Pitchin/Flippin reel

[Randy Turner]

Hello
While I realize that you can pitch and flip with any baitcaster, what makes one reel better than another for pitching and flipping? Are there reels specifically designed for this purpose or is it simply a gimmick to hook gullible fisherman.
thanks
Randy

[Lugnut]

Shimano Castaic - I have four or five of the earlier model. They have full thumb bars accross the top and awesome drags. GREAT reels!!!!!! They have a new (I believe it came out a couple years ago?) model out that has only a partial bar. I have not tried them but I am sure if they are an improvement on the original they must be pretty good. Just my .02 good luck on your search.

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

There are numerous reels with flipping switches on them..All they do is eliminate the need to engage the reel once you have let out as much line as you want to flip with, as the reel is engaged as soon as you release the thumb control..Now for pitching, that really isn't all that much of an advantage or time saver..I personally prefer the Shimano Castaic for most of my flipping and pitching, it allows you to engage the reel without turning the reel handle..

mac

[ash]

Shimano Castaic,

I am not sure if they still manufacture them but I have the ver2 where you can click it on the side instead of on top. I use this reel in the Lefty Version no switching hands, instant line stop etc... I dont use it much but when I am flipping a lot it is very convienant to be right there all at my thumb.

The flip switch and TWITCHIN switch on the side like the quantums or whatever I think are kinda gimik esp the twitchin switch!

[Alex M.]

Randy...

I think the reel size and being able to comfortably "palm" the reel is important. Most low profile baitcasters will suffice for this.

Some of the pros I've seen still stick with the "old reliable" (bulky)baitcasters kinda like these:
<img alt="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/311 ... 96.jpg?v=0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/311 ... 96.jpg?v=0" />
These don't have infinite anti-reverse, but have a fast(7:1) gear ratio.

I think gear ratio is critical when pitchin/flippin, because you wanna pick up as much line as possible, quickly, to turn the fish away from that heavy cover...

Ardent made a pitch/flip specific reel, it debuted at iCast this year:
<img alt="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/311 ... 78.jpg?v=0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/311 ... 78.jpg?v=0" />

From TackleTour:
Starting at the front end of the reel, instead of a levelwind guide, the reel has a fixed ceramic line eye where the line emerges. The spool is also customized with a very narrow spool design that is designed to reduce line friction and allow the angler to flip or pitch effortlessly. The spool is so narrow that it makes sense not to have a levelwind that can cause more line friction. This design also makes it possible to just use the line you need, allowing you to change out your high end superlines as needed without waste.
Another interesting design component is the lack of any drag-star on the Ardent F500. When anglers pitch or flip they usually button down the drag for solid hooksets. Ardent has factory preset the drag on the reel to a hefty 22 pounds via their Perma-lock Drag System.
The Ardent F500 Flip-N-Pitch comes with a 3-year warranty and will retail for only $149.99 when it is released.


I say whatever feels comfortable in your hand, and gets the job done for YOU!

Cheers...

[Mike]

That the one I want to check out. I have been using Castaic's for ever, but that looks interesting.

[Phil Burgess]

KINDA LOOKS LIKE AN OLD SCHOOL ZEBCO 33 TO ME JUST WITH A BIT MORE FLARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOO HOO I NEW MY OLD PUSH BUTTON CLOSED FACE REELS WOULD COME BACK IN STYLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dan McKenzie]

The Castaic is a great reel and I have a couple of them and won't part with them. But my new Ardent is awsome. It's not the prettiest reel you'll ever see, but its functionality more than makes up for it. I have a lot of reels so having one that is single purpose is O.K. If you plan to use your new reel for more than one purpose it makes more sense to go with a Castaic. You cant go wrong if you pick either one of these reels.

[ash]

I have not held an ardent, but my first reaction WHAT NO LEFT HANDED SERIES! Oh well, let this baby be out on the market for a while and how guys take to it. There are defiantly some features on there that intruige me, even if it isnt a home run I like the direction and the creativity going into this reel.

For now I really like my Castaics

[big_gorilla]

Zillion!

Who needs a flippin switch?