I often get asked to explain the difference in flipping and pitching and when these presentations seem to be the most productive, and what type of skill set is required to do both.
Let me first state that each if these presentations are used in generally different situations. When you are trying to put a jig in an exact hole in the grass or along the edge of a boathouse post you are generally flipping. Your presentation is exact, you want that bait in a very distinct hole or edge, and you are trying to be very accurate and generally are not spooling out any line. Flipping requires you to have the line in your hand and release the bait from your hand toward your target.Pitching however is an underhand presentation, almost an underhand cast toward a specific area. Pitching allows you to spool off line and hit a general target some fair distance away. I generally pitch a jig or tube when fishing grass lines from 10 to 15 feet away, targeting and edge and allowing the line to free spool down the grass line when being exact is not a real issue.
Being a productive fisherman around boathouses requires you to put your bait exactly where you need it so you can get a bass to hit it as they are hiding from the sun. This skill is flipping, you coil up some line in your hand flip the bait to the dock post or corner and catch fish with very exact location of your bait. Lay down trees are an ideal opportunity to tone up your flipping skills, those tree limb Y's or up against the trunk of the tree requires and exact flip and to target those type of structure you must be able to put that jig where you want it.
So flipping and pitching have some very distinct differences and require some different skill sets to be effective. If your not skilled in both, it is time to practice, both of these skills are vital for summer time fishing on Guntersville. Having these skills could be the difference maker for you in a tournament!
Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service
www.fishlakeguntersvilleguideservice.com
Email: bassguide@comcast.net
256 759 2270
Captain Mike Gerry