Does two inches matter in a flipping stick as far as leverage and moving line on the hook set? Or as far as working length of the rod an inch and a quarter?

Nope ?

 

Unless we're talking 6" or more I don't think it makes a difference.

 

I do a lot of flipping-n-pitching with a Tatula 7' 1" rod, not because that one inch makes a difference but because it's a extra fast.

Every difference makes a difference. But I use a 6'8" pitching rod because I fish from a kayak and don't usually "flip" as much as sidearm cast. But my frog rod is a 7'3" XH-XF. I will use it for flipping T rigs when the water is too cold for frogs. Leverage means more when trying to lift fish to the surface. But Action and power mean more. 

I don't believe rod length is that significant when flipping and pitching. Back when Dee Thomas first started flipping in tournaments, he was trying to emulate an old cracker technique call "doodle socking".  This fishing technique was done with long cane poles and a short piece of line.  Fisherman needed the long pole to reach as far back in the cover as they could.  The 8 1/2' maximum tournament rod length was set because Ray Scott asked Dee how much rod he needed.  

 

I flip with a 7 1/2' rod.  A light rod is easier on your arms and wrists.  Holding up an 8 1/2' broom stick is murder on your arms and joints.  Sometimes the fish are on the edge and sometimes they are back in there.  If I can't drop the bait straight down to the fish, I pitch the lure.  Flipping is tedious.   You may only get a few bites a day.  As long as you are comfortable, you will stick with it.  Otherwise, you will give up and try something else.  Almost all my bass over ten pounds were caught flipping.   Flipping is not about numbers of fish, it's about quality fish.

 

I’ve got a few different flipping sticks. I’ve got a 7’6 and 7’4. Just trying to decide which one to use on next trip for flipping super heavy wood cover lol

You're over thinking things. The main thing is that you get enough use with a particular setup so that it just becomes second nature when you pick it up, you know exactly how it feels with any particular casting style, how it loads up on a hookset and things like that.

Have 2 flippin rods, a 7'9" and a 7' 4". The 7'9" lets me get further back in the tullies.

Dee wasn’t doodle socking or skittering or tule dipping he was flipping with the exact technique used today. He did use a 14’ fiber glass rod with guides, no reel. The long rod increase the flip cast distance. Pitching is casting not flipping.

Tom