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Flipping for Bronze (Guest Article)
by Dave Shindler

Cold fronts and fluctuating water levels have always been the most feared of all the bass fishing conditions. Falling temperatures and strong storms ravage through an area and can completely destroy just about any pattern that you have established. When this does happen, some fishermen venture out and do what they have had success doing before the fronts, and have less than stellar catches. Many others just stay home thinking about fishing. Then there are those few guys that come in with fish on a consistent basis in bad conditions. Rising water, cold fronts, falling barometers, bluebird skies, to name a few, are the conditions that can drive fish deep into cover. So no big deal, right? We all know that big largemouth will bury into the thickest cover around. But what about when our quarry is not the largemouth, but their free roaming, fast-water loving cousins the smallmouth?

Flipping for smallmouth is a technique that does not get a lot of publicity and really is not a tactic that can be utilized on a normal basis during most seasons. With constant rising and falling water levels on our home rivers in the East this past year, it was just the perfect year to try this technique. On my home water this year the water level was consistently above normal levels and quite off-colored. Any fisherman worthy of a flippin’ stick knows that post-frontal conditions means fish head for the thick cover and smallmouth are no exception.

While the normal tackle for chasing smallies consists of light lines in the 6-10 lb. test range, spinning gear, and little baits, it will not work for this technique. I would strongly suggest 17-20 lb. line as a minimum with 25 lb. McCoy mono being my favorite for most flipping and pitching situations. Stout bait casting gear is a must, and if you don’t own a flipping stick I would suggest you find a good quality 7’ – 7’6” rod and a bait casting reel capable of handling the heavier lines required. I have grown to prefer round style reels like the Shimano Calcutta because of the strong frame and good line capacity. The rod action is very important also. If a flipping stick is too heavy at the tip, it does not load properly with a lighter bait and can make accurate presentation a real challenge. You get some odd looks at the ramp when you come in with 3 flipping sticks on deck, but if those people had spent the day with you they would understand.

As far as baits to flip for smallies, I usually keep my selection quite simple. My normal baits are jigs, tubes, flukes, Senkos, and some creature baits. I normally try to keep all my color selections simple also and most commonly stick with the basics. Clearer water calls for the greenish hues and dirtier water lends itself to black/blue and June bug. There may be situations that dictate some other colors, but I try to stick with the basics and remain confident in those choices. Weights can vary greatly dependent on current and thickness of cover. I recommend that you use the lightest weight possible that will still allow your bait to penetrate the cover. Usually ¼ oz. is enough for most wood cover, but on occasion I will use as heavy as ¾ oz. if weeds or slop are present.

Areas that typically hold bass for flipping are the same areas that hold bass every other time of the year. I am not going to get into the normal migration routes of the bass because I am sure you have read it time and time before. I will, however, restate the fact that smallmouth just like their green cousins like to keep deep water close by during almost all phases of the yearly cycle. Blow downs, brush piles, weed beds, and boat docks are always a favorite on your local largemouth lakes and are the same places that smallmouth seek when the weather patterns turn sour and the water comes up.

So the next time your favorite smallie spot turns ugly, lay down those little rods and pick up the Big Stick. You may not have the big quantity fish day that smallmouth can provide during steady conditions, but the quality just may be worth it.