Can someone describe exactly how to flip?  Just the mechanics of the cast, not lure selection, etc.  How do you make this cast with bait casting gear?

Lets see if I can do this lol. Drop your lure so that its even with your reel. Now with your freehand pull out some line out of you reel while still holding onto the spool and still having your lure even with your reel. Now slowly swing it like its a cane pole to a target then when the bait hits the water slowly let the line you pulled with your freehand so that the bait has a free fall to the bottom.

Hey Chris, thanks.  I realize that for the seasoned veterans out there, asking how to flip seems about as naive as asking how to open the bail on a spinning reel.  However, I just recently started float tubing for bass, and I am encountering a lot of heavy cover that necessitates flipping.  I've read many articles on when to do it, lures to use, etc., but never one on HOW to do it.  Most of these articles assume that you already know how.  So, your description is in-line with everythig else I have read, so it's time to practice, and then go flip a fat Hula Grub into some submerged trees!

Kyle

Welcome to the forum!

I realize that for the seasoned veterans out there, asking how to flip seems about as naive as asking how to open the bail on a spinning reel.

Not by a long shot, Kyle. If there is anything bass fishermen like to do almost as much as being on the water is talk about it, and when someone asks a question we love to answer it. I have long believed the only dumb or in this case naive question as you put it is the one that isn't asked, so ask away!

To add a little to what Chris said, I have found that engaging the spool before you make your flip can save you some trouble. If you have a flipping switch on your rod eliminates the need to turn the handle-it engages as soon as you let up on the thumb bar. If you try to set the hook with the reel in free spool can give a bad backlash-learned that one the hard way ;D.

I would recommend braid for flipping-very strong and no stretch.

I find myself pitching more than flipping-the difference is pitching is basically an underhand cast where you start with the bait in your hand and pendulum it forward as opposed to holding the line with your "off" hand.  

It is easy to do, just kind of hard to describe how to do it.

matter of fact I was going to ask this same question some time in the future.  I don't know how to flip or pitch, but I think I got an idea now.  its a great question to ask.   8)

Just happened to think of something.  If you are watching some of the bass shows on Saturday morning and see a pro with their rod in one hand and you see their other hand extended all the way out at arm's length and bring it into the rod fishing right up next to cover they are flipping, and if you see them in the same type location making underhand casts they are pitching.

I learned by watching a DVD by KVD on flippin and pitchin.  It was worth the 9.95 to actually see somebody do it.   The DVD is available from BPS.

Hmmmm....

I've found pitching to be very difficult with a baitcaster and very easy with spinning tackle.  Maybe I'm doing it incorrectly with the baitcaster but I always seem to have the lure kind of stop in mid air as the slack line goes out and the spool starts spinning, whereas with spinning tackle, it's all free to go out and I can actually pitch about 20 feet pretty accurately.

Now flippin' to me with a baitcaster is very very easy and you can get the trolling motor cranking pretty quick and cover miles of shoreline without missing a laydown or a good spot.  Just like was mentioned earlier and keep that line in your free hand.  Once you get the amount of line out there that you're going to use, then you can just keep the spool engaged and it's one fluid motion over and over.  I can probably make about 20 casts per minute once I get rolling with this and cover tons of bank.  This only works well though if the good bite is pretty much on the bank or structure that you're fishing.  I caught a bunch of 3-5 lb.ers early this season.  Water was cold and surprising to me, the big bass were on the bank almost literally.  Almost as soon as the jig hit the shoreline in about 1-3 feet of water, they would hit.  

Not a pro at flippin & pitchin but some advice i learned was the action is in the wrist movement not arm movement. If you have problem with line catching on reel handle twist your hand so handle is pointed to ground.

                                    Good  Luck !

                                             Sinker 48