Walking along the stream bed with a centerpin rod and reel in your hand you feel the powerful surge of the current rushing by as you journey upstream in search of the trophy steelhead; the towering white bluffs of the Ozarks rising upward set the perfect backdrop to casting your centerpin rod and reel combination in the crystal clear streams as your lure suspends underneath the float toward hungry smallmouth bass waiting for an easy meal. No matter what species you are targeting, centerpin fishing delivers your bait perfectly down current making for a faultless drift. The history of centerpin fishing goes way back to the 1800s in Europe, but recently this method of fishing has enjoyed a surge of anglers from all over the world learning how to and catching fish doing it. Centerpin fishing is unique and requires different tackle along with presentation. Learning how to centerpin fish without any instructions is nearly impossible. One angler and fishing captain, Rick Miick, has put together a comprehensive DVD titled How to Centerpin that explains everything an angler needs to know for centerpin fishing.

If Captain Rick Miick’s name sounds familiar it’s because he is the host of the TV show Reel Monsters (www.reelmonsterstv.net). Captain Miick loves to catch monster size fish, but his ultimate passion comes from catching fish using the centerpin fishing method. “It all started about 13 years ago on my home waters on the renown Salmon River up in Pulaski, New York, when I caught a chrome steelhead on my fourth cast,” said Captain Miick.

The DVD How to Centerpin with Captain Rick Miick (www.Teamemedia.com), Captain Miick goes through all of the necessary information regarding fishing the centerpin method and tips to centerpin fishing. The method can be used in any moving water for any species of fish from bonehead, shark, steelhead, salmon, and trout to smallmouth bass. The unique method of fishing requires specialize tackle. “I use the Okuma Sheffield centerpin rod that measure 13.4 feet long with an Okuma Sheffield centerpin model 1002 reel with a set fixed reel seat. On the reel, I put fly line backing, Dacron line, to a blood knot to Suffix 8- to 10-pound monofilament or floating Siglon monfilametn line tied to a Spro micro swivel to a 18- to 24-inch leader of Drennan fluorocarbon line.I will use either a 5.5- or 6.2-grams balsa float and attach Blackbird BBs weights according to the current and depth of the stream then either a lure or bait,” explained Captain Miick. The reel unlike other fishing reels available doesn’t have a drag system. These reels are like the original machined fly reels used years ago by fly anglers; however, anglers today have centerpin fishing reels made from aerospace grade aluminum making them lighter and stronger. Without the drag system an angler is literally fighting the fish with their rods and fingers applying the drag.  

One of the hardest concepts to fishing the centerpin method is casting. In the DVD How to Centerpin with Captain Rick Miick, Captain Miick shows you the two methods of casting with a centerpin system. The first one he illustrates is the side cast. Captain Miick recommends every angler begin with this cast. It’s the easiest to learn. The second is the Walis cast. A Walis cast allows an angler to get greater distances on their cast and keeps the line from tangling or twisting. Although the Walis cast requires more patience and skill it’s worth it. “Learning how to cast is the most important thing when it comes to centerpin fishing. The one tip I would give when it comes to casting is keep your hand out and let the line flow out till the float hits the water; the problem with most anglers just starting out using a centerpin system is letting their hand drop that’s pushing out the line,” said captain Miick.

After mastering the cast, an angler learns that their rod and hands are vital for landing a fish. Without a drag system, the angler has complete control over how much line and pressure is applied to the fish. Some anglers will palm the reel, but Captain Miick always keeps one hand on the reel handle and his pinkie finger on the spool to apply the drag. “The lightweight tip of the longer rod makes it just like fishing ultralight gear, but the stronger backbone of the rod allows anglers to catch trophy sized fish…Reel Monsters!” said Captain Miick (www.trophydreamcatcher.com).

Of course not having a drag system allows the angler to dead drift their lures or bait which makes this method of fishing so effective. Dead drifting is done by the angler who feeds out line after the float and lure or bait become vertically. By free spooling a reel, an angler can drift their lure or bait the same speed as the current which is critical for catching fish. It also allows an angler to make long dead drifts on wide rivers.

Anglers from everywhere are finding centerpining an exciting way to fish. On the DVD How to Centerpin with Captain Rick Miick, NFL New York Giants running back coach, Jerald Ingram, goes out with Captain Miick and catches fish using the centerpin method. As the snow is falling, Ingram explains why he loves to fish using the centerpin method and catches a beautiful steelhead.

Captain Miick not only centerpin fishes in New York, but he travels to Alaska to catch sockeye on the “Wahoo River” in the DVD.  Why is it called the “Wahoo River”? you will just have to watch the DVD to find out. Fishing with guide TJ Zandoli from Mission Lodge in Alaska, Captain Miick catches a sockeye of a lifetime.  

The thrill and challenge of centerpin fishing is why more and more anglers are learning this method of fishing. Although a unique method it’s something any angler can learn how to do. Once you conquer casting, learning to control your drift, setting up your centerpin rig correctly, and applying the right drag it’s all about the experience of being on the water.

How to Centerpin with Capt. Rick Miick was provided by Brad Wiegmann Outdoors for Team E. Media.