Why can't I flip?!?!

[Smokinal]

I should say pitch, to keep the terminology correct.

I have a variety of 7'MH with a variety of reels from Tatula, Revo S, Lews...it's the same with them all. 20lb braid on all of them.

I have the spool as loose as I can get it and the bait still just seems to pendulum out there, but no line peels off the reel, and the bait just pendulums back.

 

I think I've narrowed it down to a couple of factors but wanted to run these by some better sticks to get your feedback.

A. I probably need tons more practice

B. Longer rod?  7-6 maybe?

c. Better quality reel? Would a better reel be smoother and therefore release the line/spool better?  IDK,,,guessing here

 

I'd like to get a new setup with the proper rod/reel but need advice before I spend the money.

So, what's the best rod under $100??   lol...just kidding.  Although I was looking at this in the 7-6 Med:

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garcia_Jordan_Lee_Casting_Rods/descpage-AJLC.html

 

Our fish up here are most commonly 1-5 lbs so I'm not winching 7-9 lb'ers.

And I think the reel is probably the most imortant part of a pitching setup so what would be a good reel for this rod/technique?

 

Thanks folks

I see these guys pitch so well they skip baits...I just shake my head in awe

[Tatulatard]

Flick the wrist and release the spool at the right moment.  You'll know when you got it right. 

[MidwestBassAttack]

No need for a longer rod….7-7’3” is the sweet spot. Your rods and reels seem just fine.
 

Take that 20lb braid off and put on a 15-17lb Fluoro or mono. Make sure your baits are at least 3/8oz and above (total weight).

 

Spool tension set to where the bait drops slowly and when it hits the ground, spool stops with no over run.

 

Brakes set on a high setting then back then off slowly.

 

Fine tune from there.

 

Practice, Practice, and Practice. You can’t “buy” your way into becoming a master caster.

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, Smokinal said:

A. I probably need tons more practice

Everything needs practice...I practice pitching in my backyard on days I can't go out to wet a line.

 

2 minutes ago, Smokinal said:

B. Longer rod?  7-6 maybe?

It will help - but before I got my Fury 765, I'd do pitching with my 7'0" Aird-X H/F...so it's not necessary.

 

3 minutes ago, Smokinal said:

c. Better quality reel? Would a better reel be smoother and therefore release the line/spool better?

The reel on the Aird-X is a Fuego-CT, the one on the Fury 765 is a CA-80....don't need an expensive reel.

 

5 minutes ago, Smokinal said:

20lb braid on all of them.

I'd up that - you might be having a bit of dig-in with braid that thin on a casting reel...I'd go to 40#...I've actually got 50# on the CA-80 and our fish are about the same size as yours...9# here would be the new state record.

[T-Billy]

Your reels are fine. Are you having an issue with braid dig using 20#? I'd recommend a 7'6" heavy fast for pitching cover, and 40# 832. Ark is having a buy one get one free sale on their website right now on the Lancer Pro series rods. They're an outstanding value at full price, and a steal at half off.

Set your spool tension loose so the spool has just a bit of side to side play, and as little brake as you can use without constantly over running.

[Jar11591]

First assumption is that the 20lb braid is digging in to itself like @T-Billy and @MN Fisher suggested. I use a minimum of 30lb braid on baitcasters, and for pitching it’s 40lb. 

[Yeezy Fishing]

10 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

Your reels are fine. Are you having an issue with braid dig using 20#? I'd recommend a 7'6" heavy fast for pitching cover, and 40# 832. Ark is having a buy one get one free sale on their website right now on the Lancer Pro series rods. They're an outstanding value at full price, and a steal at half off.

Set your spool tension loose so the spool has just a bit of side to side play, and as little brake as you can use without constantly over running.

Agree with this comment. Could be braid dig. I’ve tried 20 and 30 lb braid on my Tatulas and I find 40 lb Suffix 832 to be what works for me.  

[new2BC4bass]

You have to take your thumb off the spool.

[Bass Rutten]

My casting and pitching reel settings are the same. Timing the release with the rod motion is the key, another factor I found crucial for me was how much line to leave out, most recommend keeping the lure even with the reel but I found it easier to create higher lure velocity with a little less line out, I pitch with the lure positioned about 6-12 inches above the reel, I'm tall with monkey arms (no pun intended) so it may not work for you, I'd also experiment with your reel hand position. It took years to become proficient, practice and experiment a lot and your hands will find their sweet spot and it'll become second nature before you know it.

[RDB]

2 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

You have to take your thumb off the spool.

This made me belly laugh.

[TnRiver46]

I grew up pitching lures all throughout my house and yard. I can toss it in your coffee cup like the bass pro commercial. Practice practice practice. Sounds awfully weird that no line comes off your reel. If you just hold the rod tip up and push the button, does the lure fall to the ground? 

[Deephaven]

Length isn't the problem.  I love long rods for almost everything, but built a 6'9" heavy cover pitching rod.  Pinpoint accuracy is easier with it.  If the targets are more open I use a 7'2".

Smooth motion and a trained thumb are the goal.  Definitely use some electrical tape to help minimize bird's nests and reduce your braking until it comes off the reel logically.

[Chris Catignani]

I like to use a little shorter rod (6' 10") so I can get the tip low and swing it up for the pitch. Sure you can do this with a longer rod....but I think the shorter rod works better in close quarters. I also dont flip with braid...this in itself is another discussion.

[Mike L]

9 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Sounds awfully weird that no line comes off your reel. If you just hold the rod tip up and push the button, does the lure fall to the ground? 

 

This ^^^^^

 

 

If no line comes off the reel, either the line is dug in or casting knob is too tight. 

If line does come off the reel, your thumb is too tight on your upswing preventing the line to come off
 

 

 

 

Mike

[Captain Phil]

Get a coffee can or similar small bowl and place it 10-15 feet ahead of you on the ground.  Practice pitching until you can consistently drop your lure into the can or bowl.   Just before the lure hits, learn to lift the rod just enough to slow down the entry.   Your rod length is fine.  Your reel spool should turn freely.   A reel with a light weight spool will help you.  The timing of the pitch is critical.  It could take you a while to get it right. I think twenty pound braid is too light for pitching.  I use 30.  Many people use even heavier line. When fishing in heavy cover, line size doesn't affect the fish.  

[Deleted account]

I am bubbling in (a) with a #2 pencil as dark as I can...

[Ski]

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

[Catt]

#1 key for any casting technique is a properly setup reel.

 

@Glenn has a great selection of videos on YouTube.

[Deleted account]

11 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I grew up pitching lures all throughout my house and yard. I can toss it in your coffee cup like the bass pro commercial. Practice practice practice. Sounds awfully weird that no line comes off your reel. If you just hold the rod tip up and push the button, does the lure fall to the ground? 

LOL. A while back I was working second shift with the Navy and my wife would leave the house between 0630 and 0700, sometimes earlier for work. I got into the habit of getting up early, so we could spend some time together, maybe have breakfast. (Not bragging, but the master bedroom is huge and has a cathedral ceiling, so it's the perfect place to practice pitching to 20 feet). I set up 3 targets (mug, roll of duct tape, and small Bustelo coffee can) next to the bed, and I'd just practice as we talked, I got so good, I'd go around her feet, (yes of course I set them up where she gets ready, keeps the marriage fresh...  ), and once (and only once) landed it on top of her foot and in one of her shoes. I'd call the shot and start doing sillier and sillier stuff. I'd usually keep doing it for maybe 1/2 hour after she left. Really helps with the muscle memory. Of course this went on mostly in the winter and horrible weather...

[Chris Catignani]

3 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

... and once (and only once) landed it on top of her foot and one of her shoes. I'd call the shot and start doing sillier and sillier stuff. ...

I think you own to something here....we can just call it "fishing practice".

Tonight: Knot tying. 

[Deleted account]

15 minutes ago, Chris Catignani said:

Tonight: Knot tying. 

I ruined a bunch of expensive silk ties in a previous life, and I'm not the least bit sorry, wonder what she's up to... ?

[Bankc]

Practice.  I can pitch with my Abu 5000D on it's 5'5" pistol grip rod from the 1980's.  You'd be hard pressed to find a worse setup for pitching than that, and I don't have any problems using it (other than it backlashes like crazy if you're not careful and is harder to make long pitches with).  My point being, gear won't fix technique problems.  Besides, shorter rods are actually easier to pitch with.  They're just harder to pitch far with.  

[FishTank]

I think the rod is fine. I used a 7' MH Fast for years for flipping and pitching.  I have to admit I'm not the best but I get the job done.  With that said, I would ditch the braid and go to a cheap 15-20lb mono like Big Game to start and eventually switch to Fluorocarbon (Invizx 17lb). Practice like @Captain Phil had mentioned. Set the spool a little loose but up the brakes. Let your thumb control the spool. Time and practice. 

[dodgeguy]

17 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Your reels are fine. Are you having an issue with braid dig using 20#? I'd recommend a 7'6" heavy fast for pitching cover, and 40# 832. Ark is having a buy one get one free sale on their website right now on the Lancer Pro series rods. They're an outstanding value at full price, and a steal at half off.

Set your spool tension loose so the spool has just a bit of side to side play, and as little brake as you can use without constantly over running.

Yes sir but I'd go 50 lb.

[king fisher]

I learned to pitch from a video that Glen made on this site.  After watching the video and practicing for a few hours, I was far from being as smooth an accurate as Glen but I was able to pitch well enough catch some nice bass.

       I would recommend starting with a one ounce weight, and going to lighter weights and baits, once you get the basic cast dialed in.