Pitching / Flipping Stick

[CiK]

I am thinking about building myself a new close combat rod. Typical broomsticks are 7"6" in length. I use the 7'0" flavor for my up close and personal fishing. What do you guys use?

Tony

[BigBassin144]

For pitching I like a 7' and I don't really flip much. When I do, it's usually on a 7'6" because it gives me a bit more distance (which I need cause I suck at flipping, lol).

I've really been liking rods between 7' and 7'6" for most of my techniques lately. 7'3" or 7'4" is becoming the new 7' for me. And we'll see what changes this summer after adding a 7'8" to the arsenal this winter.

BB

[CiK]

I am the same way, I pitch 95% of the time. I am leery about going much over 7'0" if I do at all. A longer rod in my pitching form has me believing I will hit boatside or bury the tip in water as I am swinging it outward. I would rather not think about that and just fish. Whatever I decide on, it will have dual action though (pitching and flipping).

[BigBassin144]

I'd see if you can get your hands on a 7'3" rod. Great compromise between the 7' and 7'6" and you can easily extend a 7' blank to be a 7'3" rod. If you can try one out before building, you may like it. The only time I've pitched with my 7'3" rod was from the shore, standing probably 5' above the water. But depending on how tall you are, I don't think you should have many problems with the extra 3"

BB

[WaffleJaw]

Tony, MHX will have a MagBass 7'3 model out very soon...Their listed already on mudhole,just not in stock yet...Joe told me theres a rumor that their also bout to come out with a much higher modulus blank soon too!

I think Lamiglass has a 7'3 excel also...Very nice blank.
I pitch with a 7' MH/fast rod...If I did do more flipping,I would definitely look into 7'6'' heavy/fast rod...Its only 6 more inches,lol

[CiK]

Originally Posted by WaffleJaw

Joe told me theres a rumor that their also bout to come out with a much higher modulus blank soon too!

Interesting.......I would consider them again if they are. I built that Shakey Head rod last year on the MHX and had mixed opinions. On one hand, it was my first rod and MHX filled that 1st rod build nicely. On the other hand, I was a little disappointed with the overall sensitivity of the MHX's.
It fits the bill for most guys, and I think for moving baits they would be awesome. However, for my own personal bottom bouncing rods I need something a lot more sensitive. My hands are like rocks ( no sensitivity) LOL.

Originally Posted by WaffleJaw

Its only 6 more inches,lol

I was going to say something here..............but I am keeping it PG-13. LOL

[Jrob78]

I use a 7'6" HF for pitching. It's built on a Castaway BB1 blank. I like a longer rod for most applications, not just flipping/pitching. I am very anxious to see the new high modulus MHX blanks too!

[carolina-rig-01]

I usually pitch with a 7' HF rod. I do have a 7'6" HF flipping stick that I will break out if I need to though.

[BBD]

Originally Posted by CiK

I am thinking about building myself a new close combat rod. Typical broomsticks are 7"6" in length. I use the 7'0" flavor for my up close and personal fishing. What do you guys use?

Tony

Close combat, I LOVE IT!

Originally Posted by Jrob78

I use a 7'6" HF for pitching.

As do I

[rrw4258]

We don't have super thick cover around here for the most part, so my pitching usually involves pithcing and flipping to rip rap or around some sparse cover such as an isolated tree in the water, or a steel wall.

My rod of choice most times is a 7' MH/Fast rod, and if I need to get that extra reach or need a rod with a bit more oomph, I'll use a 7'4" MH/F. I prefer the 7' over the 7'4" because I am more accurate with the 7'. These are more than enough for power around here.

Ryan

[keithdog]

My pitchin rod for around cover is a Shimano Crucial 6'10" H-XF. It works great for my use. Actually, I chose this size and action rod due to a conversation I had a couple years ago with KVD at our local BPS store. He suggested this length due to the fact that I am only 5'6" tall and pitch from a jon boat. He said if I was taller and fishing from a raised platform like on a bassboat, he'd suggest a 7 - 7 1/2 length, but that 7' was about perfect for pitchin. I have a telescopic 7 1/2' H-XF flippin rod that rarely gets used anymore.

[CiK]

Originally Posted by keithdog

My pitchin rod for around cover is a Shimano Crucial 6'10" H-XF.

I am actually thinking about something similar to yours in length, power, and action as another option. Maybe a little less than Heavy though so I can pitch tiny jig setups (bitsy bug type). The more I think about this, the more I am leaning towards it.

I need to really sit down and think about where I will be using this setup. The Ohio River is really the only place around Cincinnati where I see a "true" pitching/flipping stick can be utilized, where I can use the smaller setup there and other places.

[CamG]

I prefer a 7' rod for just about everything. I do own a couple longer flippin sticks, but the 7' just handles pitching much better for me.

[hardhead]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

I use a 7'6" HF for pitching. It's built on a Castaway BB1 blank. I like a longer rod for most applications, not just flipping/pitching. I am very anxious to see the new high modulus MHX blanks too!

x2 on castaway bb1 7'6" up to 1.5 oz
castaway 874 7'3"
castaway bb2 7'6" up to 2.5 oz
ck swampland tackle they are castaway blank suppliers

[Tavery5]

I have two rods that I use for pitching/flipping. The first is a 7'6" Abu Veritas MHF with 40 pound PP braid. The other is a 7'0" HF St.Croix Premier with 40 lb Suffix 832 braid. Just depends on what cover I am fishing as to which rod I prefer.

[Jrob78]

Originally Posted by hardhead

x2 on castaway bb1 7'6" up to 1.5 oz
castaway 874 7'3"
castaway bb2 7'6" up to 2.5 oz
ck swampland tackle they are castaway blank suppliers

Castaway blanks are great for their price. Swampland is the only U.S distributors of Castaway blanks, as far as I know. Lance is a good dude, I give him all the business I can.

[hardhead]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

Castaway blanks are great for their price. Swampland is the only U.S distributors of Castaway blanks, as far as I know. Lance is a good dude, I give him all the business I can.

x2 Again.. also Bill stevens is tuned in to bass rod specs and can heip (and will) with specifics. they also carry Batson/phenix and Seeker. Dont be fooled by the prices on castaway blanks..these are technique specific blanks and I build on many of these. these guys are also micro guide smart.

[Bender]

6'10" Heavy is my dedicated pitching rod. I do it also with 7' rods but it is easier to be accurate with the 6'10".

I don't flip much but do have a 7' monster for it, probably my least used rod and I would prefer a 7'6" I think.

[Solidbad]

I like the Abu Garcia vendetta 6' 9" MH for pitchin. Those rods are a little stouter than normal so the MH is like a heavy. Great rods and really great value at only 80 bucks.

[DVT Mike]

I agree with a 7'6"+ rod for flipping and 7' or < for pitching. For dual action I stick with a pitching rod especially since so much of the water I fish is really clear. For versatility, a 7' MH/F is hard to beat for a bass rod.

[cassidyta]

I guess I am the anomaly here. I use an 8' rod that is used for both pitching and flipping. Being a swimbait guy, I am very comfortable with the length and feel that I am as accurate as with my smaller rods.

[jcw1503]

I am the oddball out, I use a 6'6" rod. Thats because I find myself in situatons where there is not enough room to use a 7 foot or plus rod. I may not be able to pitch or flip (use the same rod) as far as I could with a 7 plus rod, but the accuracy and the areas that I can get into makes up for the extra foot or so. With enough practice you can make any length rod work.

[Bubba_Bruiser]

I am leaning on the same thing CiK. I am getting way to many blanks though with just handles. Its about time to finish one for me. I talked to Lance from Swampland Tackle, and he said they have a Castaway has a 7' and 7'6" killa light flipping/broom stick coming out and he might have one when I go down there next week.

[3dkicker]

I've got a 7' St. Croix Prem that is my main rod for p&f baits under 1/2oz. I do have a 7'5" for punching grass with 1oz or bigger weights but it gets uncomfortable after punching for a while.