Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: fullahead on October 24, 2005, 08:51:03 PM
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I have been fishing for years with an Ambassadeur 6000 level wind. Recently I bought a Calcutta, for fishing, springs, Sockeye, on the Fraser. There is nothing better than fishing with a quality reel. I have read most of the posting about center pin reels. They’re is a lot of good information to be learned, from reading the postings in this form. I have decided, I am going to step up and buy one of John Milner reels. This reel will be used mostly on the Vedder River. My question is, which reel, the Talisman or the Kingfisher, should a guy buy? I realize they are both top end reels, I thought there might be some guy that have used both reels, that could give some insight? ;D
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Hi fullahead,i use a talisman for stealheading,good quality handcrafted workmanship,same as kingfisher,so if money is not problem for you,then go for the higher end stuff,i think retail price for the talisman approx $600 and the kingfisher approx $399.,but i seen a lot of fishermen carry kingfisher at the vedder.(more popular)
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Big T
Thanks for the response; I wanted to hear from some one, that’s fish with the reel before laying the money down.
;D
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If your just begining using a pin i suggest that you buy a milner then later on upgrade to a talisman....Right now i have a milner and i works great.
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A talisman is a milner.
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Does the Talisman have a drag brake, or is it a free spool as well?
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oops ::) I meant kingfisher
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I have a kingfisher and I love it . I think if you are even debating what reel to get then money isn't really the issue and if you are willing to spend that much money then go for the talisman and take care of it . It will last you a lifetime.
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I would go with a Talisman over a Kingfisher, although both are excellent reels.
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once you decide how much money you can spend, all that's left to think about is if you wanna use a reel with a cage (Talisman) or without (Kingfisher). Having used both and liking my Dad's Silex, I prefer the Talisman.
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You're very lucky if you find a talisman,they are hard to come by these days.
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ya they are so rare you can get them new right now !!! ;) ;) and its only $865 straight from John himself :o :o LOL
www.johnmilnerreels.com
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ya they are so rare you can get them new right now !!! ;) ;) and its only $865 straight from John himself :o :o LOL
www.johnmilnerreels.com
Only an experienced old timer will understand what i meant ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D HEHEHEHEH
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well if you were meaning an archeological artifact or whatever then i guess that didnt come across well enough ;) ;)
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well if you were meaning an archeological artifact or whatever then i guess that didnt come across well enough ;) ;)
Oh no no that not old Hook! Haha Just experience and knowledge on the talisman reels. ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) :P :P :P :P
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ok ok well there always seems to be older versions of everything thats out there nowadays. I myself fish a Silex thats older then i am ;D have it matched with a 3113MB Sage. I like having a setup thats got some age and character to it. Will give me even better pleasure when the setup is still working when i had it down to my son ;D ;D
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yo Hook, I think we should "hook" up on the river sometime lol.. as I see we both have the same taste in nice gear... My dad's Silex and 3113MB are older than me too ;D and I hope to hand them along with my Talisman down to my kids someday as well.
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Berry's has two Talisman's right now. Looking at $800 plus tax though. Worth every penny IMO. I had one in my hand, then changed my mind. Didn't want to dole that much out, so I went and bought an Islander :D :D........ I;m sooooooooooo cheap ;D ;D
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What's so cheap about and Islander? I have an Islander as well and even though I barely use it, it was enjoyable to use when I did. If you paid full price for an Islander, you would have been better off buying a second hand Kingfisher. Most people thinking of buying or getting into centerpins over look that and think that fact. People think new right away but if you know what to look for in terms of wear and tear of a reel, there have been some great deals on centerpins on-line.
Best pin to get for cheap would be an islander from back east used, it will more than likely have the upgraded bearings and only be like $250.
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Love my kingfishers and fish them all the time over my silex. Good thing about the kingfisher over the talisman is that if you have a backlash, it can be more easily fixed because it is not a cage reel. Simply pull line out the side until clear and reel back in. Cage reels require a little more work. I understand the idea is not to have backlashes, but it happens to everyone from time to time.
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Ever look into a Kingpin reels? They real nice Centerpin reel too.
Silex-user.
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I just picked up a Kingfisher bushing reel I will give you an update later during Steel season :). I have an Islander as well and I really like this reel. if its your first pin the islander is a great reel and its cheaper.
Justin
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what the hell is a backlash ;) LOL I havent had one since i started fishing my Silex, had a few with my original pin reel but only when i was learning. Oh and backlashes due to hooking something behind you dont count >:(
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How about the backlash when hooking the guy who squeezes too tight next to you as you side cast? ;)
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How about the backlash when hooking the guy who squeezes too tight next to you as you side cast? ;)
Hey Slurpie,that is your own dam fault to let them stand too tight next to you :D ;)
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What's so cheap about and Islander? I have an Islander as well and even though I barely use it, it was enjoyable to use when I did. If you paid full price for an Islander, you would have been better off buying a second hand Kingfisher. Most people thinking of buying or getting into centerpins over look that and think that fact. People think new right away but if you know what to look for in terms of wear and tear of a reel, there have been some great deals on centerpins on-line.
I got a deal of a lifetime on it { Islander Gold IS }, sorry I can't elaborate ;D .don't get me wrong, their good reels, but IMO, the milners are way better.I f I had to pay full price on a new Islander i wouldn't, I'd buy the Milner in a heartbeat.
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if you can cast with a tree directly beside you then why not a person ? ever try casting your pin at Cement slab on the rocky side but trying to reach the other side of the river ? The more you fish the easier it gets and you will learn a big arsenal of casts for different situations. I have personally been trying to perfect the sling shot cast but i think my reel needs to be "worked in" more to do it right :-\
Ntjipta - when do you normally go fishing ? I fish duing the week when i work afternoons but usually hit the water most weekends as well
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John Milner must be loving this thread.... :D
Has anyone used his Snipe reel?
Are you talking about the Wallis Cast? I've been trying to perfect it myself with mixed results. I usually use it when there is little to no back cast or side cast room. It seems easier to do with a cage reel.
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no im not talking about the Wallis cast, i havent even bothered to try that one because i dont fish super light stuff with my pin so there is no need to learn it. Im talking about when you hold your weight and pull the rod tip very hard towards your side which pre-loads the rod, then you let go at the same time you swing the rod out to make your cast. the timing is the tricky part im finding, well that and getting good distance. this is used mainly for when there is trees over your head or stuff just to damn close to cast normally
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I got a deal of a lifetime on it { Islander Gold IS }, sorry I can't elaborate ;D .don't get me wrong, their good reels, but IMO, the milners are way better.I f I had to pay full price on a new Islander i wouldn't, I'd buy the Milner in a heartbeat.
I am interested and thinking of buying a Islander Steelheader
what is making it not so much wroth of its full retail price? what are their weak points compared to Milners which is way too expensive?
thanks.
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Islander is actually a tougher and heavier reel, its a bearing reel as well not a "true" center pin. Kingfisher is a bushing reel and weighs alot less, this is a true center pin reel unless you buy the 5" bearing Kingfisher that is
lots of guys i know fish Islanders and love them, I also know lots of guys that had them and sold them to buy Kingfishers ;) If i buy another pin reel it will probably be a Kingfisher or even a Talisman.
some jackass(kidding Flyrod) here actually has a Macdonald up for sale :o which is what i really want but i dont have $800 to throw at just a reel ::) (not now at least)
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Don't let us stop you from buying one they are also good reels, it's all about personal preference. Each reel has its good qualities but it just seems that once you've owned an Islander and try out a Milner reel, you want to buy one.
I agree, the Islander is a great reel and I enjoy using it. I just wish they would have put the clicker knob the same place they are on the Milner's, but then I guess they would've had to make a left and a right model instead of the ambidextrous one. I got a look at the new Islander that is coming out and it does have the knob on the back. I think this will be good for their sales. Some people don't even use the clicker , except for travelling from here to there, I do though, I like the sound of a screaming reel in my hands ;D
For a person just getting started, I would suggest they go cheap, for the simple reason, it's not for everyone. Some people will go out and buy a $600 reel with a $500 rod, fish twice and say this is crazy , I can't do this, and go back to their baitcaster etc. But then that's where we get the good deals sometimes. ;D ;D
I think we all should tell "Flyrod" to lower the price on that MacDonald, say $500 obo ;D ;D Definately get some bites then ;) ;)
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if you can cast with a tree directly beside you then why not a person ? ever try casting your pin at Cement slab on the rocky side but trying to reach the other side of the river ? The more you fish the easier it gets and you will learn a big arsenal of casts for different situations. I have personally been trying to perfect the sling shot cast but i think my reel needs to be "worked in" more to do it right :-\
Ntjipta - when do you normally go fishing ? I fish duing the week when i work afternoons but usually hit the water most weekends as well
Hook - I fish whenever my schedule allows for it.. Now it's usually weekends and some thursdays during school. I went yesterday and got a ton of coho. Landed 3 nice big wild ones as well. bonus that I only hooked 2 chum and 1 whitie
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Bently - If I even thought Rod would lower that Macdonald to $500 it would already be on my rod ;D I actually bought my entire centre pin setup from him (one i fish now) and i know he doesnt wiggle to to much on prices. He sells top notch stuff though and always in the condition he says if not better then stated
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Bently - If I even thought Rod would lower that Macdonald to $500 it would already be on my rod ;D I actually bought my entire centre pin setup from him (one i fish now) and i know he doesnt wiggle to to much on prices. He sells top notch stuff though and always in the condition he says if not better then stated
That's what I here, and for 500 ....absolutely ;D My bling Islander and sage 3113m is way more than I need, but got a sweet deal I couldn't refuse, so i went for it :). I used to fish an old Allcocks Match Aerial with an old 11 ft Eagle Claw moocher, but it got ripped off. >:( >:(
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Islander is actually a tougher and heavier reel, its a bearing reel as well not a "true" center pin. Kingfisher is a bushing reel and weighs alot less, this is a true center pin reel unless you buy the 5" bearing Kingfisher that is
lots of guys i know fish Islanders and love them, I also know lots of guys that had them and sold them to buy Kingfishers ;) If i buy another pin reel it will probably be a Kingfisher or even a Talisman.
some jackass(kidding Flyrod) here actually has a Macdonald up for sale :o which is what i really want but i dont have $800 to throw at just a reel ::) (not now at least)
Always wodered why people say the Islander is heavy, given that: IS in 4.5" weighs 8.5oz; Kingfisher in 4.375" weighs 9.56oz (bushing) and 8.94oz (bearing). Are you referring to Islander's larger line capacity, so when its lined it's heavier?
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the islander is a lighter reel for sure, due to all the porting on it. it is a very tough reel, milners are also tough so there is no real advantage there. I dont know what hook is talking about when he says its not a true centerpin? its run on a spindle with bearings and with 1:1 gear ratio, maybe he meant because it wasnt bushing? I dont think hook has owned either of them...I have 4 Milners and owned a steelheader...you cant beat the quality john makes. plus the quick release spool is handy when on the river.
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No I don't have either because I wanted a bullet proof Silex but most of the guys I know have owned both and prefer the KF. I was just told the IS was heavier, it looks heavier that's for sure. And yes I meant because it's not bushing
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No I don't have either because I wanted a bullet proof Silex but most of the guys I know have owned both and prefer the KF. I was just told the IS was heavier, it looks heavier that's for sure. And yes I meant because it's not bushing
There's a Silex on here for sale i think....$300....not positive though. There's also one on craigslist if your interested
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the islander is a lighter reel for sure, due to all the porting on it. it is a very tough reel, milners are also tough so there is no real advantage there. I dont know what hook is talking about when he says its not a true centerpin? its run on a spindle with bearings and with 1:1 gear ratio, maybe he meant because it wasnt bushing? I dont think hook has owned either of them...I have 4 Milners and owned a steelheader...you cant beat the quality john makes. plus the quick release spool is handy when on the river.
4 milners?? are you an addict or what?? ;D
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although the islander may be lighter in total weight, the start up of the spool feels much lighter for the kingfisher, especially with the 4" spool. I find that to cast the islander, I need to initiate the spool spinning earlier, or use more weight to cast. In certain situations, less weight may be required. That is where the kingfisher shines.
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I already own one and fish it alot. The Silex is a fairly heavy reel especially with 100yrds of backing then 250yrds 15lb mono and it could fit more still, I fish it on a Sage 3113MB