Flipping & Pitching Fishing on Cheney Reservoir
Cheney Reservoir · Kansas · Midwest
Cheney Reservoir sits on the North Fork of the Ninnescah River in Reno County, a wide, shallow prairie impoundment averaging roughly 14 feet deep with a maximum depth near 40 feet in the old river channel. Water clarity runs turbid to slightly stained through most of the year, driven by wind chop on exposed flats and agricultural runoff from the surrounding watershed. Largemouth bass, white bass, and walleye share the fishery, but largemouth hold the primary attention of dedicated bass anglers working the riprap dam face, flooded timber pockets, and shallow cove structure.
Flipping uses a shortened line for pendulum-style presentations within 15 feet. Pitching covers 15–40 feet with an underhand cast. Both deliver baits silently into docks, laydowns, and grass edges. Big bass in heavy cover are the target — this is where giants live.
Flipping & Pitching Setup for Cheney Reservoir
| Rod | 7'3"–7'6" heavy or extra-heavy casting rod, fast action |
| Reel | 7.1:1–8.1:1 baitcaster |
| Line | 50–65 lb braid or 20–25 lb fluorocarbon |
| Weight | 3/8–1 oz pegged tungsten, matched to cover density |
| Hook | 4/0–5/0 straight shank flipping hook |
Seasonal Tactics on Cheney Reservoir
Lake: Pre-spawn largemouth stage along the riprap dam face and main-lake points in 6–12 ft of water as temps climb through the mid-50s, then push into protected coves and shallow timber flats once the water hits 60°F. White bass runs up the Ninnescah River arm draw significant crowds in April.
Flipping & Pitching: Pitch to buck brush and flooded timber during pre-spawn. Jig or crawfish-colored creature bait.
Lake: Largemouth retreat to the deeper creek channel edges and any shade-producing dock or timber structure; the thermocline in this shallow reservoir compresses usable depth quickly, and fish concentrate in the 12–18 ft zone along channel swings during peak heat.
Flipping & Pitching: Punch through grass mats with 1–1.5 oz weights. Fish the shade under mats where big bass hide from heat.
Lake: Shad migrations pull bass onto main-lake flats and secondary points through September and October — reaction baits like lipless crankbaits and swimbait-rigged paddle tails produce well when fish are actively schooling near the surface.
Flipping & Pitching: Target dock ends and remaining grass. Fish move shallower as water cools.
Lake: Largemouth become lethargic and stack near the deepest available structure, primarily the old river channel in 25–35 ft; slow-rolled swimbaits and finesse drop shots on the channel ledge edges are the most consistent cold-water approach.
Flipping & Pitching: Slow flip to deep docks and boat lifts. Swim the bait down slowly on the fall.
Best Conditions
Thick grass mats, laydowns, dock pilings, boat houses, flooded bushes; murky water; spawn and post-spawn; summer shade
Watch the line, not the water. Set the hook the instant the line twitches or moves sideways — bass in cover bite and spit fast.
More Techniques for Cheney Reservoir
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