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JW Young River Specialist centrepin

Just purchased the River Specialist I spoke to Chris Miles who now owns the company , J W Young's Reels are only manufactured and assembled in the UK :) . They have their own website all relevant information as how it is now history etc is there to be read. Its pleasing to see that a quality name in reel manufacturing is alive and well in the UK. Their latest edition the Triton looks the business
Steve Lewis said:
Ben - alas all-too common for (new) Youngs reels, for the last few years actually. I think I'm right in saying they're only designed in the UK now, but manufactured and put together thousands of miles away on a massive production line with several other brands I believe.
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I have one. It’s really lovely to use. The adjustable main drag works on the clicker spring and add more tension by the use of a cam adding tension , this only works when click check engaged . it’s different to the micro drag on the spool. I used mine on the first sessions of the season on the float and had some nice barbel including one double figure fish. I think it’s a fantastic reel. I also have a Ray Walton MK2 Pin for legering and rolling baits but use the River Specialist for Trotting as my casting is not the best
 
I might also add , that I have had fantastic service from Chris Miles at JW Youngs recently. I had an issue with the lock mechanism on the Rolling Pin , contacted Chris , who said to send it to him , did so and got the reel back 4 days later , all sorted and free of charge. The reel was one of the first MK2’s and a good few years old , so to receive that service when it was made before Chris owned the company is to be applauded. Superb service.
 
I tried mine out on the river Wensum in Norfolk just to get a feel of it and I am chuffed with it oh by the way not for barbel sadly but chub.
 
Since my purchase of the River Specialist my reel has had a fair amount of use and I can recommend, I am looking at purchasing the latest trudex MK III now on the J W Young website. Please note these reels are wholly manufactured/assembled in the UK as are all J W YOUNGS REELS
 
Had a couple of these built recently... Although the last one I collected I wasn't too happy with, but after giving it a proper clean, it now runs fine.
 

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Steven Ballard said:
What was the problem, mechanical or cosmetic?
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The last one I picked up still had minute dust like metal filings all over it, which made the movement of the centrepin somewhat restricted.
So I was a little concerned about it, but was told it would be OK.

Long story short, took it to work & blasted it with WD40, cleaned it up, regreased the parts that needed it, used the thin oil supplied on the spindle etc, & now works perfect 👌
 
I’ve been doing a bit recently with the young bob James pin. Some heavier trotting for big barbel and chub. Really enjoying the pin considering I’m no expert with one.
Beautifully smooth balanced reel with a decent weight that suits the 200g 15ft rod very nicely.
I’m not sure if the BJ is a popular trotting reel or not but my limited experience suggests it’s quite ideal.
2005 model never used. Picked up for a cracking price from a good friend.
 
Michael Humberstone said:
Since my purchase of the River Specialist my reel has had a fair amount of use and I can recommend, I am looking at purchasing the latest trudex MK III now on the J W Young website. Please note these reels are wholly manufactured/assembled in the UK as are all J W YOUNGS REELS
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Michael, Did you ever get the the Trudex III ?
 
I very nearly bought a River Specialist recently, but after corresponding with a couple of users on Facebook, both complained about the force needed to engage the rachet. One described it as a two handed operation, with some series brute force required. The other guy said he’d contacted Youngs about it, but was told not to worry and that it was perfectly normal with this reel.

In the end I bought another Maun Valley Wensum, as found a mint one at a good price. I’ve previously moaned about this reel on here (build quality), but it’s bomb proof and does everting that I need from a Barbel pin.
 
Neil Blood said:
I very nearly bought a River Specialist recently, but after corresponding with a couple of users on Facebook, both complained about the force needed to engage the rachet. One described it as a two handed operation, with some series brute force required. The other guy said he’d contacted Youngs about it, but was told not to worry and that it was perfectly normal with this reel.

In the end I bought another Maun Valley Wensum, as found a mint one at a good price. I’ve previously moaned about this reel on here (build quality), but it’s bomb proof and does everting that I need from a Barbel pin.
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That's not the most positive feedback I've ever heard, Neil. Not that I'm thinking of buying one.
 
Ben Marr said:
I much prefer the Bob James to the River Specialist for trotting due to the single handed operation of the ratchet lever.
The RS rachet is very stiff.
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I’m getting on with the bob James pin well myself on the hi s power float.

I’ve got a leeds pin that I use occasionally for more finer tackle trotting but as I don’t do much fine tackle trotting at all nowadays I’m well out of practice with them.
Yes the check engagement on this reel is extremely easy with 1 hand. I wouldn’t be happy if I had to mess around engaging that so I’ll avoid the RS for future
 
The RS is a nice looking reel and works fine, apart from that ratchet!
I bought one because I liked the idea of being able to tighten the ratchet up when moving between swims, Personally I find the rachet on most pins too weak, and I seem to spend an annoying amount of time reeling up loose line when it's caught on some grass and replacing the hook on the keeper due to lack of tension.
 
Ben Marr said:
The RS is a nice looking reel and works fine, apart from that ratchet!
I bought one because I liked the idea of being able to tighten the ratchet up when moving between swims, Personally I find the rachet on most pins too weak, and I seem to spend an annoying amount of time reeling up loose line when it's caught on some grass and replacing the hook on the keeper due to lack of tension.
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Is that ledgering your referring too though Ben?
I find for trotting the tension on the ratchet just fine as it’s only really engaged when playing a fish or if I put the rod down for a breather
 
I'm hearing these stories about the ratchet been stiff but av to say mines fine easy to move ..I fine the RS a awsome pin more so for snag fishing as once the clutch is on max ur on ur rod before the fish does you into a snag.
 
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