Center Pin: advantages/disadvantages?

[AaronKrick]

I just wanted tomask about the advantages and disadvantages of a center pin reel. I'm thinking about buying my first pin but wanted to know what the advantages are to a center pin vs a spinning reel. I would use it at caledonia mostly.

 

[hightechdecks]

I just wanted tomask about the advantages and disadvantages of a center pin reel. I'm thinking about buying my first pin but wanted to know what the advantages are to a center pin vs a spinning reel. I would use it at caledonia mostly.

advantages - drift control and fighting power
disadvantages casting ( cannot be used as effectively with lures and bottom bouncing) also excessively high winds can make them tempermental

 

[Fishheads]

advantages - drift control and fighting power
disadvantages casting ( cannot be used as effectively with lures and bottom bouncing) also excessively high winds can make them tempermental

drift control is huge IMO proper drift control provided 1/2 by the reel and rod and 1/2 by the users skill. Once you get it dialed you looking at 100%+ more fish. being able to match the speed of the current in the exact area your bait is traveling makes the bait look more realistic.....Thus More Fish.

Having 100% control over your drag i.e your finger gives you the ability to let a fish run or lock them down and its as easy as adding more pressure or taking away pressure with your finger.

There is a reason 95% of steelheaders use float gear and its because we like to catch fish 95% of the time.... :grin:

as GBD noted casting is hard to get, but once you have it down your good to go.

I will disagree on the bottom bouncing. some days in the notty when the fish have lock jaw a good friend of mine always pulls off his floats and a few weights and puts on a show bottom bouncing. I have trouble with it my self but he doesn't, All about practice.

If you plan on fishing steelhead for awhile trust me get a float rod and reel. you wont regret it.

 

[hightechdecks]

casting is tough to learn and everyone seems to have their own style but you should be able to get 40 ft casts with a 3-5 g rig. i was refering to casting baits like cleos and j-13s but yes as mike is sayin as you gain skill you will be trying to fish everything with the drift reel and it can be done effectively, you can sweep and pause cranks in slow water or hold them in the current. one time i even tried rip jigging walleye with the 13' but rod was to soft to set the hook on a 5 or7 ft it would be mint though being able to precisely control the jigs fall.

 

[Rain-Bow]

I can't think of any disadvantages of a centerpin when it comes to float fishing.

 

[rocheleauc]

Drag free drifts and drift control. With some centerpin reels, even the slowest current will cause the reel to spin and let out line.

Also fighting the fish on the pin is great as your hand becomes the drag.

 

[Brian]

The advantages are already given above...
A disadvantage not yet mentioned is that the pin gets cold in winter and having your finger/s on the reel can be cool

 

[Dozer]

Easy to clean, not many parts can break, great for fishing currents, they keep their value, easy to fish with ( once you get the hang of it ), you can take cool pictures with your reel and fish or just your reel, you can do spin tests to see how long it spins, the odds of becoming a "pinhead" are increased, if you get a really expensive one you'll never be called a loogan, fly fisherman will start to hate you, next to chrome spinners on SUVS the center pin is the second coolest thing, you can really make a womans head turn by the way you run your fingers across the backplate...

All jokes aside, just get the reel, I've never met anyone who got one and didn't like it.

The only disadvantage is during the winter the reel can get very cold.

 

[Dozer]

Ahhh, we posted together.

 

[DEVIN]

Easy to clean, not many parts can break, great for fishing currents, they keep their value, easy to fish with ( once you get the hang of it ), you can take cool pictures with your reel and fish or just your reel, you can do spin tests to see how long it spins, the odds of becoming a "pinhead" are increased, if you get a really expensive one you'll never be called a loogan, fly fisherman will start to hate you, next to chrome spinners on SUVS the center pin is the second coolest thing, you can really make a womans head turn by the way you run your fingers across the backplate...

All jokes aside, just get the reel, I've never met anyone who got one and didn't like it.

The only disadvantage is during the winter the reel can get very cold.

Lmaoooooo true but funny hahahaha

 

[FisherGirl]

Easy to clean, not many parts can break, great for fishing currents, they keep their value, easy to fish with ( once you get the hang of it ), you can take cool pictures with your reel and fish or just your reel, you can do spin tests to see how long it spins, the odds of becoming a "pinhead" are increased, if you get a really expensive one you'll never be called a loogan, fly fisherman will start to hate you, next to chrome spinners on SUVS the center pin is the second coolest thing, you can really make a womans head turn by the way you run your fingers across the backplate...

 

[Ridx]

Only disadvantages I kno of are "COST" lol. I bought a starter Aventa used for a reasonable price, Bought a new Sheffield and a raw II this year. Already looking at kingpins!1

 

[miles]

Only disadvantages I kno of are "COST" lol. I bought a starter Aventa used for a reasonable price, Bought a new Sheffield and a raw II this year. Already looking at kingpins!1

In the 500 plus range I wouldn't count out the Canadian built custom reels If I were you.

 

[BASSMASTER19]

all the aforementioned advantages but the only disadvantage i can think of would be the price of some reels, i know some people whose entire collection doesent even make up the price of 1 islander or kingpin however the aventas raws and sheffeilds are pretty good in the sub 200 dollar range