Well, we have talked about flippin and now we'll mention pitchin.

Both techniques are used to fish cover and to do it quietly. Use pitchin when the distance is too long for flippin, to fish under boat docks, brush piles, logs and shallow water. You can use pitchin to fish with most baits but some of the favorites are of course, jigs, spinner baits, worms and lizards. Lots of people prefer a wide gap hook. A good stout rod 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 foot long with a flexible tip and lots of backbone is the best to use when fishing cover, you want the rod to be able to pull the fish out of the cover you're fishing. A high speed reel with a ratio of 6.1-6.2 for a quick hook set is good.

The technique: Hold the rod in your right hand (if right handed)with the tip pointed upward and disengage the spool on the reel, let out enough line so the lure is even with the reel. Grab the lure with your left hand an hold the rod at the butt by your shoulder with the rod tip down. Your left hand should be at your side, now release the lure and lift the rod at the same time, lure should move on a downward swing at your target just above the water surface. When you reach the bottom of downward swing and the lure is going parallel with the water's surface let the line off the reel.

If you have the timing right and everything is as it should be, the lure will continue parallel to the water. Remember you are not trying to throw the lure but swinging it. Don't let the line go slack and stop the lure at the target and it should enter quietly. When the lure hits the water, let line out so the lure goes straight down and not back at you. Reel the lure back towards you until there is enough line out like where you started when the lure was even with the reel and do it again. Keep in mind the purpose of this techniques is to fish quietly.

Is anyone besides me ready for spring?