Flipping

Flipping is a short-range technique for dropping a bait straight down into heavy cover with almost no splash. Anglers pull line off the reel, swing the bait underhand, and let it swing into a target like a laydown, dock post, or thick mat. There is no long cast involved, just a controlled pendulum motion that keeps the bait quiet and accurate.

This method matters because bass often sit tight to cover in shade or current breaks, and a loud cast can spook them before the bait ever gets close. Flipping lets anglers work one piece of cover at a time, drop the bait right on the fish's nose, and feel every bite through a short, direct line. It works best with heavier tackle and braided line so you can pull fish out of thick brush or grass once hooked.

Most anglers pair flipping with jigs or bulky soft plastics that fall with a compact profile and slip through vegetation without hanging up.

• Keep your rod tip low during the swing to control the bait's entry and avoid noise.