Pitchin' Flippin'

[Craigums]

Explain these terms....Slang for casting?

[BSMN1]

Craigums...

No, "pitching" is normally referred to as using an underhand motion with your rod (usually 7'+ in length) and allowing some line to release off your casting rod to pinpoint an area with your jig, worm, tube etc. "Flippin'" is similar except a measured length of line is allowed out prior to flippin and no line is released from the reel. The extra line is picked up with your "off hand" i.e. hand not on rod and released as lure approached target.

Both are awesome presentations and a must for rounding out your bass catching skills. I learned practicing off my back deck and flipping to cans. The feeling of detecting a bite and setting the hook is mind-blowing!

[Craigums]

Oh for baitcasting? I dont care for baitcasting equipment

[bassNspear]

LOL...

My partner for league will not use a bait baster is someone made him. Hates them cause he cant cast the bait with him with his big figers.

I think its funny as heck....

[Deitz Dittrich]

Great job talk, well explained!... You can also pitch and flip with spinning gear, however, not near as easy to do.

I would say that 75% of those of us here in MN pitch.. some may call it flipping... but they are actually pitching... I myself do quite a bit of Flipping.. but it has to be the right conditions!

[Craigums]

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LOL...

My partner for league will not use a bait baster is someone made him. Hates them cause he cant cast the bait with him with his big figers.

I think its funny as heck....

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Maybe ill give a go next summer again but...Ive never liked it (not that ive given it a fair chance)...

I dont know about this pitching and flippin I just cast I dont think the fish care if its overhand or underhand as long as you hit your spots

[river rat316]

the fish care how much of a splash the lure makes when it hits the water, thats why pitching and flipping are so deadly, well that and the accuracy factor, once you get decent at it you should be able to hit a coffee can size spot from a decent distance and have the lure enter the water with a minimal splash!

[EBass]

Pitchin is where it's at

[Central Bassman]

I do some "flipping" when im fishing mats but most of the time i like to pitch. I have been teaching myself to pitch with my left arm so that i dont have to switch hand to reel after i pitch the bait into the cover. It makes it alot easyer and i'm glad i have made myself do this.

[tuffyboone]

If you are righthanded consider a lefthanded reel for Flipin and pitchin (all casting methods really). It enables you to not switch hands between presentation and reeling. Most of you probably reel with your left hand using spinning equipment so it will be an easy transition, and your hookup rate will increase on the quick biters.

One of the few advantages of being lefthanded, standard baitcasting gear is righthanded reel.

[TroyMcClure]

I just got my first baitcaster this year based on advice of the "guy who taught me all I know about fishing". After one evening of pulling big bass out of the weeds on a scum frog without fighting line twist and tangles I will definitely not go back. Looking to buy a couple more baitcasters for next year. Just bought a boat though...

[EBass]

I'm right handed and have right handed baitcasting reels. When I pitch I pitch with the right arm, then switch hands. I know I know - my buddy has the left handed reel and loves it.

I do like having both left handed spinning reels and right handed baitcasting reels - the reason is hand fatigue. That's all I got

[Central Bassman]

I have tryed using left handed baitcasters but they just dont fell right to me. I have really gotten used to pitchin with my lefted arm. It saves me alot of time.

[river rat316]

hahhh Im left handed a baitcaster is the only thing in the world that was ever purpose built for a left hander

[Hester]

I would think right handed people would be able to learn doing it with their left hand(pitchin that is)

Pitching takes some practice and if you start with your left arm/hand, it will not feal that goofy. At least that is what I have come to notice. If have always pitched with my left arm, I guess I always assumed that was the way to go.

I think most the fish hit it with in a second or two after the jig hits the water. Why spend that time switching hands?

Then again I could be wrong.

Hester

[mojoputter]

Anyone know of or seen any video's of this pitchin/flippin on the internet, I'm still a little confused on how this is done.

[EBass]

Have you ever seen an old school grandfather clock with a pendulum? Well pitching is like a pendulum swing. It's an underhand cast where you swing said jig close to the water as you can get so it gently enters the water with minumum splash. It takes practice and a knack for thumbing the spool to slow down the entery of said jig. I guess I'd have to show ya.

[ocf1]

I started pitching lefty and thats all i can do!

[TurnUpTheFishing]

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Anyone know of or seen any video's of this pitchin/flippin on the internet, I'm still a little confused on how this is done.

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Pitching... Have you ever watched bass tournaments on tv and seen guys hold a lure in the hand and with the pop of the rod tip cast the lure with pinpoint accuracy? Thats pitching.

You can pitch with any length rod, 6'6"-7' baitcast setup is probably most common. To begin engage the spool and pull line out so the lure is even with your reel. Hold the lure at waist level infront or near your hip. Next quickly flick the rod tip up at the same time let go of the lure and thumb the spool as necessary. Dont hold the lure and load the rod tip or throw the lure. When starting the lure will probably not go very far and will raise pretty high in the air. The Goal is to keep the lure as close to the water as possible while it is in flight. This can be done by flicking the rod tip up to give your lure momentum but then dropping the rod tip back down while the lure is in flight. The faster and harder you flick your rod tip up the faster and farther you will cast. Id begin slowly just to get the feeling down. A good weight to practice with would be 3/8 oz. You could use an old bass jig with no hook or a 3/8oz lindy sinker jammed in a tube bait. You dont need to be on the water to practice Ive spent countless hours pitchin to my cat in the backward. Hope that helps a little...

I would highly recomend that anyone begin pitching so that they dont have to switch hands to reel. Same with flippin.

As far as flippin I can do it but rarely ever do and dont think I could explain proper form very well.

[cwmn]

I practice in the basement in the winter, it may be a good way to introduce yourself to baitcaster, it will teach you spool control and give you a educated thumb. Start with something heavy like a jig and work your way down to a 5 inch worm. Best way to work docks and shorelines.

CW

[BSMN1]

MOJO:

Maybe this will help:

These techniques are used on inactive bass so a stealth approach and presentation is essential. They're best suited when fish have a small strike zone and are in off-color or muddy water. Flipping is best suited for murky water and dense cover whereas pitching is the better choice in clear water and cover not as thick. Floating vegetation and heavy cover are ideal targets to flip and pitch.

Don't limit yourself to the usual "jig-n-pig" setup. You can also flip and pitch worms and small finesse baits. Rig a tube jig or grub on a 1/4 ounce jig equipped with a weedguard. Sometimes these smaller profile baits are the ticket to putting a limit in the boat.

The Pitch Cast (Pitchin')

This is best for targets between 10 and 30 feet away and provides a very quiet lure entry. Use a rod 6 1/2 feet or longer and a single-hook lure such as a worm, jig or spinnerbait. Face the target. Let out line until the lure is even with the reel. Hold the lure in your free hand at waist level. Lower the rod tip toward the water and put tension on the line. In one smooth, quick motion, swing the rod tip forward toward the target and upward, letting go of the lure with your free hand. Use only your wrist, arm movement is not a factor. As the lure moves from beneath the rod tip, release the line and continue raising the rod tip. (On bait casting gear, this cast requires a very light setting on the spool tension control, and you must know how to control the spool with your thumb, or the reel will backlash.) The lure should fly just above the water. Use a combination of line tension and rod movement to guide it to the target and to make it touch down softly. If you stop the bait just before it enters the water you'll almost always get a smooth entry. Immediately place your free hand on the reel and be ready for a strike.

The Flip-Cast (Flippin')

This is intended for pinpoint lure presentation to visible, thick cover between 10 and 20 feet away. Use a heavy-action 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 foot rod. Let out about 15 feet of line. With your free hand, grasp the line between the reel and the first rod guide and straighten your arm to the side. There should now be about 8 feet of line past the front tip. Raise the rod to make the lure swing back close to the body. Lower the rod top to make the lure swing forward. Use only your wrist, roll the butt of the rod to the inside of your arm. As it moves past the rod tip, continue raising the rod as you feed line with your free hand. As the lure nears the target, lower the rod top again and make the bait touch down softly and precisely on target by stopping the bait just before it enters the water. Let go of the line in your free hand and immediately place it on the reel. Make sure you're ready to strike before beginning your retrieve.

Tips

* Use your wrist, NOT your arm.

* Concentrate on the spot you want to hit, not on what you want to miss.

* Use plenty of scent when trying to penetrate thick cover - it acts as a lubricant.

* Stick to basic jig colors (black/blue, brown/brown, black/chartreuse).

* Use a plastic worm with a glass bead between the worm and the weight for inactive fish.

* If you think it's a strike, reel down until your rod is in a hookset position before you check.

* A strike is anything different (something you wouldn't feel in a bathtub!).

* Tighten your drag all the way down for better hooksets.

* Use 17 to 25 pound test line for bait casting gear, 10 to 14 pound test on spinning (for flipping finesse baits).

[Muddog]

The thing I like about baitcasters is the control you have on how much line you let out. If you think you over cast and about to hit the dock, tree or whatever just add thumb pressure. It is a little harder to do with a spin rig.

[mojoputter]

Thanks, BSMN1

That totaly clears things up, now it looks like I'll need to practice a little

[Fishin_for_the_Family]

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I practice in the basement in the winter, it may be a good way to introduce yourself to baitcaster,

CW

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CWMN... Boy that brought back memories of my early practice... I even stood on an up side down five gallon bucket to mimic the height of the fishing deck above the water. I would pitch into an old coffee can and move it around the room. I have to admit it did help me out a bunch..... Thanks for bringing back the memory... Tight Lines...

Rob

[olski]

I guess I will put 2 cents worth in. I used to fish alot of walleye tournies but if you have a couple hours after work to get out it's alot more productive to go bass fishing. So about 15-20 new rods, alot more tackle, putting together a club and oh ya a boat that does 60+ mph I fish bass 95% of the time. Anyway coming from the walleye side of things it was hard for me to put down the spinning rigs. But once I got to practice in the yard a little (ok alot) I only use the spinning stuff for docks now. The best advice I can give when learning to pitch it's not about distance! Don't try and pitch 20 feet away from the boat that is called a cast. Most of the time all you will do is make a big splash and get a backlash. Just try and pitch the bait were you want it as quiet as you can. And don't get frustrated bacause it looks easy.