Looking to build a new flipping rod (bass). Just curious if anyone has built this blank and how do they like it for flipping. Another option is the Flip 764-1 (HM). It's a lighter blank, but it's a heavy power blank. I don't know that I need that as I don't punch or frog around heavy cover. I mostly pitch and flip laydowns and docks.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/24/2023 02:08PM by Daryl Ferguson.

Daryl, I haven't built on that blank, but I personally would go with the IM version of that blank. I have a rod built on an MB 666 IM blank, and one built on a MB 668 SM blank. The SM blank is a lot heavier than the IM. Heavier in the sense that if I had known the 668 SM blank was going to be so heavy, I wouldn't have gotten it. You're talking a rod that is a foot longer so the weight difference will be even greater. I can't imagine what the tip weight for the Flip 766 SM blank would be compared to the IM or HM version of that blank. I gotta think the SM version is definitely heavier than you want for flipping and pitching.

Go for the lighter blank that's going to have the lighter tip weight.

As far as the NFC HM blanks go, I have read on another rod building related web site, that people have had trouble with them breaking. So that may be something to consider.

Also .... and this is just my personal thinking. Flipping and pitching are short line techniques. Because the line out is so short, I don't believe a high modulus blank over a mid modulus blank is as important as it is when you're making long casts. If you were making long casts, then yeah, I would go with the HM. But on a short line, the IM blanks are more than sensitive enough to feel even very subtle bites.

Thanks David, I’ll check out the IM.

I have built & fished on the FLIP764 and 766 HM's, I would consider the 764 a finesse flipping stick. It has a pretty moderate action, very sensitive. If you are fishing sparse cover where you don't have to horse on the fish, and you need to use smaller presentations the 764 is great. The 766 is a little beefier, still a fairly moderate blank in my opinion, but both are incredibly light. The moderate action can be appreciated if you are fishing close to the boat and you are using braided line.

This may sound a little crazy, but if you look at the deflection images the SW764 IM LMX would be what I would consider a more traditional flip stick but it comes in around 3oz (around an ounce more than the FLIP blanks). Might dance with that blank next year for extra heavy cover work needing a 1/2-2oz pegged weight in really thick tules/grass/wood and you have to physically pull the fish out.

If you want a rod that will handle punching/heavy weights and you really want to go with the Flip series, I would go with the 769 IM... or test that SW764.

The SW764 makes a pretty dang good ARIG rod too!

I worry the SW 764 might a bit too heavy, literally & in power. As I stated, I never punch heavy cover. I’m pitching/flipping lay downs and around docks, standing timber and the like.

If weight is a large concern , then your pick should be the IM 769. I have built the HM766 and it came out at 3.6 ounces, a real pleasure to fish with but is lacking in overall power for my preference.

Weight is always one of my top priorities. I’m not 20 anymore. Lol
I’m giving the IM 769 a hard look.

Weight at the tip is what you need to concentrate on with flipping and pitching rods, IMO that type of rod is where a balanced rod and reel combination is a must.

Be open to the possibility of adding some weight to the butt to counter act tip weight. Build it as you would but don't epoxy the butt cap on, then tape some weight to the butt and see how it feels. The rods going to weigh more, but I guarantee it will fish lighter than its' weight would lead you to believe. Give it a try, and hopefully you take this the right way ..... I mean really give it a try. Practice a half hour or so with the weight taped on. Practice a half hour or so without the weight. Tip heavy rods get heavy really fast.

Just something to keep in mind....