In reply to Post #15
Okuma Sheffield
Okuma Sheffield
In reply to Post #15
Most okuma are pretty much the same reel, if you look closely you'll see the spool and back are identical, it's only the faceplate and colour scheme that changes. The bearings may be different grades but you can mix and match the components
If you handle the superlight you'll see what I mean, but I use it on an odd ball Harrison interceptor rod I got from Mark tunley, around a pound tc. The reel is so light most longer or heavier tc rods feel tip heavy. I have braid on it now but I don't think I've put mono over 3lb on it
Most okuma are pretty much the same reel, if you look closely you'll see the spool and back are identical, it's only the faceplate and colour scheme that changes. The bearings may be different grades but you can mix and match the components
If you handle the superlight you'll see what I mean, but I use it on an odd ball Harrison interceptor rod I got from Mark tunley, around a pound tc. The reel is so light most longer or heavier tc rods feel tip heavy. I have braid on it now but I don't think I've put mono over 3lb on it
Food for thought, thank you 
In reply to Post #18
It really depends on what your quarry is - as they are much harder to use than a fixed spool.
I've an okuma Sheffield since 2006 (so no line guard, they get effected by the slightest bit of wind with the line getting wrapped in places you don't want it to be if your not careful. They are great for long trotting for chub with light lines, I only put 4-5lb line (max 50 yards of line, too much line and it's gets bedded in and won't pull freely from the spool in the current) with the line coming off the top as it gives much more control of the float and when playing fish, as if you have the line on the bottom it forces your thumb off the spool when the fish wants to take line resulting in possible birds nests.
Casting is very different you have the Wallis cast - which is easy when mastered . Or you can just take a couple of loops and flick the float out, it's all about balance & tip control
For me you can't beat long trotting.
There is nothing quite like catching a 6lb + chub on an 18 hook and 2.5lb hook length. (Lost in their cavernous mouths), when the float buries and you think you've hooked the bottom you get so much more feel with a pin, as they try to get into undergrowth on the far bank, your rod bent double (that first attempt for freedom they make) every flick of the tail, fin is felt as you apply maximum pressure to keep them from the snag - it's all very satisfying when looking down on your quarry in the net.
It really depends on what your quarry is - as they are much harder to use than a fixed spool.
I've an okuma Sheffield since 2006 (so no line guard, they get effected by the slightest bit of wind with the line getting wrapped in places you don't want it to be if your not careful. They are great for long trotting for chub with light lines, I only put 4-5lb line (max 50 yards of line, too much line and it's gets bedded in and won't pull freely from the spool in the current) with the line coming off the top as it gives much more control of the float and when playing fish, as if you have the line on the bottom it forces your thumb off the spool when the fish wants to take line resulting in possible birds nests.
Casting is very different you have the Wallis cast - which is easy when mastered . Or you can just take a couple of loops and flick the float out, it's all about balance & tip control
For me you can't beat long trotting.
There is nothing quite like catching a 6lb + chub on an 18 hook and 2.5lb hook length. (Lost in their cavernous mouths), when the float buries and you think you've hooked the bottom you get so much more feel with a pin, as they try to get into undergrowth on the far bank, your rod bent double (that first attempt for freedom they make) every flick of the tail, fin is felt as you apply maximum pressure to keep them from the snag - it's all very satisfying when looking down on your quarry in the net.
In reply to Post #19
I've never tried braid - just worried that the line guides on the rod I use may become grooved due to the braid.
Drennan lines very recommended as are their hooks to nylon
Drennan floatfish mono
Drennan supplex (fluoro - currently using very impressed)
Preston innovations reflo fluorocarbon is another excellent line with good knot strength.
I've never tried braid - just worried that the line guides on the rod I use may become grooved due to the braid.
Drennan lines very recommended as are their hooks to nylon
Drennan floatfish mono
Drennan supplex (fluoro - currently using very impressed)
Preston innovations reflo fluorocarbon is another excellent line with good knot strength.
In reply to Post #20
I preferred the reflo to double strength, I'll check out the flouro for rig line, I wouldn't want a sinking mainline for trotting.
I don't find braid any harder than fine mono to deal with, and it's much better for hitting quick bites at the end of a trot. If you try it on the okuma, either tie your knot and tape it to the spool or add a layer of mono beneath the braid or it'll slip under pressure!
I never use a line guard, they cause more tangles than they solve
I preferred the reflo to double strength, I'll check out the flouro for rig line, I wouldn't want a sinking mainline for trotting.
I don't find braid any harder than fine mono to deal with, and it's much better for hitting quick bites at the end of a trot. If you try it on the okuma, either tie your knot and tape it to the spool or add a layer of mono beneath the braid or it'll slip under pressure!
I never use a line guard, they cause more tangles than they solve
Had a good look round last night, Total FT have a good page on types and test. Can't help but feel I'm doing the typical and trying to get a 1 fits all reel, which will be a compromise. I wonder how the Walton Rolling pin would feel after a days fishing compared to say the Bewick wich is 100g lighter, or how the Walton would feel on a lighter rod...hmm. Probably best to not get ahead of myself 
In reply to Post #22
My rolling pin only gets used for floater fishing and short trotting for barbel and would never use it on a light weight rod.
My rolling pin only gets used for floater fishing and short trotting for barbel and would never use it on a light weight rod.
In reply to Post #22
That's 4 very different reels you've mentioned now, three of them are great for specific uses with one 'jack of all trades'.
What do you actually want to do with it?
For multi purpose pins I'd reccomend
Okuma (any of them)
Youngs purist, heritage, atom, bj
Fred crouch aerial replica
That's 4 very different reels you've mentioned now, three of them are great for specific uses with one 'jack of all trades'.
What do you actually want to do with it?
For multi purpose pins I'd reccomend
Okuma (any of them)
Youngs purist, heritage, atom, bj
Fred crouch aerial replica
In reply to Post #24
Yes, your right Duggs, but as with anything the more you look into it the more you see.
That Total fishing review had 2 mentioned against each other, Sheffield & Bewick, Bewick won for extended periods of use trotting but Okuma won versatility.
As already said, I'm looking for something that doesn't exist, a jack of all trades, bit like when I use my spod reels on my 2.75lb Greys 9' stalker, it does the job.
I think I'll start with a trotting pin for lighter work 1st
Edit, apologies if terminology is incorrect I saw the Walton referred to as a ledgering pin on one of the FB sites.
Yes, your right Duggs, but as with anything the more you look into it the more you see.
That Total fishing review had 2 mentioned against each other, Sheffield & Bewick, Bewick won for extended periods of use trotting but Okuma won versatility.
As already said, I'm looking for something that doesn't exist, a jack of all trades, bit like when I use my spod reels on my 2.75lb Greys 9' stalker, it does the job.
I think I'll start with a trotting pin for lighter work 1st
Edit, apologies if terminology is incorrect I saw the Walton referred to as a ledgering pin on one of the FB sites.
In reply to Post #25
I either have, or have had all the reels mentioned except the okuma raw so I'm well placed to comment
The Bewick is a really nice, lightweight pin. I sold mine on as I was using it and the bj superlight on the same rod and in the same situations, if the superlight wasn't a present from the mrs I probably would kept the Bewick instead.
The tft guide sounds like good advice if your using a 12-13ft rod, trotting shorter runs.
With longer rods they usually feel better with a slightly heavier reel, and the heavier, bigger spool has more inertia, like a fly wheel which makes retrieving long trots much easier as you can just bat the spool rather than winding. Remember one wind gives you just inches of line rather than a yard or more.
The reels are also different types with the okuma being a bearing pin, the Bewick is a true pin. The differences are subtle but do make a difference in how you use them
I either have, or have had all the reels mentioned except the okuma raw so I'm well placed to comment
The Bewick is a really nice, lightweight pin. I sold mine on as I was using it and the bj superlight on the same rod and in the same situations, if the superlight wasn't a present from the mrs I probably would kept the Bewick instead.
The tft guide sounds like good advice if your using a 12-13ft rod, trotting shorter runs.
With longer rods they usually feel better with a slightly heavier reel, and the heavier, bigger spool has more inertia, like a fly wheel which makes retrieving long trots much easier as you can just bat the spool rather than winding. Remember one wind gives you just inches of line rather than a yard or more.
The reels are also different types with the okuma being a bearing pin, the Bewick is a true pin. The differences are subtle but do make a difference in how you use them
In reply to Post #1
. . .I've recently bought an Alvey Shakespeare Lincoln centrepin that I managed to source brand new, boxed and unused for £50.
Its unique in that its made from graphite (and therefore not cold in winter to the touch), is 'closed' so grit and crap are less likely to create probs but also has a side cast facility (like the Ray Walton Rolling pin) to allow you to rotate the reel on your rod, lock the spool and cast further and as you would do with a normal fixed spool reel . . .
Spins beautifully so ideal for trotting . . .only 'prob' is it has no ratchet (only the on/off brake) so not great for ledgering/leaving on a rod rest etc.
Have just loaded it with 16lb / 0.12 Ultra 8 Fireline braid (equivalent to 2lb mono) and will also be using it on the Colne/Frays! For stick float fishing will fish the rig section as standard Drennan Supplex to give a bit of stretch but also planning to use it in the summer for freelining crust on the top . . . .
. . .I've recently bought an Alvey Shakespeare Lincoln centrepin that I managed to source brand new, boxed and unused for £50.
Its unique in that its made from graphite (and therefore not cold in winter to the touch), is 'closed' so grit and crap are less likely to create probs but also has a side cast facility (like the Ray Walton Rolling pin) to allow you to rotate the reel on your rod, lock the spool and cast further and as you would do with a normal fixed spool reel . . .
Spins beautifully so ideal for trotting . . .only 'prob' is it has no ratchet (only the on/off brake) so not great for ledgering/leaving on a rod rest etc.
Have just loaded it with 16lb / 0.12 Ultra 8 Fireline braid (equivalent to 2lb mono) and will also be using it on the Colne/Frays! For stick float fishing will fish the rig section as standard Drennan Supplex to give a bit of stretch but also planning to use it in the summer for freelining crust on the top . . . .
In reply to Post #27
This time of year all my trotting is standing up, either a morning or afternoon it's quite tough on the upper back (maybe my advancing years 😃 I did my discs in a few years back C5, C6 and C7) so keeping the tackle weight down is a good idea. Zippo hand warmer comes in handy with the pins metal drum, and if sub 3 degrees weather be sure to mr sheen your guides (the night before) to stop the line from sticking.
This time of year all my trotting is standing up, either a morning or afternoon it's quite tough on the upper back (maybe my advancing years 😃 I did my discs in a few years back C5, C6 and C7) so keeping the tackle weight down is a good idea. Zippo hand warmer comes in handy with the pins metal drum, and if sub 3 degrees weather be sure to mr sheen your guides (the night before) to stop the line from sticking.
In reply to Post #1
I've a couple of centrepins which I use for stick float trotting, it's a great way of fishing, very simple and very effective.
A Leslies of Luton "Insight" which looks very much like a Kingpin but I'm not 100% sure. Might be a Dav Swallow, I can't find out anything about it. I got it off my Dad about 20 years ago, it's anodised purple and is rather good.
The other one is a Fred Crouch Aerial replica. I got this one as my brother dropped my original one in The Thames about 45 years ago and I never got it back. Always wanted a replacement to actually use, but the really good ones cost daft money and I'd go and drop it/chip it etc so had the FC one made as a treat to myself. It's a nice reel but takes a bit more to get it going than the Insight if I'm honest. Probably more suited to a bigger stick float than I was using it for I suspect.
Doesn't answer your question however, I got my son a cheap one couple of years back, was around £50 and for the odd trip now and again it's perfectly useable. I can't recall what it was now. I'll ask and post back.
Money no object I'd get myself a Chris Lythe but lock it in a glass case and drool over it.
I've a couple of centrepins which I use for stick float trotting, it's a great way of fishing, very simple and very effective.
A Leslies of Luton "Insight" which looks very much like a Kingpin but I'm not 100% sure. Might be a Dav Swallow, I can't find out anything about it. I got it off my Dad about 20 years ago, it's anodised purple and is rather good.
The other one is a Fred Crouch Aerial replica. I got this one as my brother dropped my original one in The Thames about 45 years ago and I never got it back. Always wanted a replacement to actually use, but the really good ones cost daft money and I'd go and drop it/chip it etc so had the FC one made as a treat to myself. It's a nice reel but takes a bit more to get it going than the Insight if I'm honest. Probably more suited to a bigger stick float than I was using it for I suspect.
Doesn't answer your question however, I got my son a cheap one couple of years back, was around £50 and for the odd trip now and again it's perfectly useable. I can't recall what it was now. I'll ask and post back.
Money no object I'd get myself a Chris Lythe but lock it in a glass case and drool over it.
In reply to Post #26
I've got my eye on a few different options Duggs, thanks for everyones help
@ Belch, have you used it yet?
I've got my eye on a few different options Duggs, thanks for everyones help
@ Belch, have you used it yet?