One of my favorite ways to fish for bass is by pitching and flipping into thick cover. Nothing will get your blood pumping quite like pitching a creature bait into some cover and having a monster bass come and destroy your bait.
I’ve learned over the years that having the right setup while pitching and flipping is key and can dramatically improve your chances at catching and landing big bass.
One of the key components of a great flipping/pitching setup is the reel, but it often gets overlooked. Fishing with the right reel will not only make your life easier on those long days on the water, but will also help you quickly pull bass out of the thickest cover.
For this reason, I have spent time using and researching a ton of different reels and have put together the following list of the 5 best bass fishing reels for flipping and pitching.
I would highly recommend investing in a dedicated flipping and pitching reel like one the ones I mention below.
Reels for Flipping and Pitching
Before we get into my specific recommendations, let’s fist discuss what makes a good flipping and pitching reel. The best reels for flipping and pitching for bass are ones that are going to have the following qualities:
- High Speed Gear Ratio (7:3:1 or higher)
- Powerful/Durable
- Quality Drag System
- Large Handle
- Comfortable & Light
There are a lot of bait casing reels out there to choose from, but the best reels for flipping and pitching are going to be reels that are durable, comfortable, have a quality drag system, and a high speed gear ratio so that you are able to quickly pull fish out of any type of cover.
The 5 Best Reels for Flipping and Pitching
I have put together the following list of what I think are the best flipping and pitching reels. In this list I’ve included a variety of reels at different price points to help any angler that is looking to get a good setup. Let’s get started.
Shimano SLX Casting Reel
The Shimano SLX Casting Reel is an incredible pitching and flipping reel that is at a phenomenal price point – you are going to have a hard time finding a better reel for the price.
This reel comes in a 150 size that is extremely comfortable and fits well in any hand size. The reel is super smooth, casts great, and is easy to adjust.
It comes in a variety of different gear ratio option: for pitching and flipping I would recommend the 7:2:1 or the 8:2:1. This reel is also well suited for other bass fishing techniques like frogging, punching, and reaction style lures.
One of the other great features of the Shimano SLX is that it’s a light reel with big handles which is ideal for a pitching and flipping reel. Making it easy to handle all day on the water and will give you enough torque to pull in those big fish.
The Shimano SLX Casting Reel is an overall phenomenal reel that simply can’t be beat when compared to other reels at their price point. I’d highly recommend adding this reel to your flipping and pitching setup.
Lew’s SuperDuty 300
Before I go into the specifics of the Lew’s Super Duty reel I just want to preface by saying that I am a huge Lew’s fan and have had a lot of success and great experience with their products and customer service.
I’m not sponsored by them in any way I just think they make some great stuff and the Lew’s SuperDuty 300 reel is one of their best reels in my opinion and is ideal for pitching and flipping.
The SuperDuty 300 is a supersized version of the original Superduty which was is awesome reel in its own right. It’s has increased line capacity and better overall toughness than the original.
The SuperDuty 300 was built for big bait, heavy line, and big fish making it an ideal match for flipping and pitching situations.
The reel is made with an all-aluminum frame and side plate which can easily take the punishment of pulling out monsters in any fishing situation.
It has a 7-bearing system with a rugged carbon fiber drag system that provides up to 24lbs of drag power. It fits comfortable in your hands and is fairly light weight making it easy to use for long days on the water.
Overall this is a high quality reel at a good price point and I would highly recommend adding this reel to any good flipping stick.
Diawa Tatula
The Diawa Tatula is an elite baitcasting reel that works extremely well for bass fishing techniques like pitching and flipping.
It’s built with a tough aluminum frame and aluminum side plates that is both durable and lightweight. It has an incredibly smooth cast, it’s easy to adjust, and is an overall high end, high quality reel.
This reel comes at a higher price point when compared to other casting reels on this list, but if it’s at a price that you are comfortable with then it would be well worth spending the extra money to get this high-performance reel.
It’s available in Left and Right hand retrieve and comes in 6:3:1, 7:1:1 and 8:1:1. I’d recommend going with either the 7:1:1 or 8:1:1 if you plan on using this primarily as a pitching and flipping reel.
The Daiwa Tutala is a high-performance reel that is extremely lightweight, casts well, and is an overall high end bass fishing reel that is ideal for pitching and flipping. If you are looking for a high quality reel this one is definitely worth looking into.
Make sure to check out My Recommended Bass FishingGear and Tackle Guide to ensure you have the right gear for your next fishing adventure.
Lew’s Speed Spool LFS
The Lew’s Speed Spool is a phenomenal casting reel that brings durability, smooth performance, strength, and overall quality at an incredible price point.
If you are new to baitcasting reels or are on a budget than this reel is for you. It has a 10-bearing system and is externally adjustable with a magnetic control system that allows anglers to optimize the reel’s performance from bait to bait. Which also comes in handy when you are first learning how to use a baitcasting reel.
The Lew’s Speed Spool is available in 5 different model options and comes in both right and left handed handles. The 7:5:1 is definitely the way to go for pitching and flipping.
I have been using this reel for a while now and I am extremely happy with it. It’s versatile, durable and smooth and would be a great addition to any fishing collection.
However, if you do have a larger budget, thwn I would recommend going with Lew’s SuperDuty 300 for pitching and flipping it will be worth the extra cash in the long run.
Shimano CURADO DC
The Shimano Curado DC casting reel is a game changer and a must have for any serious angler. This top of the line reel is one of the most advanced of all of the Curado models, which is a very well respected reel series.
All and all this is a great baitcasting reel that works exceptionally well for pitching and flipping and can be used for other fishing techniques.
The Curado DC is a high-end baitcasting reel that is loaded with the latest fishing technology. It’s a lightweight, dependable, versatile reel and has an advanced braking system, which uses a microcomputer to measure the spool speed, that basically makes sure it applies the optimal amount of braking pressure, which will eliminate backlashes and improve casting distance.
This reel is also super smooth and makes pitching and flipping a breeze. It’s also a super rugged reel that will hold up well overtime and in harsh conditions.
The Shimano DC Casting reel is powered by some of the most advanced reel technologies out on the market. This is a phenomenal reel and I would highly recommend using it as a high end pitching and flipping reel. It won’t disappoint.
Best Gear Ratio for Flipping & Pitching
Having a reel that has the right gear ratio is super important and will dramatically increase your odds at landing bass when fishing around docks and in heavy cover.
When you are pitching and flipping you want a reel that has a high gear ratio. The best gear ratio for flipping is 8:1:1 in my opinion, the faster the better.
A reel with a high gear ratio will allow you to pick up line quickly and ensure you don’t break off when the fish gets you wrapped around in cover.
Best Line for Flipping and Pitching
Another important component of a pitching and flipping setup is the line. The best flipping and pitching line is going to be ones that are both sensitive allowing you to detect every bite and strong enough to be able to pull bass out of the nastiest cover.
Most bass fishing anglers will use either braid or fluorocarbon or a combination of both.
Everyone has their own preference. but this what I have gone by and it has worked well for me.
Flipping and Pitching Line Guideline
Braid (50-60lb test) = I use straight braid in muddy or stained water when I am not worried about fish being line shy.
Fluorocarbon (20-30lb test) = Straight fluorocarbon when I’m pitching and flipping in clear water
Braid + Fluorocarbon Leader = I use a combination when I want more sensitivity while fishing in clear water
Reels with Flipping Switches
There are a lot of bass fishing reels that are designed for pitching and flipping that have a flipping switch. What exactly is a flipping switch? A flipping switch is a setting on a casting reel that allows you to engage the reel without having to reel the handle. This is typically done by releasing the thumb bar but may be different depending on the reel.
This feature is designed to save you from losing a fish that takes your bait immediately before you have the chance to turn your handle and engage the reel. Some anglers really love this feature while others find it more annoying than helpful, it just depends on the angler.
Final Thoughts
If you plan on pitching and flipping for bass frequently than I would highly recommend picking up one of the reels that I have mentioned in this article.
Fishing with the right flipping and pitching reel can make a huge difference in your overall bass fishing success and will ensure you pull the big ones out of the nastiest of cover.
Tight Lines
Aaron
