Centrepin - Technique or Item of tackle?

guest61 · Nov 10, 2010

In the whole of my three weeks as a member of FM, there have been two threads on centrepin Reels.

I own two centrepins - they are ‘tools’ and I view them as part of my fishing tackle, I know that in general they need favorable conditions to get the best from them.

I've just had a look at my Club forum and there is a post from someone who has made a decent catch of Barbel, he then finishes off with 'on the centrepin' – he doesn’t say, ledgering or float fishing but uses centrepin as if it were a technique in itself. This isn’t an isolated case, others refer to stick and ‘pin; there are also other references to just the ‘pin. I understand that we all have our preferences for certain methods and items of tackle, but I could never imagine finishing a catch report with. ‘I caught……..on the fixed spool’ or ‘on the bait-caster’. I can understand what’s going on when there is reference to using a stick float, or waggler, ‘feeder or pole with various subdivisions of on the bottom, holding back, on the drop and up in the water etc.

So my questions are: Why, when a centrepin is used, it can be considered a technique in its own right and why do we feel the need to tell everyone?

Mark

Sean Meeghan · Nov 10, 2010

Simple Mark: it's a reel and mentioning it is pure snobbery!

I do like using them though!

Mark Wintle · Nov 10, 2010

It's stupid snobbery. There is a myth that somehow a centrepin is 'better' and by inference so is the angler using it. I use them for close in still water work and ENJOY it. But on a river I find that a fixed spool suits ME much better as I can do so much more with it including techniques not feasible with a 'pin.

S-Kippy · Nov 10, 2010

Sean Meeghan said:
Simple Mark: it's a reel and mentioning it is pure snobbery!

I do like using them though!

To a degree maybe Sean but I think its also just the sheer enjoyment of a dedicated pin user coming through. I'm as guilty as the next in that respect...to me a good day/good fish on the pin is that little bit more enjoyable. I trout fish and to me one caught on a nymph is worth more [not more worthy] than one caught on a lure.

Is that snobbery or just sheer enthusiasm. Dunno...I dont feel like a snob but i do enjoy using a pin and if I mention that its not meant to be showing off.

geoffmaynard · Nov 10, 2010

I don't think its snobbery so much as added achievement. A bit like catching a fish on a fly, it's generally considered a little harder to do but in reality it's probably not. It is more pleasurable though, for me anyway, and gives a greater job-satisfaction. That applies to both pin and fly.

jimmy crackedcorn · Nov 10, 2010

I think its snobbery by alot no offence intended to Messers Maynard and s-kippy. Sooooo many anglers cant wait to cram it down your throats that they use a " 'pin " as if they are crabtree re-incarnated, worse still are the ones who call fixed spool reels "mangles". And as for there high handed views on anyone who uses a pole on, gasp, a commercial, their self righteousness goes to another level. I call those anglers "pretenious ********s".

Its a tool for fox sake. From about 100 years ago. Nowt more. You might detect by now you've struck a nerve here.......

guest61 · Nov 10, 2010

jimmy crackedcorn said:
And as for there high handed views on anyone who uses a pole on, gasp, a commercial, their self righteousness goes to another level. I call those anglers "pretenious ********s".

I like that - I once used a margin pole on a known Barbel area of a local river. Good job that I have broad shoulders.

tigger · Nov 10, 2010

In my opinion there is no way you can trott a float as well or as far with an open faced or closed faced reel as you can with a pin. I have proven that recently with some friends on a local river. Thing is some people just arn't good enough anglers or skilled enough to master using one so try putting them down

jimmy crackedcorn · Nov 10, 2010

I'm not putting them down. I'm putting the minority (i hope !) of anglers that use them and cram them down other anglers throats, using them not as reel more of a status symbol they think says "look at me ! I've spent 300 quid on a reel and you dont even know how to fish with it ! God you lot are ****." Some people would point to your post and think thats you, but I'm not some people.

And why dont they say/type CENTREpin. Its not that hard is it? Its like the great and the good who want to get a degree but cant manage the word "university" only the first two syllables. Thats when they arent putting windows through in central london, but, I digress

tigger · Nov 10, 2010

jimmy crackedcorn said:
I'm not putting them down. I'm putting the minority (i hope !) of anglers that use them and cram them down other anglers throats, using them not as reel more of a status symbol they think says "look at me ! I've spent 300 quid on a reel and you dont even know how to fish with it ! God you lot are ****." Some people would point to your post and think thats you, but I'm not some people.

And why dont they say/type CENTREpin. Its not that hard is it? Its like the great and the good who want to get a degree but cant manage the word "university" only the first two syllables. Thats when they arent putting windows through in central london, but, I digress

PINS arn't an expensive item when you look at the price of even a cheap pole or carp anglers kit for example. There's no snobbery with pin users that I know of just a lot of passion for their style of angling.
Whats up crackhead you got a problem with pin heads !!!

Mark Wintle · Nov 10, 2010

tigger said:
In my opinion there is no way you can trott a float as well or as far with an open faced or closed faced reel as you can with a pin. I have proven that recently with some friends on a local river. Thing is some people just arn't good enough anglers or skilled enough to master using one so try putting them down

What bit can't I do with a fixed spool????????????????????????????????????

I can cast/put the float where I want it, make it go at the speed I want it to from dead stop to running it at 'em, can strike and pick up line without any problem whatsoever, play fish with complete confidence and retrieve the float at the end of the trot quickly and effortlessly. Furthermore, I can use styles of float that a centrepin simply will not cope with such as Trent Trotters and wagglers in fast water. Mind you, I've been practising for 40 years, and have watched and fished with the very best in the game.

I'm with Jimmy on this one.

Where's the problem?

Float fishing success is much more to do with the angler and feeding than the reel.

Jeff Woodhouse · Nov 10, 2010

With some people it might well be snobbery, a bit like using a very expensive cane rod - a Barder, say. Why mention it apart from the that it is very expensive? Do the fly fishing community finish off with - "It was on a Sage/Loomis rod."? Hardly, I expect.

But then if it is snobbery, why don't they tell you what brand of centrepin reel it is and how much it costs? Could I be accused of being a snob if I said I used a centrepin today, it was that Marco Cortesi costing all of £30. Hardly a snobbish comment with such a cheap reel.

With me, it's the best tool to use in certain conditions*, but for other jobs it's useless and a fixed/closed face spool would have been far better. Then again, they might be hinting at the exceptional fun they had because they used a centrepin and only that. Why let it bother you though, just let it go right over your head if it upsets that much.

* I was trotting the Thames at 30+ metres. I know this because the guy downstream of me shouted "Oy, here I am more than 30 metres from you and still you come poaching my swim! Cheeky *******!" - Sometimes it's the only way to find out how far you are trotting.

tigger · Nov 10, 2010

Mark Wintle said:
What bit can't I do with a fixed spool????????????????????????????????????

I can cast/put the float where I want it, make it go at the speed I want it to from dead stop to running it at 'em, can strike and pick up line without any problem whatsoever, play fish with complete confidence and retrieve the float at the end of the trot quickly and effortlessly. Furthermore, I can use styles of float that a centrepin simply will not cope with such as Trent Trotters and wagglers in fast water. Mind you, I've been practising for 40 years, and have watched and fished with the very best in the game.

I'm with Jimmy on this one.

Where's the problem?

Float fishing success is much more to do with the angler and feeding than the reel.

Mark, there's no way you can keep as tight a line to your float with an open faced reel as is possible with a pin, if you could I would never have botherd with a pin in the first instance. I bow to you 40yrs experience my friend but for close'ish trotting a pin blows a Open faced reel out the water OMO

Obviously distance and venue etc would dictate which reel to use on the day.

The Sogster · Nov 10, 2010

Mmm, could be a contentious thread.

Personally I have made mention of the fact of the kind of tackle I use in catch reports, either on here or on other sites.

I may even mention if I used a centrepin, as far as I am concerned there is no snobbery or one upmanship. I am simply stating which tools were used in a particular situation.

Others reading the thread can then use that information should they wish to pass constructive critiscm on my method should they feel inclined or should I so request.

No one seems to object to the number of threads where the word 'pole' can be substituted for 'pin (sorry centrepin).
I have lost count of the times I have read 'I was on the pole' without mentioning float or ledger - should we include this minority in our 'sick of cramming it down our throats' castigation of anglers using their tackle as a status symbol.
Indeed there are probably more queries on angling forums along the lines of 'What's the best £1000+ pole' than there are about any other item of tackle.
If that doesn't smack of status symbol, what does?

guest61 · Nov 10, 2010

Jeff Woodhouse said:
Why let it bother you though, just let it go right over your head if it upsets that much.

It doesn't bother me in the slightest. The reason for the post was an observation of threads and posts here and elsewhere, coupled with my own curiosity.

S-Kippy · Nov 10, 2010

Ha ha...we're off on one here and no mistake.

Jimmy...calm down mate. Its unfair to say everyone that mentions pin [and that is simply quicker to type than centrepin] is ramming that fact down your throat as if it somehow makes them better than you. Some might but they need to get out more and as far as I'm concerned its nothing more than descriptive...like eg "on the float" or "on the lead". That's all.

I'm not 100 years old...I certainly wouldn't describe myself as a "Crabtree" type as those that know me will confirm and I didn't start using a pin until maybe 10 years ago and it was for pure personal enjoyment. Which,frankly, is nobodies business but mine.

I dont use poles because 1] I cant and 2] I dont enjoy it but I've got no problem with people that can or do. I actually find it far more "snobbish" to hear about blokes boasting that they carry 8 nets and caught 300lb of carp. Good for you...if I had to do that week in week out I'd give up.

Its just a reel that some people like using...so what ?

Skippy

jimmy crackedcorn · Nov 10, 2010

I agree with some of that. In catch reports, if you are going to to do them - do them right and give as much info as you are comfortable doing. With that I agree totally. So if you used a pole, say you used a pole. If you used a feeder, say you've used a feeder. If you used a float say you sed a float. You dont hear fans of closed face reel, another fairly specialised bit of kit insist on telling folk about them.

With regards to the £1000 pole thread, that is bang on the money. I bet there is a current thread on 90% of angling forums right now, and been hundreds on it before. Is it a status symbol thing though ? I was forking out that kind of money on anything I'd like advice, but I'd want my head read first on spending that kind of money on a pole

. I often feel, right or wrong that those threads are a request for info on a tool, it could a drill,it doesnt seem as, I'm trying to find the right word so no offence (serioulsy), sentimental about them as centrepin users ?

Jeff Woodhouse · Nov 10, 2010

m a brooks said:
It doesn't bother me in the slightest.

Sorry M.A.. I was using "you" in it's w-i-d-e-r context meaning - anyone.

PS - you dad wasn't a teacher in Stalybridge was he that prefered to use the slipper as punishment? I ask this of everyone called Brooks, even our next door neighbours.

guest61 · Nov 10, 2010

Jeff Woodhouse said:
PS - you dad wasn't a teacher in Stalybridge was he that prefered to use the slipper as punishment? I ask this of everyone called Brooks, even our next door neighbours

No, Jeff my dad pioneered 'waterboarding' as a punishment.

George387 · Nov 10, 2010

I use pins because I want to use a pin, nothing snobbery about that its the type of reel I prefer and are more comfortable with, Ive had over 40 years fishing on the match circuit abroad & at home, so Ive had my share of fixed spool reels & closed faced reels and I still prefer to fish with a pin.

EVERYONE to their own type of fishing, why should it bother others what people caught on, fishing is meant to be relaxing & fun and if your not getting that out of your fishing then think about taking up Golf...lol

Centrepin - Technique or Item of tackle?

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Content Editor

Well-known member

Well-known member

Banned

Well-known member

Banned

Well-known member

Moaning Marlow Meldrew

Banned

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Moaning Marlow Meldrew

Well-known member

Well-known member