This a short demonstration of the BC or Swing centerpin casting technique, which is a time tested and effective method for steelhead fishing in the Pacific Northwest
I bin using this technique to cast pin for years and can say that i can cast far that no one can match and precise its so simple to due it this way i love it
Great demo...never seen this style of cast...I usualy released the line at 6 oclock let the lure drop a sec then cast ...deffinately will try this next time I am up on the vedder.
I have put on 1/2oz of weight and can hit a target 40' away 6 out of 10 times so I am happy with that... givin the size of my rod I think im doing pretty well... for longer casts I think I will still use the spinning side cast. Thanks for all of your help! Jeff,
I've finaly figure out why I wasn't able to cast as good..lol its because my 12 ft float fishing rod was too "flexable" haha I try it on my stiff rod and it happens to cast really good and very accurate and also more distance too...cast about 130 feet away which is pretty good so moral of the story behind it is stiffer rod with a center pin reel..haha but thx a lot for the demonstration video..it really helped me a lot..thx again
VFlatz...Very much enjoyed this video..! Having myself fished steelhead here in the GL for nearly 40 years I've used many different types of reels including spinning with spinners, closed face spinning, drifting (in cold winter conditions), fly reels, utilizing the strip and pitch method of bottom bouncing with one of my Martin 72 multipliers and now finally I've purchased a center pin reel.. (60+ years old) I waited because I finally found one with a drag that I can, if I choose, bottom bounce with as well as fish a float... I enjoy catching these fish using different techniques for the challenge... Steelhead will bite on about anything, such a great fish..! I'm going to try your BC swing casting technique next chance I get.. Again, enjoyed this very much and I wonder if you have read any of Roderick L. Haig-Browns books from Campbell River B.C.?.. Greatest fishing writer I've ever read..! Thank You
Jeff, on this reel I'm using Suffix Seige tangerine mono. I believe it is 14# test, but I also use 12 and 16# too. I prefer the handling and visibility of a heavier main line, even though I will often use much lighter leaders.
VFlatz... Thank you for sharing. I'm on the eastern side of the US (fishing the great lakes tribs) so even though I have been learning this cast I'm not how much I will get to use it. On a different note: I've read this cast produces a lot of line twist (which being a newbie I'm not totally sure what that is.)
Ryan, this rod was built by Adam Hansen at Batson Enterprises. Almost any custom builder has access to Rainshadow blanks though. BTW, building a center pin rod is really pretty simple. You can find the recipe for this rod on the Batson Forum.
Chaz, yes you can use mono-filament line. It is my preferred float fishing line, although many others like to use braided or spectra type lines, as well. Each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Use whatever line you prefer. While stiff lines with a lot of memory are not ideal for float fishing, one distinct advantage of the BC cast is that it does not cause or build up dreaded line twist.
Cole, this cast is definitely easier with more weight. It's a similar situation between a baitcast reel and a spinning reel. 4 gr. is on the light side, so distance will be affected and you'll need to be careful of over-run or backlash. I think the difference in casting weights is the primary reason why this cast is more common out west and not used as much in GLA. Give it a go tho, it's worth having in the arsenal.
When I first started using a centerpin 2 years ago, this video taught me everything I needed to know. I use 1/4 on a 8g float. I fish small to medium rivers in steelhead alley of the great lakes, if I were fishing a big river. I can use more weight and larger float for more distance. But seriously, this cast gives zero line twist and very accurate casts. Just wanted to say thank you.
@justin cox I just got a cheap centerpin to try it out I'm using a 9ft6 rod and am having trouble with distance do bigger floats and weights help these go my rod is a light medium action
Jeff, Kingpin are very nice rods, but the 4-8 class is probably more a GL rod than a west coast BC casting rod IMO. Casting lighter lures does make this casting technique a bit more challenging, but longer BC casts are still possible. Taper and weight of your rod is most suited for the GL casting styles (side & Wallis). Moderate tapers release rod energy over a wider, longer band and help to deliver longer casts. Try "overlining" the rod with more weight (3/8 -1/2 oz) to see if that helps.
Awesome casting technique, thanks alot for the video! But here is a couple of questions - how far (in meters) you can cast this weight? And what casting distances are the most common for this style of fishing? Thank you.
lifeson241, spinning, bait cast or center pin reels, they're all good. Each has their advantages and all can easily handle steelhead. Spinning reel is much easier to learn and won't cause over run or backlash. Spinning and bait casters both have mechanical drags, while center pins have none and mostly use direct finger or palm pressure as drag. Experience will help you to set drag setting on any reel; you need enough to gain on fish but not so much that you'll break off. You should also be able to adjust for more drag with line out and less drag when fighting fish in close. When you want more line control, simpler mechanics and a more even fight with fish, that's the time to consider a center pin.
One way to isolate your casting issue would be to try a heavier weight and the back off weight after you get desired distance. With heavier weight be careful of over run and backlash, be sure not to press or hurry your cast either.
Centerpin reels are priced low to high, but sometimes highly priced may not work well as the best.Which is the best reel in the market according to you? In west coast we use long (9-12ft or more) spinning and bait casting rods. Why we can't use them as centerpin rods? Thinking switch to centerpin, although I am good catching fish both with spinning and baitcasting. Thanks.
Bazlur, what's best in a center pin reel is more personal preference than pure performance. CP reel prices can vary tremendously but performance differences are usually subtle and personal. I have my own favorites, but I still fish and enjoy some of my good ol' "cheap" pins too. BTW, west coast rivers don't need uber fast start-up due to heavier casting weights and faster water fished. Bushing bearings work just as well as ball bearings here too Buy what you like and can afford, you'll be fine. Can't think of a bad one out there. As far as rods, CP reels will work on casting and/or spinning rods too. I've done it many times. Keep in mind a few drawbacks however; ideal CP rod action is typically more moderate than many fast spin/cast float rods and their reel seat placement can be uncomfortably high on the handle. Also, upturned casting triggers can interfere with comfortable grip as well. But, they'll certainly get you by at the very least. Good luck.
R, Yes, the reel continues to spin as you forward cast. Thus accelerating gradually thru the cast. The timing of the release in conjunction with the loading of the forward cast is critical to a long cast. The video would have been better if it emphasized this point. Release too early, cast will fold. Release too late, no distance and cast will pull to right if casting from left. A longer slower forward cast gives more time for line (distance) to be pulled from a reel that is already moving.
In the video I'm casting a 1/4 oz (7 gram) inline weight that is inside a white plastic golf ball (for ease of retrieving through the grass). Total weight on postal scale is 1/3 oz (10 gram). My rod's lure rating is 1/4 -1/2. Not sure where you fish, but on our western US rivers my total casting weight is generally around 1/2 - 1 oz total weight using various configurations. This is probably on the high side for GL streams. Still, I wouldn't think 1/3 oz (10 oz) total weight to be atypical.
I have a center pin outfit I bought a few years ago but just can't get the hang of the casting. I have an Okuma Raw reel which while not a $400 or $500 reel it has great reviews and it does spin very freely. I just can't seem to break the inertia and get the spool to turn on the forward cast. How much weight are you using in this particular video? I thought since my reel spool rotates so freely (if I put a 3/0 shot on the leader and hold the rod at a 45 degree angle the spool revolves counterclockwise freely) I have been using two 3/0 split shot for lawn practice to no avail. Also does the casting line have to be very close to the lip of the spool? My line is about 1/4" from the periphery of the spool.
Hi. I'm starting with centerpin. Does this cast needs sideways space? I use centerpin in Australia for chasing Luderick and find it hard to execute it when fishermen are standing on the shore 5 or 6 meters from me as I need to shallow the swing
I really like how calmly both the way you speak and body language is. You make this cast look very easy. However I cannot see tip of rod to see when and how it loads. Is it like a fly rod? I can cast to my backing,I can't cast pin 20 feet and even when I can it is not accurate. I fish great lakes steelhead and I really want to learn pin. I bottom bounce or euro nymph now. Any words of wisdom?
lee, no mod to this reel. It's a nice reel to be sure but differences between centerpin reels shouldn't make much difference in ability to swing cast. Rod action, lure weight and casting tempo probably have more to do with getting a good swing cast than the reel, IMO. While these things may not be as critical while side casting, the benefits of accuracy, control and especially the zero line twist make the swing cast well worth learning. Keep at it. ;)
S Peter, swing and straight pull casting produce ZERO line twist. This is a major advantage over side casting techniques. Although pull casting is easier with lighter loads, this is not a concern on western rivers. Reducing dreaded line twist is a great reason to include this casting technique in your bag o' tricks. ;)
i was just wondering if you modified or change anything on the reel when you bought it cause i bought mine and it just wouldn't spin as good...im not able to cast it at all except, casting it out on the side of the reel which twist and tangle the line up.
"Was curious about center pin reels", I recently purchased a lamiglas 10' 6 spinning rod and I have a okuma spinning reel(open face) Obviously I'm gona be float fishing on a river. Is my set-up ok, or should I purchase a center pin reel? How do you know to set the proper drag with my set-up? And are center pin reels ideal for the tough steelhead? Thank You
Hi there, I use a center pin for carp fishing and I'm wondering if this technique would work with about 6 grams of casting weight? I normally pull off some loops of line and swing forward and release. I have seen a chap let the weight drop and swing forward as the reel picks up momentum. Still a bc cast. Regards Paul.
You seem to have the reel spinning when still on the back cast so why doesn't the weight just go backwards? How do you get it to change direction when the spool is spinnning?
Nigel Evans the direction is given by the pendulum and your rod. It doesn’t matter if the weight is going backwards or forward, the centerpin will rotate in the same direction (cuz it’s feeding line, regardless of the direction).
Hi from Fernie BC: Do you think this technique would be suitable for mountain river cutthroat trout/bull trout with with plastic worm presentations? Thank you. Scott
Did you build the rod used in the video yourself, or did you purchase it from a custom builder? I am in the market for a new 13'er & would purchase this model if I knew where one was available. Thanks
Nice Video. Question for you... when you swing back and let the reel spin, does it continue to free spin when you cast forward or do you stop it for a sec when changing direction to the forward swing?
Great question..I have asked this before and nobody can seem to answer it..do you momentarily release the spool at the end of the back cast then stop it for a second to start your foward cast before releasing again..or do you continue to let the reel spin as you cast foward?
......do very little to add to casting distance. Like flyfishing casting distance is more affected by casting timing/tempo, rod action and matched lure load. What rod do you have and what lure weight are you using?
Yeh that's pretty cool way of casting I live in Ontario and just a normal Kidda cast I'm gonna try that next time on the river do you need lots of weight too do it or can I do it with a 4 gram float aswell
Used to live in BC, back in Ontario now. This cast works with the heavier floats/lead required out west. Small floats here, make it tough and almost impossible. Unless you're fishing the Niagara, where you could use the larger west coast terminal tackle, it's tough to apply to great lakes fishing.
Haven't figured what the minimum weight float would be to use this cast effectively (lowest weight in BC I ever used was 20g), i've just stuck to the side cast since moving back to Ontario (4-6g floats).
okay taking the reel out of the equation.... how much weight (including shot and split) do you have on your line in the video? and what weight is the line you are using?
Cody, decent amount of weight is relative. A heavy weight for GL tribes is typically light for the West Coast. Probably works best with casting weights of at least 1/4 oz (7 gr), and works very well with weights in the area of 11-30 gr., which is common out west.
