Flippin/pitchin bait? This is something that i haven't done enough of as i seem to stay out the heavy stuff and stay to the edge of it with worms and what not..I have had a few people tell me they like bb crickets for the most part..What kind of weight should i be using to get the lure threw the thick stuff? Also do you peg the sinker to the lure or leave it up a few inches? thanks

Fish caught in 2010: 104

Big fish of 2010. : 5 lbs 2 oz

in the colder mths. i offer a smaller profile bait usually a cricket or a zoom speed craw.in the hotter mths. i go w/ larger baits like the chigger craw,beavers .i only use enough weight to get it to the bottom.i dont like to peg but do use bobber stops,i want the bait to slide up the line while fighting the fish.i also mostly use a strait shank hook snelled

i use two colors primarily.black/blue and junebug

Chigger crawl all day long,in heavy mats BB cricket.Strait shank BMF hook pegged

Colors Watermelon candy,black blue,junebug.

2010 Big fish 11.0

All of those baits named work great.  You definately want a straight shank hook, it's the way to go when flipping.  I sometimes peg my bait, and sometimes don't.  If I'm fishing an area (particularly matted hydrilla), where I know they spray the grass I won't peg the bait due to all of the dead grass on the bottom.  Same thing for areas with a thicker bottom.  You don't want your bait digging down too deep.  Also, I mostly keep a 1 1/2oz weight on.  It gets though pretty much anything, and I like to flip the nasty stuff.  1oz for sparse grass. 

John Mobley 2000 Triton Tr-186/ 150 Yamaha V-Max 

good info guys keep it coming..also why do you use a straight shank over say a j-hook?

This is a great topic.  I don't flip as much as I should, and have been working on trying to really learn the technique.

I like the Net bait craw along with the sweet beaver

Fish hard, or don't fish at all.

I will be flippin alot of heavy grass and hydrilla what is the best bait to use for this

sweet beaver or BB cricket

Tommy Edwards

FGCU Fishing Club President

Big Bear Rods- http://www.bigbearfishingrods.com 

Bass Fury-    http://bassfury.com/index.htmlFish Harder Companies-  http://fishharderco.com/ 

Ardent Reels- www.ardentoutdoors.com               - Hatcamshttp://www.hatcams.com/

Bass- 247

Big Fish-7pounds 6 oz         6 pounds 12 oz.(at the Southern Open Okeechobee)

I second the question about the straight shank hooks vs. other types.  I grew up flippin' (That's all dad did and still does.  I didn't know you could cast soft plastics till I was about 12 )  and we  always used the hooks with the bend at the top.  I still use those with what I think is a pretty high percentage hook up rate.  I don't think I miss too many now but if ya'll have a better way I'm all ears. 

Fish caught in 2010: 104

Big fish of 2010. : 5 lbs 2 oz

Sweet beaver is the best for flippin'.  I like using Penetration (Black/Blue) or Main Vein (Purplish).  For weights, I always peg with a bobber stop.  I carry a bunch of weights, and find myself using 1.5oz the most, but go as light as 3/4 oz sometimes depending on where I'm flippin. 

Straight shank hooks like the BMF, and Paycheck Baits Punch Hooks are best because they seem to hook fish much better.  One thing I have started this year is to add a Paycheck Baits Punch Skirt between the weight and hook.  It's like a jig without any worries about getting it hung up.  Try em, they are awesome.

Tyler Brinks

http://www.tbrinksfishing.com

http://www.snagproof.com

John Mobley 2000 Triton Tr-186/ 150 Yamaha V-Max 

I'm also new to this flipping thing and the info you are all giving is great. I've always used an offset hook but will now try a straight shank. It does seem that when the bite is slow elsewhere, I can usually get something to bite in the mats, but my hookup rate has been a problem. Also try the parasite weights, they totally eliminate the need for pegging as well as prevent your bait from slipping or pulling down the hook shank.

Fick

any wed site so i can see what that parasite weight is or looks like

http://www.parasiteweights.com

thanks

Go to? Sometimes I go to work, and sometimes I go to the lake.

TACKLE SHACK

2581-C  Blanding Blvd  Middleburg, Florida

904-813-9119

I love the Lake Fork Tube Craw.

It stinks real good.

I love to flip and like Jam ill do it all day long. I havent got big into the crawl or creature type baits, other than the baby brush hog. I love it for the thick cover I always use as light as weight as possible to get it through whatever im fishin. For sparse cover my go to will always be the origional zoom speed worm, usually in redbug, or watermelon red. It has awesome vibration on the way down. I rig it with a 4/0 straight shank ( i definately agree with you there Jam) and the lightest weight possible normally always tungtens pegged, sometimes even down to a 1/4 ounce for pads or kissimmee grass.