Whats the difference in flipping and pitching grass vs punching? I don't really see a difference

To me - flip and pitch is targeting small holes visible in the weed mats.

Punching is putting the weight/bait through the weed mats.

I'd say you can flip and pitch to spots you don't need to punch through.  There are some spots you have to punch through that flipping and pitching doesn't work.  

 

I.e: I can flip and pitch a dock without needing to get through matted grass. But flipping and pitching a big mat won't be as effective as punching through it.

If you are pitching or flipping and feel the urge to swap out that 3/8 oz worm weight for an ounce and a half of tungsten....you MIGHT be punching

Flipping and pitching are two ways to get your bait there.  Punching is what your bait does to the cover.

In my humble opinion, and in furtherance of @J Francho above definition, this is what you would flip or pitch....

 

And this is the type of cover you’d punch...

9 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Flipping and pitching are two ways to get your bait there.  Punching is what your bait does to the cover.

That's what I was thinking. Take a 1.5 oz weight and pitch it and it will punch through.

 

I did see a video one time though where the guy was pitching it super high so it would have enough momentum to punch all the way to the bottom. Maybe that is what the OP is referring to.

1 hour ago, johnsmith said:

Whats the difference in flipping and pitching grass vs punching? I don't really see a difference

punching is pitching up in the air with heavy weights.

This shows a flip punch cast I use

 

Thanks guys, why are there rods designed for flipping and pitching when I could do that with just my standard T rig rod? 

Marketing and there are certain attributes that make each easier, like a nice tip for pitching, or special guide placement for flipping. Bottom line, you can pitch or flip cast with any rod and reel. 

Just now, J Francho said:

Marketing and there are certain attributes that make each easier, like a nice tip for pitching, or special guide placement for flipping. Bottom line, you can pitch or flip cast with any rod and reel.

Why do people recommend such high lb test line for these rods? For example, I run 12 lb on my T rig and I can flip and pitch with that to laydowns but I see for flipping and pitching rods, they recommend around 17-20 lb.

10 minutes ago, johnsmith said:

Why do people recommend such high lb test line for these rods? For example, I run 12 lb on my T rig and I can flip and pitch with that to laydowns but I see for flipping and pitching rods, they recommend around 17-20 lb.

A lot of people flip and pitch in and around HEAVY cover. I have caught a ton of 2 lb bass that felt like they were 15 lb catfish because there was so much slop/grass on them.

Because you need it.  Those heavy cover rods will snap 12# line on a hook set.  I typically use 65# braid.

2 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

A lot of people flip and pitch in and around HEAVY cover. I have caught a ton of 2 lb bass that felt like they were 15 lb catfish because there was so much slop/grass on them.

So those flipping and pitching rods are more for heavier application like a fallen tree with a lot of roots then for a simple log?

 

2 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Because you need it.  Those heavy cover rods will snap 12# line on a hook set.  I typically use 65# braid.

It wouldn't be necessary then to have a flipping and pitching rod just for flipping something like a single tree stump?

When fishing cover, and I fish a TON of trees, brush, lay downs, etc, I want the rod to be stout enough to get the fish away from the cover as soon as I can. I mentioned in a thread earlier that I probably fish my rods on the heavier side more often than not. I am also using braid and a high speed reel. We can argue the merits of rod power, braid strength and reel speed all day, but I am going to use what I have the most confidence in YMMV.

56 minutes ago, johnsmith said:

Thanks guys, why are there rods designed for flipping and pitching when I could do that with just my standard T rig rod? 

My T rig rod is a power lower than my pitching rod.  Of course if I need a really heavy T rig for some reason I step up to my pitching or flipping stick.  

 

53 minutes ago, johnsmith said:

Why do people recommend such high lb test line for these rods? For example, I run 12 lb on my T rig and I can flip and pitch with that to laydowns but I see for flipping and pitching rods, they recommend around 17-20 lb.

If I need more weight on the T rig it is because of heavy cover.  Around heavy cover I want a line that will take the environment I put it in.  I go straight to braid for that, but used to use 20-25lb mono.

Pitching is when you want to hit an area maybe 20-30 ft from you. 
You use a rod with enough back bone  in relation to the cover. 
You hold the lure in your off hand and with an upward motion of the rod you let go and stop the reel with your thumb. 
I use between 16# and 20# flouro. 
A high speed reel is best. 
 

Flipping is when you want to hit a target twice the length of your rod. 

You peel off enough line that’s the length of the rod plus an arms length stretched out to you side. 
Engage the reel. 
As you flip the rod up, you bring the line in your off hand to the rod. 
This is a pin point, up close and personal presentation. 

I use either 65# braid or 20# flouro, depending on cover. 
The overall strength of the rod and drag of the reel must be in relation to the cover. 
A higher speed reel is better. 
 

Punching is just what it sounds like. 
You are using the strongest equipment you have with the heaviest weight needed to “punch” through a thick mat of vegetation. 

You can either pitch or flip. 
Weights can start at approx 3/4 oz to 2oz whatever is needed to get through. 
I use 80# braid exclusively on a reel with the strongest drag and highest speed. 
 

(This one of my absolute favorite ways to fish)
 

Hope this helps

 

 

Mike 

I pitch when I'm on one side of a mat, and I want to fish the other side of the mat.

I flip when I want to fish holes in the surface of the mat.

I punch when I want to go straight through the mat and have my bait go all the way to the bottom.

A flipping rod usually has its first guide much higher on the rod so you are able to grab more line and pull it further too.