I see a lot of reels with flippin switches but Im not sure what they are really used for and why they would be useful.  Can anyone tell me?

I see a lot of reels with flippin switches but Im not sure what they are really used for and why they would be useful. Can anyone tell me?

I use mine for flipping.... :  

Basically when you let your thumb off the bar, the reel automatically engages instead of you having to crank the handle. It allows you to immediately set the hook on a fish as your bait is falling.

Wayne

I kinda figured that lol...

so when you hit it it disengages the spool so like comes off and when you let off the spool engages so you can set the hook??

The thumb bar engages when you let up on it, no need to turn the handle to engage the thumb bar / spool. If a fish bites immeditely when you flip or pitch you can instantly set the hook w/o having to take time to turn the handle to engage the spool.

That's basically how the Garcia/Pflueger/Daiwa flippin switches work.  Shimano has it's instagage on their Castaic which automatically engages the spool when you push on the button on top.  Both systems work well though not everyone likes them..  I've used it for years for flippin and especially pitchin.  I wouldn't be without it.

I kinda figured that lol...

so when you hit it it disengages the spool so like comes off and when you let off the spool engages so you can set the hook??

Yep, you got it...  

ok i went by gander mountain today and played around with a few reels...i see what they're for now...

Every time i press mine MY MIDDLE FINGER STANDS STRAIGHT UP

Every time i press mine MY MIDDLE FINGER STANDS STRAIGHT UP

I wonder why....maybe you should get checked...