Pitchin' & Flippin Rig

[NTW]

I have a $200 gift cert to Cabelas and I think I've determined what I want to do with it. I don't have a rod/reel combo that I feel is perfect for pitchin and flippin jigs. I have been using a 7' MH F and I do alright but it is a tactic that I love so it seems logical that I have equipment made for it. I haven't learned to pitch left handed and think that the reels that engage with the thumb bar look pretty cool and useful...then again I haven't seen any in the price range and am not positive they're neccessary.

I know that $200 doesn't go very far in rod/reel combos but I'd really like to keep it at or near $200.

Suggestions?

[RickyBobby]

I've got a couple Cabelas Fish Eagle II rods that I'm happy with and that cost around $80 each. I've also got a couple Cabelas Tournament ZX reels that have a thumb bar and a flipping button. Despite only being $70 they'r actually pretty smooth and sturdy reels. Buy them as a combo and they discount the price further. Matching the reel with a Shimano Compre rod should still keep you under $200.

[Larson15]

The Cabelas mag tough is a pretty sweet flippin stick for under $100. You could pair a Citica or a Revo S with it and be under or aroun 200.

[Wayne Ek]

NTW, I'm changing both of my pitching reels over to the Ardent F700. I got to play with one down at the CSI show and liked it alot. The F500 & F700 are designed specifically for flipping and pitching. NTW I've been using a 7' medium heavy with an x-fast tip for a couple of seasons now and it works great as a flipping or pitching stick.

[NTW]

I have looked at all of your suggestions and they look like great options...Thank you!

Wayne - those Ardent reels look great. I do have rods that fit your description and they do work. I've never had the opportunity to fish with a rod design especially for the technique so I don't know what I'm missing out on. I see that most of them are longer (some significantly). Skeet Reese series, Cabelas Mag Touch, and others are around 8'

[river rat316]

I have a 7'10" Setyr and like it, but imho the Crucial line of flipping sticks are just as good and they would be aorund $160 I believe.

[Larson15]

I do prefer 7'6 telescopic rod in MH and H for this

[Cecil]

I would try to find a non-telescopic rod if its in your range and would fit in your rod locker. I will not buy another telescopic rod if possible.

[river rat316]

Agreed with Cecil

[olski]

For what you have to spend I would take a look at a new Quantum Accurist $99. and either a fish eagle, Mag touch, or Prodigy. Thinking about it you have quite a few choices for around $100 in a rod. Take your time.

[TonkaBass]

I think that St. Croix still makes a one piece 7'6" premier flipping stick that is not a bad rod at all for $120. I have one of the old telescopic versions and use it all the time when I'm flipping heavier jigs and t-rigs.

It's a little on the heavy side, but as Olski pointed out earlier, My pipes can handle it!

[Wayne Ek]

NTW, don't get caught-up on the lenght of a pitching rod. It is far more important that a good pitching rod feel comfortable in your hand ( and just your hand). I would suggest that you purchase a reel you really like first and then purchase a rod. That way you can place the reel on any number of rods you are looking at and see which feels best to you. I have a couple of sticks set-up for pitching/flipping, the 7-footer a mentioned see's alot of use, but I also have a 6'10" MN-x-fast that sees almost as much use. Fact is I think my longest stick is 7'9" and thats a frogging rod.

[ikeslayer]

I would try to find a non-telescopic rod if its in your range and would fit in your rod locker. I will not buy another telescopic rod if possible.

[zepman]

Nate...I bought a 7'6" Shimano Clarus MH XF last fall for this exact purpose...kinda in your shoes as I really didn't have a "specific" rod for flippin and pitchin. Cost was @ $79.00. It is a telescoping rod (which I really like) and the action and length were perfect for me...not to mention cost was perfect and leaves a pretty good chunk to go towards a reel of your choice.

I think Wayne gave you some of the best advice in that make sure the rod fits YOU and not what you're "supposed" to be using.

Check out the Clarus...it might be just what you're looking for.

[NTW]

Thanks Chris - I will add Clarus to the list of possibilities. What type of reel do you use with it?

So far the list of reels reccommended is Ardent F500 and Accurist. I'll be sure to check out whatever I can get my hands on.

Going to try and make my way to Cabelas this weekend to do some scouting...

[Cecil]

Lighter weight and more sensitive.

[zepman]

I had a Citica on it last fall.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Originally Posted By: Cecil

I would try to find a non-telescopic rod if its in your range and would fit in your rod locker. I will not buy another telescopic rod if possible.

Originally Posted By: river rat316

Agreed with Cecil

may i ask why fellas?

Ike, a couple of reasons.. Cecil kinda nailed it. Its going to be lighter. The lighter(in weight, not action) a rod is, the more sensitive its going to be. You will also loose a slight(although its very slight) loss in vibration(sensitivity) in the ferrel(telliscope).

[bemidjibasser]

X4 what Cecil said. Lighter and more sensitivity. See if they have any decent blanks available and build one that suits your exact wants/needs...

[Larson15]

If you can fit a one piece in your truck or boat go for it. I got both and I still prefer the telescopic one. It is alot easier for me to fit in my rod locker and move around. I use braid on all my flipping sticks so this could be a reason why I dont see any difference in sensitivity. If you plan on not using braid and have the room for a 7'6 rod then I would definitely get the one piece.

For reels, I wouldn't bother looking at any of the ardent reels because they are $180 and up.

[TonkaBass]

I am with the majority on this one, I would go with a one pice non telescopic. Unless you cant fit it in your rod locker... Are you gonna catch more fish with one vs. the other, probably not... One is gonna be way nicer to fish with though.

[NTW]

X4 what Cecil said. Lighter and more sensitivity. See if they have any decent blanks available and build one that suits your exact wants/needs...

I haven't ventured into rod building but I'd sure like to.

[NTW]

If you can fit a one piece in your truck or boat go for it. I got both and I still prefer the telescopic one. It is alot easier for me to fit in my rod locker and move around. I use braid on all my flipping sticks so this could be a reason why I dont see any difference in sensitivity. If you plan on not using braid and have the room for a 7'6 rod then I would definitely get the one piece.

For reels, I wouldn't bother looking at any of the ardent reels because they are $180 and up.

I appreciate both views on the telescopic vs. one peice. I think I'm going to spend some time messing around with the rods at stores and see what conclusions I can come to. (or additional questions come to mind)

You're right about the ardent prices. Only way I'd justify that is to get the reel and use it on a 7' MH F that I have and look for a rod when I build up some gander points or something. The narrow spool looks like a sweet added feature but I'd like to physically check them out vs. others. Even better would be the opportunity to spool them up and play around.

[zepman]

I, too, use braided line for pitching/flipping so IMO it really was a non-issue going from a one piece to a telescopic. The pro's outweighed the cons IMO. I saw/felt no difference at all...and as far as weight is concerned...that all depends on what type of $$$$ your willing to spend.

I thought the Mojo's were some of the heaviest rods I looked at in this catagory/price range and they were a one piece.

[bemidjibasser]

NTW- If you find a blank you like, I could build it for you if you would like. I finished one for Cecil last year...as far as I can tell, he likes how it turned out.