What Does A Flipping Switch Do?

[Tuckahoe Joe]

Just wondering what a flipping switch does?  I've seen it mentioned on another thread, I think about a Abu Garcia Silver Max and I'm pretty sure I've seen them on other reels.  What exactly does a flipping switch do?  Obviously it's used for flippin' and pitchin' but how is it used?

[loudcherokee]

When the flipping switch is on, you can engage the reel by simply taking your thumb off the spool release button. You dont have to turn the reel to engage the spool.

I'm still somewhat of a novice to baitcasters, and havent really tried flipping or pitching, but i would imagine that you can release the button when your lure is over target. This will engage the spool and stop the line, allowing the lure to stop/fall where its at.

Of course, thats just my best guess. I have a reel with a flipping switch, but havent messed with it much.

LC

[J Francho]

There are a few different types of flipping switches out there.  My Daiwa TD-X103HSDL is simply a spool release button on the top of the reel, next to the spool, and lacks a thumb bar altogether.  After your cast, you can simply re-engage the spool by flipping the button back up.  It's a great pitching tool for right handed casters, that can use a left handed reel.  Pitch, feather the spool, engage the reel, set the hook.  The Pinnacle system is similar, except it still has a traditional thumb bar, and adds a button to the top that engages the spool without turning the handle. Shimano uses a large rocker style, extended thumbar on their pitching/flipping models that allows you release and engage the spool with your thumb.  Quantums have a switch on the side, and the spool automatically engages when you let off the thumb bar.  Daiwa used to have a similar set up, as did some older Abus.  You want to stop the spool before letting go of the thumb bar.  In all cases, these were originally designed for actual "Flipping," allowing you to strip off 4-5' of line between the reel and the first guide.  Without a flipping reel, you have to let go of the line, turn the reel, and go back to pulling the line to make a flip.  What happened down the line, many found that left handed flipping reels made for great pitching reels, since you can immediately set the hook without fussing with the handle.  It helps whan a fish catches you off guard, biting as soon as the bait hit the water.