Hi all I have finally decided that I'm going to buy a Young's centrepin but I can't make my mind up between

The Bob James Lightweight 4.5
J W Youngs BJ Lightweight

Or

The John Wilson Heritage
John Wilson Heritage


Which one would be best for Grayling trotting?

its a matter of how you feel when you fish the 2 reels then i would say the herritage but as a dealer for jw its got to be the 4.5 puirist 2 it just seems to hang a bit better when the current is pulling of line but the 3.5 is my favourite it just holds back with ease and practically hooks grayling before thumb pressure is applied

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lets fish the clydeGuide

Have to agree with what clydestyle has said I have quite a few JW Young reels from throughout the ages and the Purist II is without doubt the most frequently used one by me.
The heritage is too restricted by the lineguard which I would have to remove if I had one, and I do have the lightweight, used it once and it now sits on the shelf, just didnt feel right on either of my trotting rods which are 15ft & 16ft Drennan DRX's, its better to take your rod that you intend to be using and match the reels to the rod for balance & feeling or you will hate yourself for it.

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A Scotsman in Yorkshire now there IS a combination

Have to say you will be spending a lot of unnecessary coin there. There is imho a far better reel on the market for the job, a lewtham leeds reel and the 5.5" one is best. All the 4" reels have a poor retrieve ratio compared to the 5.5" lewtham, saves a lot of batting if you re trotting over any distance.
They run superbly but cost a lot lee that the youngs reels. I tried a greys bewick and it performed less well than the lewtham. Mind its the 5.5" one , preferably with no handles! Just my opinion.

I've been playing with a borrowed Purist II lately - so I can't junk the guard.
I've never handled a BJ Lightweight but I wouldn't be without my 4 1/2" standard BJ.
That would be my choice (again).
It's only 5 grammes heavier than the 'lightweight'.

I got my lad the lightweight for his eighteenth, I will get him to tell you what he thinks of it when he takes it out of the box, (he is nearly twenty now) I should have got him a beer instead.

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Please look at and sign this e-petition. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/13978

I have one and also like it because its unbelievably smooth. Line can ocassionally get caught behind spool though. Mine is the 4" version which yes, ok, does obviously have a lower retrieve ratio, but on the plus side its lighter - same principles apply to all 'pins obviously. Plus I like having the handles - need them sometimes for big fish. I also find the audible check essential on my model (for engaging when putting rod down etc and also the ocasional use for legering/margin carp fishing). Saying that, they're not the prettiest to look at compared to the fancy pants designs. - although I think you can get a blinged up blue version now!

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I suppose you have thought about the Okuma reels? They are very well regarded. I have a Sheffield. It feels a bit heavier than my mates Youngs but also feels smoother and more solid. It trots fine too. Don't like the **** for the ratchet though. I also have some four inch reels (Youngs, Speedias etc.) and have never been troubled by a slow retrieve to be honest. If you bat 'em they retrieve well enough...for me. Mind you, I can see 5.5" being much faster.

mmmMM ,yes well ,i'd pick neither not a big fan of modern youngs reels ,theres nothing overtly wrong with them apart from the inflated price

but if limited to just choosing between youngs models ,i'd go for the Heritage as the bj light is too open at the back for my liking but then the Heritage has a line guard and i have a habit of butchering lineguards .but out of the two the Heritage looks better .

so i'd say get a aerodex (i dont like the openess of there build ,but they're not bad reels)

the newer version of the grays beswick is rather good ,excellent casting reels much better than its predecessor .

the okumas are probably the best all round reels at this time ,i'll be fishing for the river test grayling with my "Kennet" and its re-shaped line guard in a matter of hours . but i'll also have my fred crouch "true trotter" aerial its 3 3/4" but a beautiful little reel it is.

its never easy picking just one reel (thats why i'm taking 6 for tomorrows grayling fest)

sod it just buy the Heritage ,if for nothing else its in british fishing green

Did the centre pin do the business today Scotty boy?