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I 'thought' i was finally ready to buy my first genuine flipping combo...

i feel i've gotten used to the baitcaster enough now, and have practiced the casting enough to have decent accuracy.

i have a 6'6" Compre that i tried for flipping, as well as a 6'6" Crucial xtra fast baitcaster....both are great for tossing lures, but what i need is something a little shorter.

So, i wanted to buy a 6', or 6'3" Heavy, or medium heavy xtra fast flipping/cranking/whatever you want to 'call' it rod....

I just want a shorter stick to pitch with. Yes, all the folks at the show, and bps, 'told' me i should be looking for a longer rod...."a flipping stick is 7'6" i was told"....

No, i'd like something around 6' or 6'3" i replied....sorry son, nothing we can do for ya....NOT EVEN AT BASS PRO!

Nevermind that, i was not only looking for a short rod, i wanted at least a 11" for-butt on the rod....something that would extend to about my elbow.

Can't find it anywhere. Checked all the major online sites, loomis, stcroix, shimano, etc......

Looks like i might need to get a custom rod....crap.

anyone have any suggestions for any non-custom rod, that is 6' or 6'3", with a long rod handle?

Or does anyone know someone who might be able to make me one of these rods....i know spiel ties rods, but i wasn't even able to find a blank that looked like what i was looking for....

I've found a 6'6" Heavy 'flippin stick' that i almost considered buying, and taking it down to 6'...but that would have been WAY too stiff....

Any idea's for this frustrated bass fisherman?

Thanks as always,

Steve

You won't have any problem getting that rod built Steve. You can get a 6 foot heavy blank from Cabelas OR get a 6'6" med/heavy and take a few inches off. Then you can select the handle you want or buy the rings yourself and make your own.

I've built dozens of rods, it's easy. You should give it a try. Once you get the hang of it wrapping a guide is easy and Cabelas has those pre measured epoxy wrap finish pouchs that almost guarantee you can't screw up.

I like a long flipping stick too...

I have a 7'6 custom made fenwick and and 8'0 loomis GL2.


I also fish muskie - maybe that's what you are looking for - muskie rods have long handles, and they are certainly stiff, and they come in the lengths you want. Spend the money, don't get a heavy trolling model.

I have 2 Abu Garcia wormin` rods around the description you are looking for I think they are signed by Larry Nixon. Not quite sure if the buts are the length you like. I used these rods for a year or two and switched to a 7'6" and love it. I didn`t think that would be the case as I am vertically challenged. You can get a better pendulum swing when flippin a longer rod. Not trying to sell you on a longer rod but nothing beats the Diawa Light and tough series of rods. I liked it so much I have 2 of them so I have the exact same feel when I switch flippin baits so there is no mistaking those subtle inhalations of the bait. Those abu rods also I found have brittle guides on them as some of them have cracked and are leave the line somewhat frayed.Needless to say I don`t use them anymore.
I am in the process of teaching my son to flip and pitch and dunk weeds and I got him using one of those daiwa rods where the line goes up through the rod.(hence no loops at the end of the rod which means less frustration for him and more time where his bait is in the water).It is a fairly stiff model and performs well. Great control of his bait as I have tried this out before giving it to him to use.Not sure if they make these rods anymore. I hope some of this helps.
teppy

The guys at BPS were right in telling you to go for longer rod 7'6" for flippin.

Just ask yourself one question: do I want a shorter rod because of the heavier weight of a flipping stick or because of the situation.

If it's the later then what you are looking for is a close quarter rod to pitch and skip behing docks and tree branchs. The rod should be maneuvrable and have plenty of backbone to move the fish in a hurry or it's Ripped Hook City we're talking about.


For the former:When flippin you basically use the lenght of the rod + the same lenght of lie : about 15ft. That's your range. And you use that presentation in the thickest cover and in stained or muddy water so you dont spook the fish.

Pitching has a 30 ft normal range so you can present you bait as quietly as possible, specially in clear water.

If i'm not mistaken, the longer handle you want is for leverage. Having built a few rods myself i'll tell you that the handle lenght is only a part of the equation. Sure you'll have more control over the rod but with the short blank you will have less control over the fish.

The perfect counter example here is the fly rod: short handle and long blank.

LL

Hey Steve,
I spoke with a gentleman last year that uses a rod just like you are looking for. He told me he uses a musky rod. I can't remember which make exactly but I know they had one at the local shop. I will look into it for you and let you know the make and exact size. You may want to look on the shimano website and check out there musky compre's , they may have what you are looking for.

Hey Steve I know what you mean for rods and my honest opinion as you are just getting into this if you go with a shorter rod you will be very dissapointed. I have fished alot of bass and won a fair bit of cash in the process. I also have a shorter rod for flipping with also my big sticks. I can recommend 3 that will be great for your purposes. In the Shimano Crucial line up the is a CRC-66MH which is great for senkos, soft jerkbaits, worms and jigs, there is also a CRC-X610MH which is great for 3/8-1/2 oz spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, texas rigs, jigs and flukes, with the last and my personal preference a CRC-X70H for worms, jigs and spinnerbaits. Hope this helps.

For skipping under docks and trees. For those applications use the Shimano Crucial CRS-60MH. Go with the spinning outfit and a Stradic 2500 with 30-50lb fins braid and you will have great success.

Fenwick HMX
HMXT76XH-T Telescopic Flipping Stick
Le Baron $84.36

May not help you, as I haven't seen a flipping stick under 7', they're usually 7'6" in fact.
Not sure why stores aren't stocking many flippin sticks anymore. Guess it's a niche market?

Here is a good, somewhat dated link with a list of flippingstick models:
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/stylepro ... tyleref=33

Hey Steve,

I suppose it's a matter of preferrence. Some like a shorter rod for flipping under docks and into the depths of thick bush and trees, others like the longer ones cause they've gotten used to using the length to propel the jig further. There is an application for both if you really think about it. As you are approaching a dock, tree, or overhanging bushes, you want to stay as far away as you can and fish all around it first, then move in closer to get into those "nasty" spots. I use the longer rod with the tip action while I'm approaching in order to keep the distance, then switch to a shorter rod to get into the small areas between docks and boats and under head cover branches.

I actually found this to be quite effective and to tell you the truth, came upon it by accident. My 6.6 is now a 6 after I slammed the tip in my livewell. Yes I know.....very dumb, but I bet I'm not only one who has done this. I found I can work the 6' rod in the close spots better. I like a medium heavy rod for flipping jigs. I find with jigs you need to be in constant contact with the jig and line so that you can feel that little "tick". When you set the hook, you want your rod to "load up" as quick as it can before the fish spits out that big hunk of metal.

You don't want to miss a 5 pounder cause you're too slow reacting.

thanks man.....it seems more people are using the shorter sticks than i originally thought...but it seems to be the black sheep of the rod family....no one likes to admit it....

i'm going to be checking Fishing World when i have some cash together....i'll find something that suits my needs .... i'm sure of it.