Gear for pitching technique (response to today's video)

[haggard]

First off thanks to Dave (The Fishin' Pastor) and bassresource for today's video on the pitching technique. I really enjoy these brief instructional videos that show up on the home page so frequently.
 

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/pitching-for-bass.html

 

On my list of things to do this season are learning and becoming pro-fish-ient at new techniques including pitching, flipping and drop shot.

 

After watching the video, in particular the part about recommended gear, I still have unanswered questions. The suggested gear included a 7'3 rod, braided line, and a high gear ratio baitcasting reel, for reasons such as being able to pull a fish out of heavy cover (braid) and being able to reel it in quickly (gear ratio). But those reasons seem to be applicable to any technique, not specific to pitching.

 

My most comfortable and common go-to setup is a 6'6" M/F with a baitcasting reel around 6.3:1 with 12# mono. I'm 5'10" tall. Will this setup be okay for learning how to properly pitch?

 

Thanks for your help and again to Dave & BR for the video.

 

[CroakHunter]

Imo it would be a good setup to practice starting out with Because of the length of the length of the rod you won't hit the ground/boat with the tip of the rod and the 12# mono will handle well. But as far as being a good technique to actually go out and pitch with it is less than ideal. Dave's advice on a rod 7' or longer and a higher gear ratio are spot on for pitching. Like he said, pitching is a target oriented cast, not a cast that is retrieved for a long way. So you want to pitch to the target, work the lure in the strikesone, which usually isn't very big, and then get your bait in quickly to make another target oriented pitch, whether that's the same target or a new one. If you are happy with the 6'6 length of rod is definitely suggest going up to a medium heavy and using 15lb mono Or fluoro or 30-50lb braid. 

[CTBassin860]

Pitching has almost taken over frogging for me. They are 1A and 1B for my favorite techniques. I use a 7'4" HF rod with an 8.1:1 reel spooled with 50# Sufix 832. Rage bugs reign supreme. 

[papajoe222]

The most important feature of the gear you use is your comfort level in using it.If you can match it to the task at hand, all the better.  Pitching isn't just a presentation for jigs in heavy cover, so if you're pitching a spinnerbait under some overhangs, do you really need a super fast reel and 60lb. braid?  I do recommend braid, or fluoro for pitching as the majority of time sensitivity is going to me a major factor in detecting strikes. Don't go out and buy a new combo until you feel comfortable with the technique. Once you are, you may find you do better with a shorter rod and a 6.3:1 reel.

[bowhunter22]

I would say the reel doesn't matter so much as the rod. If you're just pitching a jig under some docks then don't worry about it, but if you're flipping grass mats and the such, a heavy rod is going to help quite a bit

[LionHeart]

You can learn to pitch with just about any setup.  A medium power rod would even work in my opinion,  but may not be ideal of you pitch around timber our anything where a bass can get you wrapped around something if you don't turn his/her head.  Or if you use a fairly large hook with your bait.  Your reel will work fine also,  but in my opinion a faster speed may be preferred, for a few reasons (to include what was mentioned in the video).  

 

I think the bottom line is,  what you have will definitely work, but may not be ideal.  Of course this is all preference and opinion.  I don't think you should feel like you need to go out and get a different setup just to get into pitching but if you are already in the market, he gave some pretty good advice.  The only thing I would change is rod length.   I find a slightly shorter rod (7-7'2") to be easier to pitch with.   

[NorthwestBasser]

I pitch with a 7'5" MH 7.1:1 reel... always braid at least 30lb. As mentioned above, the reel speed isn't nearly as important as the rod, but if you're pitching heavy cover, i prefer pads, thick grass, and mat edges, the braid is a MUST. And sure you can technically pitch any lure, spinnerbait, and get away with different lighter gear, i just feel like I'd be using a different technique all together at that point. I'm buring spinnerbaits over and along grass and want a long cast to cover more water. While opinions will differ, pitching, to me, is synonymous with heavy cover. Be it mats, pads, grass, timber...

[MichaelJ7]

I use a 7’6 MH Abu Garcia Villain. It’s definitely more of a heavy than a medium heavy. I also use a 7’6” Veracity. It’s not quite as stiff. If I’m pitching edges of grass, timber filled coves or docks I’m using my villain. You need a longer stiffer rod imo. I’m only 5’8 and I use them all the way up to 7’9 to pitch. I like to use 30lb power pro and in some cases a flouro leader of 15-17lb Seaguar Abrazx. I also pair these rods with either a Revo premier or a Revo STX. My Villain has the Stx in an 8.1:1gear ratio to take line up fast. I would not even consider using a medium powered rod myself.

[scaleface]

I use the same worm rod for pitching and casting . 6'8" MH with a shorter handle than most rods .     I pitch , cast and toss with it . Its also the same set-up  I  use for worming in deep water .

[Glenn]

We have even more videos on the topic here:

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/flipping-pitching-punching-skipping

 

[haggard]

6 hours ago, scaleface said:

I use the same worm rod for pitching and casting . 6'8" MH with a shorter handle than most rods .     I pitch , cast and toss with it . Its also the same set-up  I  use for worming in deep water .

Sounds about like my 6'8" jig MH/F jig & worm rod - good to know - I think I'll start with what I've got and go from there. Thank you.