Punching Set Ups

[SpencerLittle]

Well since I've decided to try some punching when the hydrilla tops out this year I've been doing a little research. Seems most everyone used the same set up. Some sort of straight shank hook, large tungsten weight, and a bobber stopper all tied together with a snell knot. Are there any other things to do to better my chances of success with this?

[FlipnLimits]

Uh oh, here we go again!  lol   Here's a similar thread for you to peruse.  Sounds like you have your setup correct.

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/131864-punch-rig-snell-knot/

 

FL

[A-Jay]

Here's what mine looks like ~

 

 

Here's the rig, from the main line to the hook:

-A stopped knot (I use a double uni-knot made from left over braided line)
- A small bead to keep the knot from slipping through the weight.
- A  tungsten weight
- a Boss Punch Hub - this is placed inside the skirt collar
- The skirt of your choice
- A parasite clip (optional, but does help prevent the plastic from sliding down the hook)
- A 5/0 Owner wide gap plus EWG hook (#5139 - very stout, I love this hook)
- Your favorite soft plastic - pictured is a Power Bait Beast

A-Jay

 

 

 

 

 

[Teal]

Sounds like you have a good understanding of the rigging. I prefer a Snell knot and a straight shank flipping hook, but there's plenty of guys that are successful with an EWG. A couple of things that help bring it all together, a long stout rod, and a fast reel with a hight IPT and braided line. The reel is important, and you want to be able retrieve quickly and make another flip... The more flips the more you make the faster u can cover an area. It also helps after you set the hook, you can gain line quickly and get the fish out of the slop fast. A long rod helps with that the hookset and flipping in general. Braid cuts weeds. ...

Punching to me, is pretty cut and dry.

[ww2farmer]

Punching is about the only thing I will use a straight shank hook for, the big tungsten sinkers (1- 1.25 oz + stuff) often used for this have the tendency to pop the fishes mouth open wider, and I like the bigger bite of the straight shank hook. If I can get through the cover with 3/4 oz or less sinkers...I will use an offset EWG.  I don't snell.....and yet fish make it to the boat....go figure.

[A-Jay]

Punching is about the only thing I will use a straight shank hook for, the big tungsten sinkers (1- 1.25 oz + stuff) often used for this have the tendency to pop the fishes mouth open wider, and I like the bigger bite of the straight shank hook. If I can get through the cover with 3/4 oz or less sinkers...I will use an offset EWG.  I don't snell.....and yet fish make it to the boat....go figure.

 

X2 ~

 

I don't but into the whole Snelling thing either.

 

After several years of offshore saltwater fishing, I've used it and it does have it's place.  But I have yet to see where it's a requirement for this application.

 

And as for the straight shank hook, I also Prefer the EWG.

My experiences with the Straight hook with the bait keeper barb have not resulted in more fish but have definitely shorted the life span of my plastics.

 

A-Jay

[SpencerLittle]

With the straight shanks I saw where someone was using two bobber stoppers. On on top and one between the hook and weight. Said it was to keep the smelled hook from curling until he set the hook. Would this be a wise thig to do?

[FrankW]

Hi Spencer,

 

I fish in central Florida and we have a lot of grass and hydrilla.  There is only part of the summer that punching is necessary.  Most of the year I fish a punching setup but I don't punch with it.  I fish a sweet beaver mostly with a skirt and weights from 1/8 to 3/8.  I pitch with the setup and it works great for me.  I prefer the Owner Twistlock Flipping hook instead of the straight shank flipping hook with a snell.  I get good bait life with the twistlock hook and the bait never falls down the shank.  The new flipping hooks with the bait keeper does have a tendency to tear up smaller baits once the keeper pulls through the bait. 

 

So my setup is: Sweet Beaver, Owner Twistlock Flippin hook, custom skirt, light weight and Eco stopper. 

 

Frank

[Catt]

My favorite is still a big ole jig

[Catt]

My favorite is still a big ole jig

And yes I can get it through the nastiest stuff y'all can get your punch rig though!

[WRB]

Take a look at Miller punching wights and Paycheck skirt collars/ bobber stops...TW.

Tom

[FlipnLimits]

My favorite is still a big ole jig

Yeah, mine too.  Frog is a close second. 

[jignfule]

My favorite is still a big ole jig

And yes I can get it through the nastiest stuff y'all can get your punch rig though!

I love the jig and could probably manage to get it through most anything, But I find the punch rig faster and cleaner in the real heavy stuff.

[FlipnLimits]

Take a look at Miller punching wights and Paycheck skirt collars/ bobber stops...TW.

Tom

I have fished with Miller punch weights.  They function well but they sit funny on your line, so I quit using them. 

[Catt]

I love the jig and could probably manage to get it through most anything, But I find the punch rig faster and cleaner in the real heavy stuff.

How is it faster & cleaner?

Your punch rig is trying imitate every thing a jig already is!

I can punch Hydrilla, Coontail Moss, Milfoil, Water Hyacinth, Tule Rush (Bulrush), every kind of lilies.

So what can y'all punch that is any heavier?

Your punch weight is 1-1 1/2 oz, my jig is 1-1 1/2 oz, so where's the speed?

[SpencerLittle]

Hi Spencer,

I fish in central Florida and we have a lot of grass and hydrilla. There is only part of the summer that punching is necessary. Most of the year I fish a punching setup but I don't punch with it. I fish a sweet beaver mostly with a skirt and weights from 1/8 to 3/8. I pitch with the setup and it works great for me. I prefer the Owner Twistlock Flipping hook instead of the straight shank flipping hook with a snell. I get good bait life with the twistlock hook and the bait never falls down the shank. The new flipping hooks with the bait keeper does have a tendency to tear up smaller baits once the keeper pulls through the bait.

So my setup is: Sweet Beaver, Owner Twistlock Flippin hook, custom skirt, light weight and Eco stopper.

Frank

Didn't mean to start a jog vs punch set up thread. Just wanted to know anything else about a punching setup I needed to know along with any tips or tricks picked up by everyone over the years. Thank you Frank and others for the great replies.

[jignfule]

How is it faster & cleaner?

Your punch rig is trying imitate every thing a jig already is!

I can punch Hydrilla, Coontail Moss, Milfoil, Water Hyacinth, Tule Rush (Bulrush), every kind of lilies.

So what can y'all punch that is any heavier?

Your punch weight is 1-1 1/2 oz, my jig is 1-1 1/2 oz, so where's the speed?

I'm sure you are a much better fisherman than I and have much more talent and ability. I was referring to penetration of the cover. For me the punch skirt slides through the cover easier ( faster& cleaner) . With a jig and my limited abilities, the jig tends not to penetrate as easily and it takes longer for me to work it down through the cover. Much of the time I fish with lighter weights than 1-1/2 oz.

[bflp3]

How is it faster & cleaner?

Your punch rig is trying imitate every thing a jig already is!

I can punch Hydrilla, Coontail Moss, Milfoil, Water Hyacinth, Tule Rush (Bulrush), every kind of lilies.

So what can y'all punch that is any heavier?

Your punch weight is 1-1 1/2 oz, my jig is 1-1 1/2 oz, so where's the speed?

A punch setup is much more streamlined than a jig with an exposed hook, weed guard, and hook eye. You can punch a jig, but I've found it picks up much more junk in the process.

[Catt]

Y'all need to look @

All Terrain Grassmaster

Oldham EyeMax

Dirty Jigs No-Jack

D&M Mat Rat

Oh yea jig hooks aint exposed

Weed guards do not hang weeds, hence the name

The eye do not hang up but your tag end of your line does.

Y'all do realize more Pros punch heavy grass with jigs that punch rigs!

[Catt]

Didn't mean to start a jog vs punch set up thread. Just wanted to know anything else about a punching setup I needed to know along with any tips or tricks picked up by everyone over the years. Thank you Frank and others for the great replies.

You can not talk punching without talking jigs, that's what they were designed to do.