Richard Isaacs
Senior Member & Supporter
For starting out I’d suggest a wider drum. It Makes learning to cast properly easier and less frustrating to start with.
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Cheaper pins
- Thread starter Martin Osmond
- Start date
Alan Rose
Senior Member & Supporter
Loads of people love the Okuma Sheffield or Aventa Pro VT1002. Not stupidly dear and good resale value. My advice having bought cheap “vintage” gear is it’s not always all it’s cracked up to be. Out of the reels you mentioned a Speedia is the nicest to trot, but it’s only a 4” diameter reel and the deep arbour means retrieving can be labour intensive. I would go for an Okuma personally, or the TFG Classic is actually a really nice light reel for the money. The centrepin bug bit me a few years ago and now they’re basically all I fish with, and only float fishing at that (well, maybe 98%).
Hope it helps mate, feel free to PM if you want any in depth discussion or more personal opinions
Hope it helps mate, feel free to PM if you want any in depth discussion or more personal opinions
Kevin Steele
Senior Member & Supporter
Thanks chaps. Alan, I don't really like the look of the new/current budget centrepins, which is one reason I asked about vintage ones for now. I'll more than likely buy a good used J W Young 'pin soon enough, like the BJ or Purist, but I'm trying to be sensible for now. I'll make a mental note to pick your brains when I'm ready to part with more serious cash. 
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Dave Quinn
Senior Member & Supporter
I'm by no means an expert and dont fish regularly with pins anymore but I've owned all four of the pins you mention and I was least satisfied with the Speedia and ended up with the Sheffield and cant see me changingLoads of people love the Okuma Sheffield or Aventa Pro VT1002. Not stupidly dear and good resale value. My advice having bought cheap “vintage” gear is it’s not always all it’s cracked up to be. Out of the reels you mentioned a Speedia is the nicest to trot, but it’s only a 4” diameter reel and the deep arbour means retrieving can be labour intensive. I would go for an Okuma personally, or the TFG Classic is actually a really nice light reel for the money. The centrepin bug bit me a few years ago and now they’re basically all I fish with, and only float fishing at that (well, maybe 98%).
Hope it helps mate, feel free to PM if you want any in depth discussion or more personal opinions
Daniel Jeffery
Senior Member & Supporter
Out of the pins you listed, I’d go with either Trudex or Rapidex. They can be great little reels and perfect for trotting. Personally I don’t like the Speedia or Supreme for trotting, they just feel clunky.
Trudex has the advantage of being able to Wallis cast which you can’t with the Rapidex due to the caged drum. But that design does come in handy in windy conditions.
Beware there is a lot of dross out there. There are a lot of these reels around being sold by non-angling attic raiders who wouldn’t know “good condition, spins well” from their elbow. Common fault with Rapidex is the drum rubbing on the cage and common fault on both a cracked release cap. These were originally made from a hard, brittle plastic. You can get replacements from Mill Tackle, but a pain. Example crack, easy to spot in person, harder on fleabay.
If your heart is set on one of these, maybe ask on here in classifieds. Probably someone has a spare they’re willing to part with and more likely to be a good ‘un.
All that said, listen closely to those recommending the Okuma Sheffield; it’s probably one of the best bang for buck ‘pins around and easy to sell on without loss.
Trudex has the advantage of being able to Wallis cast which you can’t with the Rapidex due to the caged drum. But that design does come in handy in windy conditions.
Beware there is a lot of dross out there. There are a lot of these reels around being sold by non-angling attic raiders who wouldn’t know “good condition, spins well” from their elbow. Common fault with Rapidex is the drum rubbing on the cage and common fault on both a cracked release cap. These were originally made from a hard, brittle plastic. You can get replacements from Mill Tackle, but a pain. Example crack, easy to spot in person, harder on fleabay.
If your heart is set on one of these, maybe ask on here in classifieds. Probably someone has a spare they’re willing to part with and more likely to be a good ‘un.
All that said, listen closely to those recommending the Okuma Sheffield; it’s probably one of the best bang for buck ‘pins around and easy to sell on without loss.
Richard Isaacs
Senior Member & Supporter
Over budget it may be but that is a bargain Kevin for one of my personal favorite jw reels.Thanks chaps. Alan, I don't really like the look of the new/current budget centrepins, which is one reason I asked about vintage ones for now. I'll more than likely buy a good used J W Young 'pin soon enough, like the BJ or Purist, but I'm trying to be sensible for now. I'll make a mental note to pick your brains when I'm ready to part with more serious cash.
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Brilliant for casting and a rim mounted check lever which is my personal preference
Kevin Steele
Senior Member & Supporter
Not over budget and I'm already watching that one.
Decided I'll probably go for a newer reel, but I've been taking advice from various quarters (via PM) about which ones other members prefer and why. In so much as I've shifted my gaze from 'Cheaper pins' to the £200-300.00 mark, I can probably be counted out of this discussion. Thanks to those who replied to my earlier query..
Richard Isaacs
Senior Member & Supporter
I hope whatever you buy serves you well. Just stick with it and the frustration side of things doesn’t last long. After a short while you won’t want to trot with anything elseNot over budget and I'm already watching that one.
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