Is a flippin' switch just a gimmick??

[The Rooster]

Is a flippin' switch on a baitcaster just a gimmick?? If not, why don't I see them on the more expensive reels?? I just seem to notice them on reels in roughly the $50 to $100 price range. And none of the brands I think of as being more high end offer them at all, like Shimano, Pflueger, Abu Garcia, Daiwa, and others. Then you have the BPS line of reels that only the lowest priced aluminum framed reel has it on, the Extreme that is. None of the upper levels of those offer it at all. Same thing again with Quantum it seems, the KVD reel has it, and the Accurist PT has it, but the Energy and Tour edition don't mention it at all.

This sort of makes me think of it as training wheels on a bicycle, it's for the inexperienced "flipper" and by time you upgrade you shouldn't need it anymore.  

[Sam]

Rooster,

I think it is a gimmick and it puts one more item on the reel that can brake.

Denny Brauer, the pitching and flipping guru, does not use a flippin' switch in any of his DVDs or books.

I don't use it and don't plan to use it.

You can use a reel that has it if you want, but for my input, I would not purchase a reel with it.

Now, with that said, let's read what the other guys have to say about it.

A flippin' switch may be the best thing since slice bread was invented.  ;D

[The Rooster]

Well I have an old Quantum that has it but I have only used it once and I never liked it at all.

Then I have a BPS Extreme and it had the option to order it with the flippin' switch but I got the same model without it instead.  I've not missed it yet...........BUT I DON'T FLIP OR PITCH (probably need to learn that but never could grasp the concept of how to do it right).  

Then I noticed that none of the high dollar reels have it so I just surmised that it was a useless feature.  

[fishfordollars]

Just a gimmick. I own no reels with the flipping or twiching bar and do not intend to. I'm with Sam on this one.

[SwimbaitDave]

I also agree its a gimmick. I had a Diawa Triforce reel with a flipping switch, and it broke within the first few trips.

Its just like the anti backlash reel from Abu Garcia, which was another gimmick that just broke.

I leaned throughout the years that simple is best, and company's will do anything to try to stay ahead of the competition.

Dave

[Gone_Phishin]

The one time they are useful is when fishing bottom bouncers, and heavy weight forward spinners for walleye.

[Wayne P.]

Some baitcasters with a flipping switch:

The Shimano Castaic SF  $169.99

The Shimano Core FV $379.99

The Quantum Accurist PT  $129.95

The Quantum Kevin VanDam Signature Series $99.99

If you have limited equipment to employ various presentations then a flipping switch reel wouldn't be your choice. Those that use multiple rigs with each dedicated for specific presentations will choose a flipping switch reel for flipping and pitching. Its all about having the right tool for the job.

[cart7t]

Flippin switches have been around since the early 80's when Garcia introduced them on the Ultra Mag XL plus reels.

Technically if you're flipping, you have a set amount of line out and there's no need to disengage the spool.  The better term for the switch is a pitching switch.  

I've had a reel with one for years.  I can pitch without it but I'd rather not.  I can't count the number of times a fish hit the lure the second it hit the water and having the reel instantly engaged made all the difference.

[dave]

Some baitcasters with a flipping switch:

The Shimano Castaic SF  $169.99

The Shimano Core FV $379.99

The Quantum Accurist PT  $129.95

The Quantum Kevin VanDam Signature Series $99.99

If you have limited equipment to employ various presentations then a flipping switch reel wouldn't be your choice. Those that use multiple rigs with each dedicated for specific presentations will choose a flipping switch reel for flipping and pitching. Its all about having the right tool for the job.

What is on those two Shimano reels is not a flipping switch.  It is part of the spool release button that allows you to engage without turning the handle.  Completely different from a flipping switch.

[Joe Boss]

I have a low profile Abu Garcia Ambassadeur that has a flippin switch. It was in the $55 price range.

[J Francho]

But they achieve the same end: to reengage the spool without having to turn the handle.  They aren't a gimmick, as many anglers asked for it Mechanically, the switch is a simpler, yet less durable solution than the Castaic or the TD-X's I use.  Though they are basically the same thing.  The flipping switch uses a spring to reengage the spool when you let your thumb off the clutch bar, whereas the others rely on you switching back manually.

Some people will probably never need it, some will get one and learn how to use, and others cannot live without it.  Personally, I like a left handed flipping reel (mine are TD-X HSDL).  It allows me to palm the reel with my right hand, and release and reengage the spool without moving form that position.  My left hand is then free to handle the bait,  strip line on the fall, and reel in the bait (hopefully with a fish attached).  My right hand does all the casting and hooksetting.

What I find ironic, is that I never use this feature for flipping, LOL.  It only seems useful to me for pitching.

[Pencil Pusher]

The flippin' switch should NEVER be used when pitching. That's not what it is for. The whole idea for the flipping switch is so that the angler can let out enough line to flip without having to re-engage the free spool with the reel handle, not to release the spool to fip cast and then let go of the release bar. Using it for pitching is a good way to tear the gears out of your reel.

[Wayne P.]

Dave if the manufacturer calls it a flipping switch, so do I. How it is activated or not activated varies with mfg. I have several reels from different mfg. and each has its own version of the flipping function. Most just limit the thumb release travel so the pinion gear is not completly locked away from the spool.

[mase088]

I own two reels with a flipping switch, but I never actually use it. So far it hasn't taken anything away from the reel, in fact, they are my favorite two reels. My "ole reliables" you might say.

[J Francho]

The flippin' switch should NEVER be used when pitching. That's not what it is for. The whole idea for the flipping switch is so that the angler can let out enough line to flip without having to re-engage the free spool with the reel handle, not to release the spool to fip cast and then let go of the release bar. Using it for pitching is a good way to tear the gears out of your reel.

That's funny, I've been using for 10 years that way, and I still have my original Daiwa EL2L, as well as two TDX HSDL's.  No stripped gears here.  In fact, the yoke would probably not let the pinion seat completely, and therefore no stripping, but it isn't a good idea to reengage with the spool spinning anyway.  That isn't exclusive to flipping reels, though.   I NEVER said you use it stop the spool!   That is what your thumb is for.  If you know about pitching baits, you'll know that you control the spool with your thumb at touch down, and then peel off line with you're free hand so the bait falls on slack line.  The reason I don't us it for flipping is that I don't pull a random length of line off for the flip.  I measure the depth by dropping the jig to the bottom.  The pull the line out and flip it into the next pocket.  If it goes slack before the line is out, reel down and set the hook.  No need for the flipping switch.

[Raul]

Some baitcasters with a flipping switch:

The Shimano Castaic SF $169.99

The Shimano Core FV $379.99

The Quantum Accurist PT $129.95

The Quantum Kevin VanDam Signature Series $99.99

If you have limited equipment to employ various presentations then a flipping switch reel wouldn't be your choice. Those that use multiple rigs with each dedicated for specific presentations will choose a flipping switch reel for flipping and pitching. Its all about having the right tool for the job.

The Castaic and the Core don 't have Flipping switch, they have Instagage system, to engage the spool all you have to do is to push up the button, no need to turn the handle, very different from a flipping switch.

Some of my old Abus have flipping switch, I think I 've used it maybe 20 times in all the years I 've owned them.

[J Francho]

What makes the Instagage and similar features so convenient, is that you do not have to keep pressing the thumb bar to keep it in free spool as you must with the flipping switch.  Its more like an on/off switch.  Feathering a cast is much easier, if your thumb is not multi tasking.  The flipping switch works, but it is an add on.  Flipping reels are better thought out, and more functional.

[cart7t]

The flippin' switch should NEVER be used when pitching. That's not what it is for. The whole idea for the flipping switch is so that the angler can let out enough line to flip without having to re-engage the free spool with the reel handle, not to release the spool to fip cast and then let go of the release bar. Using it for pitching is a good way to tear the gears out of your reel.

25 years of pitching with a flipping switch reel and never torn up a gear yet.

Operator error perhaps?  

[Pencil Pusher]

I've used flipping switch reels for pitching also, just never with the switch in the flipping mode. some 40 years of using a baitcaster and I haven't figured out how to keep the spool release down with my thumb and still control the spool properly when pitching. There have been several other threads concerning this very subject with posters stating they have released the spool release when pitching and have ruined the gears or that in the heat of the moment, make a regular cast and strip the gears. That's why I have a dedicated flipping stick and don't use it for any thing else.

[DADto4]

Just a gimmick. I own no reels with the flipping or twiching bar and do not intend to. I'm with Sam on this one.

I also agree it's just another way to feed the bait monkey,but he won't get me on this one.

[kikstand454]

im not sure why this a discussion.

the flippin switch as used on the quantums and extremes is meant for "righthanded" reelers that flip and pitch.

      when you pitch into that spot, people that switch hands to reel have to do so to re-engage their reel. i suppose after years of missing fish on the fall.... someone came up with a way to re-engage the reel BEFORE you switch hands. that way you can set the hook.

        when youre flipping alot of the time you finish your flip with your rod in an 11oclock position and its the same situation... fish hits it as soon as it breaks the surface and youre totally out of position to re-engage your reel.

thats when you can use a flippin switch.

of course..... all of this can be eliminated if you would all learn to reel with your left hand when the situation calls for it...... ;)

if the thought of the switch appeals to you then get it. if you dont think you need it you probably dont. it doesnt effect the performance of the reel though so its fine.

my kvd has it and the only time i use it is when i need more line to tie on or cut off and i dont want my spool spinning. ;D

i flip and pitch and work all my bottom baits with left handed reels.

[CFFF 1.5]

I have a BPS Extreme with the flipping switch and although I don't pitch much when I do it is a life saver to not have to turn the handle to reingage the reel. I could do without it, but I could also fish with only one rod and reel and I have at least 10 of those.