Looking into getting a centerpin, I think i'm going to get a Okuma Aventa. Seems like the best deal for a beginner, and probably going to get a Shimano Clarus Pin rod. Anyone have experience with Aventa's? Feel free to post any pictures of your Pin and some Chrome, i like pictures 

I know one of the mods in here does it so i am sure he will chime in soon enough....

What is the reason you want to try center pinning.

What is the reason you want to try center pinning.

Better floats, I fish some pretty big runs.

The Raw II is worth the extra $30 IMO. The discontinued Sheffield is a good way to go if you can find one. Either way, an Okuma is the way to go for an entry into Pin Reels. Centre Pin fishing is a specialized application tackle system that just can not be beat for drag free, natural drift fishing, but it's limited pretty much to that. I'll use mine for a float and fly presentation on lakes especially if there's some wind. Other that that it's strictly a current setup for creeks and rivers. 

The Raw II is worth the extra $30 IMO. The discontinued Sheffield is a good way to go if you can find one. Either way, an Okuma is the way to go for an entry into Pin Reels. Centre Pin fishing is a specialized application tackle system that just can not be beat for drag free, natural drift fishing, but it's limited pretty much to that. I'll use mine for a float and fly presentation on lakes especially if there's some wind. Other that that it's strictly a current setup for creeks and rivers.

I'm in Wisconsin so I've got some top notch steelhead fishing from now till March!

Perfect. We fish the Salmon River here in NY but it's a 2hr ride for me. 

My Aventa is around 5 or 6 years old.  It works as good as any $1000 Kingpin I've tried, just not as pretty.

 

Perfect. We fish the Salmon River here in NY but it's a 2hr ride for me. 

I live about ten minutes away from three different river's so i'm pretty lucky! 

Small tip, back the reel with a spool of 30 or 40# fly line backing.  Pins hold a TON of line. I used MagiBraid for mine: http://www.basspro.com/White-River-Fly-Shop-MAGIBRAID-Flyline-Backing/product/25198/#chart-container

Small tip, back the reel with a spool of 30 or 40# fly line backing. Pins hold a TON of line. I used MagiBraid for mine: http://www.basspro.com/White-River-Fly-Shop-MAGIBRAID-Flyline-Backing/product/25198/#chart-container

thats what I've heard, I got a few buddies that pin, might do the two different colored lines becuase it looks pretty cool haha

I have white, orange, and yellow on mine.

The Sheffield and the Aventa are both great reels. Out of curiosity, what length Clarus are you looking at?

The Sheffield and the Aventa are both great reels. Out of curiosity, what length Clarus are you looking at?

the 13 foot.

I have white, orange, and yellow on mine.

always looks cool when people run multiple colored lines.

The line matches my man-purse.

It's just a purse.

It's actually pretty hilarious. Put a second strap on it, and now that purse is a "chest pack." Subtle differences make all the difference, lol.

The Raw II is worth the extra $30 IMO. The discontinued Sheffield is a good way to go if you can find one. Either way, an Okuma is the way to go for an entry into Pin Reels. Centre Pin fishing is a specialized application tackle system that just can not be beat for drag free, natural drift fishing, but it's limited pretty much to that. I'll use mine for a float and fly presentation on lakes especially if there's some wind. Other that that it's strictly a current setup for creeks and rivers.

do you use a 13 foot stick or 11?

What is center pinning? Sorry if i sound dumb but im from the mid south (tennesse) and ive never heard if it

What is center pinning? Sorry if i sound dumb but im from the mid south (tennesse) and ive never heard if it

Centerpinning is to get a long efficient drift for steelhead fishing with a float, the centerpin spins backwards with the current letting line off of the reel with zero drag. There are a lot of videos out there, I'd suggest checking out the Consumate Sporstman. They make some great videos.

I use a 13' float rod but fish fairly wide, open rivers. I can see going 11' or even 9' for some tighter quarters.

I use a 13' float rod but fish fairly wide, open rivers. I can see going 11' or even 9' for some tighter quarters.

im having troubles deciding, one place I fish is pretty tight every where else is nice and open, still thinking the 13'

I fish medium sized, open rivers, and use an 11'6''.

I have a 7-6, for ditches, and a 10, 11, and 13.  There's a 15 somewhere here, but that's just for the salmon river.  10-12 is probably a good all around size.