Selection of Float Fishing Gear and Accessories Guide

Developed in Europe, centerpin fishing has been around for centuries, but has just caught on in North America for Trout, Salmon and Steelhead over the last decade or so. Many anglers are learning that this technique is the most effective way to produce salmonids in large streams, rivers or virtually anywhere there is current.

Since centerpin fishing is still in its infancy there is much less information about it than other styles of angling. This makes selecting equipment a bit more difficult than selecting spinning or fly equipment.

The main components of any float fishing outfit are the rod, reel, line, leader, shot, swivel, hook, and float. All items must be balanced to work together for the best performance.

Rods typically range from 11’ to 15’ with 13’ being the standard and usually have a line recommendation of 4 to about 12 lb. test. Some rods fall outside this range, such as shorter stiffer rods for salmon or very light rods usually used for trout. Float rods typically have guides with a larger offset from the blank than other rods. This prevents line slap that reduces casting distance and allows the line to flow from the spool to be smoother allowing a much better drift.

Actions are usually medium fast, with a stiff butt section for solid hook sets and a limber tip to protect light tippets sometimes required for wary trout. While some rods have fixed reel seats like a standard spinning rod, sliding rings are much more popular among pinners.

Beginning anglers often choose rods such as the Okuma Aventa or the Raven Matrix as their first rod, as they are inexpensive and function well for the novice. Once the appetite has been whet, many anglers purchase a second, higher quality rod soon thereafter keeping the less expensive rod as a suitable back up.

Good quality rods with a reasonable warranty are popular with many anglers. Rods like the St. Croix Wild River, Cortland Endurance and the Raven models are excellent choices in the $150-$350 range. Most include a 5 year to lifetime warranty depending on model.

Top end rods such as the Loomis Centerpin Float Rods are popular with many experienced fishers. Although these rods are more expensive, many feel that the lighter weight, more sensitive rods with less tip sag as well as a great warranty plan are well worth the money. These rods do tend to have better guides, reel seats, cork, as well as workmanship also.

The object of the reel is to allow line to unwind easily from the spool when the float-shot-bait pulls in the current. As with the rods, there are many different models and price ranges for pin reels. The Okuma Aventa or Raven Matrix are popular for beginners and has helped many break in to the world of centerpin angling.

Reels such as the Okuma Sheffield, Raven Vectra and the Raven Classic are popular in the mid-range as they perform well but are not quite as pricy as the top end reels.

High end reels such as the Islander Steelheader and the Ross Flow are very serious, well machined reels that have become prized possessions for many who own them. These reels have more extensive porting as well as better machining allowing for a lighter weights as well as a nicer finish. The Flow can also be reversed by flipping the spool. This feature is especially handy for guides who may have both right handed as well as southpaws using the reel.

Most reels freespool both in and out, making fighting a large fish a challenge, which is a big part of pin fishing. Okuma has recently introduced the new Sheffield Sirata, which allows the angler to flip a switch when the fish is hooked engaging a drag similar to a fly reel.

Reel color is a matter of personal preference, but many anglers choose a reel with a dark finish, particularly if fishing smaller waters. While bright, flashy reels do look nice, the reflection off the sun can produce fish spooking glare.

While standard monofilament can be used for float fishing, line designed specifically for the application performs much better. Most anglers usually select a line that floats and is of a high visibility. Currently, the most popular line is Siglon F and Siglon FF produced Sunline. Other lines such as Cortland Endurance, and the new P-Line Hydrofloat, a floating braid, are also popular.

Due to the large spool capacity of centerpin reels, standard fly line backing is used as filler before the main line is spooled. Most standard sized centerpin reels will hold 100-150 yards of 20 pound dacron flyline backing as well as 300 yards of 8-10 pound monofiliament. It is best to fill the spool to approximately 1/4” from the rom of the spool. Less line and the reel will be more difficult to cast. More line can cause tangles. Main line testing at least 2 pounds heavier than the average leader size is recommended. This allows the leader to break first, saving the float, swivel, and shot. This also decreases the amount of line and lead left in the water, which is better for the environment of our favorite aquatic species.

Leaders for float fishing are usually the same as tippet material used by fly fisherman. Many anglers prefer fluorocarbon leaders such as Seaguar Grand Max or Rio Fluoroflex. These leaders have a similar refractive index to water making them nearly invisible when submerged. When the water is stained or fast, an abrasion resistant mono leader such as Maxima or Rio PowerFlex, provides an inexpensive alternative.

The line and leader are usually connected to a barrel or crane swivel. Tiny swivels such as the Blackbird or Rosco perform best without ruining the presentation.

There are many different types of floats suitable for pinning. Most can be broken down into balsa or plastic varieties. Usually clear plastic floats such as the Drennans are used in clearer and calmer water. The clear floats give a more stealthy presentation for spooky fish. Blackbird Floats are a less expensive alterative, but offer less choices as far as shape.

Balsa floats are offered in many shapes, sizes and colors. Raven Balsa Floats and Blackbird Balsa Floats are very popular. They tend to be more visible in faster water as the entire float is painted. Many are slightly heavier permitting better casts as well as “sticking” to the water better allowing the line to peel off the spool easier.

Although it seems like a minor detail, the selection of split shot is important when float fishing. Most anglers prefer lead shot such as Sure Shot, Blackbird or Thill. Many states such as New York, Vermont and Maine no longer allow the sale of lead splitshot within the state. Anglers there use non toxic shot such as Dinsmore and Green Gremlin.

Hooks are the device that keeps the angler connected with the fish. Hook size is determined by the size of the fish as well as the size of the bait and can range from #2/0 for a large cluster of skein in a western river, to a #18 for fishing a single egg to spooky Great Lakes steelhead.

A short shank hook with an upturned eye, such as Blackbird Sabretooth, Daiichi Salmon Egg Hooks, or the VMC Ultimate Live Bait Hook, are very popular. As inexpensive as hooks are, it doesn’t pay to skimp.

Along with baits such as skein, egg sacs, artificial worms, minnows, jigs, grubs and flies, there are a few accessories that will make angling more enjoyable. A thermometer to find water comfortable for the species you are targeting is invaluable. A hook hone to keep the hooks sharp as well as forceps to remove them. A line clipper is a much better and safer method than using teeth. A fishing vest or chest pack for keeping accessories handy for transport is a requirement. A good pair of warm waders, a wading jacket and gloves are great investments allowing the angler to fish long after others have been chilled to the bone and are heading home. A rod tube is also a good idea to prevent accidents during transport.

Illustrated reference books such as the Raven Float Fishing Guide or Dave Vedder’s Float Fishing For Steelhead are invaluable for learning rigging and casting techniques.

Add the proper fishing license, a vacuum bottle of hot coffee and a camera to preserve the memory of the trophy fish, the angler is prepared to do battle with some of the finest quarry our flowing waters have to offer.

Good Fishing.

By: Brian Emerick