Is that a thing?

I have no idea on centrepins and my Dad wants one for Xmas, obviously he won't be expecting a top end reel but I don't want to get him a crock of ****. I don't mind buying second hand but eBay is a minefield when I don't know what I'm looking at.

Will probably only be used for trotting down the Colne, any recommendations up to £50 please and thank you.

In reply to Post #1
Grice & Young Avon Supreme. Perfect old skool pin that eont break the bank.

There are a few so called cheaper models
Ikoniz
Cyprinus
Marco cortesi...or maybe look at a secondhand truepin,is one with no bearings,don't be put off by that, maybe Trudex,Rapidex or a nice okuma pin,okuma make fantastc centrepins...I have owned several Ltd edition Gary Mills pins,and for example much prefer the Okumas..

If it was me I'd go for a lovely used truepin,with a bit of history,maybe an original box etc,you see a few on eBay..

Angling direct do a couple of stillwater pins, these were formerly the Marco cortesi pins that dragon carp sold. A few had problems with the screw coming undone on the original one so I'd look at the Severn version which copies the faceplate and screw design of the okuma Sheffield. I had a matt Hayes aerial version that was nice, fine mono can get behind the spool with these though so I'd advise using braid and keeping some rigs on pole winders
The okuma reels are much better quality if you can find an aventa pro or Sheffield for a decent price. I doubt I'd let mine go for £50 though so I don't think you'd find one in budget

I prefer a true pin for trotting, but I can't really help with old versions you'll find on ebay.

In reply to Post #4
The Okuma centerpins are superb ,the Sheffield will cost around £130 and they do a slightly cheaper one around the £80 mark,they are both quality reels,I'd stay away from the TFG one or any around the £40 mark,the okuma will last a long time

In reply to Post #5
.
Do they still do the cheaper ones? Last time I looked used prices on the aventa pro were more than £80 quid

In reply to Post #1
Plenty of good second hand pins out there in your budget

Thanks for the replies so far.

Bringing this back to life as it's on my 'bucket list' to get a pin to try it, hope that's o.k SA, thought it good to keep in the same place for reference.

I've had a good look around, like the look of the Okuma Sheffield or Raw & the JW Young Superlight,

If you were given a choice what would you choose based on how it performs?
Is the anodising any good?
If given a choice of reel depths 1"+, 1", 0.75 what would you choose? I note the JW is 100 yards of 2-8lb whereas the sheffied is 275/8lb.
Does the extra weight of the line/spool inhibit the spin of the reel.

I can't see many times I'd be fishing +50 yards and as for 275 yards can't see that ever being needed on a river but I'm open to opinions.

In reply to Post #9
I know loads of people who swear by the okuma the wife has one of these herself.
I have a limited edition youngs which is a thing of beauty which I got from the wife and kids for Xmas about 10 or so years ago I think but it could be longer lol

Depending on its use
Some people say for trotting the line should come of the top
And you shouldn't have a lot of line on it so to stop bedding in
I find 100m one shot spool is about right for me
And the spool is 1”

First pin I ever owned was a 4” Leeds centrepin in the 80's
God knows what happened to that

In reply to Post #10
Thanks for the feedback F

So potentially, the wider spool might be best even with 100 yards of line, interesting.
I have been doing my homework on the net but liked to ask on here too.

EDIT, I wasn't clear (it may be obvious from my Q's) but this would a river float trotting pin.

In reply to Post #11
Spool width depends on the thickness of the reel seat/handle for me, some rods I like narrow, others wide.

I have an aventa pro which is the same as the Sheffield, but not as pretty, and a super lightweight.
The okuma will spin longer and takes less to start it
The superlight has an adjustable brake to slow the spool which is helpful for casting and trotting

Both attract grit, make sure you riddle your maggots or you find yourself cleaning behind the spool a lot! The youngs is worse in that respect

The okuma is very versatile, you can pretty much use it in any situation on any rod, where the superlight is great on a very lightweight rod with fine lines, it feels too delicate for heavier tackle

In reply to Post #11
You did say a river but some buy spare spools and use them on lakes as well lol

Also make sure you have an eye lower down on the rod as that helps with grabbing fistfuls of line to help with casting.
Essentially
You pull line from each of the eyes from with your left hand if holding the rod in the right and Chuck it from the side

In reply to Post #13
I've never seen the point in spare spools for centrepins, they cost 80% the price of a whole reel, and with a lot of reels it takes a while for the spool/spindle to 'mate' properly. Especially true with true centrepins, but it also applies to bearing reels like most youngs with an end float screw

Thanks for the feedback once again
I had some new rods done by Mark Tunley a while back, a slightly heavier float rod, Torrix 12' 1.25lb to cover most float work (I have other longer match rods for lighter work) and some Torrix 12' 2lb with 7 rings, 2 on the lower section ( a preferred ring pattern for Mark on rivers).

Is the Okuma you guys refering to the Sheffield or the Raw? Even on the various CP sites I looked at the Okuma seem to be very well regarded.
Can you clarify heavier tackle for the superlights Duggs please?