How to Rig Up a Center Pin Rod

Center pin fishing uses a long, flexible rod to lob a float and weighted fly. The reel does not have a drag and the line peels off the reel at the same speed as the current. The result is a long, dead drift with your flies bouncing on the river bottom. The technique is commonly used for steelhead and salmon drift fishing on large rivers. Rigging the center pin rod and reel requires knowledge of the average river depth and the appropriate center pin tackle.

Things You'll Need

  • Micro swivels
  • Line clippers
  • 10-lb. monofilament
  • 6-lb. monofilament
  • Pencil float
  • Bobber stop
  • Pliers
  • Flies
  • Split shot
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tie the end of the main line to a micro swivel with a clinch knot. Place the line through the swivel ring, twist the swivel seven times and pull the end of the line through the opening at the base of the wraps. Pull on the line to tighten the knot and clip the extra tag end of line off the knot.

    • 2

      Tie 6 feet of 10-lb. monofilament line to the opposite end of the swivel with a clinch knot. Slide a pencil float on the line and slide a bobber stop below the pencil float. Use pliers to crimp the bobber stop and hold the float against the swivel.

    • 3

      Tie a second swivel to the free end of the leader with a clinch knot. Tie a 1-foot section of 6-lb. monofilament to the opposite end of the swivel and tie the monofilament to the fly with a clinch knot.

    • 4

      Tie a 1-foot section of 6-lb. monofilament to the bend of the hook on the first fly. Tie the free end of the monofilament to a second fly with a clinch knot. Clip the tag ends from each of the clinch knots.

    • 5

      Use pliers to crimp five pieces of split shot between the float and swivel. The split shot will sink the flies and hold the float in an upright position.