Center pin reels

[BrianBM]

Inspired by a thread in the Fresh Water Fishing Forum.

 

What is "center pin fishing," and what is the advantage of chasing salmon and Great Lakes trout in this fashion?

[snag777]

13 mins ago, BrianBM said:

Inspired by a thread in the Fresh Water Fishing Forum.

 

What is "center pin fishing," and what is the advantage of chasing salmon and Great Lakes trout in this fashion?

you use float with them,they spin free no drag on float,natural floww presentation.

[Domf]

A centerpin is a deadly weapon for float fishing. This is river fishing where you're making repeated drifts, often suspending eggs like spawn sacs or beads or nymphs. The centerpin allows you to "pay out" line by feathering the spool to adjust the speed of your drift. The bearings in a centerpin spin really free with little start-up. With a pin, you can let a drift ride much further, easier and with more control than a fly rod or spin rod. A conventional can work similarly but just not as much control. Casting is tough, though! Takes some practice to learn how to cast a centerpin without cheating and introduced line twist. Check out the "wallis cast". It's a fun way to fish, you def feel very in-touch with everything. Your hand is the drag on the rim

[BrianBM]

Thank you.

[Suave]

Sorry if I'm slow on the uptake but is this fly fishing?

[RAW]

Center pin fishing out does everything and there’s zero foul hook ups. You a place run a float 50-? Whatever is suitable. And not on obstructing other, most everyone hates punnets, more because it’s so effective. 1 of my son does it and shames everyone, I’ve done it but prefer my fly rod and strike indicator, more and age thing. Lots of Canadians do it. Not easy to learn without waste a day or 2 . 

[BrianBM]

Pretty, pretty fish. 

[BrianBM]

2 hours ago, Suave said:

Sorry if I'm slow on the uptake but is this fly fishing?

Apparently it's mostly done with a fly at the bitter end. The difference between drifting a fly beneath a bobber, and using a bit of lead on a fly reel to keep a fake egg down in the water column (and fishing the same on a fly rod) isn't all that great.

 

I don't think I'd call it fly fishing, since casting is all but impossible (AFAIK) and it need not involve a fly line. YMMV.

[DAQ]

20 mins ago, RAW said:

Center pin fishing out does everything and there’s zero foul hook ups. You a place run a float 50-? Whatever is suitable. And not on obstructing other, most everyone hates punnets, more because it’s so effective. 1 of my son does it and shames everyone, I’ve done it but prefer my fly rod and strike indicator, more and age thing. Lots of Canadians do it. Not easy to learn without waste a day or 2 . 

It's interesting that many people think it is easy to learn and do. I have friends that are very good at pinning, they make it look easy, it isn't. I also have friends that **** on pinners because they think it it is easy, they have no idea.

 

Pinning is effective but it is not always the most productive. I have had days where I out fished pinners with a fly rod or spinner and vice versa. I think pinning is a cool, alternative tool for some.

[DAQ]

18 mins ago, BrianBM said:

Apparently it's mostly done with a fly at the bitter end. The difference between drifting a fly beneath a bobber, and using a bit of lead on a fly reel to keep a fake egg down in the water column (and fishing the same on a fly rod) isn't all that great.

 

I don't think I'd call it fly fishing, since casting is all but impossible (AFAIK) and it need not involve a fly line. YMMV.

This is not correct at all.

Edited January 9 by DAQ

[BrianBM]

4 mins ago, DAQ said:

This is not correct at all.

So, correct my misunderstandings.

[Stonefish]

A lot of folks I know that fly fish also like to pin fish. They like it better then indicator fishing with a fly rod.
Lots of stuff can be fished with a pin outfit. Soft beads seem to be all the rage right now out west here for all types of steelhead fishing outfits.
I gave up fishing for steelhead so I never used beads. I’m old though and used to use stuff like Sammy specials, birdie drifters, corkies and oakie drifters.

SF

[BrianBM]

8 mins ago, Stonefish said:

A lot of folks I know that fly fish also like to pin fish. They like it better then indicator fishing with a fly rod.
Lots of stuff can be fished with a pin outfit. Soft beads seem to be all the rage right now out west here for all types of steelhead fishing outfits.
I gave up fishing for steelhead so I never used beads. I’m old though and used to use stuff like Sammy specials, birdie drifters, corkies and oakie drifters.

SF

Whaaaaa???

[Stonefish]

8 mins ago, BrianBM said:

Whaaaaa???

Old school west cost steelhead gear.

I caught my first on a Sammy Special in the mid 60’s. Mine was silver with red yarn. The old stuff would still work today if you had it or they still made like the originals, not the knockoffs.

SF

 

 

[DAQ]

1 hour ago, BrianBM said:

Apparently it's mostly done with a fly at the bitter end. Pinners fish flies, beads, minnows, eggs, jigs and a boat load of other stuff. The difference between drifting a fly beneath a bobber, and using a bit of lead on a fly reel to keep a fake egg down in the water column (and fishing the same on a fly rod) isn't all that great. Centerpins can cover large areas of a run with one cast, drag free from one position. Centerpin reels pay out line very smoothly to allow drag free drifts. Drift speed and drag pressure is typically done with the fingers on the rod hand. There is typically very little if any mending of a line coming off of a centerpin. Rods are typically between 10.5 to 13' to help control the drift and keep the mono off of the water. Pinners don't use "a bit of lead" to keep their offering down, they use a Shot Line. A shot line can have 10+ split shot of varying sizes spaced down the line to get the desired presentation.

 

I don't think I'd call it fly fishing, since casting is all but impossible (AFAIK) and it need not involve a fly line. YMMV. Good pinners can cast surprisingly good distances and quite accurately. 

 

There is more but in short the differences in centerpinning and flyfishing are "all that great".