Denny Brauer - 1993 BASSMASTERS SUPERSTAR Champion, 1992 Megabucks Champion, and 1987 B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year - on the finer points of flippin' and pitchin'.

Flippin' & Pitchin'

The big advantage to flippin' and pitchin' is that it lets you get back under things - docks, boathouses, shorelines with a lot of structure - any heavy cover.

Basic Technique

You want to pull just enough line off so that the lure comes down even with the reel. Then, you want to ease that lure into the water so you don't spook any fish. And be sure to get your hand right back to the reel so you can react to a strike.

Water Temperature

The temperature of the water determines how you work the bait - the colder the water, the slower you move the bait.

Strikes

Eighty to 85 percent of your strikes come when the bait is falling. So watch your line carefully during a fall. If it jumps, moves sideways, or does anything strange...set the hook. Once you're onto a fish, you want to move him in a hurry. You have to get him out of the cover before he wraps you up and breaks you off.

Line And Hooks

I spool my reels with 20- to 40- pound test. Seventeen pound test is about the lightest I ever use. You've got total control over a big bass with a line like that, but you need a hook that can withstand the pressure. I use 4/0 or 5/0 hooks because they tolerate torque better than wire hooks.

The Right Rod And Reel

I use a long rod - 7 1/2 feet - that's 80 percent backbone and 20 percent tip action. The length of the rod and that tip lets the rod spring the bait out there. The 80 percent backbone is for hauling fish out of cover. My rod also has a long handle to give me support under the arm for this purpose. I use a Team Daiwa baitcasting reel.

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