Paulg

I've a 5.5" diameter Leeds centrepin, originally bought for trotting in rivers, but have now replaced it with something better. Question is, as this pin is quite big, could I use it for sea fishing, thinking along the lines of very light boat stuff, for the likes of Black Bream ? Has anyone tried this ? Cheers, Paul

Have a look back through the search engine, there has been a load of useful info about this area over the last couple of years. Regards, Paul

Have a look back through the search engine, there has been a load of useful info about this area over the last couple of years. Regards, Paul

As Chris has mentioned, I have been using a Leeds for the last three years, and really struggled with it. Could be that I had a bad one, but it would never spin very freely, and the idea of the progress of a float downstream making the reel spin.....not a chance. This was even after taking the thing to pieces and putting the bearing race in my electric drill for 20 minutes at 3000 rpm ! It did improve, but still not to make it a decent trotting reel. Having said that, I have spoken to other Leeds owners who have been happy with theirs. I have now bought an Adcock Stanton, used once so far, and it is wonderful ! Much lighter than the Leeds, spins forever, and even the slightest flow will set the reel spinning. Before I bought it, I spoke to Cliff Adcock, as some of the early Stantons had problems with lack of free spinning, as well as very loud ratchets. He advised that the reel has been changed slightly, and the current versions are much improved. A superb reel. My advice would be to save up a bit longer, you say the Leeds is 45 pounds, and I paid 110 pounds for the Stanton, this is the 4.5 inch diameter, with ratchet and adjustable drag, okay so just over twice the price, but from the experiences I have had, well worth the extra money. HTH, Paul

As Chris has mentioned, I have been using a Leeds for the last three years, and really struggled with it. Could be that I had a bad one, but it would never spin very freely, and the idea of the progress of a float downstream making the reel spin.....not a chance. This was even after taking the thing to pieces and putting the bearing race in my electric drill for 20 minutes at 3000 rpm ! It did improve, but still not to make it a decent trotting reel. Having said that, I have spoken to other Leeds owners who have been happy with theirs. I have now bought an Adcock Stanton, used once so far, and it is wonderful ! Much lighter than the Leeds, spins forever, and even the slightest flow will set the reel spinning. Before I bought it, I spoke to Cliff Adcock, as some of the early Stantons had problems with lack of free spinning, as well as very loud ratchets. He advised that the reel has been changed slightly, and the current versions are much improved. A superb reel. My advice would be to save up a bit longer, you say the Leeds is 45 pounds, and I paid 110 pounds for the Stanton, this is the 4.5 inch diameter, with ratchet and adjustable drag, okay so just over twice the price, but from the experiences I have had, well worth the extra money. HTH, Paul

Intresting stuff here, sounds like trotting with nymphs is more widely used than I first suspected. My only problem is that I'm fishing predominately trout waters, in pursuit of grayling, so I'm a bit concerned that nymphs will be picked up by both species. Any ideas on baits which are more likely to be left alone by trout?? Regards, Paul

Intresting stuff here, sounds like trotting with nymphs is more widely used than I first suspected. My only problem is that I'm fishing predominately trout waters, in pursuit of grayling, so I'm a bit concerned that nymphs will be picked up by both species. Any ideas on baits which are more likely to be left alone by trout?? Regards, Paul