What rod, reel, line, for pitchin' and flippin'??

[The Rooster]

Since beginning to fish I never have learned how to pitch and flip. Now I got a DVD in the mail where Gary Klein shows how to do this and it looks easy to do (yeah right!). I'm interested in learning so I'm wondering a few things right off....

First, do I need a reel with a flippin' switch?? The reel he used in the video was one of last year's Quantum PT reels and it had one, but he never made mention of it at all, never saw him use it, so I don't know if it was engaged or not. I could find out for sure cause I get a really good look at the switch in the video so all I'd have to do is see where it's set and then pull up a picture of one of those reels on the net to see if it's engaged or not. But I ask if I need it cause I already have a BPS Extreme 7.1:1 ratio reel that I'd like to use for this and it does not have the flippin' switch.

Next, he said to get between a 7' and 8' rod for this. He was using a 7'6" heavy action rod. Is a heavy action rod necessary, or will a medium heavy suffice?? I could put the bait out there either way, but I'm guessing the kind of heavy cover he was fishing dictated he needed a heavy rod to drag the fish out of it in a hurry?? What do you guys use??

Finally, for line, he said mono, fluoro, or braid. From reading on here I have seen that certain lines are better for different kinds of cover. I'd like to make an "all around" flippin/pitchin rod for rocks, wood, vegetation, so what line would I use?? Since braided line is so limp it seems it might be easier to use for learning pitchin' and flippin' but I was thinking it would fray up around rocks.

Sorry I'm such a novice at this and don't know anymore than I do. I've tried to teach myself for years how to do this from reading about it in magazines, just so I could cast a lure without making so much of a splash but I always had the wrong gear in my hands and it didn't work right, backlashed, didn't cast more than a few feet, or made a splash anyway, and generally was a nightmare so I never got it right.  Now that I can SEE it done on video, it seems I might finally learn how to do it if I had the right stuff to learn on.

[Raul]

First, do I need a reel with a flippin' switch?? .

NO

[Lucky Craft Man]

I am not a pro by any means when it comes to flipping and pitching.  What I have found through my limited experience is that a flipping switch is not needed (I had it on the reel I used for pitching and I never turned it on).  Second thing, you could pitch with almost any rod and I think the conditions you will be fishing dictate the rods power and action more than the pitching/flipping technique itself.  Third, I found that using a braided line with a 3 or 4 feet Flouro Leader is the best of all worlds.  You have the strength, limpness, and sensitivity of braid, but you have the abrasion resistance and the "invisible" qualities of the Flouro.  

Disclaimer: I am not an expert at the pitching and flipping technique.  All the information provide are based off my personal experience only.

[Bigs]

the reel you have is fine. You dont need a switch but high speed gears are a major plus which your reel has. I flip and pitch in my backyard alot these days since I been too sick to fish for 6+ weeks. I set up an old tire and use it for target practice. I use a 7'6 heavy flippin stick for one technique and a 7 foot MH for "bow style" pitchin. Where I basically hold the jig in my left hand with about 3-4 feet of slack and create tension which bends the rod and slings the jig out like a bow and arrow would do. I put and old senko or worm over the hook so it doesnt snag when I practice in my yard. You can just use a lead weight or casting plug too.This is by far my fave technique and works like a charm with pinpoint accuracy and distance when needed. So if you dont already have a flippin stick then no worries, just practice with what u have for now. Flippin sticks are great for boat flippin fish tho. I can sling a 5 pounder in the boat with 3 pounds of grass wrapped around it all day with no worries. I use 50 pound braid in cover but around boat docks you can use fluorocarbon instead or even mono. People used nothin but mono for decades with no issues at all, keep that in mind. Good luck.

[SoFl-native]

for me:

flipping: 7'6" MH. Braid.

pitching 7' MH. fluoro.

[aarogb]

Pitchin':  7' MH 20 lb. Fluorocarbon

Flippin':  7'6" H 20 lb. Fluorocarbon

My reels for both are Quantum Codes in 7.1:1 gear ratios.  I suggest that you always use a high speed reel.

Like Raul said, you definitely don't need a reel with a flippin' switch.

[Koop]

Flipping switch is definitely not needed.

What is needed is a 7.x:1 ratio reel of your choice.  This will get you out of the strike zone faster if there is nothing there and on to the next spot.  

Honestly flipping is significantly easier than pitching imo.

Though I pitch 5x more than I flip, one thing that really did help me when pitching is grabbing the lure on my left hand before making the pitch.  It just feels more control to me..

For flipping I use a 7'6 mag heavy / fast action rod w/ 65# braid

For pitching I use a 7'1 heavy / fast action w/ 15# Fluoro