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Centre pin advice

Jamie Warren

Jamie Warren

Senior Member
Alright fellas, my good wife wants ( I say wants, I really mean I’m going on at her to do it) to buy me a centerpin reel for my 40th this year. I e been looking at jw young purist, any recommendations welcome, an all rounder but I mostly ledger fish. I know nothing about centerpin reels, I’ve used them many times, but not for barbel fishing.
 
Wait, I’ve actually been barbel fishing with a pin before. It was during a week stay with Keith and berol on the Hampshire Avon. I was about 14, I was with my dad and my 2 younger brothers. On the Wednesday, Keith said to my dad, me and my mate Dave are going fishing, and Jamie is the keenest, would he like to come with us on a Christchurch stretch? I was buzzing for this, he lent me a rod and pin , I didn’t catch, Keith had one about 8 lb . It was a great experience nevertheless, and I think it’s this that’s driving me towards one👍
 
Jamie Warren said:
Alright fellas, my good wife wants ( I say wants, I really mean I’m going on at her to do it) to buy me a centerpin reel for my 40th this year. I e been looking at jw young purist, any recommendations welcome, an all rounder but I mostly ledger fish. I know nothing about centerpin reels, I’ve used them many times, but not for barbel fishing.
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Youngs river specialist for all round or Maun valley wensum for ledger work.
 
I got a Youngs purist 11 for 20 years at the company I worked at many years ago. A great reel and I personally like the colour and the solid back and winding area to the spool rather than the Open spool back of the river specialist with all its bits visible and a slotted winding area. To me the Purist seems a bit more robust and less likely to get muck in the works. The river specialist will be lighter in weight but if you are mostly ledgering it should not matter. Will you be flood water fishing or on really fast rivers with lots of flow ? . If so it might be worth looking at the River specialist.
 
Mark Swaby said:
I got a Youngs purist 11 for 20 years at the company I worked at many years ago. A great reel and I personally like the colour and the solid back and winding area to the spool rather than the Open spool back of the river specialist with all its bits visible and a slotted winding area. To me the Purist seems a bit more robust and less likely to get muck in the works. The river specialist will be lighter in weight but if you are mostly ledgering it should not matter. Will you be flood water fishing or on really fast rivers with lots of flow ? . If so it might be worth looking at the River specialist.
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I fish the great Ouse , the colne, and the lea mainly, so not big rivers , but they do flood
 
JW Young reels seem to have gone up a lot in price since in the last year. Great reels don't get me wrong. I've got a JW Heritage and it's my favourite trotting reel.

For legering for barbel I couldn't really say, others on here will be able to give you better advice.

But maybe worth having a look at the Millsteam pin made by Mill Tackle. It has an adjustable check which is handy. And based on the current prices of JW Young is worth at look.

www.milltackle.com

Millstream

<p><strong><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Millstream Centrepin </span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">4 ¼” wide drum, </span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">New systems to easily change over from light to medium and heavy...
www.milltackle.com
 
I have a number of different pins, Rapidex old type and new, Purist II and a Youngs Bob James. In terms of being most suitable legering I would say the Bob James and the Purist II for float fishing.
 
Jamie I have a friend who is selling a purist I’m pretty sure it’s a Bob James it’s unused boxed with paperwork I think he was looking for £170 pm if interested and I’ll pass on his details
 
I had a Youngs Purist 2051 and couldn't get on with it. The reel wasn't anywhere near as smooth as an Okuma Trent or Adcocks Stanton and to me had absolutely no character. It was neither fish nor fowl.

Given what you intend the reel for I'd go for a classic like a Speedia, preferably the de-luxe version with a braked drum, or an Allcocks Popular. Both are available in wide drum or narrow drum and will serve for trotting and ledgering.
 
Making a decent sized assumption here, Jamie, but I reckon for your 40th you'd prefer a new reel? If not, there are plenty of options. If new, then a 'true' pin i.e. without bearings will cost upwards of £400, with Milltackle being at the bottom end, particularly now Fred Crouch pins are no longer available new. If bearings are your preference then the choice is wider, e.g. JW Young, Okuma and one or two others. Anything new will probably be fine for either float, or leger, however if mainly for legering I'd advise a model with a wider spool. Some good advice above, too.

Whatever you choose, I wish you all the luck in the world. I first used a centrepin around eight years ago, and have used nothing else since. When the ratchet screams, and you've regained enough composure to pick up the rod and know you're into a barbel; the next few minutes are hair-raisingly exciting.
 
She only went and got this......
 

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That’s a pretty rare model you got there Jamie
It’s 3 3/4 inch if I’m not mistaken very nice mate 👍
 
I’m sure your put the reel through it’s paces once the season starts. Good luck Jamie stay safe mate 👍
 
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