Flippin For Largemouth Bass
Flippin is one of the most useful techniques for working heavy, matted vegetation and structure like docks and weed lines. It is a technique that every bass angler should know and know well. If you are not already familiar with this technique the following basic tips should help you become familiar with the technique, how its performed and what gear to use.
A flippin rig is quite simple, the layout is a normally a Texas rig tipped with some sort of soft plastic bait, a worm or craw. flippin can also be performed using other rigs, like a Florida rig, pig and jig and so on…. The bait and rig you use will depend on where you are fishing and what conditions you are fishing in. The weight you use will also vary, but generally for heavy matted cover your going to want to use a 1/2 once to 1 1/2 onces of weight. For standing reeds and grasses a 1/4 to 3/8 once of weight should work just fine. The line you use should be a 15 to 30 Lb. mono or braided line.
The flippin presentation generally starts with an easy over hand cast, ending the cast at about a 45 degree angle. You will want to strip about 4 foot of line from your reel while thumbing the reels spool. While keeping pressure on the line with your thumb drop your rod tip downward, in the same motion lift your rods tip back up to a 45 degree angle releasing your line.
When a bite is detected drop your rods tip, reel up the slack and set the hook. Be aware that 90% of the time bass will hit your rig on the fall. so pay keen attention to line movement, you wont always feel the hit!
