zip the baits out with a bit more venom. 

Hope this helps a bit.

greyheads1, cheers for all that info it was of great help. i have been looking it this reel but after discovering the ultegra i think my mind has almost been made up. i have to drop in to a tackle store to feel the differance but i am serioustly concidering the ultegra.

Just got myself an Ultegra and already have the baitrunner LC. Will be interesting to compare them side by side.

for sure noxious let me know how they weigh up. im also looking at the diawa windcast z 5500. im looking for something that will cast a mile and let me have a small chance at landing a shark on 30lb braid if i acidentley hook one. im yet to convince the BOSS that price is not an issue.

I got the Ultegra XTC 14000. Spooled up with 50lb powerpro braid, 500yards worth. Never used the powerpro braid before, so it will be another first for me.

I'm taking the boat out this weekend, so i'll try test out this 20kg drag on some sambos and see how she holds up.

saltiga surfs are shit. dont handle a good honest flogging my old speros has outlasted everything.

 Personally I don't rate the windcast, I don't agree with any puddle either about the saltiga surf but he is spot on with the power pro reasonable line for a reasonable price but each to their own

i went to the shop today and had a look at a diawa emblem pro, wind cast and the saltiga surf. also the shimano ultegra 14000 and the big bait runner. the emblem pro was a bit loose and felt realy shakey in the hand. the wind cast was quite smooth and light weight but i didnt like the way the spool looked when winding, it looks like it would lay the line really crappy but i liked the quick drag on it. the saltiga surf was very light and very smooth but looked to lay line the same as the wind cast. the ultegra was light and very smooth and looked to lay the line very evenley compared to the rest it also has the quick drag but it had this realy loose plastic thingy under the spool that looked like it would break off. and the big bait runner was also smooth and very heavy.

i have decided to go the shimano ultegra 14000:)

Crezz- Let me know how you go with the Ultegra. I'm looking forward to testing mine out, always fun getting new gear.