I have been working on my flipping and pitching technique for a few weeks now, trying to learn a good new tool to use on the lake.  While practicing in my yard, I had a heavy lead weight attached to my line, and I was able to flip and pitch well, with distance, and pretty darned accurrately too. However, putting it into practice with a lightweight jig on the water was a different story-  with a 1/4 oz jig w/trailer, I had a hard time getting it to the target because of the light weight. I caught a fish the first time on the lake using this presentation, so I'm 'on board' and have been reinforced to do it again....but-

I put on a lighter weight to practice in the yard, and have the same results- no distance, overruns, poor accurracy.

I chose a lighter weight jig because I was trying for a slow sinking, subtle presentation, but maybe I need to bump up the weight and forget about that.

Does anyone have any advice for how to better use these techniques on a lighter weight lure/jig?

Thanks

What action rod are you useing for your light jigs?

If you practice in your yard and you fish out of a boat, it is important that you elevate yourself the required height while practicing in your yard. If not you will have problems when you get on the water with the foot or so height difference.

Increase the weight to 3/8 or 1/2 oz. and see if that helps. Also you can do a manuel adjustment on your reel's braking system to help while you adjust.

If you practice in your yard and you fish out of a boat, it is important that you elevate yourself the required height while practicing in your yard. If not you will have problems when you get on the water with the foot or so height difference.

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This is very true. I always practiced in my room, and whenever I got out on my boat I was throwin either right at the boat or up in the trees ;D

What action rod are you useing for your light jigs?

I have been using either 6' or 6'6 medium to medium-heavy rods.  From what I've read, longer rods are recommended for this technique- more spring in the tip?

Great tip also to elevate myself while practicing in the yard, fishfordollars.

6' is a pretty short rod

i flip w/ a 7'6 or 7'11, and when flipping lighter baits i make sure to load the rod w/ the bait in my hand, putting pressure on the bait so that when i let go the rod works w/ me to give the bait distance. just make sure you dont apply too much pressure and hook yourself when you let go!

Mike,

Go with a longer rod, like a 7 footer if possible. A 6'6" at  the very least.

Read how to flip and pitch on this site and also check out what Denny Brauer says in his book, "Denny Brauer's Jig Fishing Secrets" published by Outdoor World Press, Inc., PO Box 278, Humansville, Missouri 65674 or the video, "Denny Brauer's Advanced Flipping, Pitching and Jigging" by Strike King and produced and directed by Jud Bender of Getaway Productions.

The video is excellent and the book is outstanding.

Goggle pitching and flipping and see what the pros' websites have to offer, too.

When pitching, always be sure that the rod tip is facing down towards the water and then sweep the rod in an upward arc (make it short) so the lure travels above the water to your target.

Flip or pitch your bait beyond your target and then move it back towards you by, on or in contact with your target.

And here is a pro's tip when flipping...pull the line that is between the first and second line guides on the rod.  By doing this you will gain one, two or three extra feet to your cast. But keep this a secret between us.  ;D