I've always wanted to get into some flipping and jigging since i've seen many anglers do well with this technique. I'm looking for some advice on the best rod to use length and action. Rather than search for hours on google i figured i would ask the ctf members that have some real experience this this technique to see what everyone likes and prefers. All answers will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

id recomend a 7 foot rod, and not only because the extra foot allows you to pick up that much more line quicker on the hookset (huge advantage, tim). your about 5'10" if i remember, and a rod of that size wont seem awkwardly long.

Ray Z is right on- nowadays flipping can be done in the think stuff, or it can be done with light line in and around docks and other odstructions less likey to wrap up your line with bulky weeds or pads. to me flippin style fishing means slop: pads, heavy matted weeds or big tangles of trees.

i only use casting gear, and i fish 30 pound braid. this does get broken off, as a 3 pound largemouth with an inclination to do so can and will bolt enough to get that braid around a snag, and snap it. the line size is more for being able to fish the cover than it is for landing the fish size, as your chances of encountering a 30 pound class largemouth around here are relativelty low.

tim, the nice thing if you go with a 7 foot baitcaster and some 20-50 pound braid is that when the striped bass run up the rivers, you dont need a different rod. ive beaten some 40-42 inch class stripers on that rod, and every winning and trophy blackfish ive ever caught has come on my flipping stick.

its more about drag and having a good action in the rod. i use a falcon graphite lo-rider thats med heavy and designed for carolina rigs, but works well with the heavier lines despite its relative slenderness. not the lightest rod i won, but its awesome. the falcon Cara rods out now are the same.

if you flip light gear thats a whole new ballgame i dont have any input on.

Rod: 7'6" - 8'er H or XH action
Reel: 7:1 ratio or higher w- low mass spool to help pitch the lighter baits.
Line: 20-25# mono/FC for all around or 50-80# braid if dealing with matted veggies/chesnuts/pads etc.

You can experiment with short e.g. < 7'6" rods, spinning gear, and light line, but the above is what is best suited to the very large majority of situations that demand this type of presentation.

i agree Tommy, I love my casting 7'11" H Kistler and my 7'4" XH Zillion for flipping/pitching and I am only 5'8". I don't think your height matters that much, you just have to get use to the longer rod, once you do, it will give you an advantage over the fish.

What is your budget? That will also help to point you in the right direction. If you are on a tight budget but can swing $100, check out the BPS XPS Extreme rods. I have 3 of them and I love them. Great value for your buck.

Ray, all i can really say is that i'm looking for a nice all around beginning rod i've never done this before and don't know how well i'll do using this technique. But what i can tell you in i'm 5'6 i want the rod for a baitcaster, and the most i could spend on a rod would be about $200 right about now. I will most likely be using this around heavy weeds and thick tree coverage like O-bass said. The only thing i don't know is the lure weight cause i don't know what's most effective and i don't know what line test will be best most likely around 30 lbs.