21 replies to this topic

[Kinfisher]

I am new to this forum and to float fishing in general. I fished last season a little bit and landed a few on a spinning setup but I'm hoping to buy a centrepin reel. I have a few options I'm looking at going with but don't want to spend too much. The ones I have looked at are the Raven Helix, Rapala R-Type and Raven SST. I have tried to look for reviews but I am getting a mixed review, if anyone has any experience with these reel I would love some input. Also, if anyone is selling a reel send me a pm. 

[Paul1913]

I light an okuma raw2 couple years back. I have no complaints. Sure there are better reels out there but it won't catch you more fish.

Depends on budget I would say.

[DILLIGAF?!]

Okuma pin are the best bang IMO.i had a Sheffield which is by far one of the best pin I had. Sold it and got the raw 2. No complains. Aventa would be cheaper. For decent cost pins. Amundson are another brand to consider.

[TheTallOutdoorsman]

Kinfisher,

 

I picked up a Rapala Shift Centerpin this year (They are on Clearance at Sail, if you can find them) And I would highly recommend them for the price. They have a larger diameter (5.25" oppose to the standard 4.25") which allows you to use it on bigger waters such as The Niagara. It already comes with ABEC 7 bearings so there is nothing to upgrade and the hand screw for the reel makes it easy to dismantle and clean out even if you are in the river.

 

Or just get an Islander as they are in my opinion the best bang for buck!

 

Fishing world in Hamilton is having a sale on Centerpin reels right now!

[AJAK]

Kinfisher, I picked up a Okuma Raw 2 / Streamside float rod combo from Natural Sports in Kitchener last fall.

Price was right as I am also new to CP float fishing.

Rod and reel work great no complaints, any problem with the set up is all my issues with learning how to cast and dealing with a float rod.

[Hucho Hucho]

I had Okuma Sheffield for 5 years it took a lot of beating and throwing on the rocks and still going strong it is a tank. Now i got Islander Steelheader with factory installed ABEC7 bearings what a reel. You should definitely consider one of those 2. Have nothing to say about Raven since i never owned one but i heard good things.

[Kinfisher]

Thanks for all the replies. I will have to check out some of these deals and see what I can get my hands on!

[bigugly]

I had a Rapala and maybe I just had a dud or rather two as the first one was replaced. Second one the spool would always creep out and line would go behind spool. Ended up with a Raven Matrix Fully Ported and I love this reel. Perfect for the east Tribs I fish. And not crazy expensive either.

[Will]

I light an okuma raw2 couple years back. I have no complaints. Sure there are better reels out there but it won't catch you more fish.

Depends on budget I would say.

 

FenwickFisher sold me a Raw2 last fall for a great price and I agree. Zero complaints.

 

And coming from spinning and fly fishing, it's shocking what a difference drifting roe/worms with a pin makes. I got pretty good at bottom bouncing roe and worms with my spinning outfit and nymphing with my fly gear (mainly because I'm cheap and didn't want to spend money on another setup). But pinning makes such a huge difference.

[Fisherman Dave]

I would suggest going out with someone that has one and seeing how you like the feel of one in your hand and go from there. For example, I have an islander, which is a great reel overall, but I think I may end up preferring something slightly smaller and/or lighter in the long run. Maybe take a season to go out with someone you know that owns one or two and play around with it so you get an idea of what you are looking for.

[DILLIGAF?!]

Consider that this setup is not cheap. You can have a fly starter gear cheap but not this. The cheapest reel I have tried was a type rapala and I didn't like it. Aventa is much better but I wasn't satisfied either. Also consider that the setup also helps your rig drift better. Not just your reel. You can have a kingpin reel but your Float, shotting ang offering are not in sync it won't matter.

[NADO]

I'll second the sheffield, I have fished mine for many years and it is still going strong despite how I treat it. I fish it with sand in it, fight fish while I hear the grains grinding away my anodized finish, dunk the reel in the water for glory shots etc. etc. It is finally starting to slow down a bit on startup but I imagine that is just because I haven't cleaned it once.

[Shawarma]

I started with an Amundson reel.. it was a beauty, looks wise. I fought a few fish with it and it was fine when fish was on, but the drifts weren't great. Wasn't smooth to let line out. It lasted 2 weeks in my box but i had a great deal on it and sold it for what i bought it. 

 

Picked up a used Islander and bought ABEC 7s for it. It didn't need them but i bought into the whole "spin it for 8 minutes!" bull poop. Don't do that. You don't need it to spin freely for 8 minutes. 

 

Figure out your budget, and there's a good reel in that range. 

[DILLIGAF?!]

I had a friend who got 2 high end pins. everytime we fish together it's all about look how smooth it runs, smooth the drifts....I don't pay too much attention really as I'm mostly focused on where my line, bobber & bead is.....I guess that's one reason I outfish him every single time...

[Paul1913]

Expensive gear doesn't catch you more fish. 

[James5354]

for the money check out the Ross Flow there on clearance pretty much everywhere ( sail and lebarons) has a quick release spool which makes it great to clean riverside if you get grit inside it also has a wide drum for the guys that like to slap alot of line on their reels and its made in usa I paid around 250 for mine after taxes regular price was over 300....also another great reel is the okuma sheffield...my brothers been running his for around 10 years now and loves it......its around the sam price as the ross but you can probably find a used one for alot less.

[Hucho Hucho]

Expensive gear doesn't catch you more fish. 

No but it makes the fishing more pleasurable if you have higher quality gear. 

[DILLIGAF?!]

No but it makes the fishing more pleasurable if you have higher quality gear. 

I would think it's the other way around....catching fish with minimal cost, no?

[Hucho Hucho]

I would think it's the other way around....catching fish with minimal cost, no?

For me NO. I don't want my cheap reel to lock up on me when i have fish of the lifetime or my rod to brake. I do not want my rod and reel to weight a ton so i am tired after second cast. I did not say higher price i said higher quality. Big diference.  Once again higher quality will bring you higher price