Is Pitching Practical For Me? 2024
Bucketmouth King reply :
Hey guys. Im here in Maryland and decided to close this season 2 wks ago before the cold front after landing my pb of 4 lbs. This is my first year fishing and I only bank fish. My plans to make it through winter were to practice and learn pitchin and flippin in the basement. I havent mastered flippin, but it seems like with some practice I could get it. Pitchin however has me stumped. Ive read all the articles and watched all the videos and I just cant get it. And I think this is why:
Im 5'3" using a 6'6" rod. When I hold the rod at my waist, its only about 3' above the ground. With the lure held even to the reel handle, it has at least 5'6" of line out. When I drop the lure, its on the ground before I can get my rod tip high enough to bring up the height difference.
Any suggestions?
HoosierHawgs reply :
I fished from the bank, and from a yak, and I never flip or pitch from the bank. You just can't get close to the cover and have the leverage you need. When from the shoreline I always cast past my target and fish through it.
deep reply :
If you have targets (cover) within pitching range (~30 ft) needing a soft entry, yes, you want to learn pitching. I pitch from the shore all the time (when I need to, that is). I'm 5'7" and don't have a rod under 7'6". I don't know how to flip though.
I actually start my pitches with the rod at about 7.30 or 8 o'clock, with a slight load on it, and end at about 9 to 10 o' clock (6 o'clock being towards your feet). The idea is to keep the bait close to the water surface and not plop down from a height.
Bucketmouth King reply :
Yeah theres several places I fish that a pitch would be beneficial. I had this underhand thing I did with spinning gear that worked the same. But with a baitcaster it doesnt. So I need to pitch I guess. Looks like its a practice issue.
geo g reply :
Pitching is just a short underhand cast to visible targets. I fish from the bank at least 4 days a week. I don't pitch often from the bank, but have if I see a target or a swirl in close proximity from where I'm standing. 99% of the time I'm making long casts to drop offs or long casts paralleling the bank. Since our waters are relatively clear, long casts really help with spooky fish. Pitching or flipping I'm using 65 pound braid, and a wench of a reel, because of thick cover. This is not my favorite way to fish but just another method in the arsenal. I only do it when in the boat.
Alonerankin2 reply :
It's a learned act, I do it a lot from the bank, with a 7'5" rod, ( pitch ) but I have been doing it a long, long time, it's going to just take trial & error. After a while its just instinctive, roll casting is a pretty effective method too. Bank fishing requires multiple casting techniques, IMO. Continue to practice, a 6'6" is all you need. Practice!
FishinDaddy reply :
stand on a 5 gallon bucket and practice. You don't just drop the bait and let is swing on a stationary rod. As you drop the bait the rod tip comes up giving your bait momentum while is stays at the same level until your line is vertical, this is when you let line out with minimum thumb pressure until your bait nears your target and you bring the rod tip down and apply more thumb pressure to kill the momentum and enter the water with minimum splash.
The wrist action is very similar to throwing a frisbee. Imagine throwing a frisbee straight up with only your wrist moving.
Bucketmouth King reply :
On 11/23/2014 at 1:38 AM, FishinDaddy said:stand on a 5 gallon bucket and practice. You don't just drop the bait and let is swing on a stationary rod. As you drop the bait the rod tip comes up giving your bait momentum while is stays at the same level until your line is vertical, this is when you let line out with minimum thumb pressure until your bait nears your target and you bring the rod tip down and apply more thumb pressure to kill the momentum and enter the water with minimum splash.
The wrist action is very similar to throwing a frisbee. Imagine throwing a frisbee straight up with only your wrist moving.
Thanks! This was helpful!
Alonerankin2 reply :
I'm not trying to be smart, but are you going to fish standing on a 5 gallon bucket? Practice from the ground.. It's a learned technique.
roadwarrior reply :
http://www.bassresource.com/content/search?SearchText=pitching&BrowsePageLimit=30
gulfcaptain reply :
I pitch all the time from the bank. So yes it is a great technique to have for the shorter targets under 30 feet away when you need a soft entry and pin point accuracy. I would start to learn with at least a 1/2oz bait till you get the technique down and then try lighter baits as you feel more comfortable with a looser spool tension.
Senko lover reply :
I've made do with a spinning reel. You can flip with it, and sort of "pitch," but I'm looking forward to doing the real thing with a caster. I do utilize flipping from the bank, particularly with logs and other visible cover.
Comfortably Numb reply :
I sit when I fish so not much of a pitcher. Being short and not too far above the water (like on a boat) you may want to do a modified back hand cast pitch. As said, almost like throwing a Frisbee. Or an underhand roll type cast on the other side.
Fishes in trees reply :
Practical isn't the word I'd use. A couple of questions. Are you absolutely, positively going to fish from the bank your whole life? If you aren't going to own a boat, do you think that there is a chance that from time to time you will go fishing out of some one else's boat?
As you progress in your fishing skills, pitching is something you probably ought to learn. As your fishing experiences multiply, there are probably lots of casting skills/tricks you might want to learn. Pitching is one. A Jimmy Houston style roll cast might be another. A back hand roll cast might be another. If you are ever going to throw a carolina rig, you aren't just born knowing how to throw one, there is a learning curve.
Same with deep cranks.
Going down a bank throwing a spinner bait at objects, I might use an overhead cast one time, a pitch cast the next. If I go too far past an object, rather than turning the boat around, I am more likely to throw a back hand cast at it.
Learning your gear and learning how to be versatile in putting your bait where you want it is a good skill to have.
FishinDaddy reply :
On 11/23/2014 at 2:10 AM, Alonerankin2 said:I'm not trying to be smart, but are you going to fish standing on a 5 gallon bucket? Practice from the ground.. It's a learned technique.
Most people don't fish with their toes in the water. You fish from above the water level. Either in a boat or on a bank , you will most likely be about 18" above the water (5 gal bucket height). That makes a difference on bait entry. Plus it teaches you balance.
K_Mac reply :
On 11/23/2014 at 5:16 AM, Fishes in trees said:Practical isn't the word I'd use. A couple of questions. Are you absolutely, positively going to fish from the bank your whole life? If you aren't going to own a boat, do you think that there is a chance that from time to time you will go fishing out of some one else's boat?
As you progress in your fishing skills, pitching is something you probably ought to learn. As your fishing experiences multiply, there are probably lots of casting skills/tricks you might want to learn. Pitching is one. A Jimmy Houston style roll cast might be another. A back hand roll cast might be another. If you are ever going to throw a carolina rig, you aren't just born knowing how to throw one, there is a learning curve.
Same with deep cranks.
Going down a bank throwing a spinner bait at objects, I might use an overhead cast one time, a pitch cast the next. If I go too far past an object, rather than turning the boat around, I am more likely to throw a back hand cast at it.
Learning your gear and learning how to be versatile in putting your bait where you want it is a good skill to have.
Excellent post. The more skilled you are in being able to put your bait where you want it, the more versatile and effective you wil be. Pitching is a very useful skill that should be learned by all serious bass fishermen in my opinion.
Bucketmouth King reply :
All great replies!
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
On 11/23/2014 at 5:30 AM, K_Mac said:Excellent post. The more skilled you are in being able to put your bait where you want it, the more versatile and effective you wil be. Pitching is a very useful skill that should be learned by all serious bass fishermen in my opinion.
Exactly. Developing as many ways as possible to deliver your bait accurately can only help you. Adjusting a cast style to specific situations is important too. You may not have room to perform a cast the "right" way , that doesn't mean you shouldn't use it.
Catt reply :
My job is to get the lure to the bass by whatever means necessary!
Your pitch does not have to be a couple inches above the water to obtIan a soft entry!
Bucketmouth King reply :
So ive been working on this for several hrs this morning. Finally got the technique down and have been aiming at an off colored piece of grass in the yard and have been hitting it consistently. Then I started getting frustrated that I couldnt get anymore distance than that (and my girlfriend was laughing at me for how short of a pitch it seems). So I broke out the measuring tape and the bucket. Turns out that off colored piece of grass was @ 30 feet and im dropping this 1/2 oz jig in the bucket pretty good already!
Thanks for the tips guys!
Bankbeater reply :
I am pretty accurate when I cast, but there are times when I can't hit a spot by casting at it. The only way I can get under a low hanging bush is by pitching the bait to it. Pitching is a tool, and you don't want to limit yourself by not having the right tools to fish with.
Slade House reply :
On 11/22/2014 at 11:43 PM, Bucketmouth King said:Hey guys. Im here in Maryland and decided to close this season 2 wks ago before the cold front after landing my pb of 4 lbs. This is my first year fishing and I only bank fish. My plans to make it through winter were to practice and learn pitchin and flippin in the basement. I havent mastered flippin, but it seems like with some practice I could get it. Pitchin however has me stumped. Ive read all the articles and watched all the videos and I just cant get it. And I think this is why:
Im 5'3" using a 6'6" rod. When I hold the rod at my waist, its only about 3' above the ground. With the lure held even to the reel handle, it has at least 5'6" of line out. When I drop the lure, its on the ground before I can get my rod tip high enough to bring up the height difference.
Any suggestions?
I was where you were a few months ago. yes it will be good for you to use especially during spawn and espcially on calm and flat days. its all about precision and stealth. WATCH THIS VIDEO AND WATCH WHAT HE DOES WITH HIS WRIST , skip to the 430 mark for him to demonstrate pitching. BEST VIDEO EVER http://youtu.be/Ebt_4Vq4hAA. Get yourself a dedicated pitching rod, at least 7ft 4 if i were you. (im 6ft and use an 8footer)
boostr reply :
This will be my off season routine. Another technique to try to learn also when trying to get under things is skipping a jig, but you might need actual water to practice this one (if you live up North like me, it will be tough with the hard water).
Ozark_Basser reply :
Although it is harder with a 6'6 rod, pitching just takes a little practice. You really have to have your timing down on how you swing the bait to get a good bit of distance. When you start, and the baits in your hand (I'm assuming your left hand is holding the bait), start the drop behind your left hip instead of right in front of you. This makes it a little easier and it's what I do when I want a little more distance out of a pitch.
Once you get your timing down you can really use your rod tip to get all the distance you need and it becomes more about accuracy than distance.
J Francho reply :
Not sure what's so hard about pitching that practice can't fix. Use the tip as a fulcrum, and sling the bait. Doesn't matter if the rod is three feet or ten.
Maybe this will help, flip, flip punch, and pitch casts:
Bassin30721 reply :
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/flip-pitch.html
Ozark_Basser reply :
On 11/24/2014 at 9:07 AM, Slade House said:I was where you were a few months ago. yes it will be good for you to use especially during spawn and espcially on calm and flat days. its all about precision and stealth. WATCH THIS VIDEO AND WATCH WHAT HE DOES WITH HIS WRIST , skip to the 430 mark for him to demonstrate pitching. BEST VIDEO EVER http://youtu.be/Ebt_4Vq4hAA. Get yourself a dedicated pitching rod, at least 7ft 4 if i were you. (im 6ft and use an 8footer)
Excellent video, but I swore at some point he was gonna throw in a "muscley armed paperboy" lol
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