What size Flippin weight would you use:

• 7-12 fow
• Moderate weed growth - don’t need to punch a heavy mat but need to get through some stems
• Moderate stain, light “root beer” color
• 65 degree water temp

 

And what would be your preferred brand/color plastic?

3/8 to 1/2 and black-blue 

38 minutes ago, Columbia Craw said:

3/8 to 1/2 and black-blue 

yeah this is about right for me too. I’d probably start at half and I might add chartreuse tips if it’s dirty enough. A rage bug might be in consideration too. 

65 degrees stands out to me here, if it's spring and they are likely on bed, and I would probably be fishing shallower than 7 feet. I would be using a beaver bait in a green pumpkin or otherwise bluegill like color, and I would pair that with the lightest weight that allowed me consistent bottom contact, probably 1/4-3/8.

 

In the fall probably a senko style bait in Junebug or white, the lightest weight that allowed consistent penetration, likely 3/16 or 1/4oz.

 

Generally the answer to what size weight is the lightest one that will do the job. However, on occasion a heavier weight will help the fish find the lure in muddy water as opposed to spooking them.

The bait is just to show color recommendation. At 65 degrees something like a Rage bug with more action would be preferred.

If the cover is sparse enough for a jig, I’d use a 1/2 oz jig. 
 

otherwise id use a 3/8 or 1/2 oz flipping weight and a beaver style lure like a Dbomb or pit boss, or a draw like a rage craw or chigger craw. 
 

1/2 oz if I want to be covering water faster, 3/8 if the bite is slower or if the water is closer to the 5-7 ft range- 1/2 oz if it’s closer to 12ft deep. The heavier weight will help you move faster if you’re trying to cover water, if I’m dissecting a good area, id prefer the 3/8 as I think it gets more bites.

In that situation I’d most likely start with a 5/16oz.

Hack Attack Fluorocarbon jig 1/2 oz Black-n-blue 

 

Rage Craw Blue Sapphire 

For what you describe I’d start with a 1/4 fir a while hitting the more sparse areas first, then go heavier as the veggies get heavier. 
 

Point is I want the slowest fall first to get through and go up from there. 
 

The heavier the cover the heavier the weight. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

The weight used when flipping is more significant than most anglers believe.  There is no perfect weight for all conditions.  The reason is because the drop of the lure is what triggers the strike.  I have used flipping weights from 1/8 oz to 3/4 oz. Some days bass want a hard fall and others they want a slow decent.   As a starting point, use just enough weight to get through the cover.  Obviously, this would be different for wood than topped out hydrilla.  In the winter, a slow drop works better for me.  In summer, bass are much more active.  I have seen instances where too much weight would kill the bite.  What you want is a "pin-ball" action as the lure falls, not a cannon ball.  I once fished a State Federation tournament on Toho when the angler in the front flipped with a 1 1/2 oz. weight and never got a bite.  I fished behind him with a 5/16 oz. weight and caught a limit.  When you are flipping very heavy cover like hydrilla, look for small holes in the grass to drop your lure into.  Light comes into those holes from above and bass are waiting for something to drop in.  There are numerous factors when flipping for bass that can make you a winner or a loser.   I could write a book on that subject alone.  One more thing, "always" check your bait before lifting it off the bottom.  I can't tell you how many times a bass has my bait and I don't know it.

16 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

"What you want is a "pin-ball" action as the lure falls, not a cannon ball."

 

"One more thing, "always" check your bait before lifting it off the bottom.  I can't tell you how many times a bass has my bait and I don't know it."

Two great bits of advice ?

I'd probably start with a 1/2 oz. blue black jig, but that could quickly change.  Lots of times conventional wisdom will tell me one thing and the bass will tell me another.  Always listen to the bass.  

I'd start with a beaver style bait on a flippin rig. 3/8 - 1/2oz, green pumpkin or black/blue depending on visibility.

7 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

What you want is a "pin-ball" action as the lure falls, not a cannon ball.

I agree with Phil on this. A beaver on a snelled flippin rig is great for this. It has a gliding spiraling action on the fall, if you let it fall with a bit of slack, up to about 1/2oz.

when im flipping i like to start with a 3/8 tungsten and a beaver on a 4/0 flipping hook, but if i notice a more reaction style bite i will bump up to maybe a half. If they wants something slower i like 3/16 with a slimmer craw with out a lot of action but still has some fall resistance.

I dont do much flipping but pitch a lot . I have a difficult time pithing with my wormin rod with a weight less than 5/16 . 

3/8th.  green pumpkin brush hog.  cuz that is all I have.

3/8oz with a rage bug sounds right on the money from the description. I usually start with the lowest weight I think I can get away with and anything lighter than 3/8oz is going to be harder to flip and pitch, so start there. Since there aren't a lot of stems, the larger profile of the Rage Bug tends to get the attention of more fish. Also this sounds like a good place to flip a jig.