I understand having the most direct link with the fish but to say the best drag free drift is hard to believe. I have fished around guys using center pins and I would not say they are getting any better drag free drift than I was with a good low profile reel and a long (13'0) float rod. Maybe I just need to witness a master at it.

In case anyone cares I found there is a situation that is very difficult to fish with a centerpin. I fished around many centerpin dudes last year on the Situk and found I could fish with a more natural drift with braded line.

Most centerpinners use mono or floating mono which is very difficult to fish in windy situations because the line gets blown around. With my spinning/bait casting rods and braided line I can lay the line right down on the water and the wind effects it very little. Braided is easy to mend at any time and has a lot let drag that floating mono.

Just my 2 cents.

I would have to agree that a drag-free drift can be attained with other forms of tackle. The long rod is the biggest advantage and if you are already using a 13' raptor rod works float rod you are way ahead of the game. I don't pin right now just because I found it to be a better bank activity(for me) than a boat technique.
Isaac

Center pin.....spinning reel........both 13 foot rods.......cast within inches of each other......99% of the time, with keep that same distance...all the way thur the drift..........If I found it to be "center pin" way better than the spinning reel.........I'd of had one 2 years ago.

CraigO....You are correct, center pin....mono.......while I use braid on my spinning reel........

CP's have a definite advantage over alternative gear to trot floats with a better presentation. Maybe Downtime or Steeliefreak will chime in on the subject,

fb

What he said. I have a Raven 11' 6" and the next will be 13' or longer. 11' 6" is a good place to start, shorter will be frustrating due to the differences in how and how far you can cast. Longer is easier if conditions such as trees, brush, allow but can be harder to work the gear and fish in tight spaces. Another case of compromising and having some varied gear options.

Excuse my ignorance (once again), but... I thought this thread began with Dave inquiring about centre pin specifics and his intention of doing the pin thing, regardless of his past mastering of other selected angling methods.

We here are all aware of the virtues and vesatility of conventional gear, along with the pro's and con's involved in using such while float fishing.

So, since this now seems to be going slightly off topic and is leaning in the direction of a "conventional gear works just as well or better when float fishing" thread... I'd like to jump on the bandwagon and add Chevy and Clackacraft to the do not deviate from list.

(On a sidenote, the word braid is typically used in describing a short term woman's hair style, usually without the inclusion of fishing reel in it's description...)

I've never experienced any of the situations Joe. I use it on all my poles and reels. Bait cast, spin, fly and fly line for many years through all temp.s, seasons. Helps keep guides ice free at colder temp.s also. A very versatile line, pole, reel enhancer and conditioner for sure.

Dave D, I hope you are getting the information you need. On my centerpin I have used both Fireline and Hydrofloat braid. The Fireline was a great place to start and worked pretty well as I learned how to cast. It sorta floats and was easy to mend and I didn't have a lot of money in it as I had to cut out more than a few snarls.

I tried Hydrofloat but it did not work for me as it would not feed off the reel and hung up really badly. I don't know if anyone else had this problem, but it didn't work for me. It was disappointing since it floated and mended really nicely.

I have settled into a fairly expensive Japanese mono called Siglon that is a floating mono. It works well but many folks use other monos like Maxima. Most monos don't float, so mending is more difficult. I don't lose much line in the seams I float so my cost over time is low, so I will stick to Siglon.

Maybe I will try Fireline again.

Maybe someday I will find the perfect line.

As far as the gent who can cast a center pin and spinning set up the same distance, he is a better fisherman than me. My center pin distance is much shorter than my spinning casting, and the longer the rod, the farther I can cast and the easier to mend and keep the line off the water.

Center pin fishing is a love/hate thing, I think. I just find it lots of fun and it challenges my skills.

Doctor Rick, check out Samurai Braid it has all the characteristics of mono, but no stretch. It feels and acts like mono but with no stretch. Definatly worth a try. I am a huge Power pro fan but for Center Pinnin' this stuff blows it away.
You are right about Sunline Siglon, probably the best mono for Centerpins or mono for float fishing for that matter.

ReiterRat,

Good stuff! I will definitely check it out.

Someone needs to ask Diawa to make that Samurai braid in a nice visible color like yellow or orange. Great line, but no way I'm using a dark green line for float fishing.

Brian

What makes it so much better or different from other name brand mono???

What kind of Siglon have you been using?? I've never had good luck with the stuff......Have tried a few different kinds and don't think I have ever lost so many floats in my life. Can remember on a number of occasions setting the hook on fish only to hear the classic shotgun pop of the line and wave bye bye to my whole rig. I've been using Suffix and Berkley Maxx for a while now with good results..

BrianL It is available in Hi Vis yellow.

It is as close to a true floating mono line there is. I don't know if the Japanese designed it for floats but it is nice. Doesn't seem to have as much stretch as some. I'm not sure it is "the best" but I know it and it works. There is an "Ultima" brand I have looked at and may try, but I have a spool of unopened Siglon F 10# flor yellow still.

Siglon F in 10# test. 12# has been good too. I have not needed heavier weights so far on my medium set up.

Good to know about the break offs. I think the Japanese ratings are a little lighter than US ratings, so I recall. Haven't broken off any clean hookups but I do fish a little light, and tend to horse it, so just a matter of time. And some times I go all all spaz and can't figure out whether to set the rod hard or grab the reel, or both, or what hand is where. I have been centerpinning for 3 seasons, and think another 2 might be useful.

I think there are several good starting points on centerpins and line:
1) Floating line is easier to mend with less float movement and less distance between tip and line. 2)Long drifts (really long) are typical of centerpins in the "best" drifts, and line stretch is a bad thing, so braids works best there. I think a floating braid would be best, so I tried Hydrofloat which didn't work for me, wouldn't freespool. 3) A looonng rod holds the line off the water and "tight lines are best" but the length gets in the way in many bank spots. My next rod is 13' 6" minimum, current is 11' 6" Raven.

How are the Suffix and Berkeley Maxx for floating?

DaveD, for your area that you want to fish get the loomis 11'3" GLX, it is perfect for the Methow and the Yakima from a boat or shore. I have two of these and two of there 13' 3 power. I have landed 10" trout to 35" steelhead. I would never buy the sage pin rods. They placed the reel seat to far back like a spey rod and yes this is how the old timers use to do it. Trust me you will want the reel all the way forward and with 3-5 inches of cork ahead of the reel. Also having your hand resting on cork inthe winter is so much better then having your hand rest on cold metal. Get suffix seige mono in 10lb. That is all you need, braided line is good for extreme drifts which you won't do with an 11' rod and line there is no line twist. But you will have alot of tip wraps. Mono is cheap and you will make big birds nest at first so you can cut out the knot and tie in a blood knot and continue fishing. Once you learn to cast your line twist will go away. If you get a rod and need some help, let me know I fish the yakima alot and use the 11' as my nymph rig. Also Anil and I are having a centerpin class in feb at his fly shop( Puget Sound Angler) Good luck and get a loomis or a raven, not the sage, trust me.

Ultima Flo-Cast

Special hollow mono. and permanent floating float fishing line. I was not even aware of its existence till now. Does anybody have any experience with this line.

http://www.centerpinangling.com/main-line.html

What he said, good stuff. Sliding rings allow you to set the reel where you want it for balance. The Loomis GLX is a great rod for $550 , but the Raven 11' 6" is very nice for $169. Fish USA site. Mono is cheap as is the fireline yellow braid. Plan on cutting off some line and don't worry about it a bit.