Got Me Thinkin...

[rippinlips]

Fishing last week on West part of the state doing what I was taught: CND. Guy on the bank was CP. Never seen it done before and I am intrigued. Question: for those who have switched over, do you ever use your old rigs? Would you ever go back to the old style? Another question: How does the weight of the rig compare for cp vs 8 wt fly rod when you are on the water all day?

[95talon07]

Honestly since i have picked up my pin, i have fished mostly with it for all river species since. I still do however go back to my fly rod, or even spinning outfit. The weight comparison on an all day outting i would say a fly rod still beats the pin. After all you have to hold you rod tip up at most times with a pin, as a fly rodders swinging tactics hardly require much energy.

[Illinois STEELHEADER]

I had a real slump for a couple years and picked up a pin just as they were getting popular.
I caught so many fish so quickly it became boring.
I sold it and now prefer to catch fish via methods that are more 'fulfilling' for me. But...thats me.
And there will come a time, maybe, where Im in a long enough slump that I may get the jones to use it again.

[staffman]

I mostly stick with my pin set up but once in a while I will go to one of my spinning outfits for a change. The pin set up is lighter than my spinning set up. At the end of the day I don't notice any difference in how tired I am with respect to the outfit that I'm using.

[rippinlips]

Thanks guys, appreciate it. "i caught so many fish so quickly It became boring." You're not talkin steel are you??? That would astound me! Lol.

[Centerpin]

I heard the same sentiment from a spey fisherman one day "Too easy, no challenge.....", Well the challenge is not to catch lots of fish for a few weeks (or days) like that guy did, its mastering the technique. Once you can do great in every situation with multiple rod types, float types, shot patterns, artificial and natural baits, regardless of the pressure or run condition for that year and on multiple rivers then you are an expert and can claim it being "easy" and having "nothing to it". You will get skunked fishing floats its only a matter of time, there are disadvantages to the technique its only a matter of time till you find out what they are. You will get out fished while float fishing, its only a matter of time. So go ahead and think float fishing is the only technique worth using or that its too easy, its neither one of those.

Now if the guy would have told me "Its a interesting technique and I liked the advantages it offered, however I really love swinging speys!", I would have nodded in complete agreement. Currently my new gig is swinging spoons, its been a blast so far. I completely understand loving a technique due to the feeling you get while angling with it, I am sure one day I will swing speys. I also plan to return to float fishing with a new mentality after fishing other methods.

Every major technique out there right now has enough depth to keep an angler busy for a decade or more gaining mastery, hands down. So these guys who touch the gear for half a season and make blanket statements are seriously mistaken and quite amusing.

[GobyOneGnoby]

I've completely given up other methods after switching to centerpinning. In fact, regardless of what I'm chasing on the river, you'll see a float rod in hand...a small 4 weight conversion for inland trout, a meat stick for Salmon and a couple of CTS' for steel. In other words, I'm hooked with pun intended. There's just something indescribable about the anticipation of the float dropping. Almost like bobber fishing for pan fish as a kid except it costs a lot more.

[Count Dooku]

I fish a G Loomis GLX CP 11' 3" Rod,, and a Raven SST III CP reel.... (Very Light Well Balanced)

I love my Winston Fly rods and still use them for trout....And Pan fish!!!

But man I will NEVER go back to a fly rod for steel..... I love Pinning...

[rippinlips]

Done a ton of thinking this past week, won't bore anyone with the details. Thinking of pulling the switch and going with a 13'6" 4-8 CTS and team that up with an Imperial. Sad to hear that probably won't handle the PM kings and I'll have to get a separate 15 footer for that. Goby, I had sent you a PM in regards to that blank. If you could take a minute to take a look at that, that would be great. I know you gotta be swamped. Thanks for all the input from quite a few of the guys. When you're getting into something completely new you really need someone with experience to guide you in the right direction. Been a long,long time since I've had a steelie on due to giving up fishing to spend time with the boys in their athletic pursuits. They're in college now and I'm back. Can't wait.

[Bill Shearer]

I have to say that although I don't use my CTS with Imperial on Kings, I know a lot of guys that do without issues.
So long as you stay within the limits of the rod, (8lb Leaders), you will not have a problem. The Imperial can certainly take the heat!

[rippinlips]

Just a quick note that GobyOneGnoby did reply right away to my request for a follow up to a PM. Evidently my first PM did not go through. Thanks Goby.

[staffman]

CTS blanks are now also available in a13 ft. version.

[GettinJiggy]

Anytime I hit the moving water whether it be for carp, cats, smallies, steel, trout or salmon; the obvious goal is to catch fish and for me, the more the merrier. Therefore, I have found no better, more effective and rewarding method to do so than float fishing with a pin. Goby said it best here as well..."There's just something indescribable about the anticipation of the float dropping. Almost like bobber fishing for pan fish as a kid except it costs a lot more."

[DaveP]

This is my 3rd season with a pin. Prior to that, it was some 27 seasons with the fly rods. I'm still getting the feel for the pin. I *know* I'm doing more fish with it, and I totally agree with Goby that there's an indescribable anticipation of a float dropping, wobbling, or moving unnaturally. But, I get that same sense of anticipation when I'm stripping a streamer or "pick-pocketing" my way down a boulder-strewn run with a glo-bug. There's some water I know I can fish more effectively with a fly rod. Perhaps that's my lack of experience with the pin, or my extensive experience with the fly rod. ..or maybe both. Though to be fair, I've never (yeah, really, I know..) resorted to CND using the fly gear. Either stripping, swinging, high-sticking, or more normal nymphing.

I do know that if I'm out fishing and I'm not using a fly rod or pin, I find myself longing for one or the other.

[axisgear]

Get good at it and it's just another tool in the arsenal. Just like fixing a faucet wouldn't require a crochet hook,steelhead fishing doesn't require centerpin gear,but it sure does make it a bunch more interesting!

I like to fish(and catch fish),PERIOD! Fish how you want,when you want! I do!Flies,hardware,bait.There is no rule book. Use it ALL!

OH Yeah!