What is so good about a Centre Pin Reel?

[wendywoo]

Hi guys

 

I got introduced to the centre pin last season, and i adore it! I learnt to use it whilst also learning to Wallis cast. I have caught most of my barbel and chub with the centre pin trotting a line.

 

Like a few people say, you either love it or you don't....I DO

 

This fish was caught on the pin.

 

If you live up north there is an open day on the river ribble tomorrow and there is someone demonstarting how to use the centre pin, go along it's a fantastic day!

[lutra]

If you live up north there is an open day on the river ribble tomorrow and there is someone demonstarting how to use the centre pin, go along it's a fantastic day!

Yep that will be Alan Roe that the Prince Albert show (Ribchester)( start 9.30 am i think). Hope to we see you there wendywoo.

 

Nice chub.

[Alan Roe]

Oh Gawd and there was me keeping it quiet this year! :D

 

Oi Wendy get yer backside into gear and get yer membership sorted we have a new season coming up and there are barbel to be caught!!

[Janet]

Oh Gawd and there was me keeping it quiet this year!

 

Well you did a bloody good job Alan! I only got back last Saturday after a month's holiday on the canals and didn't have a clue that the PAAS event was this weekend...I knew it was soon, but I hadn't had time to check. Martin usually lets me know in plenty of time, but not this year. I will castigate him soundly when I see him again!

 

Despite a frantic phone call to wake my fishing buddy up after reading this thread, there's no way I can make it at such short notice. Unfortunately I don't drive, so I have to rely on other folk for transport to anywhere that isn't on a bus route....

 

For anyone who's thinking of going, it's usually a fabulous day out with the added chance of a bargain. I came away from it last year with a great set of brand new Ron Thompson padded waterproof bib 'n' brace and jacket from the "Bring and Buy" stand which has served me well through the winter and our recent boating trip for the princely sum of just £15.00. The previous year I bought a lovely hardback book on fly fishing and had it beautifully illustrated and autographed by the author, Charles Jardine, after he'd completed his fantastic fly fishing demonstration. I do hope he's not going to be there this year. If he is, I'll be even more p**d off at having to miss it! He is one of the most entertaining and inspirational anglers that I've ever had the pleasure to meet.

 

I also won a rather nice Abu Suveran feeder rod in the raffle, which I'm ashamed to say is still languishing in its bag....

 

To conclude...I hope it rains and you all have a miserable time! If however, the weather is as good as it's forecast, then you'll have a fabulous day out. Just don't post on here and tell me how good it was or I may need to kill someone...

 

Janet

Edited June 6, 2010 by Janet

[j_s]

On the subject of centre pins, Amazon has the okuma aventa pro for 90 odd quid

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000OYK3T0/ref=...ASIN=B000OYK3T0

 

Seem too cheap to you, I know it's amazon but no picture etc just seems a bit weird

[Leon Roskilly]

I use a large fixed-spool reel on my long beachcaster.

 

I use multipliers on my 13 ft beach-casters.

 

I mostly use multipliers on my boat rods.

 

I use a fixed-spool on my light lure-fishing rod.

 

I use small multipliers loaded with braid on my other lure and jerk-bait rods.

 

I use fixed spool-reels when dead-baiting.

 

I use fixed-spool reels on my avons and feeder rods.

 

I use fixed-spool reels on my float rods, whenever distance casting is needed.

 

I use centrepins for trotting down rivers, or fishing close in for mullet (when rapid changes of control are needed without fiddling around with the drag).

 

I use centrepins for fun when fishing the margins (an 8lb+ carp was fun yesterday).

 

But I generally enjoy fishing flowing water with a centrepin most.

 

Oh! and spinning a 'pin in my hand gives me something satisfying to do when sitting at home watching telly.

[Worms]

I use a Mordex Merlin and an Allcock's "The Lough" sea-trout rod for bream and similar species in the sea.

 

I use an Alvey 'pin for bigger species.

 

I use an Alcock's "Commodore" 'pin for even bigger species (not much joy yet though)

 

I use centrepins for all of my fly fishing!

 

I use 'pins for ledgering, feeder and float fishing in freshwater.

 

I even spin with a 'pin sometimes, salt and freshwater

 

I also use multipliers and fixed spools of course but, 'pins can be used for just about anything

[arbocop]

Is it the engineering and craft in making the reel that appeals and wins admiration? YES

 

Are you just old fuddy duddies who like using old out of date style tackle? (Maybe I should not have typed that) YES

 

Or is it just simply the best tool for the job and you are using the best tackle available for a fishing situation. YES (though we are so obsessive that some of us would use one when it's not the best tool).

 

Can the PIN Heads please give me a head start before you hunt me down for questioning the cult of PIN YES

 

Your days are numbered now!

 

Er, all of the above really. I do a lot of fly fishing and it is more natural feel for me to use a pin as it resembles the fly reel. I also prefer rivers, simple methods, and traditionalism. A sort of getting away from it all feel that I just don't get when I use modern tackle and methods. I also prefer to fish small rivers, and the pin lends itself to this so well.

 

They are great tools for trotting and freelining - and so satisfying when they work well. Great also for playing fish on - if you've not tried it I suggest you do if only for these two reasons alone.

 

Other than that I can't really explain it. It's just an obsession thing I suppose, some have carp, some trout, some tench. Others like to have all the modern gear and rigs. I like to have a simple set up with an old, or olde (sic) style of reel.

 

I can see that you are not entirely sold?

[Dales]

I can see that you are not entirely sold?

 

I don't know, maybe later in the year when my fishing funds have recovered from a few recent expensive purchases a PIN may be on the shopping list. I have not done any Chub fishing for years and a new toy could be the thing to get me out in the Autumn for a few sessions.

[Worms]

I don't know, maybe later in the year when my fishing funds have recovered from a few recent expensive purchases a PIN may be on the shopping list. I have not done any Chub fishing for years and a new toy could be the thing to get me out in the Autumn for a few sessions.

Unless you have a lot of time and money DO NOT BUY A 'PIN

 

As you are probably very well aware by now, they are addictive. Once a trotting session for chub with a 'pin has been made there will be no hope......you will be hooked!