I know that we all know flippin and pitchin jigs and creature baits are the norm. How many of you flip or pitch a plain old worm? Like a Power Worm or a Trick Worm? How do you fish it in comparison to a jig or creature? I used a 10" Thumper this morning, cut down to about 6-7". I had three fish on but all came unbuttoned, don't know why. On one of them, about a 3lber I would say, when I set the hook the fish came clear out of the water and my hook, with bass in tow, lodged into the log the fish was hiding under. So there is my fish dangling from a log!!! I hurried to get to it with the boat but it freed itself before I could get there. Anyway, I was just curious about flippin and pitchin with ordinary worms. Thoughts?

Thanks

Cliff

The only problem, as you just found out, is once the hook is through the plastic and the bass's mouth, there's nothing keeping it from hanging cover as you try to get the fish out. Jigs with weedguards mitigate this somewhat...however, I like pitching plastics. I'm more accurate and I can change colors/baits easily. The hang-up has never been that big of a problem as long as you keep them coming to you until you get them out of the cover.

Yeah it was like a freak thing, I mean I set the hook and almost instantly it was hung in the log. Honestly I was surprised the fish came out of the water like it did, I am using a pretty heavy stick but it was a good fish, not a dink.

Red, sometimes the fish want a longer profile more than others and I'll use a Full 10" Thumper or Annie. But I'll pinch'em down like you did as well when needed.

Something to consider: When you're pitchin heavy cover, timber etc. and your rod sweeps back on the hook set, never allow your rod tip to move even 1" back toward the water or the fish. Keep the rod tip up at maximum line strength even when reeling or winching on the fish. I'll either turn the boat out and/or move quickly toward the back of the boat trying to tow the fish away from the cover.

It's much harder for a fish to wrap around any limb or obstruction when you keep maximum pressure on them. They can only stall or run into a limb and attempt to go around it, but when they find it's impossible to do that because of your pressure, they'll often head your direction...

I call this "Close Quarters Combat" and it often requires heavy gear and line to keep your %'s of hits and lands up. You'll land many more fish and lose a lot less terminal gear this way As you know, working flipped or pitched fish like this, establishes a more direct line to you from where the fish bit and there's little opportunity to play the fish due to cover obstructions. In these cases, the fish come up Hot and fast thrashing the surface for all they're worth... ANOTHER CHALLENGE !!! Aint Fishin Fun

Big O

www.ragetail.com

Thanks Big O.

My gear is a 7'11" Lamiglas Xl7116C/Revo S-L, 20lb Invizx, 4/0 Owner Beast keel weighted hook (1/8). I have never had a fish get me buried in the past too badly. This situation I think I actually yanked the fish right out of the water on the hookset and just happened to pull it right into the log. The fish was hanging from the log...out of water completely, thats how I know it was a good fish, I had a clear view. After a few shakes it flopped back in the water. Anyway, I have a second flippin stick on the way, so now I can have a jig and worm/craw/creature rigged at all times.

Thanks!

Cliff

Red, sometimes the fish want a longer profile more than others and I'll use a Full 10" Thumper or Annie. But I'll pinch'em down like you did as well when needed.

Something to consider: When you're pitchin heavy cover, timber etc. and your rod sweeps back on the hook set, never allow your rod tip to move even 1" back toward the water or the fish. Keep the rod tip up at maximum line strength even when reeling or winching on the fish. I'll either turn the boat out and/or move quickly toward the back of the boat trying to tow the fish away from the cover.

It's much harder for a fish to wrap around any limb or obstruction when you keep maximum pressure on them. They can only stall or run into a limb and attempt to go around it, but when they find it's impossible to do that because of your pressure, they'll often head your direction...

I call this "Close Quarters Combat" and it often requires heavy gear and line to keep your %'s of hits and lands up. You'll land many more fish and lose a lot less terminal gear this way As you know, working flipped or pitched fish like this, establishes a more direct line to you from where the fish bit and there's little opportunity to play the fish due to cover obstructions. In these cases, the fish come up Hot and fast thrashing the surface for all they're worth... ANOTHER CHALLENGE !!! Aint Fishin Fun

Big O

www.ragetail.com

Iv fallen on my arse so many times doing this on the banks sense I don't have a boat. Setting on smallies that like to jump and dig for cover starting back peddling only o slip in the mud or on a rock lol. The first time my wife seen me do it she's was like what the hell are u doing id land fish just by walking backwards and reeling in the slack after there on shore.

Yeah I do like Big O mentioned and use the TM to move them out. I have done what you said from the bank too, before I had a boat.

I used to pitch worms and stuff all the time, but not so much any more. Used to catch fish on and everything, lol.

One thing I like about pitching jigs and creatures is the compact profile. They get the whole thing in one gulp, and get the hook in there mouths pretty quickly. You don't have to sit there and let em take it. By then they could have you wrapped up in the sticks before you even set the hook.

Check out the power tackle flippin stick out. Seems like a really neat idea, and just makes scene. Go to tackle warehouse and check the product video out for more info.

I flip big worms once in awhile if the timber doesn't have too many limbs and they're one of my favorites on pole timber. I have had several fish grab my bait after I casts it over a limb, landed some, lost most. Most of my bites on the big worms are on the intial fall instead of while I'm moving the bait like when I'm fishing a jig.

I fished a Texas rigged plastic worm for the first time about 52 years ago and it has been my #1 lure of choice ever since.

You were flipping-n-pitching so you were obviously in shallow water and it is quite common to jerk a bass completely out of the water. I’ve had them sail completely over my head and land on the other side of the boat.

I never wait for a bass take any lure; when you feel a bite I can guarantee you the bass does not have it in his hands.