does a flipping switch really make a difference when flipping and pitching?

It makes no difference in flipping because your dealing with a fixed amount of line

I like a flipping switch, but not really for flipping.  I use it when fighting fish, pitchin/flippin, etc... but its really never necessary whenever I'm making a reel purchase. 

I still use one of my old quantum's that has a flippin switch, and I find it "neat" to have but not neccessary.

To me, it's just something extra that has the potential to fail.

To me, it's just something extra that has the potential to fail.

outside of the old castaic 200, will agree.

fwiw, some of the newer daiwas will re-engage by pushing the thumb bar back up...not as well as those old castaics but, it's there for those few times a switch is actually needed.

To me, it's just something extra that has the potential to fail.

I agree. Plus it isn't as clean looking as a reel without one.

To me, it's just something extra that has the potential to fail.

or another spring to deal with on a clean/lube.

I wanted to try a Shimano Castaic for years. Finally did and now own three. Not a switch but, once I got used to reengaging with one hand, I was hooked.

Very convenient for pitching.

Have had quite a few reels over the years with flippin switches and never had a problem with the mechanism myself. 

i got a core 100 and i love the flipping switch.comes in real handy. now that i got onr i would like it on all my reels.

if  your right handed and using a left hand retrieve reel for pitching .. I think it's helpful but whats the point on a right retrieve reel.. you still got to switch hands anyway

All the original style flipping switches are darn near worthless IMO, outside of the occasional convenience for vertical jigging. When Shimano came out with the thumb bar switch on their Castaic line though, life got good  8-)

-T9

My regular everyday lake is choked with standing timber ( willows and mesquite ), thick thorny huizache brush and stumps, flipping is normal casting technique for me and I do flip a lot, I 've fished that lake since the early 80 's, my older reels purchased about that frame time have the flipping switch feature, how helpful it is ? well, been flipping for more than 20 years and I can 't even remember when was the last time I used the flipping switch on them  :-/.

So, you don 't need a reel with a flipping switch to flip.