Flipping and pitching rod and reel setup.

[BeardedNbassing]

I have been watching videos on pitching and flipping. I'm new to the concept and I remember this past year where I could have used this technique in some of the spots I've fished. I'm curious to see what you guys would suggest as a good rod and reel setup. I'm not looking to break the bank, however, I also don't want junk lol. Thanks for any input you guys may have. I'll go back to researching some more. 

[WPCfishing]

Which boat are you fishing out of?

[jbsoonerfan]

Pitching is just a way to get your bait where you want it to me. I can pitch a 3/16 ned rig, a 3/8 Texas Rig or a 1 oz Jig. The way I fish it is just a casting technique. Cover and bait weight plays a bigger role in the gear I use. Maybe I'm just different though.

[Hammer 4]

What type of cover are you plan to fish, heavy, meaning lots of vegetation, maybe some tree stumps, or lay downs. The type of cover will determine the lure weight, and line.

If on the other hand cover is moderate to light then things change.

Keeping in mind that flipping and pitching are not the same technique. In flipping there is No casting what so ever, unlike pitching where your usually making short cast's.

For me, I use a 8' H/F rod, rated for up to 8 oz lures. For pitching I use a 7'9" H/F rated up to 4 oz lures, line is also different. On the 8' rig I either use 50 lb braid, or 25 lb mono, on the 7'9" I use 17 to 20 lb mono. You could get away with using 1 rod, but it may lack in one area or the other. Need more info. to advise what to get. On the reel, I suggest a good 200 size baitcaster.

[BeardedNbassing]

4 hours ago, WPCfishing said:

Which boat are you fishing out of?

Right now just a 14ft. jon boat.

[BeardedNbassing]

3 hours ago, Hammer 4 said:

What type of cover are you plan to fish, heavy, meaning lots of vegetation, maybe some tree stumps, or lay downs. The type of cover will determine the lure weight, and line.

If on the other hand cover is moderate to light then things change.

Keeping in mind that flipping and pitching are not the same technique. In flipping there is No casting what so ever, unlike pitching where your usually making short cast's.

For me, I use a 8' H/F rod, rated for up to 8 oz lures. For pitching I use a 7'9" H/F rated up to 4 oz lures, line is also different. On the 8' rig I either use 50 lb braid, or 25 lb mono, on the 7'9" I use 17 to 20 lb mono. You could get away with using 1 rod, but it may lack in one area or the other. Need more info. to advise what to get. On the reel, I suggest a good 200 size baitcaster.

Typically laydowns and lilly pads, mainly, moderate at worst. I'd be throwing a weighted texas rigged worm or a swim jig with a craw creature trailer. While bank fishing at one spot last year I casted right between some lillies by accident and something big hit my bait. It had me wrapped up and of course broke me off because I was trying to get it out of there with a light test line compared to what I've read being used. 

[T-Billy]

What's your budget for the rod and reel?

[BeardedNbassing]

5 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

What's your budget for the rod and reel?

I'd like to stay around $200 and below. 

[Hammer 4]

7 minutes ago, BeardedNbassing said:

I'd like to stay around $200 and below. 

I would suggest looking at some used gear. There have been some Good deals in the fishing flea market forum. Buying new is going to take you a wee bit over your budget. The rod could be had for about $100.00 new, but then the reel is going to send that amount above what you'd like to spend.

[BeardedNbassing]

10 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

I would suggest looking at some used gear. There have been some Good deals in the fishing flea market forum. Buying new is going to take you a wee bit over your budget. The rod could be had for about $100.00 new, but then the reel is going to send that amount above what you'd like to spend.

Yeah I saw that forum. I was browsing there earlier. So regardless of budget, what would you suggest? I don't mind going above that as long as it's quality gear that I can get my money's worth out of.

[Hammer 4]

For the rod, you could get something like a Shimano SLX, maybe go with a 7'6" or longer, in a heavy fast, or xtra fast, depending on what your comfy with. These rods should be around the $ 100.00 mark.

Personally, I'd look at a used 200 size reel, both Diawa and Shimano offers good options, as do some other makers, I'm just not familiar with Lews, ect.

Also, you could put a WTB ad in the flea market, you never know what folks will offer up.

Good luck with your search. Bedtime for me.. 

[BeardedNbassing]

Thanks man I appreciate it! 

[Catt]

6 hours ago, BeardedNbassing said:

I'm not looking to break the bank, however, I also don't want junk lol.

 

1 hour ago, BeardedNbassing said:

Right now just a 14ft. jon boat.

 

45 minutes ago, BeardedNbassing said:

I'd like to stay around $200 and below. 

 

Daiwa Procyon Casting Rods

7' Medium Heavy X-Fast 

$79.99

 

Lew's LFS 

SS1SHA 7.5:1

$99.99

 

[T-Billy]

I'm gonna vote ARK Rods Lancer Pro rod, either the 7'3" Mag MH, or the 7'6" H. They have 40 ton Japanese Toray blanks and are lighter and more sensitive than a lot of the competitors rods that cost far more. Hands down the best rod for the $$ I've ever found. $99 full price, sometimes you can find them on sale for less.

 I'll also recommend the Lew's LFS reel. It's another product that I think is outstanding for it's $99 price point. It will likely get a lot of votes, for good reason.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I don’t think you need a technique specific setup for what you’re doing here. A good all around bass rig should work fine. If/when you start punching slop with 1.5 oz> it’s another story 

[dodgeguy]

Bass pro shops carbon lite 2.0 combo. 7-6 heavy fast 8.3 to 1 $200. 

[Boomstick]

I pitch around wood with a 3/8oz or 1/2oz jig or a senko with a 1/4oz weight on a MH/F rod all day. If I had any special gear, it's a Daiwa Tatula SV (or Zillion SV or Steez SV) reel a lot for pitching, but it's not required it's just nice.

[casts_by_fly]

I’ll push you price just a spec and suggest my current pitchin stick setup. Falcon Bucoo SR 6’10” pitching stick (called a head turner in their other lines) with an Abu Garcia SX hs.  It’s my primary rod for throwing 5/16-1/2 oz jigs and equivalent plastics into anywhere you want to pitch them outside of the heaviest stuff. I run 17 lb mono for it.  It also does double duty as a single hook moving bait setup (chatterbait, spinnerbait). The rod is $99.99 everywhere as standard. The reel is usually $120 on Amazon when it is in stock at certain sellers. Spring sales are coming too and I remember bass pro having them for that price last year. Add it to your cart and save for later with a notification.  

[casts_by_fly]

there is also an Abu STX-hs in the classifieds here for $130.  I don't know the seller but it has me tempted.

[Bankc]

I'd stay away from a super long rod.  Probably keep it around 7' or under.  The reason is because you're fishing from a jon boat, so you're going to be a standing at a level at or below the surface of the water.  A lot of guys here fish from the deck of a bass boat, so they're standing up a good foot or more above you.  So for them, a longer rod makes sense.  For you, it might cause issues with the bait hitting the water next to your boat on the pitch.  

 

Otherwise, pitching is just a technique.  It doesn't really require a special rod or reel.  It does, however, often require you to set up your reel a specific way that might be different from normal casting (usually no brakes).  And some people prefer a shallow and lighter spool for faster spin up, especially since you won't be casting too far this way.  But most don't worry about that, as it's more of a luxury than necessity.  Also, some prefer a stout rod with a soft tip.  That way you can pitch into heavy cover and get the bass out, but the soft tip allows for pitching a bit longer.  Then again, others prefer a slow rod with lots of flex.  That's because you'll often be trying to set the hook with very little line out, and this will help to keep the fish pinned.  

 

My point being, the best rod for pitching and flipping will depend on your circumstances, preferences, and technique.  So it's really hard to recommend anything to you if you don't have a lot of experience doing this.  My advice is to just get out there and give it a try with what you have.  Get out in your backyard with some lead weights tied on, and get the motion and feel for it down.  Practice, practice, practice.  Then, if you run into a specific problem that gear might be able to resolve, you'll know what you're looking for in a pitching setup.  Until then, it's anyone's guess.  

[swhit140]

You are gonna have so many choices/options for this fishing situation. I would focus more on the lakes/vegetation/structure around the area you're going to be fishing to determine you're rod needs. Rod length could be anywhere from 6'10-7'6. 

I normally use a 7'3 Med/Heavy Fast or Heavy Fast Action with 7:3:1 gear ratio.

[EWREX]

7'-7'6" medium heavy casting rod with a 7 speed casting reel will be able to flip and pitch a wide variety of baits and weights. i'd also recommend 15-20lb fluorocarbon depending on the cover you're fishing. there are a ton of great options where you can get a rod and reel for $200 total

[WRB]

Look at the Flea Market forum, RichF has a Shimano Castaic flipping reel in box for $80, perfect for your application.

Tom

[rtwvumtneer6]

2 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

Falcon Bucoo SR 6’10” pitching stick (called a head turner in their other lines)

Another option in the line is the 7'4 H/F Heavy Cover Jig rod.  It's a very versatile rod.  I've throw up to an ounce Texas rig on it without worry.  I've frogged with it.  Drag a football jig.  Etc.  Enough tip to be accurate and enough backbone for moderate cover.  They come in around $100.

 

I throw the Lowrider model, but did own the BuCoo SR.  I don't own a big flipping stick (7'11" XH) because it would rarely get picked up on my local water, but I have a few rods in the 7'3-7'4 H/F that see a lot of use.  

 

I like a 200 size reel in a 7 speed.  Curado K would be above your budget, but it's a solid reel.  

[RDB]

7 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I don’t think you need a technique specific setup for what you’re doing here. A good all around bass rig should work fine. If/when you start punching slop with 1.5 oz> it’s another story 

I agree with DVT.  When people talk about a “pitching” rod, it’s usually just a simplified way to describe a rod for close combat, heavier cover environments.  I would suggest reviewing the rods you have now and the types of cover you are fishing and make your decision based on the cover application and not the technique (pitching).

 

15 hours ago, BeardedNbassing said:

I remember this past year where I could have used this technique in some of the spots I've fished.

The technique of pitching and the need for a pitching rod are 2 different things.  Pitching is just a delivery technique, much like skipping or a simple roll cast.  You can pitch with pretty much any rod.  I may use all 3 techniques in a 10 cast sequence.