For starting out using a Centrepin, it must be a difficult choice as with any reel,complicated by the actual casting, I would say these days that anglers are “brought up” using fixed spools , so a move to a revolving drum reel will be a step change in the craft , whereas when I started , Pins were more the norm .
I am the same now with Poles, could not ever see me using one, but those that do make it look simple .
I have a selection of pins I use for different applications.
For Trotting, I use an Adcock Stanton, not a true pin but as free running as they come and quite light in the hand. A bit blingy being polished aluminium but I can live with that .
Close in Ledgering I use a battered Wide Drum Gypsy D’Or true pin, which must be 50 , maybe 60 plus years old, I have owned it since I was about 12 or 13 years old and I am 71 now. Its been through the ringer a few times, abused, dropped, dunked but always, and I mean always bounces back. Had plenty of doubles on it and its Bullet Proof.Very free running but Its not pretty, but then again neither am I ,and it has done me no harm. I can see it still being rodworthy when I am ashes.
I am not in the school of Anglers who MUST have the latest or named blingy rod/reel/ whatever , they are tools to do a job and not admiration pieces , although my cane does get some funny looks sometimes.
Rolling meat and distance feeder fishing on rivers I use a Ray Walton Pin, again not a true pin ,but lovely reels .
Stillwaters I use either a Wide Drum Speedia , or a Wide Drum Free Spirit Searcher, both true pins, the Searcher is just an Ariel clone really .
I use the Speedia ,again a battered example as most are ,for float fishing , silvers and anything else that comes along and the Searcher for Margin Carp or floating crust.
I have other pins, a Rapidex, which I am not over keen on, as it has a full cage, and the line occasionally gets behind the backplate, or overruns which is a bugger to sort out when trotting with the full cage getting in the way. Having said that it is very free running and I have had a good few Tench using it with no problems. A Mordex, which is a bit agricultural for my taste, and an unnamed one which I know nothing about, again agricultural. All three will be probably moved on at some stage . I also have about a half dozen different Saltwater centrepins,some reel bruisers which I have used at various times just to upset the other boat anglers really , they hate to see somebody using vintage gear catching at least as much or more than they do when they are using the lastes blingy rods and reels .
I do not like caged pins or pins with line guides fitted of any description, although many use them with no problem, I find that cages etc are more of a hindrance than a help and do Wallace casting no favours .
Anybody choosing a pin for ledgering should imo consider where they are intending to fish, margins, both river and still water should cause no problems, but distance fishing with a pin requires some casting competence unless you use a Ray Walton pin or similar .
Thats my three pennorth.
David
No need to spend big bucks as really not necessary. Another good option (cheap and a great ledgering reel) is the Speedia, and again you can pick one up for around £40. I prefer the narrow drum version, but each to their own.
