Flipping rod

[Fishin' Fool]

I'm looking to get started flipping. I practiced some over the weekend. It didn't go too badly. I would have 3 or 4 good flips in a row and then one would go 10 foot wide of the target. At this point I'm not fully all in I only want to use the 2 rods I have before I invest in a Flipping stick. Anyway, I have a Shimano Expride 7'2" HF frog rod and a Abu Veritas 7'6" MH fast rod. Which one sounds like the better rod to try to learn on?

[Oklahoma Mike]

I would use the 7'6" MHF. Whatever flipping stick you end up buying will likely have a fast action and will be that length or longer. 

[flyingmonkie]

My vote would be for option 2.  The extra 4 inches and softer tip tip will help you get distance.

 

That being said, just try them both!  Might find you like the accuracy and backbone of the shorter rod. You're entitled your own personal preference.  

[Bluebasser86]

10' wide of the target? I'm thinking you're talking about pitching, not flipping. A normal flip isn't going to go much further than 10'.

[Fishin' Fool]

2 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

10' wide of the target? I'm thinking you're talking about pitching, not flipping. A normal flip isn't going to go much further than 10'.

 

You have to forgive me. I'm a Yankee. I was born with a fairy wand in my hand. I use the terms pitching/flipping interchangeably but don't really know what they mean.

[Bluebasser86]

Just now, Fishin' Fool said:

 

You have to forgive me. I'm a Yankee. I was born with a fairy wand in my hand. I use the terms pitching/flipping interchangeably but don't really know what they mean.

No problem. Pitching you actually release line from the reel and make a short underhand and backhanded cast, or pitch. Flipping you pull line from the reel and use a pendulum motion with the rod tip to deliver the bait, but the reel is never disengaged. Flipping is almost exclusively used in very heavy cover situations.

[Fishin' Fool]

15 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

No problem. Pitching you actually release line from the reel and make a short underhand and backhanded cast, or pitch. Flipping you pull line from the reel and use a pendulum motion with the rod tip to deliver the bait, but the reel is never disengaged. Flipping is almost exclusively used in very heavy cover situations.

 

Yes I was definitely pitching then.

Are the rods the same that you use for pitching versus flipping?

[fishnkamp]

Yes they pretty much are the same.  You can pitch baits with either of your rods, heck lightweight baits can be pitched on spinning gear.  Both flipping and pitching are casting techniques used in close up accurate target fishing.  Flippin is usually done to attack a target like a downed tree or heavy grass patch with an opening etc. 

Pitching allows a little more space between you and the fish holding structure. That could be a tree again or perhaps the pilings on a dock.  Just be sure to match the total weight of your lure to the lure ratings on the rod you choose. So if your pitching a 1/2 ounce jig and have a big heavy plastic trailer on it that will cast fine on you rods. But if you are throwing a lighter bait and a lighter jig than you would want to pitch it on a lighter rod.  Honestly there are wonderful rods out there that are designed just for these techniques, but I am not sure how much you would gain by spending your money on them. 

Instead you may want to look at your casting reels. Depending on your reel you may get much more benefit from a reel like a Daiwa Tatula series or higher end reel. These reels have the T wing system which help with those casting techniques. Personally I have a couple of Tatula Type Rs in an 8-1 gear ratio that I use on both my frog rod and on my Punching rod.  That rod can pitch flip or punch baits, it is a Veritas 7 hvy rod.

[.ghoti.]

Here's a tip for learning how to pitch. First, learn how do a sidearm back hand cast. If the rod is in your right hand, bring the tip to your left and cast forward. When you get that dialed in for distance and accuracy, simply make the same cast with your wrist rotated ninety degrees. Same motion and technique, now under handed instead of back handed.

 

works like a charm.

And, believe it or not, but a moderate fast action rod is lot better for pitching.

[roadwarrior]

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/DHC7-761-CAHFS-primmus-review.html

 

[Fishin' Fool]

27 minutes ago, .ghoti. said:

Here's a tip for learning how to pitch. First, learn how do a sidearm back hand cast. If the rod is in your right hand, bring the tip to your left and cast forward. When you get that dialed in for distance and accuracy, simply make the same cast with your wrist rotated ninety degrees. Same motion and technique, now under handed instead of back handed.

 

works like a charm.

And, believe it or not, but a moderate fast action rod is lot better for pitching.

 

I totally get what you're saying. Wait so you're supposed to pitch with your thumb up?  I think I mainly kept the same hand position as the back handed cast. In fact I definitely mixed some of those in there when it was in the 50's last Saturday in Michigan

[.ghoti.]

Well, I can't pitch with my thumb up. It has to be lightly touching the spool, or I make a mess.

[ww2farmer]

5 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

 

.

Are the rods the same that you use for pitching versus flipping?

 They can be, however I like dedicated rods for each.

 

For Flipping I like H power, fast action rods. 7'3" for working close to the boat, and a 7'6" (or longer) for getting a little further away from the boat

 

For pitching I like MH power, fast (or mod. fast depending on the brand, but I like something with a little more "tip") 6'9" - 7' for pitching (and skipping) in tight spots like under boat docks, over hanging trees, etc....and a 7'3"-7'6" for pitching more out in the open to targets like holes in grass beds.

 

I usually flip with 50lb braid and a 17 or 20lb fluoro leader, and I pitch with 30lb braid with a 15 or 17lb fluoro leader.

 

Of the rods you have, the 7'6" Abu would be what I would use, it will work decent for both pitching and flipping. Get good with that rod and expand from there.

[Fishin' Fool]

4 minutes ago, .ghoti. said:

Well, I can't pitch with my thumb up. It has to be lightly touching the spool, or I make a mess.

 

Facing upward I mean.

1 minute ago, ww2farmer said:

 They can be, however I like dedicated rods for each.

 

For Flipping I like H power, fast action rods. 7'3" for working close to the boat, and a 7'6" (or longer) for getting a little further away from the boat

 

For pitching I like MH power, fast (or mod. fast depending on the brand, but I like something with a little more "tip") 6'9" - 7' for pitching (and skipping) in tight spots like under boat docks, over hanging trees, etc....and a 7'3"-7'6" for pitching more out in the open to targets like holes in grass beds.

 

I usually flip with 50lb braid and a 17 or 20lb fluoro leader, and I pitch with 30lb braid with a 15 or 17lb fluoro leader.

 

Of the rods you have, the 7'6" Abu would be what I would use, it will work decent for both pitching and flipping. Get good with that rod and expand from there.

 

Thank you. Your explanation was very helpful. I was making them the same technique.

[Bluebasser86]

17 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

 

Yes I was definitely pitching then.

Are the rods the same that you use for pitching versus flipping?

I use a 7' 11" H/F for flipping. For pitching I use a variety of rods from 6' 6" to 7' 6" depending on the situation and cover I'm fishing. The heavier the cover, the longer the rod to give me more leverage and help get the fish's head up out of the cover.