Reel Spool End
Reel Spool End
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A quick question from a novice about centrepin reels?
Hi! I'm quite new to fishing (coarse, UK) and currently have cheap gear which I use to go after roach, perch and small carp at a few local lakes.
I've seen fishing shows where the presenter uses a centrepin reel to trot and float fish on moving water, usually with an avon rod. I'd like to give it a go as at the moment I just use a fixed- spool reel. To this end my father has given me his old centrepin, and I've got a few questions. Firstly, it looks to be in very good condition, but makes a very loud 'clicking' noise with each turn of the drum handle, winding in both directions. Is this normal, as I thought the action should be silent?
Also, how do I correctly load a centrepin with mono, as surely it isn't fed evenly on to the reel like a fixed- spool?
Lastly, can I cast as I would with a fixed- spool, or do I have to take line off of the reel by hand (as fly fishermen do) before my cast?
Thanks!
You can't beat a centrepin ( aka drum reel) for trotting down a swim. They are much better than a fixed spool reel for that technique. But they take some getting used to, but it's well worth the effort in learning the skill. Some of the old reels were excellent. I use a Allcocks Match Aerial from the 70's which is superb.
The click you're talking about is a ratchet. There should be a button somewhere for turning it on and off.
To load the reel with line, push a pencil through the hole in the new spool of line and wind the line onto your reel letting the new line spool rotate around the pencil 'axle'. This way you won't be putting twists into it.
Centrepin reel experts can cast directly off the reel by giving the drum a flick with the little finger at the appropriate moment. This is an art that requires a lot of practice before you can perfect it, but once you've got it you'll wonder why you found it so difficult.
You can also just pull some line of the reel by hand as you suggest.
Stick with it, and master the art. Centrepin reels are great for all but when you need to cast a long way.