I've practiced a lot but no matter how hard i try, no line comes off the spool when i try to pitch/flip. I played around with the spool tension but it just doesn't work. What could i be doing wrong?

I'd fathom a guess you're turning the magnetic cast control on the palm side of the reel.  Turn the other knob on the other side of the reel, just under the star drag.

I'd fathom a guess you're turning the magnetic cast control on the palm side of the reel.  Turn the other knob on the other side of the reel, just under the star drag.

I agree, sounds like the spool tension knob is too tight. 

Change to a spinning rig and your problems will be solved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebt_4Vq4hAA

 watch this video , it changed everything for me. probalby the best video on the subject.  also practice on your lawn. 

Change to a spinning rig and your problems will be solved.

 

HUH? say what?  that's a joke right?

First off what kind of reel do you have? if you have a magnetic brake system, you need to to have it set lower than "6" if you have a centrifugal system have 3 or less of the things engaged.   also you need to have something heavy enough to be pitching , and you need to have a long enough rod.  7ft at the minimum 7-6 to 8 ft is preferred. 

Sam's suggestion will solve the problem of the line not coming off the spool. Pitching with spinning gear has its own challenges though...

Pitching is not entry level technique. Go back to the fundamental setup of your reel. If it is set so that the bait will drop when the spool is released you should be able to pitch-at least short distances. Do your homework. There are countless articles and videos showing how. Using 3/8 ounce or more until you begin to figure it out will help.

Practice and then once you think you've practiced enough, keep practicing.

When I first bought a baitcaster, I got a 3/8 jig the same day. And all I did for two weeks was pitch that jig down the hall into the kitchen. Hours at a time. Then I moved out to the back porch and did the same thing to a paper plate in the yard.

I got pretty good at it. I could pitch fairly well under docks and trees- and still couldn't cast any distance without backlashing. Lol.

Practice. Read articles and forums posts, watch videos- then practice more. Its a skill- you have to learn it.

Good luck!

Not much of a flipper either...but learning to pitch makes all the difference. Of my 5 biggest fish this year, 4 came from pitching. Practice at home in the yard trying to hit targets.

When I teach people to use a baitcaster, pitching is the FIRST thing they learn to do.  Follow the video links, and practice.  Had my girlfriend pitching 10 yards in about a half hour.

 

Flippin....I have no idea what the problem there is, you don't use the reel to flip, unless you're reeling in a fish.  Pull off enough line to make a flip, and engage the reel.  From there, it's only pulling line from the stripping guide, and swinging the bait to the next spot.

 

As far as pitching and flipping with spinning go...it's just a casting technique, you can do it with any reel.  In fact, I'd say I most often pitch my finesse baits unless I'm skipping.  Even then, I can pitch-skip a bait with a spinning rod.  It's worthwhile knowing how to do.

This may prove helpful:

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/pitching-accuracy-tips.html

I'd fathom a guess you're turning the magnetic cast control on the palm side of the reel.  Turn the other knob on the other side of the reel, just under the star drag.

No its the spool tension for sure, hahaha... Also I think it's something terribly wrong with my technique because it comes off the spool fine for regular casts. 

I've watched many videos and have read articles but I just can't do what they say in real life

No its the spool tension for sure, hahaha... Also I think it's something terribly wrong with my technique because it comes off the spool fine for regular casts.

I've watched many videos and have read articles but I just can't do what they say in real life

What reel? What line? What are you trying to pitch? There are other factors to consider that may help narrow down a potential issue as well,

You should most definitely be able to pitch, albeit even backlash results... Give a bit more info, and it's Likely you will glean even more helpful feedback , I am not trying to bust you're chops here, but I just can't imagine why you're having trouble pitching or flipping.. What rod?

HUH? say what?  that's a joke right?

First off what kind of reel do you have? if you have a magnetic brake system, you need to to have it set lower than "6" if you have a centrifugal system have 3 or less of the things engaged.   also you need to have something heavy enough to be pitching , and you need to have a long enough rod.  7ft at the minimum 7-6 to 8 ft is preferred. 

 

I don't understand this "longer is better" mentality.  An 8ft fishing pole?  I have a 6ft and a 6.5 fter and I can pitch and flip and haul em outta the weeds.  I'm not slagging anyone's choice of gear but the idea that you MUST HAVE A MINIMUM of 7ft is ludicrous.  I could skip and flip and pitch with a 5'6" cheap pole with a Zebco.  It ain't about the gear....it's about the skill.

Agreed. I pitch my kids 5'6" zebco under branches all the time for her and then let her reel in the bream.

Unless you're talking about flipping, in which case a longer rod is more advantageous. But, you still COULD flip with a much shorter rod.....

Longer rods provide a longer fulcrum. Not mandatory but definitely advantageous! Also longer rods provide better leverage for the short, boxing match fights that usually take place while flipping.

I don't understand this "longer is better" mentality.  An 8ft fishing pole?  I have a 6ft and a 6.5 fter and I can pitch and flip and haul em outta the weeds.  I'm not slagging anyone's choice of gear but the idea that you MUST HAVE A MINIMUM of 7ft is ludicrous.  I could skip and flip and pitch with a 5'6" cheap pole with a Zebco.  It ain't about the gear....it's about the skill.

You must fish some pretty light cover. And a 1/2oz flipping jig with a big stout hook is the reason I feel I need a med heavy or heavy 7' plus rod with at least 20lb mono/fluoro *(you can't set the hook with lighter rods)*

Edited September 27, 201411 yr by everythingthatswims

I don't understand this "longer is better" mentality. An 8ft fishing pole? I have a 6ft and a 6.5 fter and I can pitch and flip and haul em outta the weeds. I'm not slagging anyone's choice of gear but the idea that you MUST HAVE A MINIMUM of 7ft is ludicrous. I could skip and flip and pitch with a 5'6" cheap pole with a Zebco. It ain't about the gear....it's about the skill.

Do you even know what you're saying? Have you ever even pitched or flipped in moderate to heavy soft cover ( hydrilla, pads. Milfoil, etc.) ever pull out a really big LMB with 4 to 5 Pds of hydrilla?

The Rod , Reel & Line must absolutely be strong in order to achieve the basics of the 2 techniques.

How about using 1 & 2 oz weights try that on you're panfish outfit...

A strong 6'6" rod will get it done... But I use 7' .. 7'5".. And 7'11" sticks, all heavy, all moderate/

fast actions.... 20 to 25 pd hybrid or CXX

Sorry, but Strength is essential to flipping and pitching. You can have marginal skill sets with strong equipment and be successful, weak equipment and great skills? Well good luck with that...

Are those poles ADVANTAGEOUS?  Sure.....I didn't say they weren't.  I'm just saying that they are not ABSOLUTELY crucial to successfully Flip  or pitch.  And yes, I've pulled 7-8 lb bass out of some pretty thick cover.  I didn't say I had cheap equipment...I don't.  At least to me it isn't.  I flip 1/2 oz jigs into cover all the time on a 6'6" pole.  I can also skip pretty well with either of them.  Not everyone can afford to have 6 different poles for every technique.  Heck, not everyone even believes it's necessary.

 

As far as this quote.."But I use 7' .. 7'5".. And 7'11" sticks, all heavy, all moderate/ 

fast actions.... 20 to 25 pd hybrid or CXX "

 

Well.....ok then.  I don't.  Nor do I feel like I have to tell a guy so new to bass fishing that he can't get his reel set up properly that he has all the wrong gear.  He needs help..not a lecture.  My .02

 

p.s.  Although I do use 20 lb slick braid.  Love it

Don't feel bad, pitching and flipping are two techniques that I wasn't able to master this year. Hopefully practice in the winter and be good in the spring.

HUH? say what?  that's a joke right?

First off what kind of reel do you have? if you have a magnetic brake system, you need to to have it set lower than "6" if you have a centrifugal system have 3 or less of the things engaged.   also you need to have something heavy enough to be pitching , and you need to have a long enough rod.  7ft at the minimum 7-6 to 8 ft is preferred. 

Dead on the money Sam. Couldn't have said it better. I have my BAIT CASTER set on as free as possible without turning the knob off the reel.

A standard FLIP should only be 10' to 15', while a PITCH can be as far as you want to.

Hahahhaha. .... everytime one of these threads come up, I get to laugh at people not knowing the difference between pitching and flipping, and the situations they're used in.

It makes me giggle.

Just keep practicing OP! You'll get it!

Alright guys, i guess i'll just keep trying... I've already said it's not anything with my reel settings, don't know why some people keep insisting it is, I can see my reel right in front of me..

Pitch, Flip, and Flip-Punch casts: