[fish4funinfl]

I am in serious need of a GOOD flippen / pitching rod . I want the rod at 7 ' ( not 6'6 ... not 7'6 etc.. )

For this rod, it will be primarily be used to bust through hydrilla mats and thick thick slop !! ( so a heavier weight would be used )

The rod(s) I have been useing just realy dont cut the mustard in some of the places I fish .( not enough backbone )

I have been looking at BPS and have found one on sale that may work. ( plus I like BPS return policy.. replace for free  lol )

Extreme™ XPS™ Woo Daves ( 7'H )

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/cata...arClassCode=2&hvarSubCode=1&hvarTarget=browse

I also had a thought but I do not know if it would work or not. My thought is to use a salt water rod . I am unsure if a curado would mount on it etc..  The rod I was looking at is this one

Falcon® Coastal™ XG Series Casting Rods ( XXH .. 6'10  ... close enough to 7' lol )

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/cata...arClassCode=2&hvarSubCode=1&hvarTarget=browse

I also know a rod builder and probably will try one of his rods as well, but we will leave him out of this for right now.

Ok, lets hear yalls thoughts and or suggestions. and remember this is for thick junk !

 

[nwgabassmaster]

Rod, my firm belief is that no matter what anyone tells you, you will go with your gut instinct, no matter what. So, with that being said, I will give you my thoughts on what I have found out, and let you see what you think.

Personally, a lot of the BPS Rods seem great, but then again, not many pros use them. You have Woo Daves, Rick Clunn, and Edwin Evers..........and even Stacey King has a few BPS rods that have their name on them. The return policy might be wonderful, but to me, that throws up a red flag, which means that if the return policy seems golden, that the chances of you taking the rod back because of poor performance or because of malfunction is higher.

The 4 rod companies I have been primarily looking at have been Falcon Rods, All-Star Rods, CastAway Rods, and St. Croix Rods. After looking at the BPS magazine at what they all offered (which is not the entire line-up, mind you) I narrowed it down to CastAway Rods and All-Star Rods. A lot of you know that I did not like All-Star Rods after they refused to replace the rod that I snapped, and I vowed never to use them again. However, my Dad still has the two rods that he bought when he bought my two rods, and I fished with them both, and I wanted to know just how the new ones compared to the old ones.

So, I decided after much deliberation to stick with All-Star Rods.

Now, the things that I look for in a flipping and pitching rod is backbone along with the soft tip. The rod that my Dad has is 7'6" and is telescopic.

One thing that I might advise is that you consider the longer 7'6" rod, because when you start using the heavier weights, you might find that the work you have to do with a 7' rod is a bit much. However, if you are dead set with a 7' rod, I would suggest going to BPS, where you can test out the St. Criox, All-Star, and Falcon Rods, and see which ones you like, along with the BPS rods that you are considering. All of them are between $99-129, I believe. The BPS rods might be a little less inexpensive.

The first thing that I do to ALL rods when I first pick them up is to test them out, as if I was making casts with them. Keep in mind that the addition of a reel is a factor that will change the feel, and the line size and type is another. However, if the rod feels good, then I see just how far down the shaft of the rod it starts to break. I do this by taking the rod, and literally pushing it against the floor. You will know when too much is too much, and the rod is about to snap. I am not saying to go to that point, but when I am looking at flipping sticks, I want a rod that is going to start breaking about 30% down the rod. That ensures that the tip is soft enough for feel, but it also ensures that the backbone is strong.

Another important factor is the # of guides that the rod has. Although you don't want a rod that is loaded with more guides than is necessary, you don't want a rod that has a lack of guides, either. My Dad taught me that you want 1 guide per foot of rod, and then, when you get that #, you want to add 2-3 more guides. So, on a 7' ft. rod, you want 9-10 guides.

If you already have the reel that you want to put on the rod, carry it to BPS or where ever you wanna buy the rod from, and test it out and see how it feels.

These are just a few of the things that I consider when I look at any rod, and I admit that it's not an exact science. LOL As I said, gut feeling about anything will dominate your decision, but I hope that this helps you out when you do decide on the rod.

I can't wait to see what the rest of the guys have to tell you, cause you have some of the best anglers in the US on here. We all won't steer you wrong. ;D

 

[fish4funinfl]

Thanks for your reply as always, John.

No thoughts on useing a salt water rods ? ( like the one in the link above ? )

 

[nwgabassmaster]

It's a tempting idea, but what you might find is that the salt-water rods are a little heavier in weight than the fresh-water series. The only time that I have honestly liked using any type of salt-water rods is when I am catfishing or going after stripers.

However, you are talking about flipping and pitching the heavy mats that are common in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama (and where ever else grass grows like kudzu!), so I would just stick with the freshwater series.

I had asked a fellow at Fisherman Factory Outlet about using a rod that was defined as a musky rod for a flipping stick. He said that it would be way too heavy, and the work that would go into using the rod for bass would outweigh the advantages of having it for bass.

I am not 100% on this, so I have asked a buddy of mine, who actually works for Falcon Rods, to come here and give you a more definite answer.

 

[fish4funinfl]

Kewl deal ! I hadnt even thought of the weight of the rod .

 

[bigtex]

I don't like to spend a whole lot of money on certain things that pertain to fishing.  The only thing that I will spend a lot of money on is on a reel.  With that being said, I would suggest a Shakespeare Ugly Stick.  I have two, one for catfishing and one for really thick and heavy cover.  They come in sizes that range from 5'6" to 7'6".  I have one that is 6'6" and the other is 7'0".  They do have one that is for spinning reels that is 9'0" with medium action.  I might just get that one next time the baitmonkey attacks.

Cost range from $27.95 to $39.95.

 

[nwgabassmaster]

Yea, the weight of the rod comes into play. The rods that most of the companies make these days are really light, yet durable and strong. I don't know when and if that dude from Falcon is going to get on here and talk to you about them.

 

[fish4funinfl]

Hey Tex, thanks for the imput . My wife had bought me a 7' M Ugly Stick and to be honest, I didnt like the thing for casting. It was way to heavy for me casting all day. Now, if it was a 7' H it may of worked for flipping / pitching.

John, I do have 2 falcon rods 7' MH that I do like. ( If you hadnt guessed, I kinda take the Rick Clunn approach .. I want my equiptment the same... well, ok same length in rod lol )

 

[nwgabassmaster]

Yea Rod, I know what you mean about the Ugly Stiks. I used to have one, and I only used it for catfishing. I could cast a small Pop-R on them for nothing, but I could hurl a 2 oz. egg sinker 100 ft. with it. After it got broken, I never did get another, and then my Dad bought us the All-Star rods.

I know that you mean about taking the Clunn approach. I am kinda the same, but I prefer to have varying lengths of rods for different techniques, but I want all of the rods to be one series of rods from the same manufacturer. At this point, when I get all the rods I want, more than likely they will be the All-Star American Classics. At least they were the rods that I used when I priced out all the rods that I would need.

From what I have read, speaking about Clunn, the rods that he endorses through BPS are quality rods. He uses them, along with the reels that BPS produces with his name on them, and that speaks a lot about them.

 

[bixbybass]

Hey Rod, take into consideration on the Cara 8-172 which is an 8 power rod which is an XXH, which you want... It is a one piece rod.. and is a 7' 2" rod that Falcon specifically makes for thick grass! It's the ultimate one piece grass rod for flipping and pitching... Check it out! http://www.falconrods.com/products.php?CategoryID=7 Scroll down to the middle of the page, hope this helps.

 

[fish4funinfl]

Hey Bixby, thanks for the imput and link . I will give it some serious thought.

 

[Mike McKay]

hey rodney, take it from me that falcon rods are PRIMO... at the very top of the industry in my opinion, they really know what they are doing there... If i didnt have another rod sponsor than all of my rods would be made by falcon, and who knows maybe someday they will be again???

It stinks I have 8 falcon rods sitting in my tackle room, and NOT sitting in my boat which is filled with Guide Series rods!!!

 

[fish4funinfl]

Thanks for the imput Mike . I have 2 original Falcons ( 7' MH ) that I like.
I was by a Walmart last year in Kissimmee and they had a pile of rods on sale and I got the Falcons for $ 30 each. ( reg price was $ 90 + each )

 

[nwgabassmaster]

I went into a tackle store in Dalton, Georgia and was just checking things out. The fellow that owns it carries CastAway Rods and a few All-Star Rods. At any rate, I asked him about a flipping and pitching combo, and I originally wanted a Curado 100D on it. The fellow pulled out a Chronarch CH50MG, which is 2 oz. lighter than the Curado 100D, and put it on a CastAway XP3 Freshwater Series rod, model # CD76-X, and I have to say that it's the sweetest combo I have felt in a long time.

The total weight of the combo is 12 oz.!!!

It's going to be the next setup that I will be getting. $129.99 for the rod, $249.99 for the reel, and $21.99 for the 60#/12# diameter SpiderWire Original Braid.

;D

 

[fish4funinfl]

Sure sounds sweet !

 

[nwgabassmaster]

Now, I hope you don't feel that I am trying to push you into buying this setup. I just feel that it's a great little setup, and you should sincerely go to your local tackle shop and see if they have the CastAway Rod that I mentioned, a CD76-X aka "Workhorse" and the Chronarch CH50MG and see what you think. LOL ;D Even with the Curado 100D, the weight is still only going to be 14 oz., which isn't bad.

The reason I picked that specific line is because in the BPS magazine, it says that it will hold 100 yds. of 12 # line. So, the 60 lbs. SpiderWire just happens to equal 12# diameter line, and the $21.99 spool holds 125 yds. of line. I would have 25 extra yards left over.

I think that I am going to stick with CastAway and Shimano. I asked Phil, who owns the tackle shop, and he says that Shimano has fixed all the bugs with the Curados. So, might as well stay with Shimano.

 

[Topwater]

Rodney, I'm curious, Which one did you decide on? You may not remember, this thread goes back a ways.

I am making the same decision right now.

My questions are:

- Which rod, what makes a good pitching rod?
-- Length: 7' to 7' 6"
-- Weight?
-- Feel?
-- Make? - A specific rod some company says is a flipping/pitching rod? Why did they say that?
-- Model? - A specific rod some company says is a flipping/pitching rod? Why did they say that?
-- Style? - A specific rod some company says is a flipping/pitching rod? Why did they say that?
-- Composition? - A specific rod some company says is a flipping/pitching rod? Why did they say that?
-- Other?

- Which reel, what do you look for in a reel when planning to use it mostly for pitching?
-- Weight? - Important right?
-- Feel? - Thumb-bar/switch?
-- Make? - Does any company claim they have a good flipping/pitching reel?
-- Model? - Does any company claim they have a good flipping/pitching reel?
-- Style?
-- Line Capacity? - Not important right?
-- Other?

Any good articles/threads on this specific decision? :dunno:

I am buying this for myself for Christmas. So will make a decision over the next week or so... :dance01:

Perry

 

[Bassturd]

My picks....................St. Croix Avid Factory build.

#1. AVC76MHMF 7'6" MH Mod. Fast 1 12 - 25 3/8 - 11/4 5.7 3 $200

#2. AVC710HMF 7'10" H Mod. Fast 1-tel. 14 - 30 1/2 - 2 6.9 4 $220

Both are very nice off the shelf rods. :thumbup01: :thumbup01: :thumbup01: :thumbup01:

 

[Topwater]

Thanks BT. Any thoughts on the reels?

Perry

 

[Oldfart9999]

Topwater, most any quality reel will do the job, Quatum, Shimano, Daiwa, even, the better BPS reels, ABU, if your flush, Ardent, what do you own now? Thumb bar yes, flipping switch optional.
Oldfart