Good flipping rod for northern lakes?

[Nerdy Fisherman]

I'm looking into getting myself a setup that is specific for flipping and pitching. I'm getting mixed opinions on whether to get a heavy power or a medium heavy power rod, and whether to get a mod-fast action or a fast to extra fast action. The cover up here in the North isn't as thick as down south and was wondering if any other Northern fisherman could give me some examples of the rods they use for this technique up here?

[apj]

In my opinion definitely go with a heavy rod, trust me those fish will find a way to get you into heavy cover. Better to be safe than sorry. Then I always go with a fast to extra fast because unless you are using a moving bait of any level you won't need a moderate or even a mod-fast. Try and find a 7'0"-7'4" Heavy, Fast Action Rod.

[NoahWatts]

Are you doing more flipping or more pitching.  What weight range.  Wood or grass

[Dan_the_fisher]

I love my glx fpr, it's like a medium heavy with some serious power. You can flip down to a 1/4oz jigs easily for it being a 7'11" Rod 

3 hours ago, apj said:

In my opinion definitely go with a heavy rod, trust me those fish will find a way to get you into heavy cover. Better to be safe than sorry. Then I always go with a fast to extra fast because unless you are using a moving bait of any level you won't need a moderate or even a mod-fast. Try and find a 7'0"-7'4" Heavy, Fast Action Rod.

A lot of people like a parabolic bend Rod for flipping, it makes the bait easier to flip and still loads up good, and doesn't rip hooks out 

[new2BC4bass]

9 minutes ago, Dan_the_fisher said:

I love my glx fpr, it's like a medium heavy with some serious power. You can flip down to a 1/4oz jigs easily for it being a 7'11" Rod 

A lot of people like a parabolic bend Rod for flipping, it makes the bait easier to flip and still loads up good, and doesn't rip hooks out 

Flipping and pitching is something I haven't done, but if this is the case a couple companies I'd look at are Falcon and Hammer.  The rods I have from both companies have a nice parabolic bend yet have plenty of power.

["hamma"]

Check into some technique specific rods, I have 3 that are designated "flipping" rods, and they perform just as they should. Shimano is one good company that will "designate", others will as well. There are many good rods out there from the cheap, to extra expensive, figure out what you are ready to spend and look around. If you go the heavy fast, med heavy fast or "action" route you "may" find a decent rod for flipping and pitching. But if you seek out a rod designed for the technique desired, you most likely wont be disappointed.

 The first rod I bought for flipping is a heavy fast action rod thats not a "technique designated" rod, and it was too heavy, as It didnt load up well for a pitch. I now use it for frogging techniques, which its better suited for.

[Nerdy Fisherman]

16 hours ago, NoahWatts said:

Are you doing more flipping or more pitching.  What weight range.  Wood or grass

I would probably be doing more pitching up here. Most of the shoreline cover is grass and laydowns. Most likely 1/4 oz to 1 oz at the heaviest. Probably more grass and maybe some pads honestly.

16 hours ago, apj said:

In my opinion definitely go with a heavy rod, trust me those fish will find a way to get you into heavy cover. Better to be safe than sorry. Then I always go with a fast to extra fast because unless you are using a moving bait of any level you won't need a moderate or even a mod-fast. Try and find a 7'0"-7'4" Heavy, Fast Action Rod.

Thanks for the advice!

[timsford]

It all depends on what brand you are choosing. Not all rods that are mh have the same power, and one manufacturers fast or extra fast may not flex the same as anothers. 

I don't fish in a northern lake ( I live in Tennessee), but the lake I fish most is a Highland reservoir with a lot of bluff walls, rocky points, and some wood cover along the shoreline. There's not any weeds to speak of. Another lake I fish quite a bit is a shallower flatland type reservoir with a max depth under 25ft. It has a lot more shoreline wood, and also emergent grass along much if the bank.

I like a mh/xf rod on the highland lake because I don't really have to horse fish from grass, and also because it is clearer so I'm usually using smaller baits. As an added bonus there are a lot of other single hook baits that work well for this application.

On the lake with more cover and murkier water, I prefer a heavy action. I usually pitch instead of flip, so I use a little shorter rod than most flipping rods. I use my tatula 7'4" frog rod. It is also a good rod for big jigs, swimbaits, big spoons, spinnerbaits, large buzzbaits, chatterbaits and Carolina rigs. I've also used it to sling big lip less cranks and an 8xd, but it was a little to fast for me.

[Gundog]

I don't go with one brand over another. I check each rod to see where they bend and how stiff the tip is. Being in the Northeastern part of the US I know I'm not gonna be using 1 ounce weights so going extremely heavy isn't necessary. The weight you are going to be throwing is really important when it comes to selecting a rod. Always keep that in mind. That means mostly I go with medium-heavy with a fast tip. But like others have said, each brand is different and there is no industry standard when it comes to what makes up a medium-heavy compared to a heavy. That is why I always go to places like my local tackle shop or BPS or Cabela's so I can touch and test the rods before I buy. Especially with high (keep in mind I am poor) priced rods over $100. 

[Nerdy Fisherman]

5 minutes ago, Gundog said:

I don't go with one brand over another. I check each rod to see where they bend and how stiff the tip is. Being in the Northeastern part of the US I know I'm not gonna be using 1 ounce weights so going extremely heavy isn't necessary. The weight you are going to be throwing is really important when it comes to selecting a rod. Always keep that in mind. That means mostly I go with medium-heavy with a fast tip. But like others have said, each brand is different and there is no industry standard when it comes to what makes up a medium-heavy compared to a heavy. That is why I always go to places like my local tackle shop or BPS or Cabela's so I can touch and test the rods before I buy. Especially with high (keep in mind I am poor) priced rods over $100. 

I know the struggle haha, but i don't get to test rods very often or at all because the closest Cabela's is over 2 hours away and the closest BPS is almost 4. Sure we have Dick's and stuff but they don't carry that many rods from different companies. The last time I went to Dick's they didn't even have St Croix there. 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Personally, I like my ALX Powerbolt. 7'11", has a nice parabolic bend to it

[Nerdy Fisherman]

16 minutes ago, Rusty Shackleford said:

Personally, I like my ALX Powerbolt. 7'11", has a nice parabolic bend to it

I will definitely check that rod out, thank you!