Flipping....

[HydraSports-VL485]

I've never done much pitching as I've always fished with spinning reels. Recently I bought 2 Daiwa Viento reels and have been practicing my flipping. I'm using a Daiwa Viento reel spooled with 15lb. PLine Flouroclear on a 7' Heavy BPS Bionic Blade with a 1/4 ounce jig tied on.

I built a platform to stand on that would put me the same height off the water as the deck of my boat. Using the tips from this site, I used Cool Whip bowls for targets.

I have bowls placed at 20, 30 and 40 feet away. Currently I can hit the bowls regularly without splashing water, even to the one 40 feet away.

I've tried to go farther, but 40 feet seems to be all I can do with any consistency, without making a splash.

Just curious as to how far and accurate some of you are pitching? I don't know whether I'm doing good, making progress, need more work or no where close to being a decent flipper...

Thanks in advance for any feedback.



Modified by HydraSports-VL485 at 11:31 AM 10/18/2007

[Tom I]

40 feet? I usually limit my flipping to around 15 feet or so. Any longer than that and I start pitching.

[HydraSports-VL485]

Yes, you are most right... I mean to say Pitching, not flipping... Sorry about the confusion...

[teelman]

depends on a few things, i can do it without making a splash if I've been practicing and have a 1/4oz weight+ on. But, not every time. I just pitch until I lose my accuracy, then use a roll cast. Basically, I do whatever I need to in order to hit my spot. Then try my damndest not to make a splash. After an our or so of getting good and warmed up and the feel of the bait I'm throwing and the setup i'm using, I can pretty much hit my spot reletively quiet with little or no splash. Distance varies depending on lure weight, target size and angle and how in practice I am (not very good right now) but i'd guess my accurate limit is around 30ft or so, any further then it's sort of an easy roll cast.......whichever way I feel I can put the bait down quietly

[Original TrickWorm]

40ft. is a good distance, with optimum set-up and a good day maybe 50-60 is as far as I can pitch accurately. After that a rool cast will certainly do the trick. I think your 40ft is plenty good to take to the water and start fishing you will only get better if you are out there doing it. Practice is great but you still can't account for all the obstacles you will find on the water.

[Fiddlefarter]

Under the chair, behind a bucket, under a table, off a wall into cool whip bowl, under a low rope... Add some obstacles. Still you won't get good till you get on the water. If I haven't flipped (pitched) in a week or 2 it takes a few tries to get warmed up. Even if I change baits (heavier or lighter) it takes a few tries to get going again. Yeah you'll flip some in a branch or wrap one around a dock cable, but everyone does that.

Most times you won't need to pitch that far. The one place you might is if you are fishing in the back with someone else and you're fishing the left side of the boat(for right handed casters) I taught myself to cast from left to right with a kind of quick wrist roll for that situation. Was tough to learn but i needed it. Now me and my partner always fish on the front deck in shallow cover and can work it real well.

[Luckyjohn]

I hurt my shoulder a few years back, and was forced to cast lefty for a couple months. I now cast better lefty, but still gotta pich right handed. Being able to cast lefty helps a bunch if you got two right handers in the front of the boat. Never would have happened had I not hurt my shoulder.

[jimt]

Was just out today and caught some good ones pitching. I can fling it a country mile but then I do most of mine with a 1oz so I guess it doesn't count. I also use heavy braid, not that it matters. For the most part we're fishing around 15-20ft out max and 10-15ft down in the grass.

[phil*va]

40 ft??

Anything over about 20' is a roll cast for me.

[HydraSports-VL485]

Thanks for all the replies!

All of the lakes around here that I fish are super clear...which calls for long casts. Of course a big splash is also associated with a long cast...at least with me doing the casting it is...

I just want to be able to have a pretty long pitch with minimal splash to help me sneak up on these spooky fish in this clear water...

I have a Tx coming up on Saturday I guess I'll learn really quickly how good my technique is and whether it is effective or not...

Thanks again!

[jimt]

I think I'd get out the spinning rod with light line under those conditions even though I rarely use one where I fish.
Good luck to you Sat.

[basfshr27]

It is always important to think about what color shirt you are wearing when fishing clear water and try to blend in with the background. I always make it a point to never wear white. Just a tip.

[LegendX]

Exactly what was said above. Myself, I would be moving to a shaky head set up with a 6# or 8# FC or a weightless Senko with a 7.0 hook for the weight. Or even... the dreaded Drop Shot!