What exactly is a "centre pin" anyway?
How is that different from a spindle?
Thanks!

there are two different ways to describe a centrepin.

By function - a trotting reel or UK spinning reel - the Aerial or the type reel, the Simplex:
http://www.antiquetackleobserver.com/?cat=9

By architecture - a modern fly reel counts, with a center pin spindle fixed to the backplate, the bushing is contained in the spool and is the full width of the spool.


although the design goes back to the wooden Scarborough and Nottingham reels


Versus a conventional reel architecture, where the spindle is part of the spool, and it rides on small fixed bushings in end plates; the end plates are caged by pillars.

Here's one. It's not a particularly fancy one, but it sure is pretty.

Wow, a wood reel. I guess years ago they probably advertised "aproved for saltwater " Bull, are you saying that a reel spool that is supported on one side of the frame is a 'center pin'? I'm showing my ignorance but I am curious and curious minds want to learn. From the way you explained what the reel is for I don't think that would be my kind of fishing as sometimes its heck to get in fifty feet of line between casts and especially when a fish is caught ... Ray ...

no 4" to 4-1/2" centrepins are the choice of serious steelheaders. They really have no drag to speak of, so they are palmed for brakes. They take in line quickly.
here is that Young link
http://www.jwyoungs.co.uk/reels.htm

here is the original Aerial - you see they are described as all-round reels.


here's another Young-made Allcock variant, the Swift

even on my modern JAF Aerial, the check disengages (the button on the back) to free-spool the reel

Center pinning is a first cousin to cane pole fishing with a bobber carefully weighted to present a bait/fly/jig precisely and with no drag. The center pin reel turns with practically no friction so that the bobber you are fishing with can dead drift the whole length of a pool or run off a centre pin reel. A long rod (commonly 13' or so) is used to pick all that line off the water. There is some art involved since it takes an "educated thumb" to keep the reel from over-running and to strike. Playing a fish off a direct drive reel is a lot of fun. Just like premium fly reels, premium centre pin reels go for a lot of money.

Almost 30 years ago Canadian steelheaders dug out their old Aerials, etc and found they were a great way to present baits to steelhead. The technique spread to New York streams and is now pretty common for Great Lakes steelheaders. The last few years guys who learned centre pinning up on the steelhead streams are taking those techniques to large trout and smallie rivers, like the Delaware, and are doing great.

A lot of controversy. First, a good centre pinner can present a perfect dead drift and is deadly. A lot of jealousy with fly guys, even if the pinners are using flies or jigs. The second is an etiquette issue. A center pinner can drift a bait 50 yards or more and cover a pool from head to tail in a single drift, which is fine if you are all alone. However, on some heavy pressured streams novice pinners will float their bobbers right across every one else's lines (and I have seen pinners drift their lines over everyone else's heads). I think this will work out over time.

JeffK,

Welcome to the Fiberglass Flyrodders!

I've never actually seen someone center pinning, let alone had an issue sharing a stream. I must admit, it looks like it would be more fun than high stick nymphing.

Tom

Does the Windex reel by J.W. Young qualify as a centre-pin reel?

Here in England there are anglers who get really quite emotional about centre pin reels. Trotting a bait down river( letting it drift under a float with the current ) for Chub or Barbel , both hard fighting river fish , at one time looked to be a dying artform. However, in the last few years there has been a strong revival with the result that some beautifully crafted reels are still being made. None are cheap , typically $300- $400 for a current J.W.Young & Sons item - but they are beautiful and will outlive us all and our children!

A little more affordable are Okumas range which look really nice whenever I see them in my local tackle dealers store - which caters for a lot of hardcore Barbel fishermen. Here they are priced from around £120 , I guess around $180-$ 200.

I use an old J.W.Young 4" Rapidex that I bought off E-Bay eighteen months ago for £20 or about $30. I do not fish for Chub or Barbel myself. Instead I am a determined Pike ( Northern)man. I love drifting a sprat deadbait on small rivers and canals using a single size 6 Eagle Claw treble hooked just below the dorsel fin on an 18inch 20lb seven strand wire trace suspended below a small slip float , using 20lb Tuf-line XP braid mainline and an old 10ft. Normark glass rod rated for 15-50 gram weights. I guess my old Rapidex is at least forty, maybe fifty , years old but it gives line very smoothly in the most moderate of currents really allowing me to search out a lot of water. 5-6 lb Pike are good fun on this outfit and it is a style of fishing I enjoy occasionally as a change from casting lures.