Jason DownsDisclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. more info
Shimano doesn’t need much of an introduction in the fishing world, they create some decent products but competition is pretty fierce now in the market. If you are on the lookout for a new baitrunner then you will very likely come across several Shimano reels like the 6000 OC.
If you are on the fence on whether the 6000 OC is right for you then this article should help. Today we are doing an in-depth Shimano Baitrunner 6000 OC review to see how good this reel actually is, the good and the bad to help you decide (you can check the current price and more info on Amazon here).
Contents
Features & Specs
Let’s take a closer look at the main specifications and features of this 6000 OC;
Gear Ratio & Line Retrieve
This reel features 3 ball bearings, which admittedly not that much. However, the ball bearings used here are quite durable, they are saltwater resistance, and they do provide you with a good deal of cranking power.
The gear ratio on this particular spinning real is 4.8:1, which once again is not huge, but also far from being the worst. In other words, this reel allows you to retrieve 35 inches of fishing line with each full crank of the handle.
It’s a good option to go with for medium and medium-fast line retrieval, but not for super slow or super speedy retrieval. It’s pretty average, which is totally fine with us.
Fishing Line Capacity
In terms of the fishing line capacity of the Shimano Baitrunner 6000 OC, it is pretty average, or a little better than average we should say. If you are using monofilament line, for a 10 pound test line, this reel can fit 245 yards of line, for 12 pound line it can fit 210 yards, and for 16 pound test it can fit 170 yards of fishing line.
If you want to use PowerPro line, if you have 30 pound line, this reel can fit 245 yards of it, for 50 pound line it can fit 210 yards, and for 65 pound line it can fit 130 yards of line.
As you can see, the line capacity for this fishing reel is pretty standard. The reel does come with a nice rim to ensure that line doesn’t get tangled or slips off.
The Drag System
The 6000 OC comes with a 20 pound drag system, which is pretty impressive. The 20 pound drag system here does provide quite a bit of resistance for fish, which is of course a good thing.
The drag system included here makes it hard for fish to get slack, it makes it hard for fish to pull away, and it stops your line from going back out instead of being reeled back in.
Now, a 20 pound drag system is not huge, so if you are fishing for really big fish that is going to put up a heck of a fight and produce more than 20 pounds of force against the line and reel, then this thing might not be best.
If the fish produce more than 20 pounds of opposing force, your line will probably not be stopped and be sent flying back out into the depths.
So, if you are hunting for small, medium, and medium-large fish, this reel should be just fine, but we wouldn’t try using it for shark, marlin, or anything like that.
Durability
Something to note about the 6000 OC reel is that it is made to be durable. The stainless steel ball bearings, the graphite sideplate propulsion spool, the cross carbon drag washers, and the machined aluminum handle all feature superior durability.
Ok, so it is not like the components are made of space age materials used to build rocket ships, but almost as good. Simply put, if you aren’t trying to catch a shark or Orca whale with this thing, it should work just fine and last for years to come.
The actual handle on the crank is made with plastic, which is of course not the most durable material in the world, but besides that, the Shimano 6000 OC is built very tough no doubt.
Saltwater / Freshwater Use
This reel can definitely be used in freshwater, as is the case with pretty much every reel out there. However, the crank, gears, and ball bearings here are all designed to corrosion resistance in mind.
Now, the whole spinning reel is not technically made specifically for saltwater use. It is not sealed and water can get into the reel. However, the components are resistant to the effects of salt none the less.
You can surely use this reel for saltwater fishing, but be sure to rinse it out with freshwater after every use.
Weight
One thing that needs to be mentioned about this particular spinning reel is that it is fairly lightweight. No, this is not because the materials used are cheap and thin, but because they are of a high quality.
They are made to be fairly compact and lightweight to make a very light and easy to maneuver reel. Coming in at only 1 pound heavy, this spinning reel can be used for hours on end without having your arms fatigue too much.
Due to its low weight and ease of use, this spinning reel is a good option for children and
beginners alike, but also for more experienced anglers too.
Pros
- Great drag system.
- High level of durability.
- Good choice for medium speed retrieval.
- Fairly high line capacity.
- Good gear ratio.
- Can be used for saltwater fishing.
- Works with various types of line.
- Good for beginners.
- Ideal for small and medium size fish.
Cons
- Handle on the crank is cheap plastic.
- Not fast enough for high speed retrieval.
- Some people would like to see a higher drag force.
You can check the current price on Amazon here
An Alternative
Let’s take a quick look at a good possible alternative to the 6000 OC. A decent alternative in our opinion is the Ultegra XSD.
For one, this model is better suited for saltwater fishing, as its components are specially designed to resist the degrading effects of saltwater. Next, when it comes to line capacity, the Ultegra XSD can hold about 100 more yards of line when compared to the Baitrunner 6000 OC (depending on the type of line).
The Ultegra also has a higher gear ratio for faster line retrieval. With a gear ratio of 5.3:1, it can haul in about 43 inches of line per crank.
Te Ultegra also has a higher drag force of 33 pounds, when compared to the 20 pounds of drag on the Baitrunner 6000.
Keep in mind that the Baitrunner is probably an easier to use spinning reel, one that is perfectly fine for beginners, children, and anybody who engages in occasional fishing.
However, if you are looking for something a little bigger, stronger, and more functional for big fish and deep sea fishing needs, the Ultegra might be the better option to go with.
You can check the current price of the Ultegra 14000 XSD on Amazon here
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, the Shimano 6000 OC is a a really nice reel. It is best used for freshwater fishing of smaller and medium size fish, as well as for medium and slow retrieval. If you need something a little bigger and more powerful, we might recommend looking at the Ultegra, but at the end of the day, the 6000 OC is a decent spinning reel to go with for most general fishing purposes.
