Steve,

There are a number of inherent advantages to a centerpin/mono set up that give it tremendous advantages over other float fishing systems. Such as:

1. Line - comes off a large arbor with little or no memory, thus allowing use of mono to gain it's benefits without having to use braid and suffer it's disadvantages.
2. Rod - length required for casting allows less line in water and greater mend control. Improves hook set and protection of lighter tippets. Also allows use of longer fixed float for hold back techniques.
3. Reel (the secret sauce)- Silky smooth action allowing line to feed with zero drag or be held back with precise control.

But just as different techniques, like fly fishing or using a baitcaster for drift fishing, have their own advantages in certain situations, they each require a certain level of technical proficiency to realize their benefits. I'm not saying that any technique is easier or more difficult than another, but CP technique is very different than others and most folk around these parts don't have either the experience, the proper equipment or the patience to obtain enough skill to realize the benefits. Dave Vedder's book does a great job of explaining the inherent benefits of CP, but at the end of the day it comes down to line control. While casting doesn't catch fish as much as line control does, it is definitely the biggest issue folks have to overcome with the technique. That along with the high cost of a quality reel usually present hurdles just too high for most. Lack of fighting drag can also be a problem for some, but as far as pure line control, CP has no peer.

Personally, I don't think there is any point in dabbling with CP. IMO, it's like fly fishing, you either commit to it to fully realize the benefits or save yourself the time, money and aggravation. Other typical float techniques are totally sufficient for the NW, where our fish are not what I would call "picky". However, pinning definitely has it's rewards for those that invest the time.