I decided to teach myself pitching.  So, after a few youtube videos and went into the yard and practiced for a while.  Farthest distance so far is about 15 yards.  What is the typical pitching distance?

Accuracy is by far more important than distance when pitching. Your distance is fine, concentrate on being able to hit small targets consistently and with as soft of a touch down as possible.

Pitching is all about accuracy and quiet entry for me too.

15 yards isn't to far if your still hitting your targets.

That clears it up then.  As for soft entry, I noticed if I release the reel at a certain time in the throw the lure stays close to the ground all the way out instead of arcing so I just have to figure that out.  

 

I wasn't wildly inaccurate but not pinpoint.  Any accuracy tips?

That clears it up then.  As for soft entry, I noticed if I release the reel at a certain time in the throw the lure stays close to the ground all the way out instead of arcing so I just have to figure that out.  

 

I wasn't wildly inaccurate but not pinpoint.  Any accuracy tips?

Honestly IMO it's something you just have to practice, I have the luxury of a pond I can practice in but I'm sure any target in your yard would work fine

I prefer solo cups with some gravel in them. Set them at different distances and make it. I also take a couple wire hangers and stick them in the ground and pitch through them.

60ft. 6in.

Cast past your target and thumb the spool to slow down. That is how you make it land soft and not under shoot your target. I will make a lot of roll casts to a spot someone might pitch. It makes no difference how you get the bait there as long as you achieve what you wanted to do. Or I make a half roll half pitching underhand flip type thing on something super close if I don't want the bait screaming towards a spot like i can with a roll cast.

Just lotsa practice, it will be quite a bit different on a floating platform, the more you learn your rod/ reel & low trajectory in your yard, you can learn it again on the water, in wind and current.

I agree with all the above statements, what helped me was a bucket tipped on it's side and try to get the bait to the back of the bucket.  If you're usually from shore I would practice keeping your arms up a little higher to clear the reeds/brush on the shoreline.  In IL during the summer some of the shoreline can get pretty thick and may interfere.  Also practice different angles/targets from a single spot.  If you're going to be on a boat stand on a bucket.  

I found that i got more distance using an 8ft rod than using a 7-6 . 

A longer will always give more distance considering all things are the same. 

My pole is somewhere in the 6'5" range.  

I use anywhere from a 6'6"-7'6" depending on cover and distance.

I like a longer rod for pitching.

Also when we were kids my dad would teach us to pitch by playing a game.

We would stand on the steps in the yard and try to hit baits in solo cups.

 

I still do it today when I am not able to get on the water.  Get on the steps (raised platform like a boat)

and pitch at certain leaves, rocks, sticks, etc... that are laying in the yard.

I even give my little boy a cup sometimes and have him move around and see if I can put it in the cup he's holding.

Tickles him to death.

You really want to keep your lure very close to the water though.  Silent entry and much more accurate. 

More good advice.  Love this forum already!

Distance wise 15-20 yards is where I stay

 

In light to moderate cover I cast/flip/pitch T-rig & Jigs up 1/2 oz with the same 2 rods, both are 6' 10" med-heavy xtra fast

I'm with Catt, 15-20yrds is a good range for pitching.  It's about accuracy and the amount of targets, not the distance.  I don't know many places I'm going to pitch a bait 45+feet away.  That distance your accuracy isn't going to be as good with a pitch opposed to a softer role cast. 

I think trajectory is more important than distance.  Get that down, and the pitch cast becomes a very useful tool.

Flipping and ;pitching is an "in the trenches" technique.

 

I mean by this that you want to be close to your targets when flipping and pitching.

 

15 yards is a nice distance but you may want to practice hitting your targets at 5 and 10 feet.

I will be practicing my pitchn' and flippn' this winter, and using the dog's bowl as a target to start.

Just focus on keeping your bait as low to the water (ground if you are practicing) as possible throughout the cast, and slowing the bait down (not a dead stop where the bait nosedives in) so it kind of sets in the water where you intend it to. Once the distance gets too far for you to do this effectively, it's like people say, you'll find yourself using a roll cast, which can be much more accurate and quiet than an over hand cast, although not quite as stealthy as a wonderfully performed pitch.

Eventually, you'll be cruising banks alternating between all kinds of casts depending on the varying targets you are hitting and not even really thinking about your technique much. Everyone does things a little different based on their abilities, equipment, preference, etc... I do a goofy looking swinging backhand cast to get in behind low-hanging trees. No one taught me that cast, but I imagine just about everybody has their version of it because it gets the job done. You just get use to having a rod in your hand and you figure things out.

Just getting a baitcast combo; I'm really looking forward to learning how to do this. Thanks for the tips guys.

I don't ever pitch 45'-60'.  If I have to go that far I cast it.  30-35 ft is about the longest I'll pitch anything.