Hey guys I have a few questions on the type of tackle needed for using jigs and flippin and pitchin. I was reading one of the articles and it said that a flippin rod was recommeneded for this. Also they said they used baitcast reels. Is it possible to flip and pitch and fish jigs with a spinning reel?

I use a 7 foot St Croix rod for my flipping. It is a heavy action with a fast tip. I use 20# florocarbon line mostly. There are a few rods out there that call themselves flippin' rods and they probably are fine, I'm not sure. But for this technique it requires a long rod, heavy backbone and soft tip.

As for as your reel, it is a lot better with a baitcaster, but you can use spinning if you prefer. I'm sure you could use a fly reel if you desired, but it's probably not your best choice. I would start out with the baitcaster.

You don't want to use less than 20# test if you are F/P in cover(and cover is mostly what you want to target). I like florocarbon, and I have used braided line before as well. I use 20# in clear water and up to 30# in dark water. Braided can have a higher # test with a smaller diameter. Florocarbon is very abrasion resistant line and thats what you want, abrasion resistant!

I assume the jigs you are asking about is for flipping and pitching. You have to consider color, wieght, drop rate, hook strength, trailor, presentation, and others I can't think of right off the top of my head. Make sure you use one that has a strong, sharp hook. Quality jigs make a difference in landing big bass or not. I remember last year playing around with cheap jig heads and lost a big bass due to him straightening out the hook. That sucked! Hope this helps!

is flippin and pitchin the way you have to fish jigs? or can you just fish them slowly with a spinning reel? and what types of cover are best?

Jigs can be fished in a variety of ways besides flipping and pitching.  Alot of guys like to flip and pitch with a jig because it is very effective and it targets big fish.  Other ways to fish jigs include swimming a jig, hopping along the bottom, dragging, etc.  

I fish in California in a very deep reservoir without alot of cover so I rarely flip or pitch at my home lake.  But I do often utilize a jig in hopping down rocky points/steep banks and on flats.  Use a jig wherever you need a slow presentation on the bottom, usually to imitate a crawfish. Hope that helps.

Mercury89 is right on. You can fish it any way you can think of. Just remember that the most important thing with it is that you want it to immitate prey. If you're working it on the bottom as a crawdad, then try as hard as you can to make it move like a crawdad. If you swim it, then make it appear as an injured or erratic shad or bluegill. Thats why it is important to study the habbits of crawdads and baitfish. Sometimes the prey is very skittish, moving very nervous like. Other times it is feeding. And other times it is injured. Find out what each one looks like, look for clues on the water as to what the prey is doing, and try to work the jig just like it. It's a great lure.

Another help for you, maybe. What I am doing this year is throwing the jig almost exclusively. I am fishing it 90% of the time. This will help me become a lot better at understanding as much about it as I can. If your goal is to get better and better for years to come, then you might consider trying something like it. Just a thought!