[Chuck S]

Anybody fish them? I have been totally fascinated by them since spending my summers in Canada as a kid. I remember watching the old timers up in Campbell River effortlessly cast out 75 feet with them. I tried one a few years back while talking to a fellow Canadian on the Vedder and I couldn't get it to do anything but give me a headache.

I am still fascinated and there is one for sale that is a great reel for a great price but I am not sure if I am patient enough to learn it. Do you have one? How long did it take to get comfortable with it?

 

[O. mykiss]

Ive always been interested with them too for some reason, just probley because it was a really different style of fishing. However if you want to buy one the Okuma Aventa isnt a bad beginner set up from what Ive heard.

 

[Fluffhead]

I once played and boated a 25# king using a centerpin, and it was the coolest thing. One of the funnest fights ever. But I never tried casting with it.

 

[RiverFishin]

Used/use one on the Salt all the time...

 

[wolverine]

If you want to give it a try find a used Milner, or an Islander. New they're really pricy but the quality and performance is light years better than the Okuma. The 'trick" to casting a pin is to get the reel spinning before you let the cast fly.

 

[cat fisher]

That is the only reel i use for salmon.
I have Islander reels on the boat they are pricey but well worth the money IMO.
If you want to give one a try lets go fishin some time.

 

[kelson]

The only way to go.....and the only way I fish salmon trolling or mooching. If you can afford them Islanders are the best available and will last a lifetime!

 

[Hunter P]

My brothers and I all use Winonas for salmon mooching. Nothing better than a big King with only your thumb for a drag. Tup:

 

[Stonefish]

Ross just introduced a new center pin reel. They make great fly reels, so I would imagine this will be a good product as well.
http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0052944122869a.shtml
I've never fished one, but had a long talk with some cunucks who where using them out on the coast. It looks like it would be fun to try.

 

[mavsled]

I still have 3 old Heddon Winona reels, similar to center pins of today just older.
Occasionally I still take one out, just for the looks on other fishermen's faces. Cast drift gear or for my plunking usually. For nostalgia sake and remembering grandpa.
How easy he made it look; casting, casting, working gear thru a drift and the bird dog like attention-ready to set the hook at the right moment...

 

[TRAUT]

I had an Alvey reel that I used for surfcasting a long time ago. It would cast a mile. Unlike some of the other reels of this type, the Alvey reels would rotate 90 degrees to the rod when you cast, so it was just like a spinning reel. At the end of the cast you just clicked it back into the retreive position.

Check some out here - http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... vey%20reel

 

[linepeeler]

What kind is it for sale, and how much are they asking?

Some of them seem like a good deal, but may have a slight wobble to them.

 

[linepeeler]

The only way to go.....and the only way I fish salmon trolling or mooching. If you can afford them Islanders are the best available and will last a lifetime!

Hardy Silex are much better, but more money. There are actually several that are much better than the Islander, but $ for $, Islander would probably be your best choice.

My recommendation is to check out a BC site for more accurate info. People in the states don't have much a clue on these.

Mooching reels are not the same.

 

[BIG GUY]

My brothers and I all use Winonas for salmon mooching. Nothing better than a big King with only your thumb for a drag. Tup:

Can't beat a winnona... Tup:

 

[linepeeler]

??? I suppose, if we were talking about the past and mooching reels.

 

[wolverine]

SJ isn't asking about salt water single action salmon reels. I believe the question is about center pin casting reels that are used in river fishing.

 

[linepeeler]

exactly

 

[BIG GUY]

??? I suppose, if we were talking about the past and mooching reels.

Oh golly gee...SORRY

 

[Chuck S]

SJ isn't asking about salt water single action salmon reels. I believe the question is about center pin casting reels that are used in river fishing.

Yup and I am lookign at an Islander for a little over 100 bucks. Still pondering it but after reading all the comments I am getting to think it would be fun

 

[SeaRanger21]

Not sure on casting some of the other reels mentioned but I can and do cast my Winona in the Salt mooching and on the river with typical drift gear just takes a little time to get used to it.Winonas came with a couple different finishes for use in fresh and saltwater.I was just looking at an Islander at Sportco the other day I wanna say it was $350.00