I normally fished the outside edge of thick pads or the top. However, the pads have not completely grown in yet and this spring I've been swimming a jig and fluke throw them with success. As we get closer to summer the vegetation is getting pretty thick, making it harder to fish. I alway watched and read about punching pads but for some reason I've always felt like its a west/south technique. just not sure if the the heavy weights, and punching skirts are worth the investment.