Small French Centrepins & How To Use Them ?

[Stingray]

I have a number of small French made centrepins in my collection and I must admit to being a bit confused as to the style of fishing that they were designed for. They are small diameter, various widths and with one handle/knob they could easily be mistaken for fly reels though I am sure they are not, often aluminium and brightly coloured, generally well made. Some are still made today :

https://www.peerless-bam.fr/en/river-re ... tml?cid=33

https://www.peerless-bam.fr/en/toc/13-p51.html?cid=33

I have older (possibly 1960s) versions of both these reels; the second one is even a very small multiplier (6cm Diameter). They all are fairly small diameter, have drags, clickers; they do not freespin well. Just wondering if anyone here can enlighten me as to the style(s) of french fishing that lead to the popularity of such reels apparently right up to today ?

[Duebel]

Look for information on "pêche au toc". These reels are designed for this style of fishing. It's a lead weighted bait presented free floating under the tip of a rather long rod. It's done in small trout streams in the mountains.
I've never done nor seen that though ...

[Olly]

As above - I have one - brilliant green multiplying centrepin with drag, etc - and no name. Just made in France.

THe "peche au toc" is similar to a kind of trotting - "avec flotteur" - with float and styl/shot. Both exceeding lightweight it seems. The rods are usually telescopic and as said above specialised for use in small trout streams. Little grubs are used - wax-worms I think?

I have a friend who fishes in the mountains near the Mediterranean. Look at his pictures - Fabian Beving on Facebook.

[Wallys-Cast]

I have had a few similar French made reels called Super Lex.
They are great reels to use as they are turntable mounted for long casting and are multipliers so have a fairly quick retrieve. They do suffer from line twist but not too bad.
I can't find a picture of one at the moment.

Wal.

[Olly]

Ah! Very different to mine Wal!

Found this on that auction website in ""Fishing - centrepin reels - VINTAGE-FRENCH-CENTREPIN-FISHING-REEL"". Not expensive - I am not buying!!

I have the identical one but with yellow handles - sometimes they are red or black or clear.

It is very strange as the line & seems to go in the exact opposite direct when reeling in!!

[Stingray]

Many thanks for the relplies, guys. Peche au toc it is then - a quick look at people doing that peche au toc thing and I find some of the exact same reels that I have. Looks to be a very interesting style and I'm now thinlking of looking into it further and maybe having a go. Must say that those new ones from Peerless BAM seem very expensive for what they are so these random used ones I have picked up along the way are looking like jolly good value.

[Olly]

That's what I thought - but yet to find somewhere to try - peche au toc!

[Duebel]

https://youtu.be/8u9wXGo4pvI

That's a quite good video showing the mechanics of pêche au toc. I think it can be done on most trout streams that are not "fly only".

[Cane]

I'd be interested to see a photo of one of the larger reels mentioned.

[Cane]

I thought it might be helpful to put a few photos up of one of these reels. In this case the "Peerless Profile, Multi.60" This one is set up for a left hander. Very easy to change over. I look forward to trying it out on roach and Rudd in the near future. It's very light weight and might become a useful backup reel to keep in a pocket of my backpack.