Flippin/punchin rod ???

[DINK WHISPERER]

When choosing a flippin stick in say, 7' 6" length what tip action do you prefer? For pads and slop which is better, a soft tip or a very stiff tip? Assuming it is being used in conjunction with 65lb braid and a Revo with 24lb drag. Some say you cannot move a big fish in cover with a softer tip. Some say too stiff of a tip will rip hooks out and break rods/reels.

Well i ask because i had the breakage issue recently. I was using a XH/XF flippin' stick with no flex in the tip and a Revo SX with 65lb braid. I broke the anti reverse in the reel on a hook set. The drag was not locked but very tight. I was told that it was due to the rod having no give in the tip and the reels drag not giving either! I put a spare SX on only to repeat the process!!!!

[J Francho]

XH power, moderate fast action.  An X-fast, soft tip has no business here.

[Catt]

On the matted grass flats I fish its

7' +

Power: Extra Heavy

Action: Extra Fast Action

& Extra Strong Butt Section

[Chris W]

XH power, moderate fast action. An X-fast, soft tip has no business here.

Same here I like a moderate action rod.

[DINK WHISPERER]

So do you guys think the rod power/action was the reason for the reels breaking? Is it possible to move big fish in matted vegetation with a slower tip rod?

[Lucky Craft Man]

So do you guys think the rod power/action was the reason for the reels breaking? Is it possible to move big fish in matted vegetation with a slower tip rod?

I hate to say this, but the reel maybe your issue.

[DINK WHISPERER]

So do you guys think the rod power/action was the reason for the reels breaking? Is it possible to move big fish in matted vegetation with a slower tip rod?

I hate to say this, but the reel maybe your issue.

I seriously doubt it man! I have been using all Revos for a long time and none have EVER failed me in any way! Until i put one on this rod that is. As a matter of fact, both SXs that broke where new. First and second time using them!!!!!     >

[Catt]

I flip/pitch matted vegetation daily and have boated bass that were 10+, weapon of choice is a Daiwa TD-V701MHRB Team Daiwa-V Medium Heavy Extra Fast.

But then again is use a Calcutta

[DINK WHISPERER]

I know those Calcuttas are bullet proof Catt! I may either try a rod with more give in the tip or a round reel. I cant afford to break anymore reels right now!!!  

[J Francho]

Is it possible to move big fish in matted vegetation with a slower tip rod?

Use a rod rated for 30#+ line....no issue turning a fishes head. The idea behind a slow taper is that all the stress is distributed across the blank. make no mistake, this type of rod is not a whippy crankbait chucker.  ANd ditch the Revo.  Go with something more robust.  I'm using a Zillion and two TD-X103HSDL for this type of fishing.

[DINK WHISPERER]

The specs on that TD reel don't look robust at all man! Do you have any issues with the 8.8lbs of drag when hauling em in?

[Catt]

My Calcutta 100A only has 9.5 lbs max drag and a gear ratio of 5.8:1, neither has ever been a problem; most of my flipping is done in matted vegetation or buck brush.

The Daiwa TD-V701MHRB rod is about 12-15 years old and is no longer in production; it is the only Daiwa product I have ever owned.

Length: 7' 0

Line Weight: 12-25

Lure: 3/8-1 ¼

Power: Medium Heavy

Action: Extra Fast

[cart7t]

Uh.. the first thing we learned way back when braid first came out was that it was not necessary to tighten the drag down tight or even close to tight.  If you did you'd wind up with a broken rod or reel.

With todays ultra sharp hooks, the amount of hook setting pressure needed to impale a fish is minimal when using braid vs. mono.

Turn your drag down some more.  Something has to give, in this case it was the reel.  

[Willzx225]

Not to sound like a smart A55 or anything but ease off on your hookset also.  I know you want to turn the fish when you set the hook but you won't move him if you blow you rod/reel up trying to do it.

I don't think it is that the REVO is inferior I just agree with Cart that something needed to give and it just happened to be the reel.  For example, I sometimes will tie a knot in my line in order to break it if I don't have anything to cut it with.  After I tie my overhand knot, I can pull and pull steadily and not break it but if I give it a quick jerk it will break.  The shock of a slamming hookset is having the same effect on your reel.

[DINK WHISPERER]

Uh.. the first thing we learned way back when braid first came out was that it was not necessary to tighten the drag down tight or even close to tight. If you did you'd wind up with a broken rod or reel.

With todays ultra sharp hooks, the amount of hook setting pressure needed to impale a fish is minimal when using braid vs. mono.

Turn your drag down some more. Something has to give, in this case it was the reel.

That is exactly what everyone told me cart! The thing is that i use Gamakatsu SuperLine hooks and if i don't set the hook pretty hard they don't penetrate the fishes mouth! I lost many fish this way when i first switched to braid trying to not set too hard! Do you think it would be best to keep the rod and loosen the drag or get a rod with more give in the tip?

[Catt]

Denny Brauer Straight Shank Flipping P/N: 32807BLNU32 will solve that problem;)

[DINK WHISPERER]

I have been meaning to try these for months now! Since i cant find any BMF hooks anywhere! Will these hold up to heavy braid without bending out?

[flechero]

Dink,

There is a reason that most true flipping rods are mod-fast.  (short range, tight drags, heavy line, grass/slop and big fish) adding braid to that scenario only makes it more important.  Something has to give, or as you found out, you risk damaging rods and reels.

[DINK WHISPERER]

Yeah i guess i will have to break down and look for one. Any recommendations on such a rod? Preferable split grip no fore grip.

THANKS TO ALL BTW

[Dan:]

This makes me worried about using my STX for flipping and froggin...although my rod has a softer tip to it.

btw, tackle tour's tested the SX and it maxed out at 11lbs of drag.

[DINK WHISPERER]

The HS SX made that much in their test! The 6:4:1 reels make the whole 24lbs. It may have been a faulty reel because even the HS reels are rated for 18lbs of drag.

[Dan:]

The specs on that TD reel don't look robust at all man! Do you have any issues with the 8.8lbs of drag when hauling em in?

People use many reels other than the MEGA-drag-Revos to flip and pitch and they work just fine. Drag is overrated  IMO.

[DINK WHISPERER]

Than why did you choose the STX for the task? The drag is a very important part of landing a fish IMO!

[Dan:]

Than why did you choose the STX for the task? The drag is a very important part of landing a fish IMO!

Because it is my only reel with a 7.x:1 ratio and it is my heaviest reel at the moment so it balances my flipping stick pretty well.

Of course drag is important, but you only need so much of it, the rest is overkill.

[bmadd]

A drag over 8lbs that is smooth and consistent is plenty.