i use either a Curado 101 or 201SF (depending on the rod) for flipping and pitching.
Adjusting the reel properly is a must... I was having a terrible time with backlashes until I went back to the basics.
1. If your backlash is at the beginning of the pitch (and you are getting little/no distance) tighten the cast control knob. It should allow the bait to fall slowly and no/minimul overrun when it hits the floor. (This was almost entirely my problem, I had this knob way to loose).
2. If your backlash is at the end of the cast, adjust your brakes or educate the thumb a bit more.
Also, remember that switching from a pitch to a cast loads the rod differently, and you may need to readjust your brakes/thumb... which is sometimes hard to do on the fly.
I have thought about trying the castaic for flipping/pitching, but can't see me getting used that extra thumb thingy...
and if they only made that Johnny Morris reel in a left handed model, I think that would be a killer for flipping/pitching.