Hey guys, so I'm somewhat new to the whole pitching game and I'm in need of a new reel on my pitching rod. i know the more bearings the better but thats really about as far as i know as to what makes a good pitching reel. Im pretty much wondering what i need to look for as far as a good reel, I'm not too concerned with the cost so let me know what you guys think. I'm kind of looking at the Abu Garcia Beast, the Diawa Zillion, and the Tatula. These are just some of the reels I've looked at, i own different reels made from all three companies and am happy with all of them just not sure what makes a good pitching reel. Sorry for kind of rambling on haha. thanks for any input guys 

More bearings does NOT = a better reel.

Any of the 3 you mentioned will work. Choose the one that offers the features you are looking for and feels the best to you. Pitching is a way to present a bait. You can pitch anything you choose. Plastics,cranks,jigs,ect

The beast will be way too big for specifically pitching. I'd find a 50-100 size reel. If all you plan on doing is skipping pitching and short cast situations. No need for a lot of line capacity

Check out the Pinnacle Optimus LTE, an underrated reel that you don't hear much about. It has a perfect flipping switch, comes in either a 7.1:1 or 7.3:1 (don't remember) and is beautiful looking. Also I believe the Lew's Super Duty is worth looking at.

Lews tournament mb in 8.3.1 $115 free shipping on eBay.

Check out the Pinnacle Optimus LTE, an underrated reel that you don't hear much about. It has a perfect flipping switch, comes in either a 7.1:1 or 7.3:1 (don't remember) and is beautiful looking. Also I believe the Lew's Super Duty is worth looking at.

Lews tournament mb in 8.3.1 $115 free shipping on eBay.

can't believe I forgot to mention the Lews I also think those are pretty sweet reels, never owned one though. I'll check them out thanks guys

can't believe I forgot to mention the Lews I also think those are pretty sweet reels, never owned one though. I'll check them out thanks guys

Lews are great reels. You could look at the superduty for something a little stronger. But the MB would be perfectly fine.

You do not need a flipping switch! I think it's useless & gimmicky. If your flipping & pitching a lot, and if in central Florida, get yourself a well made reel. One with a superior clutch.. Shimano & Daiwa come to mind...

Yeah look at the Lews Superduty

That new Shimano Aldebaran would make an awesome pitching reel..

You can pitch with any reel... Spinning or casting

I have a daiwa t3 1016. Light spool for effortless pitches, quick ipt, and you can engage reel without turning handle.

If you can find them, either the Shimano Core 100mg or the Chronarch 50.  Both have worked great for me.  I would not recommend the Zillion for this application.  Great reel but not best for this technique. 

My suggestion, get a Tatula (7.3:1) on Ebay for cheap, then get it super tuned and bearings upped to Bocas. Boom goes the dynamite

 

*And the Beast is excessive foy your needs

There are lots of great choices.  If you pitch weightless plastics or finesse jigs then I suggest you get a reel with a light spool.  It enables low trajectory pitches because the spool starts up faster.  Heavier, deeper spools are great for casting heavier stuff, but for pitching I like that lighter, shallower spool.  You don't need a lot of line capacity for this technique either. 

The core or alphas are both great choices. You may opt for a spool in a reel you already own. If you have a zillion a 100m spool will make that reel magic. The JDM 103 reels with the v shaped spools are good also. The new sv spools are supposed to be good but I have yet to get my sv alphas to give real data. You could also use a pixy and the price is really coming down on those. The cheapest quality option might be a Sol and they support a bunch of spool options.

I prefer the Lew's Super Duty, but would suggest any quality reel with magnetic cast control. I just think the reels with magnetic cast control are better suited to flipping and pitching, and the Super Duty is one tough reel!!

If you can find a Daiwa T3 1016 on the auction site for $150 or less that would be a great reel. Maybe the best break system out there and a great spool. Revo Rocket is good also, love the super high gear ratio

You can pitch with any reel... Spinning or casting

Exactly

You can pitch with any reel... Spinning or casting

Not for the stuff I pitch into.

Not for the stuff I pitch into.

Lol

A person would probably wear out a spinning reel fairly quickly in Central Florida pitching or flipping.. Hydrilla is/can be so thick.. A baitcaster is more suited to the job than spinning IMO

Knock yourself out with spinning.. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't take long for someone to convert to a BC for that job, in that location....

X2 On , You Do Not Need A Flipping Switch , Useless & Gimmicky. 

 

Mike

For pitching, a Shimano 50 would be hard to beat.

For pitching, a Shimano 50 would be hard to beat.

 

X2 On , You Do Not Need A Flipping Switch , Useless & Gimmicky. 

 

Mike

 

If you can find a Daiwa T3 1016 on the auction site for $150 or less that would be a great reel. Maybe the best break system out there and a great spool. Revo Rocket is good also, love the super high gear ratio

 

I prefer the Lew's Super Duty, but would suggest any quality reel with magnetic cast control. I just think the reels with magnetic cast control are better suited to flipping and pitching, and the Super Duty is one tough reel!!

thanks for all the input guys sorry it takes me awhile to get back to you. i think I'm actually gonna go with the lews