My First Flipping/Pitching Rod

[Mike L]

I've been use spinning rods for everything since I was a kid [which is a loooong time ago] It's what I learned on, what I feel comfortable with, it's all I know.

Tounament fishing has been on my bucket list for years. Since I joined a club as a co angler, [looking at a Z6 now] a whole new world opened up.

Since I found this site and others last year reading everything I can, and talking to other folks in the club it became apparent rather quickly that it was about time even in my old age, to learn as fast as I can to use a baitcasting reel.

Our next tourn is on Big O and my boater told me that we will be flipping and pitching all day.

I've been doing that now with a spinning rod and doing fair but I know it's not ideal.

So today I bought a 7' 6" MH Mod Fast St. Croix Mojo rod that the dept manager at Gander MT reccomended.

It really seemed to me like a pool cue, and I thought the tip was little too soft for pitching, but I bought it anyway.

I bought a Quantum Accurist PT reel last week because it has a flipping switch and left hand reel.

Since I was there on business, (I live 150 miles farther south] I didn't have it with me..BIG MISTAKE!!!

Anyway when I got home and matched them up, it is way too tip heavy for my likeing, the balance seems way off.

Sooooo, I'm taking a road trip sometime this week, WITH THE REEL!! and find something else.

Maybe a 7 footer, [don't want to go any shorter]

Seaching the site for opinions that you guys give each other, I think the majority like the Avid, Veritas, Vendetta and Dobyns [they don't have any] and a few others.

Also it seems most of you like Heavy or Med Heavy but with a fast action instead of a mod fast like the Mojo.

Am I right in all that?

Since I'm a co angler and fish a lot of grass lakes in south and central Fla. [big O, Toho, Kissimmeee and Harris chain, Istopoka etc.] I'm limited in the amount of rods to bring.

Versatility is key.

I know this is a lot to read but I thought I needed to explain why I'm asking a question.

Thanks for reading and your thought's

Mike

[guitarkid]

8' Tessera flipping/pitching

-gk

[lynyrdsky1]

Falcon Bucoo

[Bryant.]

Take a look at the Dobyns 765 flip. It is a rod I love to have when I am fishing as a co-angler. I can throw anything from a spinnerbait or a chatterbait to flipping and pitching heavy cover. Its also a great rod for horny toads and buzzbaits.

[AndyPlaysDrums]

I just picked up a lefty Accurist for my first baitcaster, too. There's a ton of them all over the 'net, cheap. I'm thinking of picking up another one soon. Good luck with it!

[Senkoman12]

i pitch almost exclusivly. just saying a 7ft rod would be fine. i use a 7' H cabelas prodigy. mojos are known for being tip heavy. if you are going to gander mtn i would look at the abu vendettas or veritas. they are some solid rods at about the same price of the mojo

[christine Cellino]

Falcon Bucoo

 

The Bucoo is the lightest rod in the $100 price range, and actually the lightest rod Falcon makes.  Balance is there as well.  My hubby and I try to stay around the $100 mark, and we have a lot of different rods in that range, with the Bucoo being our favorite regarding weight, balance, and sensitivity.  When I was at Academy last week, they had the new Bucoo's with Micro guides, and they appeared to be very nice sticks. 

[Alpster]

So today I bought a 7' 6" MH Mod Fast St. Croix Mojo rod that the dept manager at Gander MT reccomended. It really seemed to me like a pool cue, and I thought the tip was little too soft for pitching, but I bought it anyway.

Anyway when I got home and matched them up, it is way too tip heavy for my likeing, the balance seems way off.

This idea of a 7' 6"+ rod being balanced at the reel seat is a fantasy. The longer the rod the more tip heavy it will be. The only way to "balance" these long rods is to place the reel seat 2 feet or more from the butt or add weights to the butt end, which seems crazy to me. Why would you put additional weight on an already large, heavy rod. Long heavy flipping sticks have a specific purpose and they might feel "out of balance" until you hook a nice sized bass and have to reel him along with 5lbs of grass or a a 4' foot long tree limb. This when you will appreciate a big, heavy, out of balance pool cue and 65lb braid. JMHO

Ronnie

[christine Cellino]

So today I bought a 7' 6" MH Mod Fast St. Croix Mojo rod that the dept manager at Gander MT reccomended. It really seemed to me like a pool cue, and I thought the tip was little too soft for pitching, but I bought it anyway.

Anyway when I got home and matched them up, it is way too tip heavy for my likeing, the balance seems way off.

This idea of a 7' 6"+ rod being balanced at the reel seat is a fantasy. The longer the rod the more tip heavy it will be. The only way to "balance" these long rods is to place the reel seat 2 feet or more from the butt or add weights to the butt end, which seems crazy to me. Why would you put additional weight on an already large, heavy rod. Long heavy flipping sticks have a specific purpose and they might feel "out of balance" until you hook a nice sized bass and have to reel him along with 5lbs of grass or a a 4' foot long tree limb. This when you will appreciate a big, heavy, out of balance pool cue and 65lb braid. JMHO

Ronnie

 

True, but the Mojo's have always felt tip heavy to us, and the reason we haven't bought one.

[Daniel My Brother]

So today I bought a 7' 6" MH Mod Fast St. Croix Mojo rod that the dept manager at Gander MT reccomended. It really seemed to me like a pool cue, and I thought the tip was little too soft for pitching, but I bought it anyway.

Anyway when I got home and matched them up, it is way too tip heavy for my likeing, the balance seems way off.

This idea of a 7' 6"+ rod being balanced at the reel seat is a fantasy. The longer the rod the more tip heavy it will be. The only way to "balance" these long rods is to place the reel seat 2 feet or more from the butt or add weights to the butt end, which seems crazy to me. Why would you put additional weight on an already large, heavy rod. Long heavy flipping sticks have a specific purpose and they might feel "out of balance" until you hook a nice sized bass and have to reel him along with 5lbs of grass or a a 4' foot long tree limb. This when you will appreciate a big, heavy, out of balance pool cue and 65lb braid. JMHO

Ronnie

I suppose it's all personal preference but the only rod I use butt weights on is a 7'6" HVY.  I prefer balanced over light weight. I just find it more comfortable to fish.

[Hooligan]

I picked up the Veritas 7-6 MH on a whim.  Stuck a Castaic on it and now that I've gotten used to the reel seat and trigger I think the rod is likely going to get a lot of use.  I've got Loomis and Shimano flipping rods, and a Dobyn's on the way.  While this is definitely not of the same caliber as the others, I'm still really liking the way the rod fits, the sensitivity is there, the recovery is there for pitching, and it's light enough that it won't break your arm.  Not bad for a $99 rod.  I'll fish it with pride.

[A-Rob]

One tip that helped me going into my first year of tournament fishing (as a co-angler) was unless you are the boater watch your rod size. It is tough to pitch or flip an 8 foot rod as the co-angler stuck at the back of the boat without clinking your jig off the gel-coat....

I agree the 7'6-8 foot rods is ideal for the technique, but I had to downsize to 7'2  to fit my arms and body (I'm 6'1) so that I could maneuver it around the boaters engine and hull with no damage done....also it fits in the back of my truck, where as an 7'6 won't. Boaters don't have that problem b/c their rod gets trailered!

[Mike L]

Thank You all for replying and for all the suggestions and comments.

I'll be exchanging the Mojo thats for sure and trying a few of the models you guys posted with the reel attached.

Sam, you're exactly right.

I have to bring everything I have with me and some of the boaters get a little surly when a co angler brings 6 rods a tackle bag, small sandwhich cooler, rain gear etc.

But it's thier boat and they set the rules.

Anyway, I'll play with a few of them at Gander Mtn and then try BPS in Ft. Myers which will have a much bigger inventory and closer to home.

If the rod is a little off I'll just deal with it but I hoped to find something that is not only as comfortable as possible to use but more importantly a rod that I won't have to fight all day, especially since this will be my first baitcaster.

Thanks again

Mike