Lucky Craft Man

I have a buddy that you can tell when he is ready to set the hook. He repositions himself for the power swing, which slightly rocks the boat. Then comes the hook set...the whole boat rocks back and forth. If you are not braced or ready, you could loose your balance and go overboard. I asked him why he feels the need to rip the fishes face off and he says that is just his reaction to the bite. I guess if you get into a habit of doing so, it is hard to break.

I have a buddy that you can tell when he is ready to set the hook. He repositions himself for the power swing, which slightly rocks the boat. Then comes the hook set...the whole boat rocks back and forth. If you are not braced or ready, you could loose your balance and go overboard. I asked him why he feels the need to rip the fishes face off and he says that is just his reaction to the bite. I guess if you get into a habit of doing so, it is hard to break.

I have a buddy that you can tell when he is ready to set the hook. He repositions himself for the power swing, which slightly rocks the boat. Then comes the hook set...the whole boat rocks back and forth. If you are not braced or ready, you could loose your balance and go overboard. I asked him why he feels the need to rip the fishes face off and he says that is just his reaction to the bite. I guess if you get into a habit of doing so, it is hard to break.

I love the coloration of the fish in the third picture. Since there has been such great information and lessons learned in this thread, I have another question dealing with Steelhead coloration. I always thought that the longer a Steelhead is in the streams, the darker they get. Well, the fish in picture 1 was caught less than a half mile from the mouth of the stream and the second fish was caught 2.2 miles from the mouth of the stream. So why would the fish caught much closer to the mouth of the stream be that much darker? I guess the fish in picture 1 could be rather lazy or the fish in picture is overly ambitious.

I use a Medium Heavy Power with Moderate-Fast action for both Topwater and Jerkbaits. I like to have a little "softer" action when using lures with treble hooks, which I think helps keep the fish from throwing the bait. By the way, I use the exact same rod for both Topwater and Jerkbaits. They only difference is my Jerkbait Set-up has fluorocarbon on it and my topwater set-up has Mono.

I'm surprised to hear you say that. There is nothing better than standing in a stream all alone with snow falling around you, while catching trout. I would assume in upstate New York, there are a lot of beautiful streams to get away on.

I'm surprised to hear you say that. There is nothing better than standing in a stream all alone with snow falling around you, while catching trout. I would assume in upstate New York, there are a lot of beautiful streams to get away on.

I'm surprised to hear you say that. There is nothing better than standing in a stream all alone with snow falling around you, while catching trout. I would assume in upstate New York, there are a lot of beautiful streams to get away on.

Wind does suck, but in the worst cases, I can usually find somewhere where the water is being shielded from the wind by trees. It's steady/heavy rain I hate. It's miserable to fish in (especially when it's cold) and when I get home, I have to empty out all the compartments in my boat to dry everything. If there is a chance of it raining all day, I don't go fishing.

Wind does suck, but in the worst cases, I can usually find somewhere where the water is being shielded from the wind by trees. It's steady/heavy rain I hate. It's miserable to fish in (especially when it's cold) and when I get home, I have to empty out all the compartments in my boat to dry everything. If there is a chance of it raining all day, I don't go fishing.

Wind does suck, but in the worst cases, I can usually find somewhere where the water is being shielded from the wind by trees. It's steady/heavy rain I hate. It's miserable to fish in (especially when it's cold) and when I get home, I have to empty out all the compartments in my boat to dry everything. If there is a chance of it raining all day, I don't go fishing.

You got to post a picture of that 29 incher. I love when the males are in full colors.

Nice fish. I assume that was on a trib. to Lake Ontario. What type of flies/lures do you use under the float?

Here's a vote for Pflueger for Spinning.

I like Dave Mercer a lot more than Keith Allan. Keith annoyed me to no end with the way he would announce the events. I'm sure Dave will annoy some, but I'm sure I can tolerate him more than I could Keith.

I agree...this is some great information. If this was a Steelhead forum, this thread would have a sticky on it. As are as my style of Steelhead Fishing, I like to fish the fast rifles while long line nymphing. Not many people seem to fish this water, which helps me get away from the 30+ people crowded around the pools. Though, this Centerpinning seems like it could be another technique to help catch fish, particularly in water that I wouldn't be able to get in the proper position to fish with my style of nymphing. Thanks again J Francho for the great information.

WOW...all that information is awesome! Thank you for all the help. I might have to give it a try (that's of course I don't get thrown into the streams by those around me as I walk down the streamside with a centerpin rig).

J Francho, thanks for all the great information. I was just wondering a few more things. It seem the benefit of Centerpinning is presenting the fly/jig/bait first to the fish and being able to allow your float to naturally find and follow the seams without introducing drag into drift. Couldn't that same concept be achieved by a noodle rod and an open bail on a spinning reel during the drift? I guess I am just missing the exact reason for the Centerpin reel when it possibly seems that a spinning reel, which has several advantages over a Centerpin reel when fighting the fish, is advantageous to the drift. Again, thanks for all the great information and sorry for all the questions.

Upon doing a little research, it appears this would be a great technique out west on the big streams. Would something like this work on smaller streams like the tributaries of Lake Eire, especially with the types of crowds there are? I would assume making a long drift would anger a few people and I don't know if there is enough room to swing around a 13+ ft. rod.

I guess I have a few questions on the subject. First, how is Centerpinning actually done? I've seen the rods and reels and assume it is a drift type presentation, but how do you cast? Do you just lob it out there? Second, why do so many people hate Centerpinners on the streams? I've never fished near someone who was using a centerpin set-up, but there are a lot of posts in other forums that hate these guys. Just wondering why.

Thanks Robert (though, my wife won't be as greatful when the first magazine shows up).

I've actually fished two flukes on a drop shot rig (one hook about 1 ft from the weight and another hook about 3 ft. from the weight.) I have had some success with it around floating docks. I've even drop shotted with 6" Zoom Brush Hogs with some success. It is just a great technique.

Well, you may have to clarify the question. If you mean the Steelers, then I would like to think they have a chance. If you are referring to the Penguins, I also think they have a chance, but the odds are much greater against them going all the way than the Steelers. If you are referring to Pitt Basketball, they do have a long shot chance, but if history is any guide, they will screw up any opportunity they are presented. If you are referring to Pitt Football, then the answer is "No." If you are talking about the Pirates, then the answer is "No" for the next 30 years.

Wow...free trip to Hawaii. I would fly 10 hrs. cramped in the bathroom, while getting a colonoscopy to get a free trip to Hawaii. Went there for my honeymoon and have been dreaming of getting back there ever since. Just do whatever you have to to get through the flight and you will have the time of your life.

I quess I see your point. Though, I don't know of many serious musky anglers who would activily target spawning musky. The people I worry about are those who can't believe their eyes when they see a 50 inch fish swimming next to their dock in a foot of water (at which point, a closed season wouldn't deter them from trying to get this fish).