Pitching is the useful place to start
Pitching uses a low underhand swing with line leaving the reel; flipping works at close range by managing a set length of line. Both can place a jig or plastic accurately in cover. Practice pitching toward a clear target before aiming at a dock full of somebody else's expensive belongings. Distance is not the first achievement. A quiet entry beside the intended post is.
Build a compact package
Choose a jig or weedless plastic that fits the opening. Use enough weight to get through the cover and follow the fall, then reduce it if the entry becomes a cannonball. Match rod, line and hook strength to the extraction you expect. Peg a Texas-rig weight when keeping it with the bait helps it enter the opening, rather than pegging every rig out of habit.
Keep the bait low and the line controlled
Let the bait swing forward close to the surface, release line smoothly and thumb the spool to soften the landing. Follow the drop with the rod so you do not immediately pendulum the bait away from the target. Watch for the line to jump, stop early or move off. If you make a bad entry, reset. Three feet from the limb is not 'basically in there' when the fish is under it.
Work outside to inside
Fish the accessible edge first, then place the bait deeper if the line path stays clear. A fish hooked near the outside is easier to land without disturbing every opening behind it. Before setting into a bite, know which direction brings the fish out. Avoid threading line across multiple branches merely because the bait can fit through a tiny hole.
Spend time on the right targets
If bites come on the initial fall, move between good openings rather than soaking every pitch. If fish need a pause beside one specific branch, slow down there. Record depth, shade and cover thickness along with the lure. Flipping and pitching are delivery methods; choosing the right address is still the bigger job.
Put it into practice
- Practice a quiet entry before longer pitches.
- Keep the falling bait beside the target.
- Choose a clear extraction path before committing.