If I can do it....anyone can

[Steelhead Addict]

I've been a big proponent of float fishing. I started by using spinning gear...but that has a lot of drawbacks....so I moved on to using bait casters...I've pretty much taken that as far as I can go...so I've decided to give the centerpin method a spin.

so i went out and got a raven reel and built a pinning rod. I finally had a chance to take it out this morning and try it out. I hit a handful of fish and it was really enjoyable to do this on a new method. These are my observations as new pinner...


Practice your casting in the yard before you go...its better to work the kinks out before hand. casting a cp isn't that big of deal....don't learn to side cast...its a crutch...and twists your line up. I didn't attempt to learn. (if you use the side cast on stream...everyone will point at you and laugh)

Learning to cast a cp was easier/took less skill than learning to cast a bait caster. This is based both on my learning experience...as well as watching others learn how to cast both platforms.

you have more control over the actual drift there is something about the momentum of the spool that has an advantage over bait casters. I was surprised by this.

Fighting fish on a CP is a blast...its like taking a knife to a gun fight! My first fish was a ***** kicker at 9lbs. this is probably the #1 reason that I'd continue to use a CP.

Retrieving your line SUCKS. Ya I said it. SUCKS! not having the multiplier of the bait caster means you cannot retrieve you line nearly as fast. so if you like to cover a lot of water and stay on the move...this is a big downer. I know there are ways to mitigate this...regardless it sucks!

I don't understand the obsession with long rods. everyone talks about how the standard cp rod is 13ft. but I just don't get it...
you draw more of the fight out of the fish. (see #1 reason)
you increase the chances that your going cross swords with your neighbors
increase fatigue (either out of balance or increase weight)
landing fish on a long rod sucks
increase costsMy 11'6" worked great. I wouldn't want any longer. One big factor for me is that I fish almost exclusively out of a boat...if I waded...my feelings may be completely different on this.


shot of my first steel on a pin
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2138/2371736269_aa6cf02b48_b.jpg


So I guess that I've jumped on the bandwagon now...I guess I wanted to be one of the cool kids too.

in all seriousness I don't see me pushing off in the boat without having both a baitcasting setup and a cp setup. they both have their merits.

[Firemedic]

Nice looking fish! I have not gotten into CP yet, and I hope I don't. I spend enough money on flyfishing and bird dogs. :lol:

[axisgear]

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:Great job and great first shot. I'm still laughing!:lol::lol::lol::lol:Oh yeah,you were in a boat! Rod length difference denied.

[TheSteelheadBum]

Pinning is easy, very easy. Like fishing with a training wheel. Guys just like to make it sound difficult so they sound like more experienced anglers. Float fishing in general is a VERY easy way to catch steelhead. Nothing against it at all, but it is very easy and very effective. I definitely think these days many guys are using it to much though and losing out as there is times when other tactics would out produce float fishing by far. I agree 13' is over-kill for a boat in most cases. When wading longer rods are necessary, but I personally don't like a rod over 13'. Cool fish, like you said the most addictive part is fighting the fish, but once you get used to it you will find it much more affective as you can apply more power or less power to the drag on the fly. So in the end that "fun" becomes a much more affective means of fighting fish than a standard drag system. As for the reeling in part, get a 5" reel some day, it helps quite a bit.

[Steelhead Addict]

Cool fish, like you said the most addictive part is fighting the fish, but once you get used to it you will find it much more affective as you can apply more power or less power to the drag on the fly. So in the end that "fun" becomes a much more affective means of fighting fish than a standard drag system.


Ya this approach definitely translated from my bait-casting...I generally set my drag too light and apply the appropriate amount of pressure during the course of the battle. same thing with the cp. the main difference is the spinning knuckle buster with the 1:1 ratio on the fight. I had at least 1 fish charge the boat....makes for a lot of frantic cranking. fortunately i didn't bust any knuckles...not at least until the way home...when we had to change a boat trailer tire. it was an impressive blowout. potholes suck right now.

I think to be an accomplished steelheader, you need to be multidisciplined and be able to use these skills to adapt to changes. Your right...if I had to pick one method...it probably would be float...but there are times when other methods are a better choice. I know that I'd like to be better at pulling plugs and dropping back spawn. Even someday I'll learn to sight fish to spawners. I've been holding back, since it takes many years of experience and great skill to master. :-). sorry for the sarcasm. its circus season.

[TheSteelheadBum]

Ya this approach definitely translated from my bait-casting...I generally set my drag too light and apply the appropriate amount of pressure during the course of the battle. same thing with the cp. the main difference is the spinning knuckle buster with the 1:1 ratio on the fight. I had at least 1 fish charge the boat....makes for a lot of frantic cranking. fortunately i didn't bust any knuckles...not at least until the way home...when we had to change a boat trailer tire. it was an impressive blowout. potholes suck right now.

I think to be an accomplished steelheader, you need to be multidisciplined and be able to use these skills to adapt to changes. Your right...if I had to pick one method...it probably would be float...but there are times when other methods are a better choice. I know that I'd like to be better at pulling plugs and dropping back spawn. Even someday I'll learn to sight fish to spawners. I've been holding back, since it takes many years of experience and great skill to master. :-). sorry for the sarcasm. its circus season.

:lol: Just go up to the flies only section of the PM during spring. Just about everyone up there will be executing the fine art of sight fishing to spawning fish. Sure they can help you out with that:lol:.

[UBDSLO1]

Couple of things, I'm with you on the long rod obession. My longest is a 13' and to me that is way long especially casting on a stream with lots of trees. That Raven is the same on I have along with the same color backing and line. Siglon? On the side cast, I didn't have anyone laugh at me. Yet. And I get twists from hell with the side cast. Do you do the wallis cast? Nice fish too.

As far as the tatics to catach steelhead,I'd have to pick bottom bouncing for me. Float fishing can be way to easy at some times for me, but getting a fish on the pin is fun. Can't wait for the new Okuma pin that has a drag to come out, that'll be my new reel for fall kings, just ask my fingers.:yikes:

[Steelhead Addict]

That Raven is the same on I have along with the same color backing and line. Siglon? On the side cast, I didn't have anyone laugh at me. Yet. And I get twists from hell with the side cast. Do you do the wallis cast?

good guess on the siglon line. I've been using that ever since they came out with the next generation line...siglon ff i think its called. But this is actually raven's floating mono....I have to say its noticeably better than siglon...it floats higher and comes off the water better. I'm going to be switching all my reels over soon. it was impressive.

as far as the cast...its not a wallis...not sure what to call it really...you load up the rod, let go of the spool, and slap the reel with the other free hand...all in one fluid motion...get your timing right, it goes a mile. it took my buddy, who hasn't ever touched a cp, about 3 tries to get productive with that method.

I used the cp all day...ZERO twists.

[UBDSLO1]

Nice, I'll have to give that a try. Raven's line sounds good too, I have Siglon FF(I think the ff stands for "fine float") on my SST3, and don't really like it. Seems to break before the leader does. I need to take it off, but it's alsmot too expensive to throw away.

[TheSteelheadBum]

Nice, I'll have to give that a try. Raven's line sounds good too, I have Siglon FF(I think the ff stands for "fine float") on my SST3, and don't really like it. Seems to break before the leader does. I need to take it off, but it's alsmot too expensive to throw away.

The reason it's breaking before the leader does is because Siglon breaks at exactly what it's rated at where as most leader material breaks at 3-4 pounds heavier than it's rated at "and has the extra diameter too". This a cheap way of fishing line companies to seem like they have strong line. Just like Gamma fishing line claiming that their 6 pound line breaks at 12 pounds or whatever when in reality their 6 pound diameter is the same diamter as Sunlines 14 pound line, so in reality their stuff is weaker. It's sad that some companies have to "under rate" their stuff so much, but they do to make them selves look better. I use 12 pound Siglon FF and have never broken the mainline before any 8 pound fluoro out there. 12 pound Siglon FF is around the same diameter as most companies 8 pound fluoro if you pay attention to the diameter. So that is just some food for thought on that. Just got done testing some new float fishing line that Sunline is in the final development stages of and it will definitely be replacing all of the Siglon F and FF lines. Absolutely amazing stuff to say the least, but at this point I am not sure when it will be available to the public.... Something to watch for though.

[TheSteelheadBum]

Couple of things, I'm with you on the long rod obession. My longest is a 13' and to me that is way long especially casting on a stream with lots of trees. That Raven is the same on I have along with the same color backing and line. Siglon? On the side cast, I didn't have anyone laugh at me. Yet. And I get twists from hell with the side cast. Do you do the wallis cast? Nice fish too.

As far as the tatics to catach steelhead,I'd have to pick bottom bouncing for me. Float fishing can be way to easy at some times for me, but getting a fish on the pin is fun. Can't wait for the new Okuma pin that has a drag to come out, that'll be my new reel for fall kings, just ask my fingers.:yikes:

If you can't wally cast or BC cast then use "Reel Magic" spray before and after every time you fish on your line. It will atke care of that twist, but I highly recommend you learn to cast properly. If you don't cast off the side you will not get any twisting, but if you do that spray will take care of it. Just keep your thumb close to the spool and if it starts to over run stop the spool immediately, to keep it from making a mess. Don't try and launch monster casts right off the bat, it will come. Once it clicks you will think casting off the side is harder...

[Steelhead Addict]

The reason it's breaking before the leader does is because Siglon breaks at exactly what it's rated at where as most leader material breaks at 3-4 pounds heavier than it's rated at "and has the extra diameter too".

ya...I never look at the lb rating...always look at the diameter. the raven 10lb is the same diameter as the 12lb siglonff. I've got all my leader diameters picked out relative to this diameter as well. I never had issues with the Siglonff. I used the 12lb with 8lb seagar or lighter. I guess the europeans doen't even put a weight rating...everything is the diameter.


Just got done testing some new float fishing line that Sunline is in the final development stages of and it will definitely be replacing all of the Siglon F and FF lines. Absolutely amazing stuff to say the least, but at this point I am not sure when it will be available to the public.... Something to watch for though.

hmm..how does it perform better? the raven was noticibly more boyant than the siglonff.

[TheSteelheadBum]

The first thing I noticed that impressed me over the FF was abrasion resistance. It was WAY more abrasion resistant that the Siglon F or FF. It was actually one of the most abrasion resistant lines I had ever dealt with.

I also felt that it definitely was easier to mend/manage on the water. So in other words it floated higher and it had a way of holding it's shape to mend the exact way you wanted it, but was still more limp than both Siglon F or FF.

Basically it is a product of all the negative feedback that Sunline has got from Siglon F and FF. It has all the good properties of Siglon FF and has also built upon it's few weak points. Doug has worked very hard to get a better product for everyone and in my opinion has done just that with "Supernatural"...

All of the demo spools were a dark green and clear. I was adament that High Viz was also a must. The guys in the Erie tribs kept screaming for low viz lines along with a few other guys who basically just fish small water or even a few guys who fish big water who like low viz lines.

I like a high viz line, mainly because I run smaller floats than most guys and it is just something I prefer unless I am fishing small rivers. So it should work out perfect as it will be available in both high and low viz colors...

Don't ask me when it will be available as I have no idea, but I don't think it will be that long.

I can't compare it to the Raven line, but I will have to check that stuff out, just to see what it's all about...

[UBDSLO1]

The reason it's breaking before the leader does is because Siglon breaks at exactly what it's rated at where as most leader material breaks at 3-4 pounds heavier than it's rated at "and has the extra diameter too". This a cheap way of fishing line companies to seem like they have strong line. Just like Gamma fishing line claiming that their 6 pound line breaks at 12 pounds or whatever when in reality their 6 pound diameter is the same diamter as Sunlines 14 pound line, so in reality their stuff is weaker. It's sad that some companies have to "under rate" their stuff so much, but they do to make them selves look better. I use 12 pound Siglon FF and have never broken the mainline before any 8 pound fluoro out there. 12 pound Siglon FF is around the same diameter as most companies 8 pound fluoro if you pay attention to the diameter. So that is just some food for thought on that. Just got done testing some new float fishing line that Sunline is in the final development stages of and it will definitely be replacing all of the Siglon F and FF lines. Absolutely amazing stuff to say the least, but at this point I am not sure when it will be available to the public.... Something to watch for though.

Hmm, I have 10lb. Siglon on right now, so I should step up in the lb. test. to 12lb. I use P-Line fluoro, usually 6lb.

[UBDSLO1]

If you can't wally cast or BC cast then use "Reel Magic" spray before and after every time you fish on your line. It will atke care of that twist, but I highly recommend you learn to cast properly. If you don't cast off the side you will not get any twisting, but if you do that spray will take care of it. Just keep your thumb close to the spool and if it starts to over run stop the spool immediately, to keep it from making a mess. Don't try and launch monster casts right off the bat, it will come. Once it clicks you will think casting off the side is harder...

To be honest with you, I haven't taken the time to learn how to cast properly, the side cast was/is easy for me, but I'm just sick of the twists. Does the spray effect the strength of the line?

[TheSteelheadBum]

I prefer the way the 12 pound Siglon fishes myself. I think it mends better. That being said I never had issues with the main line breaking when using 6 pound leads and 10 pound Siglon, but you would need to be careful there was no knicks in your mainline. You would run into issues if you ran 8 pound leads and 10 pound Siglon though. I definitely suggest giving 12 pound Siglon FF a shot before you give up on it. I don't have any spools here or I would hook you up with one "my buddies usually clean me out of all the extra line I have around". Let me make a call and see if I can't get you a spool of 12 pound for your troubles with your current spool of 10 pound...

That spray will not damage your line what so ever. It is made for putting on your line. Reel Magic or Kevin Van Dam's Line Conditioner will both work...

There is a bunch of guys up your way that I am sure would teach you how to cast man. It really is easy, especially with someone showing you the ropes...

Kory

[lastflight]

To be honest with you, I haven't taken the time to learn how to cast properly, the side cast was/is easy for me, but I'm just sick of the twists. Does the spray effect the strength of the line?

It won't take you long at all to learn to cast properly. I started off side casting and it only took me about an hour to learn the "pull" or "spin" cast. What really helped me was watching the video on flyandfloatfishing.com. Then it is just a matter of working on your timing to get distance.

[Spawn Tosser]

as far as the cast...its not a wallis...not sure what to call it really...you load up the rod, let go of the spool, and slap the reel with the other free hand...all in one fluid motion...get your timing right, it goes a mile. it took my buddy, who hasn't ever touched a cp, about 3 tries to get productive with that method.



That sounds similar to how I cast. I don't think it is an "approved" casting style, but it works for me. I bring the rod tip staright back over my shoulder, let the rig start dropping on it's own, and when it starts getting some momentum, I throw it out, but at the same time I give the reel a good spin.

[TheSteelheadBum]

That sounds similar to how I cast. I don't think it is an "approved" casting style, but it works for me. I bring the rod tip staright back over my shoulder, let the rig start dropping on it's own, and when it starts getting some momentum, I throw it out, but at the same time I give the reel a good spin.

There is no need to slap the reel, if you time it properly it should cast fine without doing so. You just need to remember that really loading the rod is essential...