Masterline Bob James Lightweight Centrepin
If you are a tackle tart like me -READ NO FURTHER!- any failure to comply with these instructions will cost you serious money.
However, if you really need a new centrepin for trotting even the lightest float on your local river and money is absoloutely no object, read on.
A lot of rubbish is talked about centrepins (did I say that out loud?) but you will find an excellent article examining the uses and advantages of these reels here and although I don’t agree with everything he says there is no need for me to elaborate much further. If Paul Whiteing will allow, I will expand on one point from his piece, this concerns the physical characteristics needed for a good centrepin.
All the centrepins I own fall into one of the following two categories, those I use for heavy float work and legering and those intended for light, sensitive trotting. As Paul says, running freely for a long time after being spun is not necessarily a measure of a good reel. Lightness of the spool is just a important since the heavier the spool is, the more force is required to start it turning and the greater its tendency to carry on turning. This is not so essential when legering or fishing with a heavy float as the line used tends to be thicker and therefore more manageable.
When trotting a light float it becomes critical. The force applied to turn the spool by the small float in slower moving water is much less and should the float be stopped by the angler to cause the bait to rise, the force may not be sufficient to start the reel turning again. In addition to this, since much lighter lines are liable to be in use when trotting a small float, a tendency for the reel to run on when the float has stopped taking line may go unnoticed with disasterous results.
This is why I prefer the lightest and most free running centrepin reels for light float fishing and the best I have found is The Bob James Lightweight Centrepin marketed by Masterline. This is a superb piece of engineering and a true joy to use. Not the reel for loading with thirty pound braid and fishing close to snags but an ideal light trotting tool.
The recommended retail price is £299 and well worth every penny. Excuse me while I go into the shed and play with mine again.
If you'd like to leave a comment on this post, here's how.
Hi Martin (I think)
I’ve only just come across this post, although not sure I understand the feel or the format of the site as yet.
Thanks for reading my article and for calling it “excellent”
You said “…..and although I don’t agree with everything he says there is no need for me to elaborate much further”
I really would be most happy to discuss what you don’t agree with as I feel my article was intended as a reference (excuse the notion) rather than simply an article. I have included a few things others commented on since the first draft, although I have to admit that I didn’t give them credit - something I would be happy to do for any update. Maybe I guess you are referring to my lack of info regarding float fishing? yes, a lack of info as I have little experience to call upon first hand.
regards
paul(paul4barbus on BFW) whiteing
Comment by paul whiteing — September 26, 2005 @ 2:09 pm
Oops, I forgot. Article update is at
http://barbel.co.uk/site/articles/pin/fish_cpin_bfwstyle2.htm or easier to read at
http://www.whiteing98.freeserve.co.uk/abbotts/fish_cpin.htm
regards
paul4
Comment by paul whiteing — September 26, 2005 @ 2:14 pm
Many thanks for your comment Paul, it’s always a pleasure to hear from another centrepin enthusiast. Your article could well end up as a reference for all users of centrepins and I have just read the updated version with the same envy!
When I said “…and although I don’t agree with everything he says there is no need for me to elaborate much further” it was with a reluctance to criticise such a superb piece of writing.
I will however at your request elaborate further but this is in no way meant as a criticism.
1. I am unhappy with “casting by pulling line from the rings” as too often the line wraps around the first ring causing a sudden stop of the weight being cast. This often results in particularly fine line being snapped and even damamge to the rod ring. I would not advocate the use of this method with anything heavier than a large float.
2. I am surprised you have noticed no difference in bite indication when using braid but perhaps I touch leger more often and have been influenced by lure fishing.
3. I prefer to control the rotation of the drum when playing a fish with my thumb but I load my line with it comming off the top of the spool so mine revolves the other way.
4. Although we started with the exact same reels (I bought mine from Fred Crouch in the days of the Association of Barbel Enthusiasts), I now
prefer reels with ball bearing races.
5. You’re right, I am a fanatical float fisherman and I believe that this is where the centrepin really comes into its own.
Please feel free to discuss this here with me or by email. My aim is to spread the word about this wonderful sport of ours and a good debate is an excellent method of doing so.
I’m not sure what you mean about the feel or format of the site but perhaps you aren’t familiar with the blog (or weblog) format? Basically it’s a place for me to record my coaching and fishing activities, along with my thoughts and ideas on a variety of topics.
The best thing about blogs though is the opportunity to open up a discussion and your comment is just the sort of thing I look for. It’s also a marketing tool for my business. I have a static “brochure” site at www.tryangling.com (which is just about to undergo a makeover) but this blog allows me the freedom to write short pieces as and when I want to rather than getting the web design team (i.e. my son and girlfriend!) involved.
And finally… if you check the top of the right hand column and click on “About Martin” you will find out a bit more about me.
Comment by Martin — September 28, 2005 @ 11:57 pm