I know this has been covered HUNDREDS of times. And I know 10 fishermen, 10 different ways to fish for same fish. In the internet world...hundreds/thousands of fishermen. In this case it's about a particular rod. I have no experience in flipping and punching, but want to. This rod is a front runner for me: Shimano Expride B Casting Rod - 7ft 3in, Extra Heavy Power, Moderate Fast Action EXC73XHB because of availability of what's in the store I work at. I've noticed most people like the 7'4 to 7'11 range, I've seen reviews on the one mentioned that makes it a great F/P rod, would like to hear from the experienced people here. I should mention the store I work in, if you feel you want to browse the selection, feel free. Sportsmans Warehouse. NRX+'s are also available, the 873 CRR is on my radar, just because of the versatility. MY experience is 2 years of bass, bank and kayak (mostly kayak tournaments), 25 years fishing the Columbia River and the rest of the PNW for salmon, steelhead, trout, walleye, halibut, tuna from my 23' North River, striper bass when I lived by the Delta in California, blue gill when I was kid (first rod was a plastic rod from the back of a comic book). Thanks 

Grumpy, I was influenced by Denny Brauer back in the 1980's and went with his design of flippin and pitchin stick which is a 7'6" heavy with fast tip, but still has a little bit of tip bend.

 

I really don't think you need a broomstick like an EXTRA heavy rod for this.

 

I think it all boils down to what is most comfortable to you. And what fits your fishing style.

 

My boat I use today is too low to the water to use a 7'6" so I had to downsize for that reason as well.

 

Don't listen to us! Listen to your body and fishing environment. Let that be your guide to the right size rod.

Welcome to Bassresource @Grumpy232!

 

I have This in the GLX 6’8” HF and really like it. It’s a very versatile rod and fishing from a canoe (kayak) the length makes it maneuverable in tight spots.

I use 20# flurocarbon  and even at an ounce it handles it fine. It’s a versatile rod, flipping, pitching, creature baits and big Texas rigs are all doable.

 

Now, you’re fishing heavier cover and potentially bigger fish so the additional length of a 7’1” would probably be a plus.

Just watched a YT on pitching with this rod, he says he likes the parabolic bend in it for pitching, I currently use this for my swimbait rod, it's cheap enough, although I don't mind spending $$, I just want to buy once. https://www.sportsmans.com/fishing-gear-supplies/casting-rods/dobyns-rods-fury-casting-rod/p/1425663

You can never have enough rods! Just once does not compute! 😁

 

Denny Brauer does some good explaining in this video. I'd say this is one of the most influential bass fishing videos I have ever watched. The bass just jump into his boat. He knows where they are like no other. In this video he watches a plant move and sets the hook on the largest bass in this video. From watching a plant move! Now that is a dialed in professional right there!

 

Maybe this one will be helpful to you as well.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJhbnvjIHSU

7 hours ago, FloridaFishinFool said:

Grumpy, I was influenced by Denny Brauer back in the 1980's and went with his design of flippin and pitchin stick which is a 7'6" heavy with fast tip, but still has a little bit of tip bend.

 

I really don't think you need a broomstick like an EXTRA heavy rod for this.

 

I think it all boils down to what is most comfortable to you. And what fits your fishing style.

 

My boat I use today is too low to the water to use a 7'6" so I had to downsize for that reason as well.

 

Don't listen to us! Listen to your body and fishing environment. Let that be your guide to the right size rod.

This ^^
 

Why? Because I absolutely love F&P tactics. I used a Heavy/fast rod during my 7 years in Jax, Florida. Flipping and pitching was a necessity on most all waters I fished while there. The hydrilla was so thick on Lochloosa you had to use a heavy.. the rod I used was an incredible rod, made by South Koreans and marketed by Lews. Its length was 6’6” 

 

Nowadays, I have a 905c F&P model. It’s a GLX and rated 20-25 test. It’s an extra heavy and imo, too much rod. But I ordered it on close out and got a better deal so it’s a keeper! 🤣😂🤣

 

Go with a length you’ll be comfortable with. State's are effective at killing vegetation, so the fact that heavy heavy weed growth isn’t so prevalent as it use to be. Close combat is fun! 

On 9/1/2025 at 3:46 PM, FloridaFishinFool said:

You can never have enough rods! Just once does not compute! 😁

 

Denny Brauer does some good explaining in this video. I'd say this is one of the most influential bass fishing videos I have ever watched. The bass just jump into his boat. He knows where they are like no other. In this video he watches a plant move and sets the hook on the largest bass in this video. From watching a plant move! Now that is a dialed in professional right there!

 

Maybe this one will be helpful to you as well.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJhbnvjIHSU

Half way through the vid, great stuff! I had to laugh at "You always want to check that lan to see whether it's frayed, if it’s frayed you need to bite off about a foot and re-tie" bite off .... lol 

7'3" is a great length for pitching and light punching.  I've got rods from 6'8" to 8' that will all pitch a nice bait.  For general purposes, that 7'3" length is a nice balance of not too long and wrist tiring but still giving a lot of control on the cast.  When it comes to punching, a little more length is nicer, but you can get by if you're under an ounce or so.

So let me ask this: how important is having a real sensitive rod for pitching and/or punching? Can I get away with say a Dobyns Fury? say the FR 765FLIP for flipping and the FR 735C for pitching? Two methods that are not in my arsenal .... yet. So my guess is I'm not missing out on much as far as "best rod" for f/p'ing. I'm also a firm believer in "buy once". 

A 765-Flip will work for both techniques. That's what I have, and have used for several years now.

I recently purchased an FR 765FLIP.  I Don't have a lot of hours on it yet, but I really like it so far. Very light in hand. I'd say it's action is pretty accurate. Not a pool cue at all. I don't do any true flipping for  the most part. Works great for pitching though. I'd buy it again. Tom

I'm sold, FR 765FLIP will be in the garage tomorrow 

 

20 hours ago, Grumpy232 said:

I'm sold, FR 765FLIP will be in the garage tomorrow 

 

So we didn't have the FR 765FLIP, but we have the SWS 765FLIP, it's the Sportsmans Warehouse/Dobyns model. Not sure what is different between the two, but being my first flipping rod, I'd probably never know the difference. But for what I paid (employee discount) not going to complain