Best way to punch through Milfoil?

[airborne_angler]

The lake I fish has heavy(VERY HEAVY) mats of Milfoil all around the bank. So thick in fact that in some spots I cant even park my boat in order to get on the bank and have a shore lunch or even to relieve myself. Im always getting it snarled up in my TM prop too.If the wind blows enough my 10' boat drifts into this stuff and its aggravating getting back out.

I know that this is the "Jungle" and many a Bass resides in this mess. Whats the best way to punch through this stuff and get into where the fish may be?

I have always steered clear of this stuff,the only time I fish it is with a weedless Frog or similar topwater and then the only thing I have caught is Bullfrogs

[Ern]

Frog legs are delicious.   ;D

But go with heavy lead.  1 oz plus.  Big jigs are great. Heavy line.  20 lb + mono or 50 lb + braid.   Cast up rather than pitch.  Should drive into the mat for ya.

I love fishing the slop.

[jb7725]

true tungsten make flippin weights up to ounce and a half also a Nichols Impact Flipping Jig comes in a 1 ounce model

[Wayne P.]

Here is one resolution for that presentation:

http://www.unclejosh.com/sizmiclure/modules/cart/navigate.php/nav_id/75

You can get mat penetration two ways. If you use a lightweight 1 oz. rig/jig/Tx rig, you can cast vertically and let the momentum of the fall crash thru the mat.

The other way is to use a 1 1/2 oz or more weight and cast onto the mat and shake it in place until it works it's way between the stems and thru the mat.

The shake method will get the bass's attention better in most cases as it disturbs the mat before it falls thru.

[airborne_angler]

Ya know I never considered doing a vertical cast and allowing the weight to Blast through that way. Seems a little akward,and unconventional but I may give that a try. Gravity is a good thing!!

[NorCalFishinguru]

Have you tried a punch rig with a 1.5 oz tungsten weight, heavy braid, stopper, skirt, snelled flipping hook and trailer? Bub tosh has some god intructional videos on youtube that are worth checking out

[Big Bait Fishing]

for punching thick mats , i like to use srew-in bullet weights in 1 oz. or 1 1/2 oz. a few manufactures make them , they make the bait go all the way thru the mat instead of the bait hung up and just the weight penetrating thru .

[berkleyfan81]

hey you should try this new thing i found it's called Miller punching weight its at tackle warehouse $9.99 plus a hook with it too. If you go to this website you can get 4qty weight any of your choice in weight it only $ 29.95 also has videos on the product millerpunchinweight.com and  enjoy .

[Big Bait Fishing]

hey you should try this new thing i found it's called Miller punching weight its at tackle warehouse $9.99 plus a hook with it too. If you go to this website you can get 4qty weight any of your choice in weight it only $ 29.95 also has videos on the product millerpunchinweight.com and enjoy .

those things are too shiny , i like a stealth approach to punching and flipping . i only like painted or dull lead weights . chrome or gold i would think would spook fish when you drop in on them . plus those things are WAAAY too expensive .....

[Catt]

Hydrilla, Milfoil, or Coontail Moss

Bass located in these types of vegetation will be either held up in the thick mat or cursing along the edges; but in both locations the bass will be in close proximity to the bottom.

The bass along the edges will dart out taking prey making them easy victims for reaction lures.

The bass located in the mat will, depending on the depth dart upward to take prey on the surface; frogs, spoons, rats, or big snake like worms will produce.

Both the outer edges and mat can be bottom fished with Texas Rigs and Jig-N-Craws

My personal approach to fishing Hydrilla, Milfoil, or Coontail Moss starts by stopping; stopping my boat at least 2 times the length of my casting distance with a ½ oz Trap.

Working my way towards the mat I fan cast with a Rat-L-Trap towards the mat and parallel to the mat while looking for isolated patches of grass.

As the distance from the mat closes to where I can just reach the outer edge I'll switch to spinner baits, top water and a Texas rigs; I start targeting irregularities in the weed edge, bare spots, stumps, brush.

Down to Flipping distance its T-rigs and Jigs all the way

[BrianinMD]

hey you should try this new thing i found it's called Miller punching weight its at tackle warehouse $9.99 plus a hook with it too. If you go to this website you can get 4qty weight any of your choice in weight it only $ 29.95 also has videos on the product millerpunchinweight.com and enjoy .

those things are too shiny , i like a stealth approach to punching and flipping . i only like painted or dull lead weights . chrome or gold i would think would spook fish when you drop in on them . plus those things are WAAAY too expensive .....

Was at a recent fishing seminar were a discussion about punching mats was held with a tourning pro and a local guide. One thing both said is they use unpainted lead and will shine them up because they want a little flash as the bait drops. Its a reaction strike so this helps the fish find the bait and make the quick decision to bite.

[A-Rob]

Often I will target the holes in the slop. It's the same theory as finding the "change" in structure. If I find a pile of slum and there's a pocket or hole floating in the middle of it, I will always pitch one in there. Best part is you don't need much weight if there is a hole there.

I almost always catch a fish at those holes, I think they float around it as it is different, maybe waiting for insects or frogs to jump across(?).

I still use a heavy weight tho, 3/8 and up.

[TimJ]

plain old lead has worked fine for me under mats but I like to soak my bullets in drano before using to add a flat dark grey/almost black look. I'll have to try shining a few up and give them a shot.

when the up-in-the-air vertical launch doesn't work, I will pull my bait up tight and poke the rod/bait through the hole. usually, we're hanging out and fishing slow, sometimes with rattles to let the bass come find the bait.

I was a bit frustrated one day. I let a bunch of line out on the deck, picked up my bait and threw it through the mat...like a baseball! lmao...it worked!

TJ

[fishfordollars]

Ya know I never considered doing a vertical cast and allowing the weight to Blast through that way. Seems a little akward,and unconventional but I may give that a try. Gravity is a good thing!!

We do it a lot down here. Takes some getting use to, but it will get it through the mat.

Keep the lure sprayed with an attractant, it will help it slide through easier.

Good luck

[J Francho]

Most often the big tungsten flipping weights work fine.  I've done the vertical pitch thing, though through ice, LOL.  You can also load the rod while flipping, making the bait circle the rod tip while still holding the line in your hand, and releasing so it hits the mat with some velocity.

[Team9nine]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet that will work if you take the time. We will use an aluminum push pole or extendable lure retriever and move along the milfoil mat edge and create our own holes by reaching out and just hooking the surface mat and pulling it toward us. Just need a foot or two opening. Cruise along with the trolling motor and do this every 30'-50'. After making all your holes, give them a little time to "settle back down" while you rig up or try a diffrent section of the lake and then return later. Fish will gravitate to the opening pretty quickly if they're around.

-T9

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Best way to punch through anything?

A well placed jab from Chuck Norris' fist.  End of story...

[Big Bait Fishing]

hey you should try this new thing i found it's called Miller punching weight its at tackle warehouse $9.99 plus a hook with it too. If you go to this website you can get 4qty weight any of your choice in weight it only $ 29.95 also has videos on the product millerpunchinweight.com and enjoy .

those things are too shiny , i like a stealth approach to punching and flipping . i only like painted or dull lead weights . chrome or gold i would think would spook fish when you drop in on them . plus those things are WAAAY too expensive .....

Was at a recent fishing seminar were a discussion about punching mats was held with a tourning pro and a local guide. One thing both said is they use unpainted lead and will shine them up because they want a little flash as the bait drops. Its a reaction strike so this helps the fish find the bait and make the quick decision to bite.

i think that just the noise of the bait and weight coming thru the mat will get there attention . i don't think silver or gold flash relates to craw or creature imitations that i'm trying to mimic in my bait presentation , could be a confidence thing or maybe we over think it  ;D

[Hammer 4]

Best way to punch through anything?

A well placed jab from Chuck Norris' fist. End of story...

;D ;D  That's funny. In fact Chuck was my martial arts teacher way back in the 70's.