HOW DO YOU PITCH WITHOUT BACKLASHING?!?!?!

[noogai13]

i cant make a pitch of more than 6 inches without backlashing!!! HELP!!! :'(

[firefightn15]

Read this and "the related articles" at the bottom of the page.  It should get you a good start.

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/flipping_pitching.html

[Wild Bill [NY]]

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE...until your thumb is "educated " in this technique.

That practice  is CRUCIAL. We all have had to do it.

Secondly, you have adjustements to a baitcaster that you must set to your lure weight, and your ability.

Get to know how to adjust your reel.

There are two different adjustments to make to a baitcaster to set it for the weight of the bait chosen, the wind conditions, and your actual individual baitcasting ability.

Initially, you want both of the reel adjustments[not the drag] pretty snug until you get the hang of it. As you get better, and then even better yet, you loosen the adjustments incrementally SLIGHTLY which will give you greater casting distance.

As you get better in eductaiing your thumb to feather the reel as it is paying out line on the pitch, you even loosen them even more. The looser they are, the farther it will pitch[or cast], but if you go too far in doing that, it will be 'birdnest city".

Begin pitching with about a half-ounce weight to practice with.

Practice aiming to targets at a short distance from you initially, working on accuracy initially, then a soft accurate  landing as you get better.

As you get even better, work for a little further distances, working again for accuracy and soft landings, and even further then as you still get better then.

Before you know it, you'll be pitching like a pro, making nice soft landings right where you want your bait to land.

[Paul Roberts]

-Get to know, and then fine tune your braking system(s).

-Start with a heavy lure and let it do the pitching. As you get better you can go lighter.

-Hopefully you have a rod with a soft enough tip -this helps.

-Practice until your "educated thumb" can start to take over some of the braking work.

[wackyworm66]

I had the same problem with my $50-$60 reels.  No matter how much practice or how I adjusted, it just didn't happen.  I was constantly backlashing.  I watched videos and tv fishing shows. Finally, I decided to get a better quality reel.  I purchased a ABU Revo.  Problem solved.  I just loosen the cast controll ALL the way and turn the magnetic brake to about 3 or 4, and fire away.  I can now pitch 30-40ft with no backlashes.

[A-Rob]

Often when the backlash happens at the beginning of the cast, the brakes need to be tightened up.

Make sure the spool drag is set good to

Work on your thumb with the spool and practise.

[fourbizz]

Carefully.

I pitch with the brakes off and the tension knob loosened all the way, but with no lateral play in the spool.

[J Francho]

Brakes don't generally come into play at spool speeds when pitching.I generally run no breaks, and near zero spool tension, just use your thumb.  Practice!

[flyboy]

Last week I saw Gerald Swindle pitch while giving a presentation.  I had a seat on the center aisle and he pitched repetitively down that aisle which was about three feet wide.  The length of his pitches was about 25-30' and effortless.  He kept the lure about one inch off the floor during the pitch, softly set it on the floor at the end of the cast and only reeled in enough line so that the amount of line before each cast was about three feet longer than the rod.  He was just doing it to fool around when he was not the speaker but it was a work of art.  I've been practicing it since then and it is not nearly as easy as he made it look.

[NasTMcfingas]

Brakes don't generally come into play at spool speeds when pitching.I generally run no breaks, and near zero spool tension, just use your thumb. Practice!

X2 practice, practice,practice then practice some more. You'll get the hang of it, you just have to keep trying.

[Crestliner2008]

It does take a lot of practice to become proficient at it. And not EVERY pitch is going to be the way you want it. You just need to focus on your target and get really familiar with your equipment.

I use one of those so-called cheap reels - an Abu Ambassadeur. Don't have much problem pitching with it at all. Just back off the spool tension all the way and "educate" your thumb. The process is actually quite simple. Accuracy only comes from practice however. Sort of like "point" shooting a snubby at 10 yards.

[Bassnajr]

PRACTICE....PRACTICE...PRACTICE!!!!!!

[K_Mac]

Last week at the Nashville Bass University, I saw Gerald Swindle pitch while giving a presentation. I had a seat on the center aisle and he pitched repetitively down that aisle which was about three feet wide. The length of his pitches was about 25-30' and effortless. He kept the lure about one inch off the floor during the pitch, softly set it on the floor at the end of the cast and only reeled in enough line so that the amount of line before each cast was about three feet longer than the rod. He was just doing it to fool around when he was not the speaker but it was a work of art. I've been practicing it since then and it is not nearly as easy as he made it look.

Like any of the other guys who fish at the top level, he could probably do it in his sleep. 8-) I wonder how many times he has made that same pitch? They often make hundreds of casts a day, so I'm guessing tens of thousands of times. I'm always amazed when I watch the pros on TV place their bait in exactly the right spot and then get it out of places most of us would not throw into.

Pitching is great way of delivering the bait quietly and accurately. Once you figure out the correct technique it just takes practice. Good luck.

[salmicropterus]

Brakes don't generally come into play at spool speeds when pitching.I generally run no breaks, and near zero spool tension, just use your thumb. Practice!

Good advice! and just walk before you run. Make it short-get it right then lengthen over time

[Revo_Carrot Stix]

In addition to all the tips mentioned, I would cast your weight out as far as you want to pitch it and with the line out - put a piece of electrical tape across your spool (with the line out) and reel it in. At least it will be easier to pick out as you learn and prevent you from ruining your entire spool.

[Phranchise1213]

I know i'm reiterating here but practice. I was in your position not to long ago. If you want to eventually make longer pitches, the spool tension is naturally going to have to be decreased, but make sure you are comfortable thumbing the spool first without backlashing...that is the key. Also, let the rod tip and your wrist do the work for you, it should feel smooth and natural when you pitch.

good luck!

[Matt Kremers]

smooth movements are key. it takes very little input on your part to launch it. what line are you using? I find it easiest to cast a half ounce jig, and make sure you are using good line. what kind of rod are you using? too soft of a rod makes it very difficult

[CAdeltaLipRipper]

Lightly keep your thumb on the spool.it helps if u get a reel with a flipping switch.i got the Quantum KVD signature series reel and its great.its spooled up with 20 pound braid on a Medium heavy rod.it has a flippin switch thats really great.I got it in the burner 7 to 1 gear ratio so when i set the hook im able to pull that fish out of cover before he can do something naughty .And practice ALOT. i wasnt gonna spend  100 on the booyah flippstah so i just filled cups up with water and practiced every day.i also practiced to land under and hit targets in my pool.Main thing is practice and study

[Matt Kremers]

the key to practicing pitching is the target. an upright bucket is a terrible target. the goal for a pitch is a low trajectory, letting the bait enter the water very softly without spooking the fish. Lay a bucket or large cup on its side so you cast into the entrance. This is a much better representation of pitching under a dock/tree/etc and teaches you to keep a soft entrance.

[K_Mac]

the key to practicing pitching is the target. an upright bucket is a terrible target. the goal for a pitch is a low trajectory, letting the bait enter the water very softly without spooking the fish. Lay a bucket or large cup on its side so you cast into the entrance. This is a much better representation of pitching under a dock/tree/etc and teaches you to keep a soft entrance.

I have pitched to stuff all over my yard, but never thought of this. Maybe you can teach an old dog a new trick now and then. Thanks for the suggestion. 8-)

[Matt Kremers]

the key to practicing pitching is the target. an upright bucket is a terrible target. the goal for a pitch is a low trajectory, letting the bait enter the water very softly without spooking the fish. Lay a bucket or large cup on its side so you cast into the entrance. This is a much better representation of pitching under a dock/tree/etc and teaches you to keep a soft entrance.

I have pitched to stuff all over my yard, but never thought of this. Maybe you can teach an old dog a new trick now and then. Thanks for the suggestion. 8-)

I didn't think it was possible! To make it even better, try standing on a picnic table bench (or anything to get you a foot or 2 off the ground). This better represents casting off of a boat to a surface below you.

[K_Mac]

the key to practicing pitching is the target. an upright bucket is a terrible target. the goal for a pitch is a low trajectory, letting the bait enter the water very softly without spooking the fish. Lay a bucket or large cup on its side so you cast into the entrance. This is a much better representation of pitching under a dock/tree/etc and teaches you to keep a soft entrance.

I have pitched to stuff all over my yard, but never thought of this. Maybe you can teach an old dog a new trick now and then. Thanks for the suggestion. 8-)

I didn't think it was possible! To make it even better, try standing on a picnic table bench (or anything to get you a foot or 2 off the ground). This better represents casting off of a boat to a surface below you.

My back porch makes a fine casting deck. 8-)

[Ineedanewscreenname20170204]

I use one of those red practice plugs in my hall - it's wintertime ya know...  The dog loves to chase it.  Also - heavier line helps...

[Mike O]

   Biggest mistake new comers make when begining to pitch is pulling the bait down and flipping the rod tip with the wrist, INSTANT Back lash. It is critical to allow the bait to pendulum and staying in contact of the lure weight as you lay it forward. Start out with no wrist stiff arm and let the rod do the work. More distance can be gained with a side arm pitch after learning the basics. Pitching is the best cast when fishing docks and cover. Better than flipping and can be used with spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Thats why all the pro usually have this skill!

[Billme]

I got the best results using the stiffest rod I have so I can avoid flexing the rod tip. I found that if the lure went high I was doing it too hard/fast causing the rod to flex too much. Likewise if I got an 'overrun', I was forcing it. 

For me it's more of guiding the lure into a landing, not launching it.