Centrepin reel

[Sean Benson]

Hi guys was looking at getting a centrepin reel for my river fishing but have no idea where to start. Ideally want to spend between £40-£100 and will mainly be using it for barbel and chub any advice would be fantastic

thanks

 

[Gavin Hoe-Richardson]

Hi Sean,

I've got a fair few pins of various vintage that I use regularly, if I'd have to recommend one in that sort of price range it would be the Okuma reels. I regularly use the K-1002 (Kennet), VT-1002 (Aventa) and Martin Bowler special edition, all are very smooth and bombproof. Lots come up second hand on eBay.

 

[Mike Hodgkiss]

Sean , Gavin's advice is spot on, the Okuma's are well engineered and hard to beat value wise, I have an Aventa pro and it has given me years of solid service despite being bashed about , trodden on etc . Buy with confidence

 

[Mick Brown]

Have a look at a TFG classic. You can pick one up for £40, they are a cracking reel to use, I have two of them and would recommend them to you.

 

[Mark Swaby]

Sean the tfg classic with a line guard Mick recommends would be a great start, a very impressive reel for the money.No point going over the top on expense to start with.

 

[Sean Benson]

Sorry for the late reply haven't been able to get out fishing much but have been offered a jw young rapidex reel that is in pretty good condition just a few small chips to the paint for £50 is that a good deal or a bit pricey?

 

[Gavin Hoe-Richardson]

Depends on model and overall condition. Check 'completed listings' on eBay as a guide.

 

[Sean Benson]

Cheers I go it seems good has old line on it and some thicker stuff almost like really thick braid the line was attached to with a water knot is this something I should replace or remove when I out my new mainline on

Thanks

 

[Gavin Hoe-Richardson]

I have no more than 50m on my pins to avoid bedding in with a big fish, I'd take it all off and start afresh with what you know and trust.

 

[Sean Benson]

So would you say 100m of drennan float fish in 3.2lb directly on the drum would be fine?

 

[Gavin Hoe-Richardson]

I have a total of 50m, if you put 100m on you'll probably find that the line beds in after a decent fish and won't run smoothly off on your next cast. Remember that you're not casting to the horizon with a pin so you don't need as much line as you may have on a fixed spool reel.

 

[Sean Benson]

Thanks for the advice mate I'll see how I get on with 50m

 

[Richard Parsons]

For barbel, 3lb line is on the light side if you're hoping to land more than you lose. 6lb at least for float fishing; 8lb if there's a chance of a larger fish.

The line you've mentioned is fine for chub, however.