alternatives to centerpins

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I've fished for smallies and swung flies with mine but I think where they excel is drifting with the current. Fly fishing is more difficult in my opinion, my biggest difficulty is detecting strikes, an indicator helps which really is very similar to using a float. When a float is introduced to the equation you have drag, albeit minimal it still affects your presentation. There's a certain satisfaction when you land a nice cast with a dry and it floats away unimpeded or you drop a nymph into some fast water and you feel the tug instantly without even knowing where the heck it is. Enough of my ramblings

the key to fishing without an indicator, is knowing how your line moves through the water, watch the lfly line, if the pattern differs in any way, it stops moving, it twitches orjumps,set the hook

 

[salmotrutta]

Fishing is fishing.

Question for you (rhetorical).

If I stick a fly, wet or dry, on the end of regular mono line, with a regular spinning rod, and plain old spinning reel, am I "fly fishing"?

Just need to read the water in such a way that I can present the fly without the need for heavy line, I've done it numerous times for trout and other species.

A spinner is just a metallic fly.

I say expand your repertoire to include all types of effective techniques. Don't limit yourself to a particular line, reel, rod, or combination thereof. There are times when metallic flies (aka hardware) will outfish hair/fur flies 10 to 1, just as roe has its time and place.

I get the not liking to impale live things on your hook (worms, leeches, etc), no qualms about that.

There I said it

Sorry slightly off topic rant there, directed at the "fly only" s̶c̶h̶m̶u̶c̶k̶s̶ gentlemen.

 

[jlisk]

How can you cast a feather with mono? XD

 

[ChaseChrome]

If I stick a fly, wet or dry, on the end of regular mono line, with a regular spinning rod, and plain old spinning reel, am I "fly fishing"?
NO

A spinner is just a metallic fly.
It is not...it mimics a baitfish

I say expand your repertoire to include all types of effective techniques. Don't limit yourself to a particular line, reel, rod, or combination thereof. There are times when metallic flies (aka hardware) will outfish hair/fur flies 10 to 1, just as roe has its time and place.
I can say with relative confidence that most fly guys have "been there, done that" and that we have chosen to pursue the art of angling the fly not because it is easy, but because it continues to be a challenge and taxes the curious mind who believes he can steal the palm of victory from nature herself...(see Xuexis)
Our pursuit isn't driven by the deisre to "outfish" other methods, we readily admit that we are often (but not always...ask CJR) outfished by bait etc.

Sorry slightly off topic rant there, directed at the "fly only" s̶c̶h̶m̶u̶c̶k̶s̶ gentlemen.
I assume the strikethrough to imply levity in a manner...my reply is, if, as you claim, this is merely rhetorical you would not have shown your true sentiments by using such terminology...
We wish you continued success in your endeavours, employing whatever means brings you greatest gains and pleasure...we will likewise.

And you're correct in one assertion...that indeed this is off topic...rather than a call for proselytizing and feeling defensive, the topic under investigation was an "alternative to the centerpin."

best​

cc​

 

[salmotrutta]

How can you cast a feather with mono? XD

Just need to read the water in such a way that I can present the fly without the need for heavy line, I've done it numerous times for trout and other species.

If I stick a fly, wet or dry, on the end of regular mono line, with a regular spinning rod, and plain old spinning reel, am I "fly fishing"?
NO

Let's agree to disagree on that point.

A spinner is just a metallic fly.
It is not...it mimics a baitfish

Can't argue with that, but don't certain flies imitate baitfish also? Where does one draw the line?

I say expand your repertoire to include all types of effective techniques. Don't limit yourself to a particular line, reel, rod, or combination thereof. There are times when metallic flies (aka hardware) will outfish hair/fur flies 10 to 1, just as roe has its time and place.
I can say with relative confidence that most fly guys have "been there, done that" and that we have chosen to pursue the art of angling the fly not because it is easy, but because it continues to be a challenge and taxes the curious mind who believes he can steal the palm of victory from nature herself...(see Xuexis)
Our pursuit isn't driven by the deisre to "outfish" other methods, we readily admit that we are often (but not always...ask CJR) outfished by bait etc.

Sorry slightly off topic rant there, directed at the "fly only" s̶c̶h̶m̶u̶c̶k̶s̶ gentlemen.
I assume the strikethrough to imply levity in a manner...my reply is, if, as you claim, this is merely rhetorical you would not have shown your true sentiments by using such terminology...
We wish you continued success in your endeavours, employing whatever means brings you greatest gains and pleasure...we will likewise.

Yes everyone should angle however they enjoy best, whilst I would encourage those new to the sport to become learned in a variety of techniques, ultimately the best technique is the one that gives you the most fun.

And you're correct in one assertion...that indeed this is off topic...rather than a call for proselytizing and feeling defensive, the topic under investigation was an "alternative to the centerpin."

best​

cc​

Apologies if my previous post came off abrasively or sardonically, We Have Fun Here...sarcasm and irony reign supreme...get it?

 

[openfire]

Apologies if my previous post came off abrasively or sardonically, We Have Fun Here...sarcasm and irony reign supreme...get it?

I understand your sentiment, but your commentary would have been better received without the use of the word "schmuck".

Back on topic, I agree with Eric, that a pin is highly application specific. While it's true, as another member pointed out, a pin can be used in other scenarios as demonstrated by Dozer, there are few (if any) benefits of using a pin in those scenarios. It would be logical to use an ice fishing setup for ice fishing, and so on, etc... And this is precisely what makes a pin one of the best setups for float fishing.

In my opinion, in no particular order, the best alternatives would be either a spinning or fly fishing setup.

 

[NADO]

also i like going already places to fish, ive fished other places around the world. for me to own a centerpin is silly and not worth my investment.
because i dont just stick with fishing in rivers. if you only fish the rivers, then ya. youd have a reason to get it. i dont.

sometimes you fish the rivers, sometimes piers sometimes boats.

Only one solution: buy a centerpin, fly rod, spinning reel, baitcasting reel, downriggers, dipsys, leadcore, copper, mono, braid. Also light,medium,heavy combos will be needed for the spinning and baitcasting setups. Fly rods will be needed in 4,6 and 8 weights and for centerpin you`ll need an 11` 6-12 for chinnys, 13`4-8 for steel, 15` for big water.

 

[eric]

sometimes you fish the rivers, sometimes piers sometimes boats.

Only one solution: buy a centerpin, fly rod, spinning reel, baitcasting reel, downriggers, dipsys, leadcore, copper, mono, braid. Also light,medium,heavy combos will be needed for the spinning and baitcasting setups. Fly rods will be needed in 4,6 and 8 weights and for centerpin you`ll need an 11` 6-12 for chinnys, 13`4-8 for steel, 15` for big water.

lololol just buy a whole tackle store then.

 

[coldfeet]

If I could afford it I would specific situations call for specific rods or reels although the fish don't know what you're using. I wouldn't use a musky stick for brookies or a 3wt trolling around a lake. Agreed pins are pretty specific just as spins are, I use to try drifting with a spin, it just doesn't work as well. I'm sure I'm not the only guy who has taken 2 rods when I go to the river, usually a fly and float rod.

 

[eric]

heres another thing that might work beside a centerpin.

Alvey reels. it has drag or no drag versions, and you can cast really long distances. and comes in different sizes.
cool design thats been around for a long time.

http://alvey.com.au/

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNTugY6Y5O4[/video]


this is a nice intro on how to use them.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5-oiOBrE9M[/video]

 

[W_boughner]

It has potential if they made it smaller and I could have it in my hand play with it a bit bad how much are they

 

[W_boughner]

I have a spare float reel I could get own of my machinist buddy's to make a pivoting reel seat !! I may look in to that

 

[eric]

alveys are priced very good actually. i think they are made of graphite, delrin or some hard resilient plastics.
generally they require almost no maintenance as many of them dont have metal inside.
i believe the model numbers relates to its spool diameter, like 40,400 = 4" 500 650 is 5" 6.5" respectively.

i think the smallest ones run from $50 to the heavy duty ones like $400.
so avg it around $100.

the best part is how you can turn the spool 90deg so it 'transforms' into a huge spinning reel spool.

 

[eric]

I have a spare float reel I could get own of my machinist buddy's to make a pivoting reel seat !! I may look in to that

the problem with that is, your float rides flanges (the spool sides) are equal in diameter,
the alveys are taper, one flange is smaller and has a bevel similar to a spinning reel spool.
and they have positive clicking locks when you turn them sideways to cast or freespool.
it might be doable if you tried to machine a pivoting backplate and tapering one side of the spool.

unless he will machine it for you for free,,, i think its cheaper to buy a $50 alvey to play with. haha

 

[W_boughner]

It's no different than casting off the side of your spool I think it would work but I'd see what they draw up

 

[W_boughner]

They could make a back plate so not to damage mine

 

[eric]

check out the video i just editted with the first post #50 i made about the alvey reel.

 

[AKnook]

try the fly​

My whole thought while reading this thread.......

 

[AKnook]

sometimes you fish the rivers, sometimes piers sometimes boats.

Only one solution: buy a centerpin, fly rod, spinning reel, baitcasting reel, downriggers, dipsys, leadcore, copper, mono, braid. Also light,medium,heavy combos will be needed for the spinning and baitcasting setups. Fly rods will be needed in 4,6 and 8 weights and for centerpin you`ll need an 11` 6-12 for chinnys, 13`4-8 for steel, 15` for big water.

Heck yea! Thats the only way to explain all the purchases to the better half..."you got ANOTHER fly rod??" "Sweety, I have a 5 wt for rainbows, and a 8wt for sockeyes, I needed a 7wt for larger rainbows/steelhead and cohos, a 10 wt for kings....etc etc.." After the third wt number she leaves me alone. lol