Hackney's New School Flipping and Pitching Approach

Man, we love listening to Greg Hackney dive deep into the art of flipping and pitching bass. This video lecture is an excellent counter to the onslaught of forward-facing sonar content and underscores the importance of staying on the leading edge of shallow-water tactics. Hackney delves deep into the strategies of flipping and pitching in post-spawn conditions. Discover why these techniques are essential for targeting big females in heavy cover, and Hackney's approach to fishing fast versus slow. He also shares his favorite overall bait for shallow water sniping and considerations for choosing the best rod setup for the situation.
FEATURED PRODUCTS (retail links)
• WEIGHT - Strike King Tour Grade Tungsten Weight, 3/4-ounce: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/DKNVA2 | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/4atTfOy
• HOOK - Gamakatsu Heavy Cover Flipping Hook, 4/0: Buy at Bass Pro Shops www.basspro.com/shop/en/gamak... | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/47UmnhI
• BAIT - Strike King KVD Perfect Plastics Rodent, color - Double Header: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/eKW4Jz | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/4cFoTe3
• ROD - Team Lew's Signature Series Greg Hackney Flippin' Rod, 7'11" Heavy: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/q40Yqg | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/450t5Qh
• REEL - Team Lew's Custom Pro Casting Reel, 8.3:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/PyD0Ye | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/4552Vfh
• LINE - Strike King Contra Fluorocarbon, 20-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/ZQjm30 | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/3t84BaR
FLIPPING AND PITCHING ESSENTIALS
Choosing the Right Bait
Hackney emphasizes the importance of selecting the right flipping bait, pointing to a personal favorite that has consistently delivered results year-round. Despite common perceptions, Hackney reveals that, for him, a Texas-rigged soft plastic is tops for versatility and even outshines the classic jig in tournament conditions.
Post-Spawn Behavior and Habitat
As bass conclude their spawning phase, Hackney explains their migration to heavy grass in lakes rich with cover. These big females seek thick cover to rest, recuperate, and feed up on forage such as bluegills and crawfish. He offers insights into how these patterns vary across different water bodies, from natural lakes to reservoirs like Kentucky Lake.
Tackling Techniques and Setups
The best bass fishing rod varies based on the technique. Detailing his preferred setups, Hackney discusses the nuances of choosing between his signature 7'11" flipping stick and a slightly shorter 7'6" version for different flipping and pitching scenarios. He highlights the balance between rod action, bait weight, and the need for precise, efficient hook sets to land bass quickly and effectively.
Adapting to Water Clarity and Cover
The clarity of the water and the type of cover significantly influence Hackney's flipping and pitching strategy. He advocates for quick, targeted presentations in clearer waters while he'll soak his cricket longer in dirty conditions to give the bass more time to react and find the bait.
Whether you're a seasoned tournament angler or a weekend warrior, incorporating Hackney's flipping and pitching strategies will significantly increase your success rates.
#gamakatsu24 #sklews24
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[@Glock-1]

I could watch Hackney fish all day he is the most entertaining bass fisherman in the business

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

I can watch Greg and listen to him flipping all day

[@Wired2Fish]

Sure is a breath of fresh air to watch him get shallow and break it down. His wisdom is off the charts.

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

@@Wired2Fish couldn't have said it better myself

[@formatr6]

"YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN" x300 times Love it

[@justincase5847]

The amount of knowledge in this man’s head is astounding. He never ceases to impress me with his takes on things fishing. Great video Hack!

[@brandonburker7330]

The Hack Attack! The GOAT

[@mpa7056]

Dee Thomas Denny Braur Tommy Biffle Gary Klein Bobby Lane the list is endless though Greg is very good at what he does.

[@jerrygirdner2753]

My favorite way to fish! No matter if its a Texas rig or jig. Nothing is no more fun to me that flipping a bait and when you pick it up to move it and the fish is swimming off with the bait and then you can reel down and lay the wood to them! Better than top water better than anything else fishing! Thanks for sharing. Great guy to learn from. Semper Fi from an old Marine

[@glenndaugherity6187]

I noticed he’s using floro. I was a Marshal for Greg last year at Okeechobee it was a great day ! Super great guy ! He said I talked a lot LOL 😊

[@Madisonrvr]

Awesome experience! Did he flip most of the day?

[@glenndaugherity6187]

@@Madisonrvr Yes almost 90% of the time. Threw a swim jig a little.

[@shelbybowron8074]

Great to see a master of flipping fish. He makes it look easy and it’s not!

[@Madisonrvr]

This was 14 straight minutes of THE JUICE. The master! Anybody else agree with him that the most fun part of flipping is the hookset? I sure do.

[@joshgomes3644]

ALWAYS PULLING FOR HACKNEY🎣🎣🎣

[@Wired2Fish]

Gotta love listening to him go off like the radio on excellent talking points, one after the other!

[@tylerbroadway8710]

I love the lean to brother!!! Somethen so addicting about it!!

[@rogerglasco5941]

That was a great learning video. Thank you. I could watch you all day.

[@fishingwithhouse]

One of my favorite pro anglers ! Great video and info !

[@DRfishing18]

It was so good to meet you at the classic. Thanks for all your knowledge

[@petermarshall4620]

One of the most informative, useful and concise videos I've watched in my fairly short bass fishing journey. Easy to watch, listen and learn. Thanks!

[@Offthegridfishing]

No ffs best type of fishing , I learned so much more just from watching this guy

[@davidrobrobbins7816]

Love this. Hacks the best

[@basstobasscookingbrentbabi5411]

Preach it our Louisiana GOAT🙌🏼🎣

[@tie1onoutdoors]

Hackney is the man!!

[@guywithagoprofishingshow3011]

Watching @GregHackney over the years has made me a much better #angler overall. Without a doubt.100% (& that reminds me ,I need to re up on some Rodents)..#fishing #bassfishing #GregHackney #maverick #flipping

[@marchaggar5578]

That dude is such a hammer.

[@Showmethefish]

You the man Hack..... whatcha for years...😊

[@chrischrist7982]

A real fishing video

[@steveodonnell2921]

Excellent

[@BobbyCordova-hl5bp]

He taught us this years ago I must have missed the new part . 👊🏼

[@mikewelter180]

Hey Greg, I just watched a vid from Randy Blaukat who states that the days of winning tournaments by flipping and pitching is over due to the popularity of forward facing sonar. I'd like to hear what you think about FFS his analysis. Thanks Greg! We love what you do!

[@Justin_Mooney11]

Jus pure awesomeness

[@nancyzipperer8819]

When proficiency start making shoes😂

[@nancyzipperer8819]

Nah I'm just playing you still rock the retro

[@gregorybrinson5307]

No ffs, now this is fishing!!

[@jeffylubefishing]

Only Scott Martin uses ffs that shallow

[@rogermendez7266]

💪🏼🖕🏼 ffs

[@slabbusterrtr7690]

Well I don't wanna go back to 1984 and we have always bought things to help us catch more fish right ???

[@sterlHAsilva]

I love hackney more than most but I’ll still be slack lining hahaha

[@nybbhUSA]

I can’t stop myself! started with mono and broomsticks!😂

[@forrhs8430]

MasterClass Flipping Angler! Love It!

[@jack03111969]

Love me some hack

[@erikmonclark9378]

Never caught one on a beaver but I love a structure bug

[@parker02722]

Greg Hackney may be the best flipper of all time- the knowledge and experience that he possesses is incredible. It’s a shame that the reliance on FFS has essentially made most techniques and knowledge like Hackney’s obsolete.

[@DavidMccallister65]

I was hoping the camera was gonna catch one of those bass swallowing one of those big bluegills 😂

[@MichaelGerik]

how is that weight just holding there, like its pegged. is this a new style?

[@jacobroberts4241]

Since braid to fluoro i been saying the same thing unless your punching with straight braid even with a spinning rod your tightlined just pull straight up dont yank and i always wait a second and let em eat it and i never fish a worm over 4 inches anymore i want them to eat the whole bait the first time and i use the creature hawg on 1/4oz tungsten gotta be pegged tight the glide that bait has triggers them and mimics a craw , a gill and a frog green pumpkin in maxscent is more a brown and its the way to go and a bandito bug jr for 3/8 and i dont switch hands i reel left handed and pitch right and im right handed but ive never felt comfortable not having it as the feel hand while reeling and also i fish with my uncle who still uses a spinning rod and mono and my god he sets the hook hard and misses so many fish and or loses them next to the boat on shakey heads 😂 gotta love his stubborness

[@czykrepublic4323]

Just curious why you use fluoro vs. braid if you're getting mostly reaction bites?

[@jamesbarron1202]

Hackney has said in past videos that he doesn’t think bass pay any visual attention to braid when fishing heavy vegetation. Maybe he’s thinking about the noise braid makes when it’s rubbing over vegetation.

[@brianpierson7708]

JAMES is right. The braid sounds like a hacksaw no pun intended 😂. On the cain and grass. He’s mainly a foot to 4’ in so it’s not that bad. If he was in heavy vegetation or deep into the cain he would use braid. Some people don’t know or understand but if you hook a fish in cover instead of ripping um out going to them or braking your rod. If you just keep good pressure on them they will 75% of the time use there head shaking to your advantage like a wedge and bust there self out of the grass or mats but they don’t show the shots like that on YT or TV because people want to see hook sets fish and the bait. Then hear the SL crack or PE screeching.

[@czykrepublic4323]

@@brianpierson7708 yeah, makes sense. I flip heavy pads a ton in the summer with 40 lb braid. I don't notice the sound nearly as much as 65 or 80 lb braid, but I'm sure fluoro is still quieter.

[@tylerbroadway8710]

Stud!

[@dangareau]

Where's my flippin' switch? They've disappeared. I can only find one reel with a flipping switch, the Quantum Accurist, and it's available lefty too. Anyone else know of any other reels with a flipping switch? Thanks in advance

[@TokyoNightGirl-fk4cn]

💕 Wow💚💚💚💚💚💙💚

[@fresnobassn744]

Hack Attack 👍💪

[@brianpierson7708]

SOUTH LOUISIANA BROTHERHOOD OF THE MARSH FISHERMEN !!! BLOWING THE CANE FOR BIG FISH IN OUR BLOOD FROM BIRTH.

[@lyricalangst21]

Anyone what specific bait that is hes flipping?

[@G8AR]

He’s using a Strike King KVD Perfect Plastic Rodent. If you search the description bar for more information it will detail all the equipment he is using.

[@nybbhUSA]

Tell G’man he can’t slack line them!😂

[@rickvann3489]

Don't kid yourself that Fluorocarbon stretches just as much as mono.

[@user-qn5is1xm5u]

Flippin/ pitching. You have to be dedicated.

[@DavidMccallister65]

The only guy I know that breaks off 20-25lb string😅

[@Madisonrvr]

Quiet please- Hackney is flipping.

[@theamateurangler6273]

Now this is fishing. Sadly these types of techniques are irrelevant now that no name guys who cant skip a dock or can't pitch a jig are dragging people across the scales by trolling around looking at a screen and only casting when they see a suspended fish. No skill, practice or class required. FFS is the perfect tool for the younger "I want it now" generation.

[@coltonn31]

Sad thing is some of the FFS superfans hate on hackney saying he is already a "donator". Heck he just won AOY in '14.. ofcourse which was literally a year before forward sonar started. He is still one of the best all around anglers in existence.

[@fishncoach8699]

I love this style of fishing but y'all need to go somewhere with the "no skill" required in ffs. Its less skill in going down a bank or grass line and flipping to every edge or corner. It's fun and is much more enjoyable than looking at a screen, but there's not a ton of skill in it

[@johnburks2729]

Millennial here. Don't know a single person around my age group fishing with FFS or even interested in it. My 62 year old father in law and all his friends LOVE it though

[@BigGuy86ed]

The even funnier part is flipping was viewed much like ffs when it first came from the Westcoast. Flipping was called violent and brutal, fish were not going to be able to hide and flipping was going to kill the sport. Same thing with braided line when it first come out. Fishing somehow collect "the sky is falling" folks. I lived through all of that, so I'm speaking from what I know.

[@coltonn31]

@@BigGuy86ed cool to know, never heard of those techniques spoke of like that. Believable. Thx for sharing

[@gregkuhn7123]

Come on, dude, keep that fish off the deck carpeting. You know better than that.

[@BpLavoie]

Awww. Look at you letting everyone know how virtuous you are. Absolutely adorable. ❤