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i was wondering if anyone could give me some advice as to what rod and reel combo's work well for pitchin light plastics and jigs a good distance while not getting the over runs .I currently use a abu garcia 4600c3 ultra cast ,and was wondering if when it comes to pitching and casting light lures is there a big difference in reels or is it more in technique .I am new at pitching ,and can't quite get a really far disatnce with my 4600 ,and had been told to try shimano's curado or calcutta or the abu garcia eon ..Also what rods do you recomend for greater sensativity with plastics ...Thank you Bill Butcher [email protected]

Bill, as far as the reels goes, all of mine are shimano chronarc's SF (Super Free)and a few curado's. These Chronarc reels are very fast reels with 5 bb and 1 roller bearning. More bearnings the better the free spool is which equals more distance but also more over runs. I taught myself by really cranking down the brakes on the side of the reel until got the hang of it, then I would release the brake as I was getting better with over runs and the distance I was looking for. It will become easy to pitch just about anything.

But I would recommend which ever reel you choose is to get a swimming weight or a small jig cut the hook off and start pitching and flipping into a coffce cup all winter long, that will take care of alot of your over runs.

Rods are also a part of this picture also, smaller the lures need a smaller rod with more flex to the tip, Meduim rods work the best for me with flukes, floating worms and jig's as small as 3/16 to 1/4 once. I use a GLoomis 6.0 and 6.5 medium GLX Rod. Very nice but also very expensive, but the weight and sensitivity are really worth the money in my eyes.

Just remember, there are alot of these on the market you do not have to spend 190.00 per rod, BPS makes some really good rods to start with. There Bonic Blade versions are some nice rods for the price.

Hope this helped a little bit, alot to cover on this subject. Just go fish and enjoy the rest will come. Any more questions please ask I will try to help you out.

Good Fishing
EAT SLEEP FISH

Bill, I do most of my flippin' and pitchin' with a spinning combo. It's just so much easier. I use a six foot rod with a common Mitchell 300X reel spooled with 14# Stren line. I feather the line as its cast with my index finger to slow the bait and eliminate bird nests. This rod and reel combination nis fast enough, easy enough and strong enough to do the job with light or heavy jigs etc. I love my baitcasters, but for pitchin' and flippin' I go with the spinning outfit, really love it when faced with overhanging tree limbs or other obstacles. Good luck and keep in touch. Johnnie Crain Iowa Pro Staff.

Depending on what you are comfortable with a 6' 6" - 7' 6" Med heavy to heavy action rod is what is normaly used with this technique. I prefer G Loomis rods and my favorite combo for pitching light jigs and tubes is a 7' Med Heavy IMX. baitcast rod and Team Daiwa reel spooled with 14 lb Trilene XT.
The best advise I can give you is to practice. I taught myself to pitch in my living room at home during winter. By standing on a foot stool to simulate a boat deck I pitched to targets in the other room.

The basic mechanics of pitching are fairly simple.
1st tune your reel so that when freespooling a bait from a 45 degree angle to the floor the reel will not over run when the bait touches down. This will give you good control.
2nd let out enough line that the bait will reach the reel.
3rd hold the bait in your left hand ( if right handed )
4th hold the reel at a sideways angle to the floor. ( this will give you a natural motion for the wrist when starting your cast )
( from here is where it may be difficult to explain through words )
Click the reel into freespool
I start with the rod around 10 - 11:00 and with one motion move to 7 - 8:00 in the same motion without pause I release the jig just as I move the rod back towards 10 - 11:00.

I hope that wasnt confusing!! That was the best way I could think to explain.

As you get better and your thumb becomes educated to the motion you will be able to turn down your reel and increase the distance. Remember however that pitching is a close, accurate technique for presenting a bait quitely. Some would say it is only an extension of flipping. In which case you use a predetermined length of line and do not use the reel to "cast".

I really hope this didnt do more harm that good. Just remember practice makes perfect.

I'm with Johnny on this! I've turned to spinning gear for flipping light stuff. I'm just more accurate with it. I rely on Shimano Stradic reels for almost all of my spinning tasks and I prefer BPS rods.

I would not want to leave home without my Cast-away HG40 (JWMH610) 6'10" jig and worm rod with my Shimano Chronarch reel 101. I swim pitch and flip 1/8 ounce jig and pigs up to 1/2 ounce jig and pigs on POWER PRO 40# test braid. the heavy line "floats" my jig better and has 123 test diameter. I own two of these rods and I love them. Prior to that I used ALLSTAR WR1 rods. Good Bassin Dan Bass

Probably the most popular casting reel the past few years for pitching light baits is the Shimano Scorpion 1000 - the Japanese cousin of the Curado - its super free spooled, but also has an external adjustment that the Curados do not have. You can buy it for the same price. Match it up with a 6'6 to 7' medium powered rod of choice (cant go wrong with a St. Croix) and break out the little jigs and tubes. Its an awesome setup.

I used to do a lot of pitching with spinning tackle but in my opinion casting equipment allows more accurate presentation and less headaches with heavier line.

Good luck in your decision!