Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Electroman on December 16, 2020, 03:52:49 PM
-
I’m on the hunt for a new pin and got to wondering what most people use. My current reel is an Islander with bearings (obvious to most). I’ve swapped out the bearings it came with for some ceramic ones for no reason other than to fiddle with it.
So what’s your preference and, bearing or bushing, and why? Or does it matter to anyone at all?
-
Nicely broken in bushing
-
.....bearing for me .....but I have not owned a quality bushing reel like a milner...have an old avon rs ( retired ) that I had re-bushed but doubtful it was done proper .....also have a trophy winterrun that performs ok.... but tolerances are not tight enough to eliminate wobble....no wobble with bearing and they can be self serviced as opposed to needing a machinist to service a worn bushing or spindle...
-
Not a huge difference IMO, I think I just like the look/feel of my Milner more then my Islander. Try a couple out in the store and see what you like.
-
Bushing reels are superior , keep is clean and oiled and you won’t need any other maintenance . Bearings will all eventually fail
-
Bushing reels are superior , keep is clean and oiled and you won’t need any other maintenance . Bearings will all eventually fail
.......some facts or reasoning to back that up?.....bearings can also be kept clean and oiled.....is a bronze bushing not softer than stainless steel and therefore more likely to wear sooner ? ......
-
Personal experience fishing Centerpin’s for 20 years , have owned a bunch of bushing milners and a few bearings as well as an islander . The bushings have needed no maintenance , just the occasional oil and set screw adjustment. I’ve changed the bearings on every bearing reel I’ve owned . They tend to not hold up well if they get dipped into the water and get grit into them . The bearings are tiny and a small fall for the reel can mess them up .you can try at lubricating them but they are a sealed shielded bearing
-
I am still a 'newbie' with centre-pins with only six years of experience....I have both a milner (bushing) and islander (bearing)...both work great, but for some reason I prefer the milner for a more sensitive 'start' to the drift, while the islander is probably better for longer casts (although it 'spools' on me easier)...I try to add a couple of drops of oil to the milner after or during every second or third outing...and regularly clean both...I never put my reel down on the ground...I'd rather lose a fish than put the reel down before it is in a 'pouch'...that way no nicks on the rim and no grit in the reel...great way to fish though with the centre pin....my son got me the milner for my 60th and I splurged a year later for the islander...both are great, but for some subtle reasons I prefer the milner...
-
I own both and personally prefer bearing for extremely short drifts because the reel will respond faster at the initial go. Bushing reels for longer drifts. Neither is quote "superior" than the other it just comes down to performance in certain applications. I just have to shake my head when people use that word superior when comparing types of reels. Its the same for the baitcaster vs pin argument. Again, its all about the application. Some diehard pin goofs will never understand that.
-
I have owned many of both. Personal preference. For me, bushing all the way. I have slowly sold off my bearing pins reels, not for me.
I prefer bushing for several reasons. Primarily if you happen to get a bit of sand/grit into the internal parts all you need to do it hit the quick release, pop off the spool, give the spool and backplate a good rinse off in the river, put back together, good to go! However if you rinse out all the oil, after an hour when the water inside dries out, the reel will not spin so well. To remedy this I carry a tiny bottle of oil on me. If needed I'll apply a bit on the spindle with a clean twig.
If you get sand/grit in your bearings the reel is more or less screwed for the day. Plus to get the spool off you typically need a screwdriver, and if you drop/lose that screw, not good. You might be able to limp it through a day's fishing but it will sound like hell and the bearings will likely need to be replaced before your next outing.
I also like how quiet bushing reels are. Bearing pin reels have a "tick-tick-tick" noise to them as the spool spins. Bearings also get noisier as they age.
As others have mentioned one nice thing about bearings is you can replace parts (bearings) on your own easily. If you wear out the bushing or spindle on a bushing reel it will have to be done by a machinist.
Generally I have found bearings reels start up better in frog water. They are also generally "tighter" with no side to side play. A lot of bushing reels have a little side to side play that is hard to eliminate even if you have the set screw adjusted perfectly.
Bottom line, fish both and choose what you like. Both have their pros and cons.
Bushings do require more regular cleaning and lubricating, and also have a break in period, whereas bearings are as good as they are going to get right out of the box.
-
I am still a 'newbie' with centre-pins with only six years of experience....I have both a milner (bushing) and islander (bearing)...both work great, but for some reason I prefer the milner for a more sensitive 'start' to the drift, while the islander is probably better for longer casts (although it 'spools' on me easier)...I try to add a couple of drops of oil to the milner after or during every second or third outing...and regularly clean both...I never put my reel down on the ground...I'd rather lose a fish than put the reel down before it is in a 'pouch'...that way no nicks on the rim and no grit in the reel...great way to fish though with the centre pin....my son got me the milner for my 60th and I splurged a year later for the islander...both are great, but for some subtle reasons I prefer the milner...
Just curious, if you're fishing by yourself, and you hook a wild steelhead or coho, or whatever fish you are going to release, how do you do it without putting your reel/rod down? Unless you skid the fish up on shore (bad!) you are going to need one hand to tail the fish, and the other hand to get the hook out of the fish's mouth. If I'm wearing a hat or toque I'll flop that on the ground, carefully place my reel on it, deal with the fish quickly. Sometimes logistics don't allow for the reel in the hat strategy and it ends up getting laid in the river and usually gets full of grit and crap. Personally I'll sacrifice my reel for the fish, not the other way around. I find if you carefully place the reel down on the backplate you can avoid any nicks on the spool. This will really irritate you if you can feel this when the reel spins. If you get a nick or two on the backplate not the end of the world.
-
I learned on a bearing reel, and when I started using a bushing reel I used to always clip my knuckles on the bushing where there grub screw and release are. It was annoying and I had to learn how to reel a pin in all over again.
Casting a bushing reel, I can only describe as feeling more fluid the way the reel starts up. My casting style is well suited for slow rods and bushing reels. My islander does quite well on a faster action rod. Again just my style.
I think what’s more important is that you buy the most expensive reel, so when you hook a fish, he sees that you are not f$&@ing around. :o
-
I think what’s more important is that you buy the most expensive reel, so when you hook a fish, he sees that you are not f$&@ing around. :o
;D ;D ;D
-
Just curious, if you're fishing by yourself, and you hook a wild steelhead or coho, or whatever fish you are going to release, how do you do it without putting your reel/rod down? Unless you skid the fish up on shore (bad!) you are going to need one hand to tail the fish, and the other hand to get the hook out of the fish's mouth. If I'm wearing a hat or toque I'll flop that on the ground, carefully place my reel on it, deal with the fish quickly. Sometimes logistics don't allow for the reel in the hat strategy and it ends up getting laid in the river and usually gets full of grit and crap. Personally I'll sacrifice my reel for the fish, not the other way around. I find if you carefully place the reel down on the backplate you can avoid any nicks on the spool. This will really irritate you if you can feel this when the reel spins. If you get a nick or two on the backplate not the end of the world.
I carry the ‘pouch’ in the front of my waders (inside, near the top)...once I have the fish close enough, I hold the reel/rod and use the other hand to grab the pouch and put it on the reel, and then bring the fish in (in the water, or shore depending on whether it’s a keeper or not)...a little clumsy but it seems to work...
-
Brought my first pin back in 1974 a ALvon and later years Silex reels. Never worry about laying on the rocks, sand and water. If it dirty with sand I just pop the spool off and raise in river. Its wobbles a bit now days but it's okay because it still works and seen lots of caught fishes.
Silex-user
-
Can't complain with 46 years of service. Wish our new electronics lasted that long. Been through 4 toasters since I bought my place in 2009.
I have owned both and prefer bushings but both will do the job just fine. I bought a 4" milner second hand for $200 about 12 years ago and still fish it till this day. Alot of battle scars. Definitely my go to setup.
To me the one largest downside to and islander which I've owned is the fact you need tools to service it in the field. Also a small screw that can be hard to find if dropped which I had to learn the hard way.
-
Been through 4 toasters since I bought my place in 2009.
I think I’ve been using the same toaster for 25 years now. Let me know and I’ll DM you the make and model 😆
-
My next reel will likely be a Milner with bushings.
With the history of handmade quality how could I go wrong? Also how many more years will John be making them?
-
I carry the ‘pouch’ in the front of my waders (inside, near the top)...once I have the fish close enough, I hold the reel/rod and use the other hand to grab the pouch and put it on the reel, and then bring the fish in (in the water, or shore depending on whether it’s a keeper or not)...a little clumsy but it seems to work...
Well, ya, I guess if that works for you then why not. But honestly try wearing a crappy hat/toque, when you are ready to put your reel on the ground just toss the hat/toque down and lay your reel on that. Personally I can't imagine trying to get the pouch on my reel before I land a fish. I take good care of my stuff but your reel is a tool and like all tools if you use it eventually it's going to get a scratch. I will, however, say that I always try and put my pouch back on before I walk any great distance. I've taken a few good spills and if it were not for the pouch being on I likely would have destroyed my nice pin reel.
-
My next reel will likely be a Milner with bushings.
With the history of handmade quality how could I go wrong? Also how many more years will John be making them?
You do know that Milner also makes bearing reels? For me, if I'm paying that much $$$ for a Milner I'm going to go bushing. Not a lot of bushing reels made that are as tight and spin as nice as a Milner.
IMO nice spinning bearings reels are a dime a dozen. My pick of the lot probably the Islander Steelheader, but every 2nd guy on the river has one.
-
......you can try at lubricating them but they are a sealed shielded bearing
......bearings in my raven classics are shielded but not sealed....wash out with carb cleaner and re-oil ...a decade old and still spinning........as most have said its more of a coke/pepsi...ford/Chevy deal.....
-
To each their own. I loved the bearing reels I had when they were new, or had new bearings. I found even after cleaning and lubing noisy bearings they were still somewhat noisy. On a quiet piece of water "tick-tick-tick" was audible on a slow drift.
As has been said ad nauseam there are advantages and disadvantages to both. Most ppl I know seem to have settled on one or the other as their go to. I am bushing all the way but will say that a cheap bushing reel that has a noticeable amount of play in the spool is super annoying, as is any bushing reel with a worn out bushing.
-
Well, ya, I guess if that works for you then why not. But honestly try wearing a crappy hat/toque, when you are ready to put your reel on the ground just toss the hat/toque down and lay your reel on that. Personally I can't imagine trying to get the pouch on my reel before I land a fish. I take good care of my stuff but your reel is a tool and like all tools if you use it eventually it's going to get a scratch. I will, however, say that I always try and put my pouch back on before I walk any great distance. I've taken a few good spills and if it were not for the pouch being on I likely would have destroyed my nice pin reel.
I'm also using hat even if I keep pouch in waders. Way faster and more convenience. Even not a crappy hat cost way less than a
reel.
-
I seriously have NEVER and I mean NEVER heard a bearing pin reel make a tick noise. Personally I use two pin reels. One is a bearing Islander and one is a bushing Milner. Again, all my 23 rods and reels serve a purpose. I use my pin reels for 3 months out of the year. Steelhead ONLY. I use the bearing reel for the Chehalis because I need it to spin in extremely slow moving pools and I use my Milner for bigger water like the Vedder. Now, if I'm fishing pocket water and need the accuracy, I use a baitcaster. Everyone is different but I've seen Milner/Sage people become so blind to other options they're borderline aggressive on the water. Two years ago I had a guy low hole me and told me "The vedder is meant for the CP. Take your baitcaster and go to the Stave". Theres a reason why I fish from my jet boat in the canal during Coho season and thats one of them. Some guys are so ignorant to what other rods have to offer. Bearing ? Bushing ? What matters is the application.
-
I seriously have NEVER and I mean NEVER heard a bearing pin reel make a tick noise. Personally I use two pin reels. One is a bearing Islander and one is a bushing Milner. Again, all my 23 rods and reels serve a purpose. I use my pin reels for 3 months out of the year. Steelhead ONLY. I use the bearing reel for the Chehalis because I need it to spin in extremely slow moving pools and I use my Milner for bigger water like the Vedder. Now, if I'm fishing pocket water and need the accuracy, I use a baitcaster. Everyone is different but I've seen Milner/Sage people become so blind to other options they're borderline aggressive on the water. Two years ago I had a guy low hole me and told me "The vedder is meant for the CP. Take your baitcaster and go to the Stave". Theres a reason why I fish from my jet boat in the canal during Coho season and thats one of them. Some guys are so ignorant to what other rods have to offer. Bearing ? Bushing ? What matters is the application.
There sure are some ignorant people out there as well as elitists.
If my pin was ticking like that I would make sure it’s not bent and/or something rubbing as it turned. Next I would buy some bearings and change them out. I did my Islander and it took me less than 5 mins.
-
There sure are some ignorant people out there as well as elitists.........
.......suddenly I have the urge to bounce roe with a 7 foot spinning set-up....
-
.......suddenly I have the urge to bounce roe with a 7 foot spinning set-up....
7’ leader I hope
-
I seriously have NEVER and I mean NEVER heard a bearing pin reel make a tick noise. Personally I use two pin reels. One is a bearing Islander and one is a bushing Milner. Again, all my 23 rods and reels serve a purpose. I use my pin reels for 3 months out of the year. Steelhead ONLY. I use the bearing reel for the Chehalis because I need it to spin in extremely slow moving pools and I use my Milner for bigger water like the Vedder. Now, if I'm fishing pocket water and need the accuracy, I use a baitcaster. Everyone is different but I've seen Milner/Sage people become so blind to other options they're borderline aggressive on the water. Two years ago I had a guy low hole me and told me "The vedder is meant for the CP. Take your baitcaster and go to the Stave". Theres a reason why I fish from my jet boat in the canal during Coho season and thats one of them. Some guys are so ignorant to what other rods have to offer. Bearing ? Bushing ? What matters is the application.
I think you misunderstood. All I meant is the typical "bearing noise" that is audible on any bearing reel vs a bushing reel is what i hear. To me it sounds like a faint tick-tick-tick on a drift in slow water. It's not a huge deal, but it is noticeable if you are used to fishing a bushing. Not really sure what your 23 rods have to do with this discussion?
-
What matters is the roe under the bobber.
-
I think you misunderstood. All I meant is the typical "bearing noise" that is audible on any bearing reel vs a bushing reel is what i hear. To me it sounds like a faint tick-tick-tick on a drift in slow water. It's not a huge deal, but it is noticeable if you are used to fishing a bushing. Not really sure what your 23 rods have to do with this discussion?
Strange. My islander doesn't have the slightest sound. Same for my Milner. My older Milner did have a whooshing sound but I ended up replacing the bushing. Not too sure what bearing reels you've used where it makes a tick noise. Thats strange. Maybe if you cleaned your reels you won't have any problems.
-
Well, ya, I guess if that works for you then why not. But honestly try wearing a crappy hat/toque, when you are ready to put your reel on the ground just toss the hat/toque down and lay your reel on that. Personally I can't imagine trying to get the pouch on my reel before I land a fish. I take good care of my stuff but your reel is a tool and like all tools if you use it eventually it's going to get a scratch. I will, however, say that I always try and put my pouch back on before I walk any great distance. I've taken a few good spills and if it were not for the pouch being on I likely would have destroyed my nice pin reel.
The hat/toque idea is a good one. Will need to try that
-
The hat/toque idea is a good one. Will need to try that
Yes it is. Way better than putting it down on the best looking spot and cringing.
I’ve got to try it.
-
For the record I do fish both a bearing reel and a bushing reel, and don't worry too much about them taking a hit here or there. This is on purpose as I personally don't fish reels I have to worry about getting battle scars from rocks, and certainly don't want to think about where to lie the reel in a safe place while thinking about the well being of my fish. And honestly if you are landing your fish properly for release you should not be anywhere near a rock to lay a toque or pouch down anyways, and if you are on shore landing a fish you are probably keeping it as it is a hatchery so no laying of the reel is necessary.
What I do think about is how will I keep the reel relatively dry in cold winter conditions, especially if it is one of my bearing reels as the bearing will freeze up and your day will be finished. I do however know that my bushing reel can be dried and cared for in the field after a soaking in order to continue for the rest of the day. This too me is the most important factor when "winter" steelhead fishing a bearing or bushing reel. All the other factors mentioned here are come down to personal preferences and mostly care and conditioning of your equipment.
For example; my bearing reels are supposedly sealed but I know they can get water, grit etc. in them over time. So when I know they will be sitting unused for some time I will soak the bearings in a carb cleaner/ machine oil mixture I mix myself. I leave them in this solution until I go to use that particular reel again. And yes I still have had to replace bearings, its just regular maintenance that is required, no different from a bushing reel with its adjustment screw needing to be adjusted over time.
Most importantly,I like to keep my toque on my head preferably dry.
-
https://youtu.be/o7L0jdDWYaw
-
Does my Silex have an adjustment screw? if so where?
-
No adjustment screws
-
Strange. My islander doesn't have the slightest sound. Same for my Milner. My older Milner did have a whooshing sound but I ended up replacing the bushing. Not too sure what bearing reels you've used where it makes a tick noise. Thats strange. Maybe if you cleaned your reels you won't have any problems.
Maybe you need to get you ears checked?
If you watch this video by the man himself, John Milner, he mentions right around the 4:20 mark that "...bearing reels tend to get noisy..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7L0jdDWYaw
As as been said ad nauseum, new bearings in a pin reel are lovely. But as condensation, grit, or whatever gets into the bearings they WILL gradually become more and more noisy. I have had several bearing pin reels and I found the rate (and cost $$$) at which I was replacing noisy bearings offset the advantages of bearing pin reels. For me bushing is the way to go, but I will be the 1st to admit that bearing reels feel "tighter" and do tend to start up better in frog water.
-
Maybe you need to get you ears checked?
If you watch this video by the man himself, John Milner, he mentions right around the 4:20 mark that "...bearing reels tend to get noisy..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7L0jdDWYaw
As as been said ad nauseum, new bearings in a pin reel are lovely. But as condensation, grit, or whatever gets into the bearings they WILL gradually become more and more noisy. I have had several bearing pin reels and I found the rate (and cost $$$) at which I was replacing noisy bearings offset the advantages of bearing pin reels. For me bushing is the way to go, but I will be the 1st to admit that bearing reels feel "tighter" and do tend to start up better in frog water.
If you're an animal with your gear, its gonna get drift inside sure. But for those of us who treat our gear with respect, it'll last years.
-
Something wrong if you need to change your bearing often.I have never replaced any of my bearings in any of my reels.
-
Something wrong if you need to change your bearing often.I have never replaced any of my bearings in any of my reels.
X2
-
Something wrong if you need to change your bearing often.I have never replaced any of my bearings in any of my reels.
X3
-
I have only used bushing center pin reels so I can't comment on bearing reels.
I own 18 reels and a good amount of them were built in the early 1960's and still spin like a dream.
that should say something about bushing reels!
-
I have only used bushing center pin reels so I can't comment on bearing reels.
I own 18 reels and a good amount of them were built in the early 1960's and still spin like a dream.
that should say something about bushing reels!
Do you use all 18 bushing reels ? Or do they just collect dust sitting on a shelf like some kind of trophy.
-
I probably use 6-7 of them on a regular basis.
I started collecting them a number of years ago and a lot of them bring back fond memories.
I don't consider them trophies
-
Do you use all 18 bushing reels ? Or do they just collect dust sitting on a shelf like some kind of trophy.
Says the guy who made a point of mentioning that he has 23 rods? :o
You must be fun at parties...
-
Says the guy who made a point of mentioning that he has 23 rods? :o
You must be fun at parties...
I didn’t want to be the one to say it
-
I didn’t want to be the one to say it
I did this! I did that! We have a problem! ::)
-
I didn’t want to be the one to say it
Rod rell combos ;). Not 23 centerpin reels lol
-
Says the guy who made a point of mentioning that he has 23 rods? :o
You must be fun at parties...
whats a party? kinda forgot what those are