Pitching

Went fishing Saturday and didn't do any good exept for a 20 walleye on a crank and pitching a jig for bass. This is the first time I have caught fish when pitching. How does everyone fish when they pitch? How do you present the bait? Let it sink straight down the structure then work it out slowly like a worm? Just wondering how everyone else goes about this and has some tips and tricks for a young boy.

it really depends on what the fish want at that particular time
a lot of times here like on Lake of the Ozarks there is a lot of boat docks so pitching is a must and a lot of the time the fish hit on the fall
but i have seen it also that you have to let it fall straight down and work it back like a worm

When I pitch, I always like to let my bait drop straight to the bottom on a slack line. It just seems like I get more bites doing it this way.

Practice, practice, try to present your flip or pitch without a big splash. Sometimes this will make a difference on whether you get bit or not.

As said before practice in the yard and try to keep it simple with short pitches then as you get better step back a few feet and try to keep the bait as close to the ground/water as possible for a quiet entry. Let it sink to the bottom jig a few times then go to the next structure covering as much water as possible.

I normally like to pitch a tube with a rattle in it. I let it settle and shake it there where it sank, before slowly working it out of the cover. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

how far do you guys pitch? 10 feet? 20 feet? I'm new to this and I'm going to give it a try.

I like to pitch about 25 - 30ft. I could probably get 40 - 45ft, but with a loss of accuracy. For less than 20, I'll flip. http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

Just something that helped me when I got into pitchin'.....I built a small platform out of plywood and 2x4's to practice from a elevated position. Placed some paper plates out at various distances and used different weights of rigged baits.
Another thing that helps is to keep your eyes focused on your target, not the lure when you're pitchin'. As the guys mentioned, practice whenever you can... http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/mug1.gif

Tom,

I will usually let my bait (worm, jig, etc.) fall on a slack line and then work it back to the boat just like fishing a worm. Just like you said. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/bows.gif

Slack line mostly, especially when in clear water. I want a fast fall with a jig or tube for a reaction bite.