A while back when the Lew's SP bait caster came out, I replaced all my remaining round reels I used for flippin. I carry two sticks, one for skipping jigs and one for pitching weightless/skipping plastic/c-rig. The SP's do a great job in reducing the "overruns". But there's not much 30# mono line length on one for dragging a jig in the deep or C-rigging. I'm contemplating adding a third stick to the line-up with a regular Lew's low slung HD reel. I have several sticks on the shelf from over the years that I bought and never cared for once the HMGs disappeared. I'm particular here.

I'm convinced by 40 years of use, the old Fenwick HMGs are the best but those are long gone. I've nursed all mine this far, as testimony to how well suited they are. One broke and I replaced the top section and made a for braid 8' froggin rod out of it. Only round reel I still use because nothing casts braid like one.

So the question posed is 2 parts;

a) is FFS crowding out flipping methods, changing the market?

I see all the younger contingent running around throwing minnow baits at FFS targets. I've been using FFS for some time now, second unit. Finally got it sorted, it's amazing. Answers questions I've had for a long time. Court still out if it hampers the bite. I know I've lost fish because I watched them hit lure on screen rather than feel them and react. ie: Learning curve.

b) Who's makes a good 7'6" flippin stick these days?

The "trend" has been the light exposed butt section and micro seats and not as heavy a rod. The secret is in the tip section. I could build one, but last time I investigated, it was way more money these days, and blanks sources have changed a lot and not at the local see and touch store. Online roulette only. I've returned to buying off the shelf the last 2 decades or so, but I was over at the local BPS the other day and they didn't even have one on the racks? Passe?

.

A- Not by any means. The fish being chased on FFS and the fish you're going to flip and pitch for are entirely different fish, often different times of the year. Early season (ice out to mid may for me) I don't have much cover to pitch to in the first place. I am almost all grass based for cover so before it grows I don't have much to pitch to. After it grows there isn't much I can see with FFS. Two very different techniques for different areas and fish.

B- the classic question- are you talking true flipping (extra long rods, a fixed length of line off the reel, dropping it in and pulling it out) or are you talking pitching with the reel. You mention an 8' rod which implies flipping but you tell me.

I hope that it is, so everyone will leave the fish I like to chase alone 😂

The average bank beater, weekend angler isn't swinging for FFS, that's always going to be a staple of those guys to flip and pitch shoreline cover.

I don't know who makes the best, or exactly what you're looking for in one. I'm not someone who needs a really long, super heavy rod because I rarely encounter extremely heavy cover here. Most of my flipping and pitching is done with Kistler Heliums. Okuma makes some really nice rods that will get the job done also. I've got one of the old TCS Mat Daddy rods that is 7' 11" H/MF for when I do run into that real heavy stuff.

9 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I hope that it is, so everyone will leave the fish I like to chase alone 😂

The average bank beater, weekend angler isn't swinging for FFS, that's always going to be a staple of those guys to flip and pitch shoreline cover.

I don't know who makes the best, or exactly what you're looking for in one. I'm not someone who needs a really long, super heavy rod because I rarely encounter extremely heavy cover here. Most of my flipping and pitching is done with Kistler Heliums. Okuma makes some really nice rods that will get the job done also. I've got one of the old TCS Mat Daddy rods that is 7' 11" H/MF for when I do run into that real heavy stuff.

The guy I was on a boat with yesterday has FFS and was flipping too.

One doesn't exclude the other, there's just a new technique available.

My flippin stick is a daiwa tatula 8' punching rod which is no longer produced, any daiwa extra heavy fast rod with an x45 blank is cash money for a flippin stick though

I don't have FFS but most of the tournaments I fish are dominated by it. I would say about 75% or more of the boats have it. I fished a few tournaments where me and my fishing buddy were the only ones without it. Even when I am fun fishing you see a lot of guys using it, especially crappie fisherman. I would say it's around 50% or more depending on what day it is.

My opinion is that years of bank beating by anglers like myself have driven fish off shore to rock and downed brush piles and with tools like FFS ,it's making those fish easier to find. After a few years of FFS being around, I'm starting to see those fish return to shallow cover and grass like they were before (at least at my lakes). There seems to be a gradual transition, like FFS is pushing them back. For me, I use side imaging, down imaging, and mapping to find fish off shore. I don't catch them like guys do with FFS but the fish will still hit a football jig being dragged in deep water. I'm just not mindlessly flipping it around a dock or lay downs all the time.

I do like how there is this sort of mixture of both worlds starting to show up. I think anglers are learning that you can't be a one trick pony. You have to know both worlds in order be successful.

7 hours ago, FishTank said:

I don't have FFS but most of the tournaments I fish are dominated by it. I would say about 75% or more of the boats have it. I fished a few tournaments where me my fishing buddy were the only ones without it. Even when I am fun fishing you see a lot of guys using it, especially crappie fisherman. I would say it's around 50% or more depending on what day it is.

My opinion is that years of bank beating by anglers like myself have driven fish off shore to rock and downed brush piles and with tools like FFS ,it's making those fish easier to find. After a few years of FFS being around, I'm starting to see those fish return to shallow cover and grass like they were before (at least at my lakes). There seems to be a gradual transition, like FFS is pushing them back. For me, I use side imaging, down imaging, and mapping to find fish off shore. I don't catch them like guys do with FFS but the fish will still hit a football jig being dragged in deep water. I'm just not mindlessly flipping it around a dock or lay downs all the time.

I do like how there is this sort of mixture of both worlds starting to show up. I think anglers are learning that you can't be a one trick pony. You have to know both worlds in order be successful.

amen. People talk about fishing offshore like it can only be done with ffs. well ive been fishing off shore with side and down imaging for 20 years . it was effective then as it is now . A texas rig, football jig ,carolina rig, dropshot all still catch fish. they may not win a tournament but thats not what im there for. you can still have plenty of good days of fishing offshore without ffs.

Well I was surprised at the lack of flippin sticks available now. I didn't find any that were the collapsible handle style of yore, so far. Easily in the $4-500+ for a one piece. I don't like the one piece per se, it's hard to store in rod locker. I have some that mostly sit in the rod cradle collecting dust. Most were "out of stock" also. Maybe just time of year or lack of orders?

Dee Thomas passed a few years back and I guess the rods he "blessed" are now passe as he is passed. Sign of old age.

Flippin and pitching are two different 'casts' but can use the same equipment. I started skipping more because around here (SC) we have floating docks mostly. Not as much grass or lay downs as I'm used to. That's why I changed reels to the SP reels. That one powerbait trailer has a smooth back side and skips a 1/2 oz like a cormorant taking off.

I was more thinking "jig fishing" were I needed more line so would change reel type but could use that same rod for flip, pitch, or cast. Rather than tying on and cutting off all the time, I like to keep 'em rigged ready to pick up and cast.

The 8'er is a converted 7'6 HMG that broke and I put new rod top, reused the handle, and use exclusive for frogging w/ braid. I guess I wasn't clear. The extra length is helpful on those long tosses back in the slop.

I'll keep looking and weighing options in the mean time. Thanks for the comments and potential leads.

Ok, so you do mean actual flipping it also pitch with the same setup. If you want long, the 8’ falcon Cara super duty would be the modern equivalent of a flipping rod. Soft tip but a lot of backbone. The 7’11” Jason Christie special would be there too and doesn’t have the shipping surcharge. I have the big bait rod which is 7’9” but it’s rated 1-4 oz. It’s more of a big swimbait type rod though if I’m punching with an ounce plus plastic that’s the rod it’s going on. Soft tip and for the rated bait range it’s great. I haven’t seen any telescopic rods for sale for a long time. I have a 7’6” all star telescopic in the basement that’s a great rod for what you’re talking also.

On 2/26/2026 at 2:28 PM, fish'n Jim said:

A while back when the Lew's SP bait caster came out, I replaced all my remaining round reels I used for flippin. I carry two sticks, one for skipping jigs and one for pitching weightless/skipping plastic/c-rig. The SP's do a great job in reducing the "overruns". But there's not much 30# mono line length on one for dragging a jig in the deep or C-rigging. I'm contemplating adding a third stick to the line-up with a regular Lew's low slung HD reel. I have several sticks on the shelf from over the years that I bought and never cared for once the HMGs disappeared. I'm particular here.

I'm convinced by 40 years of use, the old Fenwick HMGs are the best but those are long gone. I've nursed all mine this far, as testimony to how well suited they are. One broke and I replaced the top section and made a for braid 8' froggin rod out of it. Only round reel I still use because nothing casts braid like one.

So the question posed is 2 parts;

a) is FFS crowding out flipping methods, changing the market?

I see all the younger contingent running around throwing minnow baits at FFS targets. I've been using FFS for some time now, second unit. Finally got it sorted, it's amazing. Answers questions I've had for a long time. Court still out if it hampers the bite. I know I've lost fish because I watched them hit lure on screen rather than feel them and react. ie: Learning curve.

b) Who's makes a good 7'6" flippin stick these days?

The "trend" has been the light exposed butt section and micro seats and not as heavy a rod. The secret is in the tip section. I could build one, but last time I investigated, it was way more money these days, and blanks sources have changed a lot and not at the local see and touch store. Online roulette only. I've returned to buying off the shelf the last 2 decades or so, but I was over at the local BPS the other day and they didn't even have one on the racks? Passe?

.

Flipping sticks I like

Expride 7’7H

Expride 7’6XH

Expride 7’6 H

Expride 7’3XH <— weighs nothing, crazy power

No, The first thing I do before starting to flip brush or boat docks is turn it off.

I think the fishtank is on to something and we're in agreement. We've had an unusual spring this year, that plays, but I've seen this pattern before, just not this bad. I'm delayed starting the year with outboard issues and cold weather. I started weekly trips mid FEB, once the light got better/boat done, and the water is quite colder and lower than normal. We usually get some spawn in Mar, but it's been sub '50 due to low water. Some years it won't get below low '50s. This week, it's all of a sudden 80s and redbuds? I'd been marking deeper bait moving back for weeks, but the bass weren't following. I wasn't getting bit B4 2:00 on moving baits and leaving by 5. I was in one colder cut at 1:00ish that was literally sparkling with baitfish all the way back, but no bass. With the full moon/longer day, I decided to stay later. The bass were moving on the bank after 5P and busting - way past tourney time. Vulnerable to moving baits. The locals were coming out too...

I think all the FFS techniques, as all tourney/fishing pressure/weather has re-arranged their normal schedules/movements. Hartwell is huge but a major tourney haven. Every regional college angler did nothing else. I've had FFS gen 1 and now 2 for a few years, myself. I still struggle more than I used to. I'm not as steady as I was, with aging and arthritis, my stamina and techniques changed.

I was able to figure it out. B4 2:00, let it sit and they'd hit it - an old cold water trick. Onto the spawn soon. Bucks are arranging accommodations. Girls are feeding heavy.