talk to me about center-pinning

I've been working on a CP rod for trout, utilizing a cheap 4wt spey blank for the build. For some reason I got the inclination to fish dries/skaters on the pinwheel... so currently tinkering with float variations. They'll be weighted lengthwise affording horizontal ride on the surface as opposed to vertical.
The only forseeable issue is going to be casting longer, tapered leaders.
I'll be running 12# mono main, solely for the sake of castability.
When casting off of a CP reel I liken mainline to the nuances of using mono or coated running line on shooting heads. In that the main line is the delivery system for the desired weight being cast. Too limp or light not desirable, too rigid and heavy, same.
We'll see how the experiment works out when the weather warms.

Friends don't let friends use braid or floating mono and Hydrofloat should have never been manufactured.
 
Thanks folks, if I ever try it again I'll be rethinking line.
 
Joe H said:
I've been working on a CP rod for trout, utilizing a cheap 4wt spey blank for the build. For some reason I got the inclination to fish dries/skaters on the pinwheel... so currently tinkering with float variations. They'll be weighted lengthwise affording horizontal ride on the surface as opposed to vertical.
The only forseeable issue is going to be casting longer, tapered leaders.
I'll be running 12# mono main, solely for the sake of castability.
When casting off of a CP reel I liken mainline to the nuances of using mono or coated running line on shooting heads. In that the main line is the delivery system for the desired weight being cast. Too limp or light not desirable, too rigid and heavy, same.
We'll see how the experiment works out when the weather warms.

Friends don't let friends use braid or floating mono and Hydrofloat should have never been manufactured.
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I still can't figure out who hydro float is for. Who buys and uses it enough that they still make it?
 
I was accused of going light when fishing 15lb mono on my center pin. I don't know if I would like to fish 20 lb line. Seems to stiff to me, but,... I suppose if using 5/8 once inline weight casting to 20 lb steelhead, maybe it's OK.

I agree with Joe H, not using braid. It would become a very expensive mistake for me.
 
Sam Roffe said:
I was accused of going light when fishing 15lb mono on my center pin. I don't know if I would like to fish 20 lb line. Seems to stiff to me, but,... I suppose if using 5/8 once inline weight casting to 20 lb steelhead, maybe it's OK.

I agree with Joe H, not using braid. It would become a very expensive mistake for me.
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15lb has been more than enough for me for over a decade. With such a long, flexible rod, you have a lot of shock absorption.
 
I use 20-25 for chinook and 15-20 for steelhead/coho. If there's color in the water, I'll opt for the heavier leader. They don't seem to care and anything that helps me get them in faster is better in my opinion. With a dragless pin reel, my control of the resistance is less nuanced and I tend to apply more pressure than less with my hand.

I'm a crap angler and I almost never have a problem with braid so I'm surprised that so many seem to have an aversion. Given the long limber rod and extended drifts, I want less stretch not more. The flexibility for us all to find different solutions that best suit our fishing makes things more interesting.
 
SeaRunner said:
When I first started centerpinning it was for steelhead, so some of the size/weights below may need adjustment.

First, buy a reel. I bought a raven matrix for my first. It seemed like a good quality entry level reel to me at the time, and it has held up well since then.

Next buy a rod. I bought some no name rod that was 13 feet long. Honestly I couldn't tell you the brand without going to look at it. I know it has a cork grip with sliding rings. It's worked fine for me though if there were any part of this first setup that I would upgrade it would be the rod. Haven't gotten around to it yet.

Then buy some line and put it on your reel. I used 10 pound hi-viz mono with some backing, just like how you would line up a fly reel except mono on top instead of the fly line.

Buy some floats. I like torpedo shaped sliders. I generally use clear in summer and the high density foam ones in winter. I think most of my floats are around 1/2 oz. though I would need to look at them to confirm. You will also need bobber stops if using sliding floats. I like the rubber egg ones that slide on your line.

Buy some weights. Split shot, the weights with swivels on both ends, etc. all work. For convenience sake I've gone to sliding hollow core pencil lead on my line because I have a ton of it that I need to use. The weight should both help get your presentation down and balance your float.

Buy some swivels to join your mainline and leader, and prevent line twist.

Buy some leader.

Finally, buy whatever it is you're going to present to the fish...jigs, plastics, hooks for bait, etc.
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Great information! That's how I load my center pin reel up! I'm using 30 pound braid with a slip bobber, stops etc. I'm using Davey's weights. The system works very well with zero problems! Fishing for those Chinook and Steelies definitely challenges you. There is so much you can do with pinning!!!!
The Future is bright and slowly beginning to catch on out here in Oregon!
brownheron said:
LOL, I just threw whole spool of that stuff in the trash. I bought it on a whim and after spooling half the reel, said "no fucking way" and unrolled it into the trash.
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Hydrofloat is crap!!!! Great idea but they have a long way to go with that product! The coating peels off etc. Very poor product
 
I fish in B.C. the birthplace of centerpin reels on this side of the Atlantic. 20 years ago it was all Hardy silex reels with a few Bryce and young, jw young. A few local bench made reels started to show up in the 60’s and then there was a resurgence of local reels starting up in the 80’s. We fish heavy as our rivers are steep, fast and the fish pull. Most fish a 10.5-11’ rod and a reel that holds a couple hundred yards of 20# chameleon. But things have been influenced by the east coast with bearing reels and longer lighter rods these days. I fish a mix of everything but on average an 11’ 8-12# rod and a reel loaded with 15# gets the job done almost everywhere. Lots of reels out there from okuma, iskander, hardy, milner, etc. Pick your budget and pick your reel and enjoy. It’s a versatile and effective way to fish on smaller well defined rivers where you pitch to specific holding lies in runs and pocket water.
 
doublespey said:
I'm sure other pinheads will weigh in with their opinions, but I throw out that you probably want to learn to cast with a heavier (1/2oz or heavier) weight and at least 11' rod with a full flex. Once you learn the BC Cast (there are plenty of good videos on Youtube) you can branch out to learning the Wallis cast and others that will work with the lighter weights you'd be using for trout fishing. Centerpins are fun - I need to make more time to fish mine. But the hatchery returns have been in the tank on my local rivers, and that (+ Chum) was what I used to target with my pin rigs.

You'll be able to find reasonable priced reels from Okuma or Raven - they're the most expensive part of the setup. I've played with using 10-11' spinning 'noodle' rods with a centerpin reel. . . if I was going to rig for trout and wanted a rod off-the-rack, that's what I'd choose..

The other option is what Thomas mentioned. . . a 3-5wt switch rod blank also makes a good trout pin rod.

Have fun!
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I agree with your setup as that pretty much is what I do!!!! Also, what reel are you using with a drag????
Thanks, Mike
 
Pinhead said:
I agree with your setup as that pretty much is what I do!!!! Also, what reel are you using with a drag????
Thanks, Mike
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Drag? My little finger :) Engage the clicker if you want some audio feedback. My reels are pretty standard, a Kingfisher Imperial and a Raven Matrix.
 
Has anyone tried pinning or have experience with an old Winona reel? Grandpa gave me one and i've been debating what to do with it. They use to use them on float setups for salmon and steelhead. Casting should be ok? I figure it would probably pair pretty nice with some 70s lamiglas. 1000004706.jpg
 
I have zero knowledge of center pin style of fishing…why does it exist?…advantages over fly rod fishing?
 
Brute said:
I have zero knowledge of center pin style of fishing…why does it exist?…advantages over fly rod fishing?
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Well, it's nothing at all like fishing with a fly rod, nor really a replacement for it. Just a different way to present a float+jig or float+whatever setup in a river. Gives you a drag-free drift, with the most direct possible connection to the terminal tackle vs having excess line on the water with other methods.
 
Brute said:
I have zero knowledge of center pin style of fishing…why does it exist?…advantages over fly rod fishing?
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It was the original "spinning" reel, before the Mitchell. If you didn't want to use a baitcaster or a fly rod, it was your other main option. It wasn't just used with a bobber, people threw spoons and other lures with it. I'm sure the main reason it fell out of favor was it's 1:1 retrieval rate.
 
I fished one for a while over 50yrs ago and found that it was much harder to cast with than my ambassador. I had to use more weight to cast with it and had to develop a different swing to cast. You pretty much have to palm the spool when you hook a fish. Someone has removed the outer rim. I dont know if the brake is still on this reel unless you show the other side of the reel. there was a line guide also on the original reel.
 
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Nor sure if they still make this, but it worked well for me. Designed as a high vis line, does glow a golden color when the light hits it.

www.tackledirect.com

Berkley Trilene Transoptic Monofilament

Berkley Trilene Transoptic Monofilament - TackleDirect sells Berkley Trilene Transoptic Monofilament, the only monofilament to change color! Trilene Transo
www.tackledirect.com www.tackledirect.com
 
the_chemist said:
Has anyone tried pinning or have experience with an old Winona reel?
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I saw a couple guys using those when I first began steelhead fishing in the late 1960s. I picked up two of them at a yard sale years ago with the intention of cleaning them up and restoring them to working order. I just haven't gotten around to it, likely because I don't fish in a way that I might use them. I do keep meaning to fix them up some winter though . . .
 
wanderingrichard said:
Nor sure if they still make this, but it worked well for me. Designed as a high vis line, does glow a golden color when the light hits it.

www.tackledirect.com

Berkley Trilene Transoptic Monofilament

Berkley Trilene Transoptic Monofilament - TackleDirect sells Berkley Trilene Transoptic Monofilament, the only monofilament to change color! Trilene Transo
www.tackledirect.com www.tackledirect.com
Click to expand...
Cool looking line. I always used Maxima Crystal Ivory which is easier to track than ultragreen.
 
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