flipping

[mattdawg]

Hey guys quick question need advice. I haven't done much flipping but recently took an intrest because i need to broaden my arsenal. Ive been told by most to use a 7' hvy rod with braid. Now  my problem is that I'm not to tall and trying to flip this rod is really not working out. What else can i do of course by a shorter pole but what is the downfall in doing so. basically let me tell you how so far i was taught and maybe there is a diffrent approach for us short guys. First i start with letting the line go and using my left hand to let the bait rest and then by lowering my tip and letting go controlling the release with the tip, raising the tip to flip then lowering it before touchdown little hard to explain, but hopefully you catch my drift. What else can i do please help.

[Allen Shadd]

Mattdawg, sounds lke you were taught correctly, but maybe not explained everything quite as well. I'm not sure what you call short, I'm only 5'-7 1/2" myself. I use a 7-1/2' rod to flip with. You need to understand how important that rod is in controlling the fish. Chances are you are flipping heavy cover around you at Rodman or Orange/Lochloosa. Hydrilla, hyacinths, water lettuce, maiden can, Kissimmee grass, etc. When you hook up with that fish, you have just an instant to get control in that kind of cover, generally in the act of setting the hook you turn the fish's head towards the top and in the next motion you have to pull it through the cover to the top. A fish of any size will be gone if they can get there head turned into the cover. A longer rod moves more line and gives you that little edge for control, especially a heavy action rod. So while you are looking at the actions of the rod before hooking a fish, think about it in terms of how you want that rod to act on the other side of hooking the fish. Other than that, maybe try shorter flips, And practice the technique a lot until you get used to it.

[ring fry]

dawg, I'm 5'10" and use a 7' for plastics and a 7'6" for jigs with fast tips with no problem.  I honestly believe you just need to practice, practice practice.

[mlakrid]

What you are describing is definately one way... I prefer to hold the line between the reel and the first line guide out and away from the rod, lowering the rod tip towards the target and then using my left hand bring the line I puled out back to the backbone of the rod... makes for a very quiet entry when I do it right even with a heavy bait...

What about it dont you like, or are you having issues with?

Mike A!

[-Shawn-]

Mattdawg, What you are describing is actually pitching.  What Mike described was flipping. With Flipping you really need a longer rod bececause all the line you are working with is the slack you are working with your left hand and the nghth of line hanging from the end of the rod This techniqe is used for pinpoint presentations in close heavy cover.  With pitching , You might be better off to try a little bit shorter rod untill you get proficient with it. One thing you can do is shorten the amount of line that you have hangin off the end of the rod tip so yor bait clears  the water better.  Pitching takes practice, but once you get it down you will be alble to use a longer rod no problem.

[mattdawg]

Im sure i def need the practice im 5"4 and just seems like the rod is out of controle especially when it comes to flipping it. But im sure like i said ive never done this before so hopefully i can adjust really dont want to give up on it. any suggestion on what i should be learning with ive been using a 1/2 oz jig with diffrent trailers.

[Ron Fogelson]

Im sure i def need the practice im 5"4 and just seems like the rod is out of controle especially when it comes to flipping it. But im sure like i said ive never done this before so hopefully i can adjust really dont want to give up on it. any suggestion on what i should be learning with ive been using a 1/2 oz jig with diffrent trailers.

This is very basic, there are other ways that work better to other people, just trying to make sure we are all talking about the same thing here.

Pitching is holding the lure in one hand and using the rod and reel to pendulum the lure out of your hand to the target area letting the reel spool out line as it falls.


Flipping is having the amount of line out that is needed for whatever depth your are fishing then as mlakrid stated use your free hand to pull the line between the reel and the 1st guide to bring the bait back up above the water line.  Then lifting the rod up and lowering the rod tip gets the bait to pendulum out to the target area, slowly feed the bait some more line from your free hand allows the bait hit the target without even a ripple.  As the bait falls you continue to feed it line until it hits bottom or until you get a bite.  I prefer to use the free line to help me get the bait in the target area and then raise the rod taking out all the slack. Now I grab the reel handle and lower the rod tip letting the bait fall on a tight line.  I do this because if I get a bite on the fall I can set the hook instantly.

[Allen Shadd]

I understood him to say he had line in his left hand? Which would be flipping. I may have misunderstood his post. Mattdawg, are you holding the bait in your left hand? If so, yeah, that's pitching, my bad for saying you were taught flipping correctly.

[Ron Fogelson]

I understood him to say he had line in his left hand? Which would be flipping. I may have misunderstood his post. Mattdawg, are you holding the bait in your left hand? If so, yeah, that's pitching, my bad for saying you were taught flipping correctly.

My post wasn't directed at anyone, It's just sometimes I see that flipping and pitching gets jumbled up in posts at times. 

[mattdawg]

I got ya so what im doing is pitchinf not flipping so i was taught wrong but im starting to get the picture now. Thanks for the help im going home today and practice all the tips that i have read now i have an idea of flipping or pitching thanks guys for all the help.

[Allen Shadd]

No problem Fogy, I didn't take it that you were trying to single anyone out. I wasn't taking anyone to task either as much as just trying to clarify the original post for my own sake. At least I didn't say anything about red shoes.

  I do have a tip for flipping, but I'll post it in the techniques forum since this one should have probably been started there anyway.

[Triton Bob]

Mattdawg,

I think your from my area in South Florida. That would put you fishing the Everglades. Must anglers will tell you that Pitching works best here. Why? because your pitching back into the thickest of all cover. That's were the lunkers are. Not on the edges. A nice 7 foot rod will work fine for you if that's what makes you feel good. I use both 7'.6" and 7' depending on the bait and the cover. Again as previous said practice practice and then more. Take only one pole on your next trip out and just fish with it and it will come to you. To tell you the truth the first nice bass you yank in the boat from flipping or pitching and you will be hooked. Hope I helped you.

Bob

[-Dave-]

MattDawg, I'm 5'5''  and use a 7'6 flippin stik and it just takes practise. What I do is up here in the winter i get my flippin stik out and dig holes in the snow that are maybe 4" in diameter and practise like i'm in the pads.

dave

[mattdawg]

Triton bob yes im in your neighborhood and i appreciate the tip maybe ill see you on the water im sure i will. We probably no each other just dont realize it yet. I cant wait for my first lunker flipping ive been practicing in the yard.

fisherboy: def been practicing i set up a couple cans in the yard and have been pitching to them im getting the hang of it, but now i got to make sure im getting a silent entry.

[tmiller2]

i just read how you said that the rod was out of control....i was going to suggest making sure the rod is balanced right and not tip heavy...that made a big difference for me when i started.....i couldnt flip for anything with a tip heavy rod and when i started using a different one it got much easier.....but it seems like you have figured it out....make sure to post a pic of that monster you are seeking

[coldfront]

My post wasn't directed at anyone, It's just sometimes I see that flipping and pitching gets jumbled up in posts at times. 

hear you fogy...just like I see 'cover' and 'structure' get jumbled up typically...