Getting Started; Your First
Great Lakes Centre-pinning Outfit
Wondering what an affordable,
entry level, centre-pin/float fishing rig will consist of and what it will
cost?
This article is for you!
If
you've just begun researching centre-pin / float fishing gear, you may have
realized that there are many choices available and some with a considerable
investments attached to them. As
more and more companies have joined the market to address and
compete for
the needs of the entry level enthusiast, costs have come down considerably.
No longer does one have to spend many hundreds of dollars to achieve the
end result of catching fish on a long rod coupled with a reel that hasn’t a
mechanical drag. With a little internet research and the help of a trusted
tackle outfitter you’ll have no trouble choosing
great gear and getting an education at the same time.
Centre-pinning
/ float fishing outfits consist of a large diameter reel (think large arbor fly reel,
but bigger) that lacks a mechanical drag and a long, nimble, flexible rod.
For simplicity’s sake, I’ll discuss centre-pin reels that have ball bearing races as
they tend to be the most popular. Although there are models that are built
using brass bushings and function quite well, most modern ‘pins are
constructed with ball bearings that sit atop of an axle. They also
come equipped with a clicker that functions as a transport knob. The
clicker's purpose is to lock the reel so that it doesn’t free spool and
leave a bird’s nest of monofilament line during
transport.. This transport clicker is disengaged when fished and is
not meant to be used as a drag when fighting fish. The advantages of
the reel’s bearing design are that it will pay out line via the hydraulic
load forced upon the profile of the float while in a river’s current. There
are quite a few factors that affect the speed that this will occur.
Generally speaking, the reel will spin efficiently and evenly based upon the
overall spool mass and diameter, spool rim edge feathering (resistance), and the speed
of the current and other factors having to do with the terminal tackle and
inline drag. The goal is to have a drag free drift with minimal line drag on
the surface of the water. If the offering can be presented perfectly natural, as with fly
fishing, then hookup rates drastically increase. Entry level reels produced
by Raven and Okuma can be purchased in the $149 - $199 range. Both the Raven
Matrix and Okuma Sheffield are high quality, entry level, Asian made reels
that will allow you to be successful on the water. The Matrix by Raven is
an effective reel in the summer months drifting night crawlers for river
smallmouth and catfish. the Matrix XL by Raven (the big brother) is a
great reel for steelhead angling. The Okuma Sheffield is another great
choice that can certainly serve double duty as a summer time small mouth /
catfish 'pin reel as well.
Poll float fishermen and you’ll discover the consensus, for the most part,
is the longer the float rod
the better. With the exception of small, brush lined creeks, the lengthier
the rod the more agile and effective presenting a drag free drift
over extended distances will be. 50-80 yard drifts are very possible and in the end
limited only by the quality of your vision and the amount of fisherman
sharing the water. A 13’ – 15’ multi-piece rod is the norm for this
endeavor. Seek out rods that break down into multiple pieces if you wish to
store it more conveniently within the confines of your automobile. Okuma,
Raven, and Browning (among others) are now offering rods in these sizes and
in multi-pc. configurations for prices that begin near $100. While they are
not quite the same quality, fit or feel of a custom handcrafted rod built to
your specifications, they do the job well and will get you on the river with
a minimal investment. The first float rod purchase will likely be a
tool to discover and develop your individual preferences. A good word
of advice is to consider a sliding ring cork reel seat for the first rod
purchase so that you can tune the rod to your liking.
I hope you found this
article helpful and informative. In the next installment, I will address
reel backing, line, and terminal tackle choices. If you have comments or
suggestions, feel free to contact me at
Dj@floatfishingconnection.com
compete for
the needs of the entry level enthusiast, costs have come down considerably.
No longer does one have to spend many hundreds of dollars to achieve the
end result of catching fish on a long rod coupled with a reel that hasn’t a
mechanical drag. With a little internet research and the help of a trusted
tackle outfitter you’ll have no trouble choosing
great gear and getting an education at the same time. 
simplicity’s sake, I’ll discuss centre-pin reels that have ball bearing races as
they tend to be the most popular. Although there are models that are built
using brass bushings and function quite well, most modern ‘pins are
constructed with ball bearings that sit atop of an axle. They also
come equipped with a clicker that functions as a transport knob. The
clicker's purpose is to lock the reel so that it doesn’t free spool and
leave a bird’s nest of monofilament line during
transport.. This transport clicker is disengaged when fished and is
not meant to be used as a drag when fighting fish. The advantages of
the reel’s bearing design are that it will pay out line via the hydraulic
load forced upon the profile of the float while in a river’s current. There
are quite a few factors that affect the speed that this will occur.
Generally speaking, the reel will spin efficiently and evenly based upon the
overall spool mass and diameter, spool rim edge feathering (resistance), and the speed
of the current 
Okuma,
Raven, and Browning (among others) are now offering rods in these sizes and
in multi-pc. configurations for prices that begin near $100. While they are
not quite the same quality, fit or feel of a custom handcrafted rod built to
your specifications, they do the job well and will get you on the river with
a minimal investment. The first float rod purchase will likely be a
tool to discover and develop your individual preferences. A good word
of advice is to consider a sliding ring cork reel seat for the first rod
purchase so that you can tune the rod to your liking.
