Centerpin reels , fly fishing or spin fishing?

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Centerpin reels , fly fishing or spin fishing?; Steelheading technique!
Topic Started: Feb 13 2008, 11:47 AM (1,439 Views)
renegade	Feb 13 2008, 11:47 AM Post #1
Administrator Posts: 885 Group: Admins Member #1 Joined: Jan 24, 2008	GOOD SPIN ON FISHING TECHNIQUE: Centerpin reels are fun, effective ERIC SHARP February 10, 2008 We see them on our steelhead and salmon streams, anglers who say "owt" and "abowt," fishing with 12- to 15-foot rods and what look like giant fly reels. And when they drop their floats in the water, they get a drag-free drift that keeps going longer than the Energizer Bunny. Welcome to centerpin float fishing, a technique that combines the best of fly-fishing and spin fishing, and is more efficient than both for every species, including steelhead and carp. And with the best steelhead fishing of the year less than a month away, I'm looking forward to a second season of rapped knuckles and wrapped lines as I try to master what has turned out to be an amazingly fun way to fish. Centerpin fishing originated in England (where it's called centrepin fishing), but it was raised to a new level in Ontario. There, anglers figured out that finesse techniques used by British anglers to catch 10-ounce tench and roach would work just as well to take 10-pound steelhead and salmon. The concept behind float fishing is simple: Present the fly, lure or bait to the fish with a reel that's so well machined that the current can pull the line off and the fish will never get a hint that the lure is attached to something. The lure -- usually a wet fly, small jig, single egg or spawn sack -- is below a specialized float, with different shapes and sizes for different current situations. In fly-fishing, if we can get 10 feet of drag-free drift, we're delighted. With a centerpin system, I've often let a lure run drag-free for 100 feet before stopping it, and in some rivers I could have let it go until I ran out of line. The long rod serves three purposes: It keeps the line off the surface, lets the angler use very light line (usually four- to six-pound test) for big fish that might be line shy and allows the use of terminal rigs with the float 10-12 feet above the lure. "It's the deadliest technique I know for steelhead and salmon," said Dave Starr of Toledo, who has been fishing centerpin rigs on Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania rivers for a decade. "I first saw a centerpin reel on the Grand River in Ontario," he said "We were fishing for big brown trout, and the locals who used them were outfishing our fly rods five to one. After a couple of years I figured if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, so I bought a centerpin reel in Canada and started using it on our Lake Erie tributaries." Centerpin reels lack a drag. Most have a simple clicker system used only to keep line from spilling off the reel when the angler is rigging up. The reels are spooled with a floating monofilament line, making it easier to set the hook on fish that may strike a long way downstream. Learning to use these reels and long rods takes some practice. There are several specialized casting techniques, all of which can be found in video form on the Internet, but it takes most people awhile to master them. (Two good tutorials can be found at www.flyandfloatfishing.com and www.floatsdown.com.) Paul Pezella, who owns Wacker Baits, a Chicago company that sells European tackle mostly to carp fishermen, said when he tried to master a technique called the Wallis Cast, "I figured out that if I practiced for a couple of years, I could probably cast a couple of rod lengths." The versatility of the centerpin more than makes up for awkwardness in using it. As Pezalla said, it's fun, especially if you like learning new techniques. Float fishing with a centerpin reel is just as sophisticated as fly-fishing, harder to learn, and best of all, an excuse to run out and buy a lot of new toys. This steelhead was caught by an angler using a centerpin reel. The reels, used with 12- to 15-foot rods, can be more effective than fly-fishing ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A reel good purchase When I decided to try centerpin float fishing, my first purchase was a Raven Eclipse reel, which at $239 seems like a great reel for the price. When I lay it on its side and give it a few flicks with an index finger, it will spin for more than a minute before stopping, and it has worked perfectly on the streams to catch salmon, trout and bass. After buying it, I was a bit bummed to learn from a friend that the new Raven Matrix model he bought for about $170 seems to be nearly as good (he also owns an Eclipse).



Final	Feb 14 2008, 10:35 PM Post #2
Salvelinus namaycush Posts: 1,092 Group: Admins Member #11 Joined: Jan 31, 2008	A very informative article, thanks Renagade.



renegade	Feb 14 2008, 11:35 PM Post #3
Administrator Posts: 885 Group: Admins Member #1 Joined: Jan 24, 2008	I thought it was interesting. Doesn't look like an easy thing to master. Appears that there are a lot of fisherman around Thunder bay that are very familiar with the technique. We have some great steelhead runs all over the north shore of superior. I have been quite inferior when it comes to getting spring steelhead but I've managed a few. When you see a dedicated steelheader go at it you realize quickly there is big learning curve.



FishLeClair	Mar 16 2008, 10:28 AM Post #4
FishLeClair Posts: 233 Group: Global Moderators Member #8 Joined: Jan 31, 2008	Rene...Center Pinning is big here...Also Big $$$$$..Basic starter is gunna run close to $200...Unless ya can find someone who is willing to sell there spare... Ive looked into it and still on the bencjh for now...Would be neat to send a float all the way down a riff and only see yer float go "plup" under the water 100 yards down from ya... As for the learning Curve go with some one who has a handle on catching these guys...I was fortunate to have a well seasoned fisherman give me a few tips and tricks...After that there were no more no fish trips!! Well I still go without catching any buit I do know they are there..



Beamer	Jan 12 2009, 10:33 PM Post #5
Beamer Posts: 38 Group: Top Users Member #151 Joined: Sep 7, 2008	Got to love it! Can't wait for spring! Beamer



CENTERPINNER	Sep 16 2009, 02:08 PM Post #6
Fish Egg Posts: 1 Group: New member Member #198 Joined: Sep 16, 2009	I tried centerpin after watching the beauty of the drift with the current. I agree it is superior to fly fishing and worlds better then the standard spin combo. Since i have been centerpinning I have at least doubled my catches of trout and steelies.(once i figured out how to use it) but if you keep with it, it pays off BIG TIME in the end. Attached to this post: IMG_1168.jpg (3.2 MB) Copy_of_IMG_1215.jpg (3.85 MB)



Final	Sep 18 2009, 09:53 AM Post #7
Salvelinus namaycush Posts: 1,092 Group: Admins Member #11 Joined: Jan 31, 2008	Hello and welcome to our board. How about a few pics we are always interested in seeing them.



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