Fred Crouch reels

[Tony1964]

Ok,what do you guys think of these? Don't worry I'm not going to ask about every reel I see but as it is a very special purchase I want to get it right.
Should I go for wide drum and with or without a line guard? Please bear in mind that I am a novice where these reels are concerned.
Thank you in advance for your help.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fred-Crouch-M ... t_720wt_11

[Snape]

Looks good but I would like to hold one to get a gauge of the quality first.
I would have wide drum and no line guard.
My Chris Lythe pin is similar and came with a line guard. I just found it got in the way and removed it in a very short space of time.

edit:
I just googled the fred crouch reel and found this http://retiarius-angling.blogspot.com/2 ... o-all.html

It sounds like a bargain and if I was in the market I would seriously consider getting one.

[Snape]

A good reel for general use and which is affordable is the 4" wide drum Speedia by WR products.
They come up a lot on ebay.

I'm not sure whether this one is wide or narrow drum

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-WR-Pr ... 500wt_1180

[Mark]

I always prefer a wide drum as opposed to a narrow one.

[SeanM]

I've got a wide drum Crouch Aerial and it's a great reel. The wide drum model is pretty much a reel for heavier work. If I was looking for a general purpose reel then I'd go for the narrow drum model. These reels are exact copies of the original Match Aerial and I believe that they may be made to the original drawings.

As far as I'm aware Fred didn't actually make them himself, but had them made in local machine shops. I'm happy to be contradicted on this though.

Personally, I prefer the Aerial to the Speedia as it has a bigger drum diameter and a useful brake mechanism which can be used to slow the rotation slightly if required. It is a heavier reel though.

Useful review here:

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/coarse-fish ... repin.html

[Tony1964]

Looks good but I would like to hold one to get a gauge of the quality first.
I would have wide drum and no line guard.
My Chris Lythe pin is similar and came with a line guard. I just found it got in the way and removed it in a very short space of time.

edit:
I just googled the fred crouch reel and found this http://retiarius-angling.blogspot.com/2 ... o-all.html

It sounds like a bargain and if I was in the market I would seriously consider getting one.

Thanks Nigel, what an excellent blog! I am certainly very keen on getting one of these reels.
Wasn't the Retiarius the gladiator with the net and trident? Strange name for a fishing blog :?

[Tony1964]

A good reel for general use and which is affordable is the 4" wide drum Speedia by WR products.
They come up a lot on ebay.

I'm not sure whether this one is wide or narrow drum

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-WR-Pr ... 500wt_1180

I've seen this one on here before but I haven't bought it as others have been selling for under £35, I have just missed out on 2 so far!

[BobH]

I have a Wide Drum Fred Crouch Aerial and it's a very nice reel.

But for less money why not buy an original Match Aerial, they go for around £ 100 and £130, which is less that a FC copy ?

Bob

[Mark]

But for less money why not buy an original Match Aerial, they go for around £ 100 and £130, which is less that a FC copy ?

Bob

That's what I would do Bob, I prefer the original but it's nice to know there is an option for those that don't.