Has the term "flipping" replaced the term "pitching"?

[Clinton john]

I say who cares what someone what's to call it, life is short and the spawn is shorter.

 

Y'all waisting time let's go fishing.

[Smokinal]

The point of my question wasn't to correct anyone; it wasn't to prove anyone right or wrong; it wasn't to make fun of those who don't know the difference. It's about learing, and those who come to forums or watch TV to learn a new technique. Tom had a good analogy in throwing a baseball. To someone not into the sport, it looks like the guy is just throwing a ball. To an up and coming pitcher, well that's a whole different story. A 4 seam fastball is performed completely different than a changeup; and they are in no way a similar pitch.

A flip is completely different than a pitch. (jmo of course)

[K_Mac]

Yes, a flip and a pitch are two different ways of accurately and quietly delivering a bait, generally at close range. Yes, I know some can consistently pitch a jig into a coffee cup under a picnic table from 30 yards, but most of us aren't that good.?

 

I thought I knew how to pitch until I started fish with my current partner. He is the best by far I've ever seen, and I have watched him enough to improve a great deal. He can hit spots that seem impossible. Ask him what he's doing and flipping is his answer. In 5 years I've never once seen him flip a bait, but as good as he is he can call it anything he wants.

[WTnPuddleJumper]

I know one way you hold the rod in one hand and the bait in the other and moreorless pulling the bait out of your hand with the motion of your rod.  The other way is wrist casting where like a spinner bait would semi circle the rod sling shotting it.  regardless of what you call any cast,  if you cast your lure and it lands where you want it and then you reel it in with a bass on the end, then you are doing your job well!!!!

[Mike L]

Lets just agree it's 2 separate independent styles of presenting a bait to a specific spot.

One from 10ft away and the other 20..

 

One the reel is engaged and the angler is useing the line to present the bait, and the other the angler is useing the rod. 

 

That's it

 

 

 

Mike

[WRB]

Not recognizing flipping as a specific presentation you lose the history behind it and the knowledge of who the anglers were that coined the name, developed the technique and the tackle and won tournaments. Most of you don't know who Dee Thomas is and could care less, most of you know who Gary Klien is and may not know his roll in developing the flipping technique. Anyone who flips owes both Dee Thomas and Gary Klien recognition for pioneering flipping. So who developed pitching? I know you have heard of Denny Brauer, but it was Dave Gliebe who first perfected pitching and started winning tournaments.

Tom

 

 

 

[Catt]

I agree with "it's 2 separate independent styles of presenting a bait to a specific spot". 

 

And it is about distance but for me it's more about depth!

 

While Flipping & Pitching can both be done in shallow but once we get to a certain depth flipping stops & pitching continues.

[scaleface]

  I pitch way more than I flip .  I still use the two terms separately .  It really doesnt make any difference except often people are not on the same page during discussions . . 

[Choporoz]

I pitch a little...flip a little bit more....and roll cast most of the time.  Depending on the situation (distance, cover, depth) I might refer to my roll cast as a flip...unless I call it a pitch.  I'm all about precise language in most of my life.  And, I see a lot of value in right words for clarity.   But, in my mind, nearly all of bass fishing is more art than science and I refuse to get wrapped around the axle in such differences when it doesn't really matter to me. 

[jimf]

Pitching and flipping are two different terms to me, and the term flipping has not replaced the term pitching.   However, I think the technique pitching has replaced (maybe too strong but getting there) the technique flipping.   When I first started seriously bass fishing in the 80's it seemed like everyone was flipping, and now everyone is pitching.   All the cool kids now are pitching.   

 

 

[hawgenvy]

I do a lot of pitching (and the occasional actual flip), but I think I am guilty of calling pitching "flipping" most of the time. No one in this post has mentioned it, but maybe guys use it more because flipping is just a great word to say. It's a fun word. Unlike "pitching."  Not that pitching is a bummer -- it has its place. Like in baseball, or when spreading a pail of coal tar. But I like to say "flipping" a lot more. I like how you can drag out the f and how your lips smack together at the end when you say "flip."  Flipping. Flip. Now I can't stop saying it.  Ffflipp!

 

(Whoops -- I just spit on my screen.)

[5Keepers]

On 3/19/2017 at 0:23 AM, everythingthatswims said:

I know what flippin' is, but I have never done it to any degree of success. I personally don't see it being necessary, I tend to stay further away from the fish than most (they can feel your boat in the water!), and I can "pitch" as accurately as I'll ever need to.

 

I call it flippin' but technically what I am doing is 100% pitchin'

Sorry... but if you do not see the necessity of flippin' .. you haven't been to a lake/river that has high water/flooded bushes and 60* dirty water...  there is nothing like whackin' a 6lb'er with 10 feet of line out..deep behind some flooded buck bushes.. and just muscle that toad out of the junk!!  After a spring COLD front, flippin' is the go-to method for lock jawed monsters!! I have won several early spring open's by flippin ONLY!!  The differences of when to flip or pitch is water clarity, cover you are fishing(how thick it is) and water temp(active fish or not) and a little consideration to the depth.

[LionHeart]

Definitely two different techniques.  As someone fairly new to bass fishing it erks me a little when people attempt to use the terms interchangeably.  I kinda doubt the bulk of people asking about a "Good pitching/flipping rod" actually understand what they are asking for, much less ever intend to flip into cover.

 

As I understand it, that would be 2 different rods.  Im generally not the kinda dude to correct people, but with so many people confusing action with power, flipping with pitching, etc., at some point I think the right thing to do is to politely correct them.  I honestly appreciate it when someone corrects me on something I am confused about, especially if I am actively seeking advice on technique specific gear and the like.  Just my thoughts.

[Mike L]

I use the same rod for pitching and for flipping. 

The only difference in equipment is that the reel is locked throughout the flipping process for every flip, whereas when pitching it isn't.  

 

 

 

Mike

[Catt]

@LionHeart actually I cast, flip, & pitch with one rod.

 

As I mentioned earlier it's each technique is about distances.

 

Example: as I approach cover, I'll start at casting distance, then pitching distance, & then flipping distance.

 

Technical I should say 2 rods cause I attack each target with a Texas Rig & a Jig-n-Craw!

[fishraptor]

On March 18, 2017 at 10:54 PM, Ohio Archer said:

You sure it's not chuckin' and windin'?

 

50% of the time for me on the boat it's Heavin and hoeing....

40% of the time for me it's  when my girlfriends on the boat it's "humping and pumping"...

 

and the last 10% of the time when I'm on the boat when I have had a few too many beers it's "shuckin & duckin'

 

 

[islandbass]

On 3/18/2017 at 1:00 PM, Quarry Man said:

does it really matter?

It does if you’re trying to teach someone or when making distinction and differentiation is critical. 

 

Example: barbecueing vs grilling

 

Some people think they’re barbecueing when in fact they’re grilling. I never knew that there was a difference before but I am glad I know now. 

 

Imagine following cooking instructions where frying and poaching were used interchangeably as pitchin’ and flippin’ . I don’t know about you, but I’d take fried chicken over poached chicken any day of the week. If you can convince people that there is no difference between frying and poaching, my friend, you should work in sales because you’d make a LOT if money for yourself and to buy all the fishing related gear you want. ?

 

Clarity is golden. 

 

To the OP and the topic, I concur with how your describe and distinguish the two. 

[CroakHunter]

On 3/18/2017 at 4:30 PM, Catt said:

It's kinda like the term "finesse" has come to mean small lures, lines, & rod-n-reels.

 

Finesse: skillful handling of a situation or resourcefulness in handling situations.

I had a few young fisherman approach me that were chucking and winding chatterbaits, I was pitching a 6 inch speed worm with a 3/8 ounce weight and a 4/0 jungle hook. They asked why I was finesse fishing lol

[hawgenvy]

Theoretically, at very close distances when tossing a bait through heavy cover, flipping is more accurate than pitching, is quicker than pitching, and the spool stays locked so you don't have to worry about a fish grabbing the bait before you turn the crank. I should flip more often, but I'm so accustomed to pitching it usually doesn't occur to me to flip. I'm going to make a point of flipping next time I'm deep in the hyacinths. If I can remember.

[WRB]

I mentioned a name few of today's angler recognize Dave Gleibe. Dee Thomas introduced the flippin presentation using long jigger poles and Catts link gave everyone the history of flippin with Fenwick rods making a 8' flippin rod for Dee with a reel. Fenwick also sponsored another bass angler Dave Gliebe who was working with Dick Guamer at Fenwick of the development of a telescoping hangle 8' rod with a reel for Dave's new pitching presentation. Dee Thomas only fished a few B.A.S.S. events and returned to California Delta tournament bass fishing, being away from his work and wife wasn't for Dee. 

Dave Gliebe went on to win several B.A.S.S. events, qualified for 3 Classics and set the record weight during Florida event in 1977. Dave and Dee competed head to head for decades on the Delta, Dave pitching, Dee flippin.

Tom

[hawgenvy]

Thank you, Tom. We are deeply indebted to history and the innovators that preceded us, in fishing and everything else. It is amazing how new the modern sport of bass fishing is, how quickly it has evolved. It will be fun to experience it's continued advancement over the next decade.

[LCG]

There seems to be a lot of confusion with fishing terms. 

 

Pitching is different from Flipping, which has been well described here. 

 

Cover and structure are two different terms which was touched on earlier. 

 

Rod power and action are also two different terms to describe a rod. 

 

I am sure the list goes on. For people new to fishing I think it adds to the confusion and learning curve. Bass resources is a great site and forum to learn from, full of knowledgeable people willing to help.

[LionHeart]

5 hours ago, Catt said:

@LionHeart actually I cast, flip, & pitch with one rod.

 

As I mentioned earlier it's each technique is about distances.

 

Example: as I approach cover, I'll start at casting distance, then pitching distance, & then flipping distance.

 

Technical I should say 2 rods cause I attack each target with a Texas Rig & a 

[Columbia Craw]

 

So Tom,  do these photos remind you of anything ?  Doug

 

[68camaro]

I just watched a video called "Flippin Heavy Cover" and 99.98% was pitching, he explained the diffeernce but explained why he preferred pitching.....It was very good but I just don't know why they didn't call it "Pitching Heavy Cover"....go figure!