Pitchin' and flippin' techniques 2024
The Rooster reply :
Went out today to the water from the bank to try to learn to pitch and flip. Didn't go to catch fish, didn't have enough time, I just went to try to learn a new technique and thought that having water to practice on would let me know if I was able to present a lure with no splash or not, since I'm under the impression that this is why you would want to pitch or flip anyway. I'll continue with this in the backyard to develop accuracy, but for now I just wanted to try to nail down the "how to" part of it. I was using a 6'6" medium heavy rod, fast tip, and a 1/2 oz. rated jig (true weight 5/8) with a Paca Craw trailer, total weight estimated at about 7/8 oz. including the trailer.
I worked at flippin' for a while, never was able to make it work, only my first attempt, but had no success at all. Just couldn't seem to let the lure move out and bring my hand in at the same time plus thumb the reel with my other hand. Had one backlash after another, and they were pretty bad ones. I tried it with both hands, just couldn't do it.
Next I tried pitchin' which as far as I understand it is to be used in place of flippin' when you need distance from your target (I saw a video that said flip when water was stained and you can be close up on the fish, and pitch when water is clearer and you need to back off from them). I wasn't able to get any real distance in pitchin', but I did discover that I could do the pitchin' technique and drop a lure in the same distance of water as what I would normally use for flippin', and I did it without so much as a bubble of water splashing. So do I need to learn to flip when I think I could just use the pitchin' for everything, short casts or distance either one??
Some things I did learn today. First, I can easily see how a longer rod would help. I was using a 6'6" rod and it was only just OK for doing this. I wouldn't want it any shorter at all. I'm planning to get a 7' rod, or maybe possibly a 7'6" for my flippin'/pitchin' rod. Second, I saw in the video to learn to do this left handed if you can so you don't have to switch hands after the cast. I tried right handed pitchin' since I naturally throw right anyway and just did OK, but when I tried left handed I was amazed that I took to it faster that way than I did with my normal hand I use. So that was a plus, I thought that would have been harder but apparently not. I honestly think that having the crank on the right side of the reel vs. me holding it in my left hand was somehow helping me to balance the rod in hand better than it did while holding it in my right hand. Like the crank was in the way of how I was holding it right handed, but not when held in my left hand. Who knows, all I know is I got to where I could throw consistently in about 45 minutes using my left hand, no backlashes, and hardly so much as a drop of water displaced when pitching to about 20 feet out in distance. With some practice I think I will gain some distance, some control, and accuracy, and then I'll have a new weapon for next season when it comes to bass fishing.
All in all, not bad for 2 hours of practice, only took 45 minutes of that time to develop a little feel for the pitching part using my left hand so I'm happy for my first time trying this.
Shimmer reply :
It takes a little while to get used to, but after basically spending all winter standing on the tail gate of my truck pitchin into a coffee cup it paid off for this year.
For me it was easier to just bring the jig back into my hand for a split second while I got the rod tip down and loaded then shot it out nice and low with minimal splash.
Flippin on the other hand I found to be more difficult and haven't exactly mastered it. I'm sure you will get it down no problem soon having experience with bc's..and when you do it is an awesome technique. Good luck 
The Rooster reply :
Yeah, I've been fishing with baitcasters for years but all I ever did was just cast them. I can throw a lure up to a 100+ feet on the cast, but when it comes down it hits like a bomb in the water. Spooks fish at times. I mostly sidearm cast or roll cast to avoid the splash, but using heavy spinnerbaits or jigs it still splashes sometimes. If I can learn to pitch a jig to cover with no noise or commotion then I think I can open the door to bigger fish.
I'm thrilled that I had any success at all for my first time, I thought it would take a bunch of times before I saw any results. Just gotta get the distance now but I think I could get more if I had the rod I intend to get for this. Been looking at a 7' Shimano Compre medium heavy with either fast or extra fast tip. Not sure which tip action I need since I'm not sure if this technique is really loading the rod like a cast would.
BobP reply :
Hey, wait a minute! As I understand it, flipping is done with the reel ENGAGED, so there's no way to get a backlash. Any pendulum cast with the reel in freespool and releasing line is a pitch. The fact that you're working with a set length of line is one reason you want a 7 1/2 ft or longer flipping rod (8 footers are becoming popular).
I normally switch hands while the bait is enroute when pitching, so it's not a big problem but you're lucky if you can pitch with the rod in your off hand because that's a more efficient motion.
CHEVYRIDAZ reply :
One thing to remember in stained water is that no splash is not always a good thing! Pitching/flipping is how i catch about 80% of my bass(LOVE IT). Every one of my fish over 9lbs has come while making a little splash on the entry. Also, always use the smallest weight you can get away with.
Oh yea, get a 7' 6" flippin' stick and have fun!!
The Rooster reply :
OK, cool. I didn't know that the reel was supposed to be engaged when flippin'. That may be my whole problem so I'll have to try it again. The video didn't mention that the reel needs to be engaged but it just only touched on both techniques for a minute or so and only to show how to make the flip or pitch by motion of the rod.
I am also able to cast amidextrously but not quite as well left handed. So I think that helped me pick up the pitching faster left handed. I'm sure it would have been worse had I never casted left handed at all before.
By the way, is there any real purpose of a flippin' switch on a reel?? And if you flip with the reel engaged, shouldn't it be called a pitchin' switch instead since a pitch is the one that lets out line where a flip does not?? And I don't seem to need that feature to do this anyway, plus I was told here on this site that I don't need it as well. I could actually see how having it might be of some use to re-engage quicker but if I pitch left handed then I can engage fairly quickly with my right hand anyway. Only way it would help is if I got a strike the moment the lure hit the water.
grimlin reply :
For Flipping-
Peel off 50% of line from the length of your rod.Grab the line between the reel and the first line guide.Make a pendulum swing toward you then back out gently releasing the line you are holding.The idea is trying to keep that lure low and visually no splash as you are basically guiding your lure to a certain spot.The thumb bar never gets touch.The only line that should be getting release is the extra 50% you pulled out and was holding onto as you make that cast. I don't know how much of this makes sense,because i can't find a video explaining this.
Pitching is harder.It requires an underhand cast and line does get release from reel.Start short and gradually gain distant as you pitch the bait.I still use spinning reels for this...a bit easier on spinning reels.Haven't mastered this on the baitcaster yet either.
BassThumb reply :
QuoteOK, cool. I didn't know that the reel was supposed to be engaged when flippin'. That may be my whole problem so I'll have to try it again. The video didn't mention that the reel needs to be engaged but it just only touched on both techniques for a minute or so and only to show how to make the flip or pitch by motion of the rod.I am also able to cast amidextrously but not quite as well left handed. So I think that helped me pick up the pitching faster left handed. I'm sure it would have been worse had I never casted left handed at all before.
By the way, is there any real purpose of a flippin' switch on a reel?? And if you flip with the reel engaged, shouldn't it be called a pitchin' switch instead since a pitch is the one that lets out line where a flip does not?? And I don't seem to need that feature to do this anyway, plus I was told here on this site that I don't need it as well. I could actually see how having it might be of some use to re-engage quicker but if I pitch left handed then I can engage fairly quickly with my right hand anyway. Only way it would help is if I got a strike the moment the lure hit the water.
Yeah you're right. It is a "pitching switch."
Even though I'm right handed I use a lefty reel for pitching and I rarely flip. The water is just too clear on most lakes around here to flip without spooking some fish. I tried pitching with my left hand but I'm more comfortable keeping my right hand on the rod. Many right-handed people switch the rod from right hand to left hand during the pitch, but since many strikes come on the initial fall, some of those strikes are not felt while switching hands I noticed.
The Rooster reply :
Well then, based on that last post I'm glad I'm learning to do this left handed. I want to learn to do it with both hands though.
Now that I read here how to flip correctly I'm sure I'll be able to do it. I had the thumb bar disengaged when trying it earlier. No wonder I got so many backlashes! Pitching, I hardly got any and after a little while I didn't get anymore at all. Man I can't believe I've never tried this before. I always thought it would be too hard to do so I never tried it at all.
Also I'm glad I read here that it requires a little bit of an underhanded cast cause as I was doing it I noticed that's what I was doing but didn't know if that was totally correct. The video I have here at home for it shows only a pendulum swing. Gary Klein is the person doing it and he states to let it swing away and take line out. No mention of underhanded cast at all. But to get it to go out on my short rod I was having to "goose" it with the underhanded casting I was doing.
Fishbone reply :
Why pitch or flip rather than a short cast? What is trying to be accomplished?
Koop reply :
QuoteWhy pitch or flip rather than a short cast? What is trying to be accomplished?
I use pitching pretty much is a short cast, it is just a way of doing it to acheive a low trajectory entrance to the water. This is done when minimal splash (no splash) is a desired effect.
Flipping is pretty much the same but ever shorter distance. It allows you to disect a section of mats or whatever SIGNIFICANTLY faster and with more accuracy.
CHEVYRIDAZ reply :
It is actually more for hitting specific targets with extreme accuracy and causing reaction strikes. This technique is awesome when fish are sluggish and have a very small strike zone. For example, there may be a fish holding to a small log and will not swim out to chase a bait. Pitching the lure right on its face will most likely trigger a reaction strike.
BigJohnny reply :
QuoteWhy pitch or flip rather than a short cast? What is trying to be accomplished?
Accuracy
chromedog reply :
When you were pitching, how tight did you set the cast control knob? I am trying to learn as well. I picked up a 7' BPS MH Extreme rod and Extreme reel and I put 30lb braid with a 6lb fluorocarbon leader on it. I could get it to go short distances and then the lure would swing right back at me. So it wasn't staying where I wanted it. I think I have the knob too tight, I set it like I would if I was going to cast the lure, tight enough to hit the water and stop.
Also, how long of a leader do you guys use? I put on a 4' lead but not sure if that is too long or short.
grimlin reply :
kikstand454 reply :
this past weekend i was in a situation that i think is ideal for pitching. and that is working a bank with overhangs and tons of laydowns.
there is no way i coulda short casted from the back of the boat all day to all that structure. id have spent half the time in the trees and the other half missing the side of the log i was trying to get to.
i use pitching to replace short casts completely. im typically in the back of a boat and a short cast is normally side armed which is just uncomfortable for me because of hitting the boat or motor. pitching is a whole lot more accurate too.
i dont pitch a whole lot but its the only thing i "practice" in my yard or down the back hall of the house. and im glad i did cuz now i have to go back to that area for a tourney next sunday and do that same pattern. it felt good to be profecient at something that i rarely do... based just on practicing in my off time.
cool stuff.
good luck rooster on the flipping though.... i cant get that to work to save my life. hahha.
the only time i feel the need to flip is when were working really close to pads and i want to get into little pockets and stuff... and im terrible at it.
maybe i need to use the tailgate/coffee cup technique.... 
6pointbuck2003 reply :
I have found it is easier to pitch for me. when i try flipping my line always reaches the end before the lure hits the water and shoots back towards the boat and makes a splash. What am i doing wrong? Am I posibly trying to flip to far?
The way i learned was a fridge mate pepsi box with the end cut out. I got very accurate this way cuz i forced me to use low trajectery to get in the box.
BLUESKY reply :
Rooster, you definately need a longer rod and if you want to get proficiant with the right hand get a left retrieve reel for your pitchin/flippin rod. Being right handed it took a bit of time to get used to the left hand retrieve but I felt that if this was a natural thing with a spinning rod reel, I could master it with a left retrieve BC.
urp reply :
I have never found a use for flipping. Pitching is a staple. I cast and pitch with the rod in the left hand and reel in with the right. I like a 6'6" medium pitching rod because sometimes I want the rod tip right at my feet for power pitches. Short casting is also possible if you want to use a shorter rod, say 5 or 5 1/2'.
MR.BIGBASS reply :
you must go at least 7'6" at it was said before the lighter the better
Pitchinkid reply :
alot of it has to do what your comfortable with. Im 6"6, so im comfortable with a longer rod. If a guy was under 6 foot, i could see where he might have trouble with a longer rod. Practice and being comfortable with your equipment are the 2 key things in my opinion. Get some Denny Brauer dvds or tapes. The man is god with a pitchin/flippin stick.
The Rooster reply :
QuoteRooster, you definately need a longer rod and if you want to get proficiant with the right hand get a left retrieve reel for your pitchin/flippin rod. Being right handed it took a bit of time to get used to the left hand retrieve but I felt that if this was a natural thing with a spinning rod reel, I could master it with a left retrieve BC.
Was outside in back yard practicing just a bit ago. I'm still using the 6'6" rod I already have here so far but it seems to be working. I had several targets laid out anywhere from 15 feet out to about 30. I was surprised to see that I can actually hit these targets or fall within only inches from them with as little practice as I've had. I just started last Saturday and today was only the second time I attempted it, the first with a target.
I quoted the above comment though cause I wanted to talk about which hand I use for what. I'm right handed naturally but I'm all messed up apparently when it comes to casting and retrieving. I cast a baitcaster mostly right handed (but am at least 2/3 as good left handed as well), then switch hands to retrieve right handed with rod in left hand. That's how a lot do it as I understand it. But for spinning rods I cast left handed, not right, and I retrieve them using my right hand. That's backwards compared to most.
Well, when it comes to pitching and flipping, I thought being a baitcaster that I would have to do it right handed. I do for flipping, otherwise the line gets hung up on the crank as I let it come back to the rod, so for flipping I'm a right handed flipper. But as with spinning gear, for some reason when it comes to pitching so far I seem to be much better at it when doing it left handed. That's a good thing from what I hear since I already have right handed retrieve reels, I can pitch left handed, not have to switch hands to crank so I'll be ready to crank and set a hook in a second's time. All I have to do is learn to be good at it, use the stuff I already have (except get a new longer rod), and all is good. So it seems to me when it comes to how I cast and retrieve, I'm sort of all over the place, no hard set rules. I'd like to get good at doing all techniques with both hands though cause depending on how the boat is facing when I fish from the back, sometimes it's easier to cast with one hand as opposed to the other so I don't hit the boat motor. The only one hard set rule I seem to have is I retrieve with my right hand always. I tried left handed cranking for spinning reels once and didn't like it at all. Never tried it with a baitcaster but I'm sure it would be the same, but I don't necessarily want to buy a reel to find out that I wouldn't like it. So I may never get good at pitching right handed, or flipping left handed either, but at least it seems I'll be able to learn to do these two techniques in time for next season, one way or the other.
Simp reply :
QuoteWhen you were pitching, how tight did you set the cast control knob? I am trying to learn as well. I picked up a 7' BPS MH Extreme rod and Extreme reel and I put 30lb braid with a 6lb fluorocarbon leader on it. I could get it to go short distances and then the lure would swing right back at me. So it wasn't staying where I wanted it. I think I have the knob too tight, I set it like I would if I was going to cast the lure, tight enough to hit the water and stop.Also, how long of a leader do you guys use? I put on a 4' lead but not sure if that is too long or short.
Man if your flipping with a 7ft MH baitcasting rod then your set up for disaster using a 6 pound leader!!! Seriously there is a crap ton of force put on that line in such a short dicstance, plus your using braid that doesn't have any stretch. I'd suggest you get at least 14lb pound fluro as a leader on that set up. Otherwise if your fishing finesse baits move down to a meduim or meduim lite that can handle that line size and not snap it on a hook set.
BLUESKY reply :
Simp, if you are setting the cast control knob the way that you are it is a good way to start out and learn with a baitcaster, but you need to educate your thumb to control the spool. If you can 'teach' your thumb to replace the cast control knob you will find yourself becomming more proficient in all aspects of your fishing. as for pitchin if you are in water clear enough to need fluoro why not just put 15 or so yrds of 15 lb fluoro on a backing of whatever, you will than have more than enough line for most pitchin situations. If you buy a 150 yd. spool and use it that way, it should last you most of the season and not be to costly that way. by the way I agree that if you use 6lb. leader on that set up you are just asking for trouble.
BLUESKY reply :
Simp, sorry that last post was ment for chromedog :-[
BLUESKY reply :
Rooster wrote on oct 10th
QuoteWas outside in back yard practicing just a bit ago. I'm still using the 6'6" rod I already have here so far but it seems to be working. I had several targets laid out anywhere from 15 feet out to about 30. I was surprised to see that I can actually hit these targets or fall within only inches from them with as little practice as I've had. I just started last Saturday and today was only the second time I attempted it, the first with a target.I quoted the above comment though cause I wanted to talk about which hand I use for what. I'm right handed naturally but I'm all messed up apparently when it comes to casting and retrieving. I cast a baitcaster mostly right handed (but am at least 2/3 as good left handed as well), then switch hands to retrieve right handed with rod in left hand. That's how a lot do it as I understand it. But for spinning rods I cast left handed, not right, and I retrieve them using my right hand. That's backwards compared to most.
Well, when it comes to pitching and flipping, I thought being a baitcaster that I would have to do it right handed. I do for flipping, otherwise the line gets hung up on the crank as I let it come back to the rod, so for flipping I'm a right handed flipper. But as with spinning gear, for some reason when it comes to pitching so far I seem to be much better at it when doing it left handed. That's a good thing from what I hear since I already have right handed retrieve reels, I can pitch left handed, not have to switch hands to crank so I'll be ready to crank and set a hook in a second's time. All I have to do is learn to be good at it, use the stuff I already have (except get a new longer rod), and all is good. So it seems to me when it comes to how I cast and retrieve, I'm sort of all over the place, no hard set rules. I'd like to get good at doing all techniques with both hands though cause depending on how the boat is facing when I fish from the back, sometimes it's easier to cast with one hand as opposed to the other so I don't hit the boat motor. The only one hard set rule I seem to have is I retrieve with my right hand always. I tried left handed cranking for spinning reels once and didn't like it at all. Never tried it with a baitcaster but I'm sure it would be the same, but I don't necessarily want to buy a reel to find out that I wouldn't like it. So I may never get good at pitching right handed, or flipping left handed either, but at least it seems I'll be able to learn to do these two techniques in time for next season, one way or the other.
As For the left handed retrieve reel, it is just like any piece of gear that we buy, it is a tool. Wether you want to learn to use it or not is up to you. I got one because it seemed to me the way to go as i am right handed. it felt very awkard at first, but I stuck with it and would now not use any thing else. I also find that when pitchin , when the lure hits the target that I can instantly engage the spool with my right thumb after stopping the spool, and as I am mooving my other hand toward the crank. Not preaching just explaining what works for me as you will figure out what works best for you. As for the line getting caught up on the crank when flippin, try grabbing it between the 1st and 2cnd guide instead of between the reel and the 1st guide, not only will this prevent the line from catching on the crank but you will find that if you want to, it will allow you to let out more line for more distance on your flips. Hope this helps.
6pointbuck2003 reply :
I have heard fliping with one hand and then switching to the other hand to real cuts down on fatigue of the wrists. I dont know how much truth there is to it. I did that before i heard about it. I am able to flip all day without my wrists getting tired.
BLUESKY reply :
QuoteI have heard fliping with one hand and then switching to the other hand to real cuts down on fatigue of the wrists. I dont know how much truth there is to it. I did that before i heard about it. I am able to flip all day without my wrists getting tired.
Out of curiousity, what happens if a fish hits while you are changing hands?
chromedog reply :
Bluesky and Simp,
Thanks for the heads up. It is a fairly new technique and I have only used casting reels for one season now. I have 6lb and 4lb fluro that I use for dropshotting so I just used what I had, I will pick up some 15 as you guys suggested. Sadly my season has wound down. Got one more trip to fish for smallies and then done for the year, dog gone northeast weather. So I will be doing a lot of practicing and painting lures over the winter.
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