Having just restarted a spot of coarse fishing (lead on by the Cheap pin thread) and remebering what fun it is to fish with a pin reel, I am now tempted to get another pin. I've looked at all the usual suspects and whilst the top end reels look great, for the money I'm tempted by the Okuma reels - now the problem is which one. Does anybody have experience (good or bad) with the following:

Sheffield
Aventa
Kennett
Martin Bowler edition

or would I be better off getting another Courtesi?

Regards

Carl

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If you're frightened of dying and you're holding on you'll see devils tearing your life away. But if you've made your peace, then the devils are really angels freeing you from the earth.

I have an Aventa and a Sheffield. The Aventa is amazing value, spins really weel but the Sheffield is a better reel. It starts spinning using less weight. It's not about how long a 'pin spins for, it's how much weight does it take to start it spinning. Of the 2 I'd say go for the Sheffield.

Having seen those Cortesi reels, I think they're brilliant value but I think the Aventa (just) beats them in start-up terms. No scientific basis just an opinion.

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Cheers,
Lawrence

I've had a few pins and the Sheffield is the best by far.

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Fundamentally fishing is a philosophy. A philosophy of earth, and growth, and quiet places. In it there is a rule of life, a recognition of permanences. It makes you notice the little things of nature, wherever you may be. ~Bernard Venables

Sheffield = great allround reel with gaps in faceplate for winding with fingers (i used too have one of these with a spare spool)

Aventa (i presume you mean the aventa pro bronze coloured one) = good all round reel (i've owned several of these ,since when they first appeared)

Kennett = line guard is a bit of a hinderance when batting or casting & has a openish back (i don't really like open backed centrepins ,but i got a good deal on this one ) ,i currently have a black one of these (origanal model ,they're now silver) with ¾ of the line guard removed too improve its usability see here:
http://centrepins.yuku.com/topic/374/Modification---0kuma-Kennet-Line-Guard--Facilitate-Wallis-Casting

Martin Bowler edition = slightly lighter version of sheffield ,not really worth the difference in price ,i'd still have one maybe if i didn't have the kennet

theres also
The Aventa (silver non bearings reel) = the bushings version of the aventa pro ,nice but needs a bit of use too bed in the bushings before you'd see the best from it.

The Trent = ok its a sheffield with a drag system shoehorned into it and its blue very blue .the drag is probably more hinderance than its worth ,unless it was used soley as a ledgering reel .

okuma pins are all great workhorses ,the basic models are better for trotting than there gimmically challenged brethren the trent & kennet .

every centrepin nutt job ,should have a okuma pin ,its centrepin lore

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I try to be funny... but sometimes I merely look it! Steve

my centre pin that adorns my 14`is an Okuma Shefflied Sirata..the first of it`s kind to have a Star drag...

..this is the only reel I bought after numerous tries on other reels, for I wanted to put my English reel to pasture, after serving me more than 30 years..this reel is smooth as silk, actually to smooth for the likes of my style, however, after discussing my idea with the manufactor of this reel, I had a `line guard`fitted to my reel.. now once again in my hands the control of a speed demon is under control.

..my suggestion to you is to take your time , check out as many reels possible before jumping ..because please remember..what is good for one may Not be good for you!

http://i53.tinypic.com/2z7jx9f.jpg

http://i51.tinypic.com/2ivyxk1.jpg

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A Wolf that stands Alone, has Great Wisdom.

Very happy with my Aventa Pro (and my AN pin, though I don't know whether Andy still makes them).

not herd nothing from him or seen him on An since the last trip too timsbury ! ,he was playing with a new design i seem too recall ,and was using a fred crouch true trotter that he'd put together himself ,so maybe he's doing some of the machining of them ! and that and other work has kept him busy .

i think you can still order the basic black AN pin via Anglers net site .

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I try to be funny... but sometimes I merely look it! Steve

Carl, I also have an Aventa Pro (a Steve/Chavender cast off) and to be honest, I don't think you will find it that much better than the Cortesi - thats not because the Aventa is bad, its because I think both are very good! The only advantage I would say the Aventa has is that its bigger, so line retrieve is a bit faster. It perhaps looks a little nicer too However, I was using my Cortesi today on a small stream near where I live (only had one fish but it was a decent 2.5lb chub, trotted bread, so that counts double compared to legering in my book) - anyway, I was winding with my finger rather than the handles and it worked quite well with Cortesi, whereas the design of the central spoke on the Aventa makes that a bit hard on the fingers (so I tend to bat that back more - easier as the spool is bigger too). If you want another similar type 'pin, then the Okumas are great, but if you're wanting something different then you might want to look elsewhere. Personally I prefer bearing reels to true centre pins (spindles) so I'm happy with my Cortesi and Aventa Pro combo.

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If you wind an Aventa Pro by sticking your fingers in the spokes, be careful not to put your finger tip in the "telephone dial" at the back of the spool, because sooner or later you will find the tail end of the leaf spring that is part of the ratchet assembly.

This is quite sharp, and you'll find it with the end of your finger!

Yes Steve, definitely NOT to be done when playing a fish! (Same applies to the Cortesi)

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