Let's talk Flippin Sticks......again

[RumRiverRat]

I am going to purchase a new Flippin Stick this winter.

I know I want a 7'9" rod or longer.

Looking at the following rods.

St Croix Legend Tourn. Bass 7'11" H Mod Fast

Cumara Flippin' Rod 7'11" Hvy/XFast

St Croix Avid 7'10" Hvy Mod Fast Telescopic

Crucial Flipping Rod 7'11" Heavy X Fast

I want hear fron people that own the above rods.

I am looking at the 180 to 280 dollar range with the 4 rods I listed.

Input appreciated.

[CAMAN]

I'd have to look to be sure it's the exact one but I believe I have the St Croix Avid Telescopic. And I will say it is the most uncomfortable and unnatural feeling rod I have ever owned. It is so tip-heavy and you need to put so much weight on the butt that you may as well just strap a reel to a 2x4. And the action feels like a 2x4.

I also built myself one on the Legend Tournament blank but that too was a Telescopic. I preferred the action but it was still way too tip-heavy. Now this could be from being telescopic but I also have 3 Fenwick Techna AVs that are telescoping and they are balanced nicely with just a few quarters in the butt cap and fit me like they are an extension of my arm though they aren't the 7'9" you need.

[Superduty]

Are you going to Florida RRR? Those are some beastly rods...

[bemidjibasser]

Go with the top one of your list. I own one I built myself with micro guides and it is a sweet flipping rod. I use it in the rice beds on leech and the thick reeds and cane patches as well on other northern MN lakes. It's got a ton of backbone and the tip loads well to make accurate flips/pitches. It can also double as a light bucktail rod if you're into muskies...

[Deitz Dittrich]

I dont own any Heavy rods.. My flipping rod that I use the most is a 7'11" G'Loomis Gl3 I think.

[Markula]

I've looked at a couple of those rods, never fished one though. I'd choose a Loomis 904 over any of them, but they are not the best balanced rod. I have several. Not sure "how big a boy" you are, but i'm a little under 6ft, and rods approaching 8ft, for me, are far too difficult to move, and ultimately there is no advantage to the length unless you are actually flipping. Reaction time on a hookset is slower, and if you are getting into 1oz+ weights, you want to swing as fast as you can.

If you're set on something that long, i'd really recommend a Dobyns Champion 805. I had the chance to use one, and it's a very well balanced rod, and fishes pretty sweet. Far beyond what you've listed above.

Good luck with your decision

[RumRiverRat]

Are you going to Florida RRR? Those are some beastly rods...

A trip is in the works.

3 of the 4 lakes I regularly fish have such heavy matted vegetation I felt under powered with a MH 7'6" last year. Not because of the 3 to 5lb fish but because of the 5 to 10 lbs of weeds that need to be hauled to the boat as well.

I want the added length so I can truly flip.

On one lake I fish has a lot of trees that overhang the bank, depending on the water level the trees are partially submerged and tough to fish. Want a longer rod to poke in there and drop a bait.

[grab the net]

I have the St. Croix. Bought the blank, friend did the build. It will handle anything we can throw at it here in MN. I use it for punching in heavy mats or dipping into the thickest most tangled pencil reeds. You can move the fish on the hook set,getting then coming your way. Only con - can get heavy after several hours. I fish it with 80 lb braid on a Shimano Castaic.

[Fairchild_82]

go with the shimano. everything else is too costly

[hydrashack]

have you ever looked at a Falcon Amistad? I think they are 7-2. They are light and IMO have the perfect tip for flipping.

[TR21HP]

I would look at the G Loomis Mossyback series. Right in your price range with a 7'-2" heavy with extra fast tip. Beautiful rod that loads quick.

I use 3 heavy rods and switched from the medium heavy for the same reasons as you.

[Superduty]

Mossybacks are great rods. I had my hands on a big abu garcia veritas today. Think it was 7'11" H. Not bad for $100.

[skocsuhs]

Out of your choices RRR I'd go with the St Croix Legend Tourn. Bass 7'11" H Mod Fast.

But I would concur with Markula on all points with the Dobyns 805c Flip/Punch, it's a real beast. Plus Dobyns customer service is excellent!

[corncob]

How about an Ugly Stik model BWSJL 220066 Heavy 6'6"....This is a jigging rod that you won't break.

[corncob]

Forgot, $69.95 on the Ugly Stik.

[RumRiverRat]

Mossybacks are great rods. I had my hands on a big abu garcia veritas today. Think it was 7'11" H. Not bad for $100.

The white one? That is the Veritas.

Nice rod for a hundred bucks.

[Superduty]

The white one? That is the Veritas.

Nice rod for a hundred bucks.

It was the ugly white one.

[RumRiverRat]

If the rod was not white I would probably own bunch of them.

Veritas is the Goddess of truth.

So it is a white rod of truth

[Craigums]

Lol, I kinda like the white rods. I don't own one though. I'd also look into the Dobyns champion series. Great rods and great customer service. Heck, you can call Gary Dobyns and chat with him directly about which rod will work best for you, can't do that with many to rod companies

[smalliehunter]

which rod did you end up getting? I broke my flipping stick this morning. thinking about a cumara tho..

My last flippin stick was a 7'6" mh. never really felt underpowered with it..

Does a guy really need a longer rod stiffer rod?

also looking for any and all suggestions on what to get. no price range really since it will get used almost every trip.

[bass-o-matic]

I have a 7'11" Heavy Legend Tournament, 7'11" Heavy Legend Xtreme, and an 8' Heavy Legend Tournament that is retractable.

Bought the retractable one first and found it to be too heavy for actual flipping and pitching, so made it a frog rod. You can cast a frog a mile with it.

Bought the Xtreme on a close out as it was the last year they had cork handles. Still a little heavy but not too bad, but absolutely love the rod. You can horse a fish out of anything with this rod.

Just picked up the other one piece Legend Tournament this year and love that one too. Seems just a bit lighter than the Xtreme, but still has enough to horse a fish from any cover.

Personally, I'd stay away from the retractable Croixs and stick with the one piece rods.

[RumRiverRat]

Could not make up my mind so I bought 2 different rods.

7'11" Veritas....other than the hideous white color I am happy with it.

I also bought the 7'9" Legend Tournament Bass Punchin Rod.

[smalliehunter]

anyone have a favorite flipping reel? I have been using the ardent denny brauer reel. I ended up getting a new loomis flipping stick and kind of want to upgrade the reel as well...

[corncob]

Shimano Calcutta 200 ,plenty of power and smooth.

[LoonState]

Picked up a revo rocket for my flippin rod this spring and have been more than happy with it every time i have used it.