Do I need a dedicated flipping/pitching setup?

[nralover]

Is a dedicated rig for flipping and pitching really a must? Should I go with a heavy action rod or is MH enough? Also, who makes a reel for this type of fishing? Could I make do with an old Shimano Brush Buster?

[Raul]

I flip/pitch a lot in my everyday lake, nope, I don 't have a dedicated set-up for that purpose, I purchased a rod for flipping and I find myself using it for other purposes other than for what it was initially bought.

[MONSTERhudd]

I think it definetly helps. Instead of re tying. It depends on how thick the cover is that I am flipping/pitching. But I have been using a Powell 765, which is a MH, with tons of luck. I am gonna get a 766 though to make my flipping only rod. My 765 works great for dragging football heads, frogs, big senkos, any texas rigged plastic, and small swimbaits. Its a great all around rod.

[J Francho]

I have a flipping stick, but I consider it a heavy bait/heavy cover stick.  I use several casts with it.  You can flip and pitch with any rod and reel.

[Lucky Craft Man]

The reality is you don't really need a dedicated rod for anything.  I have a dedicated rod for flipping and one for pitching.  Having a dedicated rod is just a luxury with the benefit of matching exactly the power and action of rod with a specific lure and not having to retie or change lures when you want to change techniques.  If you have room for it, can afford it, and use the technique enough to warrant a dedicated rod, then I would suggest you get one, otherwise, there is not real need.

[BARON49_Northern NY]

I dedicate rods for specific purposes cause I junk fish a lot.  

For flipping I use a 7'6'' H with a Revo S reel and 65 lb Power Pro braid.  It is a little heavy, but will haul a big fish out of thick cover.

My pitching rod is a MH, with a Revo SX and 30 lb Power Pro.  Being a lighter rod I will use it longer with less fatigue.  

[cart7t]

I'm using a Team All Star Big Boy 7'2" Mhvy rod with a Revo S.  The Big Boy is a brute of a rod with an extra layer of graphite matting.  My old Flippin stick will get used for swimbaits.

[fishintroop]

The reality is you don't really need a dedicated rod for anything. I have a dedicated rod for flipping and one for pitching. Having a dedicated rod is just a luxury with the benefit of matching exactly the power and action of rod with a specific lure and not having to retie or change lures when you want to change techniques. If you have room for it, can afford it, and use the technique enough to warrant a dedicated rod, then I would suggest you get one, otherwise, there is not real need.

I strongly agree with ya'.  Also, if this is a technique you like to use then you should get something that meets the need.

[J Francho]

I dedicate rods for specific purposes cause I junk fish a lot.  

I always took the term "junk fishing" to mean fishing the same spot and rotating out different baits until the fish tell you what will work.  Am I wrong there?  Or is that what you meant?

[J Francho]

Actually, no need to answer that, I totally misread your post.  you have several specialized rods out, rigged and ready, so you can change frequently.  I got it  

[basspro48]

There really is no need for a rig that is completely dedicated to just one technique, however I am flippin and pitchin nut, it is by far my favorite technique. So I have three "flippin" setups, the first is a 6'6" Medium Heavy action Loomis GL2 with a Curado 100D, I use this for light pitching and short casting in sparse cover areas where a winch and a broomstick is unnecessary. The second is a 7' Medium Heavy Kistler paired with a "classic" curado 200B, this is my favorite setup, I use it for pitching and flipping in moderate to heavy cover situations that require heavier gear. The third is a 7' Extra Heavy Daiwa Coastal Special paired with a citica 200D, this is my one true "flippin stick" and it shines when faced with heavy cover situations and is a helluva frog rod.

I always keep these three setups rigged for flipping and pitching, however they can also be used for a wide variety of other techniques from carolina rigging to shallow crankin. So no you don't need a dedicated setup, but it sure is nice  

[The Next KVD]

Rick Clunn uses one rod & reel combo for everything so I don't think its a big deal to have a dedicated flip/pitch setup.  I do believe though you need a Heavy Power rod vs a MH.  Throw some 30-50lb Power Pro braid and you can flip, pitch, spinnerbait, t-rig, c-rig, crank, ect.

[bugman]

I have a St.Croix AVC73MHF that I use for pitch/flip, swimbaits,frogs & C-rigs. I do have different reels that I like to use with the different baits though. I don't think you need a rod for each type of bait but having three or four rods that you can use for different groups of baits works for me.

[rynobass]

I think a flippn setup is a must for every bass fishermen a gloomis Imx 7'6" flippn stick with a Ardent XS600 is what I use But the New Ardent F500 would be the perfect reel for this setup

[Catt]

Is a dedicated rig for flipping and pitching really a must? No but depending on the type of cover you fish it would not hurt.

Should I go with a heavy action rod or is MH enough? I flip/pitch matted Hydrilla with a MH

Also, who makes a reel for this type of fishing? Shimano

Could I make do with an old Shimano Brush Buster? Yes as long as you do not use braid with these old reels; in bygone years I used a Shimano Bantam 100 Super Gear upgrade