Flipping Set Up

[newyorktoiowa57]

I feel like my 7ft mh fast action with 15 pound braid is inadequate....What would you guys recommend.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[HoosierHawgs]

Are you fishing a baitcaster? 15 lb Braided Line is extremely thin, making for an extremely frustrating time on a baitcaster.

[Senko lover]

I would upgrade to at least 30 pound braid. That's what I use, it's a lot stronger and plus you really don't want to go under 30 for a casting reel due to line diameter. 

[Mike L]

Sparse cover...15# Floro or 30# braid

Heavy cover/Punching matt's ...20#-25# Floro or 50#-65# braid

(I know a few who use 80# and wouldn't change)

Mike

[papajoe222]

The cover you're fishing makes all the difference in what equipment would be ideal. Personal preference should also be considered along with the bait being used.  The set-up you described is adequate for flipping pockets or edges of vegetation with, say, a T-rig, but if you're flipping into heavy vegetation or dense brush/wood where you need to get the fish up and out, you'll need to go up in line size at the least.  Some baits because of the diameter of the hook(s), make it necessary also.  Unless you feel the fish are controlling the fight, a MH rod is all that is needed. A heavy action rod will give you more control, but reduces the 'fun' factor. That's why most tournament anglers use heavy action rods, the important thing to them is getting the fish in and doing it quickly.  My favorite rod for pitching and flipping is a 7'6" MH fast action rod paired with 60lb. braid on a baitcaster.  I don't loose many fish and I still enjoy the fight.

[newyorktoiowa57]

If I may ask, why do you say that 15 lb braid is too thin for a baitcaster? I've never had a problem with it? what do you guys find frustrating about it?

[flippinbassinKY]

if I am flipping heavy vegetation I am using 65# braid.  the reason for this is because braid cuts through vegetation great because of how thin it is.

 

now for flipping heavy wood cover sometimes I use braid, but if I know that is where the fish are I am flipping with 25 pound 100% fluorocarbon

 

the reason for this is that braid will actually cut into wood sometimes when you set the hook, so when you are fighting the fish it comes to that wood and gets hung up and can possibly get off.

 

now for my rod I use a 7 foot 6 inch MH rod ( which is actually more like some heavy action rods that I have used) but its soft enough to make very accurate pitches and stout enough to get the fish

 

out of there. always use a high speed reel because if you can get the fish out of cover faster, then it increases your chances of him not getting all wrapped up, plus from my experience, the faster you get that bait in the faster you can make another flip/pitch, so that equals more pitches throughout the day which can equate to more fish.

[BKeith]

For me, your rods too short, mine has to be 71/2-8' heavy action, and your line is way is too light.   When I'm flipping, it's usually in some pretty knurly stuff and ain't no need in hooking it if you can't get it out.  Even a little four pounder would be hard to get out with what your using.  

[bassfash]

If I'm fishing thick hydrilla or milfoil mats I'll fish 65 pound power pro, but if I'm fishing around tules or sparse vegetation I'll go with 17-20 pound flouro carbon. Rods would both be duckett micro magic pro. 7'6" heavy for sparse vegetation and 7'10" extra heavy.

[BassinLou]

Welcome to BR, like several have mentioned depending on the cover you are fishing. The majority of my flipping is in the FL Everglades, and couple a times a year at Lake Kissimmee. I flip and pitch in some pretty dense vegetation my go to outfit for these situations is Champion 736 on 65lb braid. When I fish less dense cover with some open water around I will throw with a Champion 734 with 40lb braid. Anything less than that where I fish and your asking for heart ache. 

[WPCfishing]

I'll be using my Lews Custom Speed Stick when I get it back from the builder. The rod is a 7' mag one.

Serious back bone with a very fast tip.

I put 65# 832 on a Lews Tourny Pro. No leader line.

[K_Mac]

Just to make sure of terms, you are talking about flipping and not pitching? Flipping is a short line technique that generally puts a lot of stress on equipment. Pitching is simply a way of casting that is extremely accurate and delivers the bait very quietly. My favorite pitching combo is a 7' MXF with 15# fluorocarbon in light cover and a MHF 7' with 20# in the thicker stuff. A 7'3" HMF with 20# also doubles for pitching and is my choice for flipping. I don't do enough flipping/punching to justify a dedicated combo.

I am not a fan of braid. If I were, I would use heavier than 15# just to reduce the digging in on the spool when any serious pressure is applied. I would also use a heavier fluorocarbon leader around rock or wood. Good luck.

[A-Jay]

If I may ask, why do you say that 15 lb braid is too thin for a baitcaster? I've never had a problem with it? what do you guys find frustrating about it?

 

15 lb braid usually has the same diameter as 4 or 6 lb nylon line.

 

 Generally speaking, 4 lb line is really challenging to fish effectively on revolving spool tackle.

 

Are you certain on that braid size ?  

 

As for a recommendation for an adequate flipping set up -  the info previously posted is spot on.

 

A-Jay

[FishTank]

For pitching I like my G. Loomis 844C IMX with a Dawia Zillion and I use either 15lb FC or 50lb Power Pro.  As others have mentioned 15lb is probably to light for a bait caster but is ideal for spinning gear.