As you know I'm very new to the world of vintage fishing tackle, Mark. (Unless you count my hollow glass, early to mid 70s, Sealey Specialist rod that I learnt to fish with as traditional. I still use and love it because it's so twangy. It makes a 2oz perch seem big for the first few seconds. I once caught a 3-4lb tench with it, purely by chance. It was one of the best fights I've ever had.
![Laugh :laugh:](./images/smilies/icon_laugh.gif)
)
There isn't that much of a need for bait runners to be fair. It's basically the same as turning the anti-reverse off on a fixed spool. I would think that would lead to a few more tangles though.