Pitching/Flipping: Limitations for Kayak fishing?

[Fish the Mitt]

Mid-summer Michigan (or anywhere for that matter) means heavy cover growth. There are some local bodies of water around me that have substantial pad growth in which I wanted to start pitching some stuff through. Now, I'm also newer to pitching through heavy pads but my question is more about the kayak aspect.

1. Kayaks, as everyone knows, are low to the water. When you're not in one that allows standing, the low profile restricts rod angles. It's proved hard to pitch jigs/punch rigs/etc.. from this low angle. Now, part of pitching is close proximity accuracy and more silent water entry (as opposed to the normal flop in the water). I can cast high and short and thumb the cast spool to provide me a close alternative but it's not the same. Is there a specific way any of you do this? 

2. Because of the low profile to the water, the rod height/angle; relative to surface, is much different. When higher, the retrieve/twitch is more perpendicular to the surface. When lower, it's more parallel (causing more issues with stems/pads).

 

Essentially, I'd just like some input. Whether you have a kayak or not, is there something I could try? Something you do?

 

As always, I appreciate any and all responses!

[Fish4bigfish]

I fish off float tubes and kayaks when I'm not in my boat or want access to better waters lol practice a role cast. I can role cast good enough to quietly present a jig. Punching is tuff and even tuffet after you hook up. On a boat you are way above the fish and can pull her up and out. On a seated platform you are pulling the fish laterally towards you. I use the role cast instead of a pitch when fishing seated. Practice it and you can get your bait to stay low and enter the water fairly soft.

[Fish the Mitt]

10 hours ago, Fish4bigfish said:

I fish off float tubes and kayaks when I'm not in my boat or want access to better waters lol practice a role cast. I can role cast good enough to quietly present a jig. Punching is tuff and even tuffet after you hook up. On a boat you are way above the fish and can pull her up and out. On a seated platform you are pulling the fish laterally towards you. I use the role cast instead of a pitch when fishing seated. Practice it and you can get your bait to stay low and enter the water fairly soft.

I appreciate the response. I do roll cast every now and again (mostly when trying to go under something [tree limb, dock,e tc..] but haven't tried it yet when working heavy cover. I will try it out and see if it offers me a better alternative than the high and short (while thumbing the spool).

[crypt]

the only issue that I've had with trying to flip out of a yak is lack of leverage.that's why I don't flip to much out of them much. 

[Caliyak]

I have found that I prefer flipping from my baitcaster but pitch from my spinning reel. It's not easy but with practice and practice, it's possible. I'm debating on purchasing a left handed baitcaster for flipping to see if it's easier. I've lost bass during switching hands cuz the fish bite on the drop. 

[Rick Howard]

The drawback for me would be visibility.  I wouldn't flip sitting down because I cant Qsee well enough to flip or pitch into the necesarry spots.  I would try to figure out a way to be able to stand n the kayak.  

[buzzed bait]

any chance you can stand and fish in the kayak?  that would obviously help quite a bit.

i never flip, but often pitch.  i'll do the roll cast as well the majority of the time.  another thing i'll do is kind of a sidearm type pitch.  i'll hold the line with my left hand on the left side of my kayak and keeping the momentum kind of parallel to the water, i'll move the rod toward the target and then release the bait to get it where i want.  i was doing this a lot this past weekend on the river as i would float by a laydown and do this method to get the bait toward the back of the log and then retrieve it parallel to the log to try and pull the fish out from under.

[Felix77]

I pitch from a seated position while kayaking quite often this time of year.  As already mentioned if you can stand that would help with targeting pockets and such.  FWIW I use a low side arm cast.  I try to keep it as close to the water as possible to minimize the splash at the end.  Keeping a active thumb helps with controlling the bait into the water.

Good luck.

[Tracker22]

I too am new to kayak flipping. When I use a 3/4 oz weight I have to toss it up more in order to punch through which in turn creates more splash on entry. Should I use a heavier weight? Or should I just shake it down?

I hope that doesn't sound like a stupid question.

[Turtle135]

I was fishing some matted grass this past weekend on the Tidal Potomac River. Was not really heavy stuff as I could punch through with a 1/2 ounce bullet and a beaver soft plastic.

While I can stand in my kayak what I have found is that while seated you can catch bass that are within a rods length. I would have only 4 or 5 feet of line out and was lowering the presentation straight down, bounce it a few times, lift up and repeat. I have found when the bass are in the grass like that (with a "roof" over their head) they will allow me a very close approach.

I do have a camo colored kayak (not sure if a brightly color yak spooks bass at close range) and I try to make zero noise and as little paddle disturbance as possible.

[Rhino68W]

I use a sideways pitching motion from my kayak and it has worked for me. I still need more practice though. It also helps to turn your brakes down all the way so you can just use the momentum of the lure to carry it out instead of using a lot of force with the rod lift.