The Principles of Pitching
By Justin Hoffman

I often get asked what my number one technique is when it comes to catching largemouth bass. The answer is simple – pitching. Not only is it my go-to application when out on the water, but also one I utilize 75-percent of the time. In theory and execution it can be fairly simple. The results, however, are certain to amaze and excite.

The Lowdown

What makes pitching so good you ask? Here is the lowdown on the technique.

Pitching is a specialized application that allows for pinpoint “casting” of your bait or lure - with the least amount of surface disturbance or splash. It is a tactic that is generally used to target visible structure, such as docks, laydowns, pads, slop, or weed clumps. Although open water aspects are viable options when pitching, it is mainly thought of as a heavy cover tactic.

Due to the mechanics of the cast when pitching, your bait travels very close to the surface of the water, and, upon reaching its destination, drops down with precision and nary a ripple. This is important, as most pitching is done in shallow water conditions where the likelihood of spooking a big fish is very real.

Pitching allows you to systematically hit key areas of cover and present a bait to the fish in a very lifelike manner. It also allows you to target bass that traditional techniques or casts cannot. This is the real beauty of the technique.

How To Pitch

The art of pitching may seem hard on paper, but once out on the water, the mystery of it will begin to unfold. Here is the scoop:

1. Let out enough line so that your lure is hanging at reel level with your rod pointed directly up. It should be approximately seven-feet.
2. If right-handed, palm the bait in your left hand (reverse this and the following instructions if you are a lefty.) Disengage the reel and thumb the spool.
3. In a fluid motion, bring your rod tip down towards the water and slightly to the left of you. At the same time, bring your left hand backwards and down.
4. At this point, snap your right wrist and push forward with your arm, while releasing the bait in unison. Take your thumb off the spool now and feather the line while your bait travels forward. When done correctly, your lure should travel no more than two-feet above the surface of the water. The lower the trajectory, the better.
5. Once your bait has reached its destination, thumb the spool in order to let your lure settle in the water.
6. Hook a fish – or reel in and repeat.

There are a few key points to keep in mind when pitching. Start off with short distances – say 10 feet - until you get the technique down pat. Accurate pitches of up to 50-feet are attainable with practice.

Concentrate during the pitch and try to stay fluid in your motions, especially at the angle of release. If your rod tip comes up too much when letting go of your lure, it will end up sailing high in the air. (You want to let go of the lure when the rod tip is still pointing down but moving forward.)

Setting your reel brakes and cast control is critical for the smoothness of your pitch. When set correctly, thumbing the spool during the duration of the pitch is often not needed. Keep in mind that different sized baits will require readjustment of these controls. If not, the dreaded bird nest may become a reality.

Equipment 101

In order to play the pitching game, specialized equipment leaning toward the stout end is highly recommended. Spinning rods and light line have no place on this team, and will only lead to equipment failure and lost fish if used.

Technique-specific flipping and pitching rods reign supreme for this style of fishing and for good reason. Their long length (7 to 7’ 8”) allow for easier manipulation of the pitch, with a heavy backbone that is crucial for setting the hook and working fish out of heavy cover. The rod tip also possesses some give, however, which helps provide distance to the pitch.

Baitcast equipment also allows for the use of heavy line, which is a necessity when working around structure areas and thick slop – not to mention when a big fish is being fought. How the line travels off the reel is perfect for the technique itself.

I choose flipping sticks for all of my pitching needs. The average rod is 7’6” in length, although some can be slightly shorter or longer than that. All are heavy action, and are specifically designed for flipping/pitching. Kistler Rods get the nod for my fishing outings, and I rely on the Helium LTX 2 Heavy Action (7’6”), the Argon Flippin’/Pitchin’ Series (7’5”), and the Magnesium TS All Day Flippin’ and Pitchin’ Stick (7’8”) to get the job done.

Team your stick up with a good quality baitcast reel with a gear ratio of at least 6.1:1. The higher the ratio, the quicker you can reel in line and get to your next pitch, and also get a fish up and away from heavy cover.

In terms of line, a few options are available to the angler, and often lean toward personal preference. I began using Fluorocarbon line last season and was very happy with the results. It has less stretch, more tensile strength, and is virtually invisible under water – this is in comparison to regular mono. Saying this, prior to the fluro, I have used monofilament all my life. Whichever you choose, go with a line rated 20 or 25lb test.

Another option for line is braid. Many anglers swear by this, and it will allow you to fish the thickest cover without a worry, and feel is greatly enhanced. Choose a braid rated for 60 or 65lb strength if going this route.
Choosing Your Lures

When pitching for bass, many lures fit the bill and have been deemed key for this technique. Flipping jigs rate up there as a top choice, and are usually my go-to bait when working cover for largemouth. Various plastics, including creature baits, worms, lizards, and tubes are also regularly thrown, and all have their place in the pitching game. For the most part, baits need to be rigged weedless, as structure points – and the snags associated with them – are commonly targeted.

Choose a variety of flipping jigs and plastics to begin with and experiment to see what works best. There will be days when the largies will smoke a creature bait pitched to a dock, and others when they will only snap up a bulky tube. Figuring out the puzzle is part and parcel of the program.

Where To Pitch

As I alluded to earlier, the key spots to pitch a bait are varied and pretty much up to the imagination. Typical bass haunts – think cover – are obvious choices, and include undercut banks, manmade structures such as docks and duck blinds, laydowns, slop, pads, emergent vegetation and subsurface weeds. Basically, any where a largemouth can conceal itself is prime for a pitched jig or plastic bait.

Stealth is mandatory in these situations, and your boat approach should always be on the quiet side. Work your bow mount on low, or ease your way back with a push pole. Shallow water can be conducive to spook-easy fish, so keep that in mind before making that first pitch.

It goes without saying that wearing a pair of polarized fishing glasses is mandatory when out on the water. Seeing structure, your bait as it falls through the water, and oftentimes the strike, will enable you to fish more thoroughly and effectively.

Try your hand at pitching this season. With a little practice, you’ll be working the docks and slop like a pro, and hauling in bass with the best of them.

Practice Makes Perfect

As with any fishing technique, the more effort and practice you put in to the skill, the greater the rewards will be. The same can be said for pitching. Here is a simple exercise that can be done in the backyard to get your efficiency and confidence up.

Stand on a box or crate approximately two feet high – this will replicate the height of the bow of your boat. Place a variety of targets around the yard, some at short distances and others farther away. Buckets work well, as does simply placing some rope in a circle on the ground. Use a “hook-free” bait – I cut the hook off an old flipping jig – and begin pitching. Pretty soon you’ll be on your way to perfecting this proven technique, especially the more time you put in to practicing.