dam0007 Posted July 9, 2013 Posted July 9, 2013 If this is in the wrong forum I apologize!!! .... So this was my first year flipping and pitching with a bait caster. I've been using a 7'10 Heavy BPS Extreme 7.1 reel and I think its spooled with 35# braid. Anyhow I absolutely sucked at pitching. Flipping on the other hand I have it down pretty good. So came across a video from our very own glenn and he recommended a 7'6". Which got me thinking maybe my rod is just to cumbersome to start out. So I'm going through my rods and I have this Kistler jig rod I got a month or so ago used which is a 6'10 Heavy. So the other night a pop the Curado off the BPS and throw it on the Kistler. Hugeeeeee difference!! Shorter rod equals me not dippin the tip in the water and the lower weight allows me to flick my wrist much easier.. for all you guys that pitch and flip jigs do you typically use 2 rods? I also have a 7' mojo which I've been using for frogs I was thinking about trying that at some point but for now I'm practicing in my yard with the 6'10. I want to gain confidence in throwing jigs before I attempt to in a tournament setting. Do you guys have any advice on the rod situation? And I know, practice practice practice! Thanks all! Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted July 9, 2013 Super User Posted July 9, 2013 when jig and plastic fishing i probably pitch/pitch skip 90% of the time over casting and flipping. i'm much more comfortable and accurate in pitching and do so with a 7'4 rod and 15-17# fluoro. im also 6'3 so it feels very natural to me with a longer rod. something else that helped me with distance and accuracy (as well as wrist fatigue) was switch to 50 size shimano reels over the 200. i use left hand reels and dont switch hands and can dis engage the spool with my middle finger on the handle under the reel seat. neat little trick i picked up takes practice but becomes second nature after a while. on the off chance i am flipping i usually use my champion frog rod /w 65# braid as i'm doing it in close quarters thick cover. you can really pitch with any rod and as long as you are getting to where you need then rod length becomes more of a personal preference than a standard. flipping is much easier with a longer rod though as you have more line out and can pin point your target easier with a longer rod. you can do both with the same rod though and probably not have many issues with lots of practice. Quote
Grantman83 Posted July 9, 2013 Posted July 9, 2013 Flipping usually means a longer rod. I pitch with anything from 6'10 to 7'4. Alot depends on the weight if the lure and the tip of the rod. Softer tip is easier to pitch with Quote
dam0007 Posted July 9, 2013 Author Posted July 9, 2013 Thanks for input. I'm 5'11 I can see how height can make a difference. I didn't think about a 50 size reel. That's something to consider picking up. I would also like to point out with the previous setup I had all brakes off and tension fairly loose. I wasn't getting birds nests but thumbing the spool I think was affecting my accuracy, definitely affected my confidence. That video I referenced he stated setting the reel as I would normally cast. So with this particular bait 1/4 oz jig and trailer I popped 4 tabs and tensioned for slow fall. Accuracy went way up and feel confident with each throw. I also am righty using left hand reels so I don't switch hands either. I also can't pendulum pitch yet, I have to grab the bait and kind of launch it from my hand. Do you feel a difference in pitching with fluoro compared to other lines? Any advantages? I personally don't like fishing with braid. But that's just me. Quote
jtesch Posted July 9, 2013 Posted July 9, 2013 I use 6'10" to 7'4" for pitching, a 7'2 Cumara being my favorite. So it really is what your comfortable with. I'm 6'2 and a 7'6" rod feels a little long for me to be really accurate. Quote
buzzfrog Posted July 9, 2013 Posted July 9, 2013 I am 6'2 and use a 8 ft rod and love it. But close quarters or o a boat I like a 7'4 or a 7'2 Quote
BenB54 Posted July 9, 2013 Posted July 9, 2013 I use 6'9" and 7'3" rods around docks and light cover and 7'6" and 7'8" rods into heavy cover. I'm 5'8" and don't have any problems with longer rods as far as flipping and pitching go. Quote
ULG Posted July 9, 2013 Posted July 9, 2013 6 footer here, use anything from a 6'6 h to 7'6, just depends on conditions, but shorter the rod allows for more control and would recdomend as long as a rod that u can control accurately for sure. even a 6'6 mh isnt bad. il can flip my spinnerbait in holes on grass with my 6'8, iv flipped cranks in to small pockets with a 6'6, u hit the nail on the head with the practice part for sure tho! but just knowing ur equipment is my best advice, some rods have more tip and u have to adjust to the tip and depending on lure, line, and guides. my best advice to learn ur equipment like its 2nd nature and then u will know exactly wat angles and release points and spool tension to apply. hope this helps! let me kno if i can help with anything else! Quote
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