finally i have taken a few days off from the water to hone skills that probably shouldnt be practiced on the water in the first place.  pitching is the technique that i needed most work on, and have been neglecting to practice.  so, i read all the articles i could find then spent hours practicing over the past week.  

my question is, what seems to be the average distance needed to reach a target?  granted boat position will play a main role.  i have tweeked my set up (daiwa cv-x 205 millionaire spooled with 12# yozuri, set on a  6'6" med action rod)  for optimum performance and on average seem to hit the 30 foot mark with ease on a 1 oz.  jig.  then about 25 feet average with a 1/2 oz jig.  most (but not all) casts seem to skim above the surface  (about 2-3 inches) before hitting thier mark.  is this acceptable for creating a quiet entry into the water?  any responses would be appreciated as pitching is realitvly new to me.  thanks.

also how much would barided line affect the distance of pitching.  I have no experience with braided line but seem to think this may be an application that screams braid.  when pitching with braid should i usea flouro leader, or is that one more thng to complicate the set up?

I usually pitch a jig about 24 ft to make a quiet entry. Usually my jig almost touches the water as it sails to the target. If I need to I can pitch 60 ft but it will not hit the water quiet. With braid if you try to force more distance on a pitch you will know it quick as you pick out your over run. You can get away with pushing more distance out of mono not braid. I tie direct to the jig without a leader. If I can get away with it I would pitch mono all the time because mono has more spring to it on the pitch than braid. Braid has its place where mono has a tough time horsing fish out of braid will ****** and drag it out.

kana, from ur info u r in the zone . 30' w/ no splash is great. i live in fl. and pitch mostly into heavy cover, (I) cant get away w/ using 12# test the constant abrasion weakens and frays my line to often and am constantly retying. if i dont that is when i get on a good fish and lose him.i am a proponent of light line when appropriate but i pitch around cypress trees, in and around laydowns and stick-ups grass pockets lilly pads and a 4# plus will use u in those places where i have better sucess landing him w/ haevier line.i also dont use braid pitching to me it is to unforgiving and have better control w/ mono. i am fishing for that 10 plus bass that i know on any given cast i could have him on matter of fact i have had several on over 10#s and haven't landed him because he used me in the cover i was fishing and wrapped me or broke me off (I) have a better chance of hauling him in w/ heavier line. hope u don't have the same probs . i read on these forums there are a good number of fishermen that use 12# test all the time.i'm one that cant

I use 20# flouro (not really "heavy" cover up here in the north). a longer rod may get you a couple extra feet too. i use a 7'10 flippin stick.

Sounds like your technique is right on.  I would recommend using a 7' to 7'6" heavy action rod for pitching jigs 1/4 - 1+oz.  You'll like the extra length for more distance and the stiffness for moving fish away from cover.

Sounds like you have it down.  I agree the longer rod will help with your distance-I use a 7-6 flipping stick.

I also use braid.  Like Chris said, you can get more distance with mono, but for horsing a big fish out of heavy cover you can't beat braid.

Hey Reb,

What braid and what pound test do you use on your flippin stick?

thanks for the much needed feedback.  rebasser, i was thinking about a 7'4" heavy rod, and i think id like to pursue that option, will i need to adjust my technique as there will be less flex in the top portion of the rod when i pitch?

Basser, I use 50 lb PowerPro. The PowerPro is rounder than a lot of braids so dies not dig in as much, and I like 50 lb because it has the same diameter as 12 lb mono which is what I use on the rods I have spooled with mono.

Not really, Kana.  I find the weight of the bait is what gets you distance and the length of the rod effects the pitch more than the flex of the rod.  The longer the rod, the easier it is to get distance.

30 feet is all I try for. If it's much further than that I'm throwing a little roll cast. A little harder to keep quiet though.

20 lb. florocarbon for me.

Hammer