Being a Non-conformist and a diligent shopper, I bought the Ukraine made reel: http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd294/bassfighter_album/centerpin1.jpg
Here is the Ukraine made centerpin I got from ebay, works as perfect as any $300 reel. My Pinning buddy has a $300 Okuma reel, did some casting, floating and compared it with my $35 reel, he said nothing wrong with the way the reel spin, but for the money, it is amazing. It is lightweight compared to the more expensive models, the material used is not as thick, but equally strongly made, lighter material helps reel spins better. Might not spin for 3 minutes long, actually only close to a minute(Spinning for a long time is not a right way to test a Pin in fishing anyway) , Most important feature of a Pin reel, it has to freely spin (start-up)on slow moving water and mine moves freely and impressively with the price. Before I took a plunge on this Ukraine Pin, I consulted with many other buyers on ebay regarding this reel , and they all swear that it is a great buy and quality. The line and rod to be used is equally important. I am using a Siglon F floating line.
Too bad I do not get paid for promoting these reel! Just some good news to our members through my diligence in investigating new products and inexpensive pricing. I believe the other equally important aspect to float fishing also includes understanding the type of float and split shot distribution.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd294/bassfighter_album/centerpincloseup.jpg
Herer are other inexpensive $80 reel from ebay, this same reel sold with two different name, both made from china only sold in UK. These are amazing reel for the price as well, I also did my homework and consulted other previous ebay buyers feedback. They are selling by the hundreds in UK, they do not want to distribute it in America for now. Only one factory makes them in China, I would love to be a reseller and will investigate further . They cannot make enough to be sold within UK alone.
http://cgi.ebay.com/MARCO-CORTESI-SIGNATURE-CENTRE-PIN-REEL-FLY-FISHING-/200585028901?pt=UK_SportingGoods_FishingAcces_RL&hash=item2eb3cca525
http://cgi.ebay.com/IKONIX-CENTRE-PIN-REEL-/310264995930?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Fishing_Reels_JN&hash=item483d3c205a
Centerpin reel are easy to make, not a lot of parts involved compared to a baitcasting reel, China Centerpin reel will be penetrating our market just months from now. The bearings is the most important key to free spooling, If they can make the fastest Fighter Jet in the world that came out last month, faster than a US fighter Jet, making Centerpin reel is a breeze for them.
Sorry to disappoint those who paid a lot for their Pin in the past. Most North American consumers wanted inexpensive product within the past 10 years, only way to sell a pin cheaper is to get it made in China. UK or Japan used to look down and would not even touch China made stuff 10 years ago. Due to economy being bad, Now, UK cannot even keep enough PIN on their shelves. They are selling the Marco cortesi or Ikonix reel for only 30 pounds, they do not even want to sell me one directly. After I enquired, they have enough market seliing in UK and always ran out of stock. They wanted me to go through their other ebay resellers which sells for 45Pound, a much higher price.
I saw a rod and spinning reel combo at Dicks sporting goods USA a month ago sold for $10, the reel has 10 bearings, The rod is somewhat flexible for my taste. However, for a beginner angler , what they can buy today is far superior than what they can buy 10 years ago, for even less money. Quality in technology has reach almost its saturation point these days, meaning the less expensive stuff versus the most expensive stuff is not too far different these days, except the brand name.
