Hi It has been said that in BC the centerpin is the reel of choice while in the pacific northwest the baitcaster is king. Actually this is an exaduration.On the Vedder R for example you will see 10 guys fishing baitcasters for every one fisherman that fished the centerpin.
Do centerin reels have an advantage? fourty years ago when I started fishing both types,the centerpin had a freer spool but todays baitcasters have just as free a drift provided the levelwind can be disengaged.
Of course there is the ego factor, he best steelheaders fish centerpins and they used to cost more .Today that isent true,a Shimano Calcutta TE costs as much as a centerpin.
You can get greater distance and better accuracy with a baitcaster.You can get just as much spool control by setting the drag light and using your thumb to give variable drag and you get a much faster retrieve of slack line with the baitcaster.
I have two pairs of these reels; light line and heavy line and I would choose the baitcaster every time. The ego factor doesent apply in my case.
coot