Shorty Rod For Pitching?

[basshtx]

22 hours ago, J Francho said:

What does height have to do with it?  I'm 5'7" and my heavy cover rod is 8'.  I pitch with it all the time.  It's a tip up presentation.  If the bait is smacking the water, you're not using enough tip speed.  When the weather is better, I'm going to have to make another pitching video.

I bank fish primarily, If I used a 8' rod to pitch my rod tip would hit the ground. I also tend to set the hook with a sweep, which would also hit the ground. Your height has everything to do with it, the taller you are the position of your rod is higher. I can see how professionals do it because they're on a boat so they're like 2-3ft off the water.

[OCdockskipper]

21 hours ago, J Francho said:

You do not pitch from a seated position...

I would agree with you, for that is what I was taught when I learned to flip way back in the 70's.  However, Bill Dance had an episode last year where he was flippin & pitching (and explaining the difference between the two) while seated.  I'm guessing it severely limited his distance, but there was no footage of him standing the entire show.

 

I mention this not because it is something that most of us would want to emulate, but rather that it is indeed possible & being done.  I guess if you had a handicap or balance issue, it would be better than nothing. 

[J Francho]

42 minutes ago, basshtx said:

I bank fish primarily, If I used a 8' rod to pitch my rod tip would hit the ground.

Your rod tip won't hit the ground, if you are doing it right.  The rod is pretty close to horizontal when you start the pitch.  Again, when it gets nicer, it sounds like I'm going to have make a video.

[J Francho]

This isn't mine, but it's pretty good.  Pay close attention to the part where he shows the slight back hand motion.  Dude is using a long set up for this, and on shore.   As far as the 2-3' above the water thing?  My deck on my bass boat is probably less than a foot above the water.  In my kayak, it's inches.  So, that isn't the problem, it's technique.  Anyone should be able to pitch from most places, while standing.  I've seen Bill Dance pitch sitting.  He's not getting much distance.

 

 

[basshtx]

6 minutes ago, J Francho said:

This isn't mine, but it's pretty good.  Pay close attention to the part where he shows the slight back hand motion.  Dude is using a long set up for this, and on shore.   As far as the 2-3' above the water thing?  My deck on my bass boat is probably less than a foot above the water.  In my kayak, it's inches.  So, that isn't the problem, it's technique.  Anyone should be able to pitch from most places, while standing.  I've seen Bill Dance pitch sitting.  He's not getting much distance.

 

 

3

He looks pretty tall, but for the sake of ending this debate, I guess use what works for you.

I just don't see what benefits there are for using a rod longer than 7'6 for any bass fishing technique. 

[J Francho]

2 minutes ago, basshtx said:

I just don't see what benefits there are for using a rod longer than 7'6 for any bass fishing technique.

For pitching, the benefit is less effort for greater tip speed = longer cast.  The longer rod also helps if you're pitching under docks, since you have more line out initially which means you have a little more distance (12-18") under the dock.  There are other benefits for other techniques, but this thread is about pitching.

6 minutes ago, basshtx said:

He looks pretty tall, but for the sake of ending this debate, I guess use what works for you.

I have a 13' float rod for steelhead, and I often use a pitch cast while standing in water.  If you're doing it right, rod length only makes it easier.

[basshtx]

12 minutes ago, J Francho said:

For pitching, the benefit is less effort for greater tip speed = longer cast.  The longer rod also helps if you're pitching under docks, since you have more line out initially which means you have a little more distance (12-18") under the dock.  There are other benefits for other techniques, but this thread is about pitching.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is how I pitch. My rod tip is lowered (pointing toward the water) while I have the bait on my the opposite hand, as I release the bait, and the bait pendulums out, I raise my rod tip. I've done this with a 7'1 rod on flattish surface that is about even with the water level and my bait slaps the water. I have to stand a few feet above the water level in order for that not to happen. 

 

Notice on the video thumbnail his rod tip is lowered, pointing at an angle. In order to make up for my height to rod length ratio, I have to stand higher than the surface of the water so my bait can pendulum out without hitting anything. 

[J Francho]

Don't lower the tip.  Start at pretty much horizontal.  In the thumbnail, it's the part where he's demonstrating the wrong wrist action.  Watch the part where adds a bit of back hand.  This where you start to get a lot more distance from you pitches.  When I pitch on the side walk on my street, I can get the bait into the front yard, three houses  down using this technique.

[XF15-Loader]

Wow, who knew this topic would generate so.much conversation.

 

Anyway, I do pitch from a seated position....and it looks a lot like the video.  It may not be the proper technique but it works for me.  I pull plenty of bass off of cover but, often times I'll smack the boat or water as I'm pitching.  

 

I've come to the decision that I'll just keep working my technique and try to refine things a bit. More money for tackle and less headache from the wife...lol.

 

Thanks!!

 

-J