shaker

Do you ever apply drag with your "reeling" hand?

Hi again guys. Before this thread inevitably dies I just want to ask one more question. Soon I'm hoping to land some fish with my new setup (I guess that goes without saying). I landed my share with my spinning setup and it was relatively easy with the drag etc. but I'm sure it's going to be a whole different animal with the centerpin. Can you please give me any advice about playing and landing steelhead for a novice pinner? I have no idea what to expect, let alone what to do.

If anyone's interested...my Day 2 update: My casting has really improved thanks to some of your tips (see below). I've been trying the side cast and Wallis cast and am hitting my spot maybe 75% of the time. I know that means I still have lots of practicing to do, but compared to yesterday I'm pretty happy. Still no fish though, but that may be a blessing in disguise, as I can focus on practicing my casts. I moved the reel away from the butt and that made such a huge difference, I can't thank you guys (bare foot wader and floatman especially) enough for that advice. While I'm at it I might as well add another stupid question. When I use backing (which I'm not now, but will eventually), how do I connect it to the main line?

Thanks for the reel location/balance tips. I will adjust the reel away from the butt, find a comfortable location, and use my forearm. I'll also try for summer smallies. Use a float with the senkos?

My first outing with the new reel wasn't a total disaster but I have a lot of practicing to do. Good news, no birds nests! The bad news, I couldn't control where my float was going at all. After a few years of figuring out how to read the water, I could not hit my spot or even come close. More than half the time it landed less than 10 feet away from me. Needless to say, no fish. Also, my wrist got really tired so I must be holding the rod incorrectly or something. Thanks Dan on your line filling suggestion, that is what I had done so I don't feel like I'm doing anything majorly wrong on that, but I will go to backing eventually since that's what most of you are saying. I'll keep at it and maybe post and update in case anyone cares

Tomorrow will be interesting. Excited and dreading it at the same time.

Thanks guys. How important is it to fill the spool right up to the 1/8" from the lip?

I just bought my first centerpin, an Okuma Aventa. I've been fishing for steelhead with my spinning rod for 3 years and am feeling very comfortable reading the water and have been catching my share of fish, so I finally decided to try a pin. I'm a bit nervous about trying it, but hope I'll catch on without too many problems. I have a lot of questions and have been reading the forums which are helping immensely. My first question is about line. The guy at the store said I should use backing, but I've read mixed things about this. Is it necessary? If so, what kind and how much should I put on? Also, how full should the spool be? Also, hopefully this question isn't too stupid, is there any advantage to reeling with your left hand vs. right hand? I've always used my right, but it seems I'm in the minority. And if you have any advice for my first time out, please let me know. Thanks.

This thing looked more like a weapon than something to take samples. The guy was in his 70's I'd guess. Also, no golf courses in the area.

This morning I saw a guy walking towards the river with what looked like a metal, funnel shaped contraption attached to a 20 foot aluminmum pole. In his other hand was a pail. WTH is that???

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll follow TDunn's recommendation and try to master the spinning reel, and learn how to read the water etc. Reading all the comments though, got me thinking of another question...my baitcaster rod is a 7'2" telescopic Shimano, it says line weight 12-25lb, lure weight 3/8-1oz. Would it be ok for steelhead float fishing, or is it not suited for that? Thanks all!

I'm relatively new to steelhead river float fishing. I bought a noodle rod last year and have been using it with a spinning reel. Would I be better off using my baitcaster reel? I realize a centre pin reel would probably be best, but want to try to make do with what I already own.

Does anyone have any feedback on these rods? Would mostly be using it for drift fishing, but would like to have the versatility for casting too.

Is it possible to get to the Streetsville dam/fish ladder on the Credit River to view the fish (would love to take my nephews, just to see the salmon), or is it all private land?

As Jeff Foxworth says, "If you've ever been too drunk to fish............you might be a redneck".