Side Cast Reels... cheap alternative to a centre pin?

[princesstoadstool]

what do you guys think? can a side cast reel be used instead of a centre pin? I met a guy who uses one but would like more opinions. cheers

 

[BaitCaster]

I have never heard of a "side cast reel"....

 

[princesstoadstool]

http://www.alveyusa.com/products/sidecastreels.php


looks like a centre pin.. an ugly centre pin.. levers to adjust drag, even make it drag free

 

[staffman]

Alvey side cast reels are made for surf casting. They are't designed for river fishing and therefore they won't free spool properly and therefore will frustrate you. Some pins will allow you to pivot the reel before casting,but they are expensive. To see one go to http://www.centerpinangling.com and look for the Ray Walton Rolling pin.

 

[Grey Ghost]

These reels are not designed to function the same as centre pins. However if you are searching for centre pin reels you will find a number of English made centre pins with the side cast feature. I have never seen one in Canada but here is a write up on one model:

J W YOUNGS & SONS LTD
RAY WALTON ROLLING PIN MKII

RRP: £325
Weight: 270g
Drag system: Spring and thumbwheel on spoke
Ratchet system: Lever on side of back plate
Drum size: 3 3/4 inches
Width: One inch
Ball-bearings: Two
Line guard: No
Extras: Supplied with canvas pouch, certificate of authenticity and unique serial number

tcf verdict: We’ve included this reel in our test as it’s one of very few swivel drum ‘pins’ that can be turned 90 degrees and cast like a normal fixed spool reel before returning it back to its original position for trotting. This will allow long casting of floats without grief and is superb for stress-free fishing on the feeder or rolling big baits, the function it was originally designed for. It is the most expensive, but for sheer fishing joy is well worth the investment if only for the challenge of playing big fish on the pin alone.

 

[princesstoadstool]

was looking at the 475B model. it says a slow current is enough to take line off. i'm sure it's marketing but it still sounds like it might do the job. it will never be equivalent to a centre pin but its $81. so debating

http://www.alveyusa.com/products/salmonsteel.php

 

staffman=Bill Shearer (40 years of centerpinning experience), retired firefighter, cool looking guy lol

I'll leave it at that

 

[staffman]

staffman=Bill Shearer (40 years of centerpinning experience), retired firefighter, cool looking guy lol

I'll leave it at that

I do have 40 years of steelheading behind me,but I'm not Bill Shearer. I am a retired high school math teacher from London and Bill knows more about steelheading than I do.

 

I do have 40 years of steelheading behind me,but I'm not Bill Shearer. I am a retired high school math teacher from London and Bill knows more about steelheading than I do.

Either way 40 years of steelheading is a lot. I bet you can teach me a thing or two.