Punch Rig Set Up Or Jika Rig?

[stk]

Hey guys, here in IL there are some pretty bad weed mats in some of the forest preserve lakes/ponds that I fish.  Would a traditional punch rig be a better option or would using something like a heavy jika rig be better to get through the weed mats?  What are the advantages of one over the other?

 

I am mainly fishing from shore, 7'2 MH xf shimano crucial.  Looking at either a 3/4oz punch rig or 3/4oz jika rig (or heavier the better?), probably throwing some beaver type baits.

 

Thanks in advance!

[5dollarsplash]

I think with a Jika you'll be hauling weeds in all day or losing your rig on said weeds when it gets hung up.

 

I'd throw the punch and save the Jika for when you have more open water.

[ClackerBuzz]

I agree^. the jiga has extra hardware/split ring which will pick up way too many weeds.  the punch rig is more weedless.

however punching is basically a vertical presentation. you'll be fighting weeds trying to work it horizontally from shore. i would def punch from a boat/canoe/kayak.

going deep into weeds is very hard from shore.  i'd probably pull a split shot along the tops of weeds for finesse, a 3/8-1/2oz T-rig beaver to go 1/2 way down weeds, or a weightless senko with a bead in front pulls thru weeds very easy. for me working extra extra slow is the key b/c it gives the bass time to surface 1/2 way up and take the lure.  

jump in a canoe if you wanna really want to go down in after the hogs. i fish a similar pond and the bite really turns on at dusk/dawn/night fishing b/c the bass surface and chase anything on top from frogs to buzzbait to senkos.  the jika works better on rocky bottoms.

http://www.***.com/how-to-pitch-deep-grass-with-bass-jigs/

[stk]

The bead in front of a senko is a great idea!  My other plan of attack was fishing soft jerk baits weightless.  What is your opinion on a grass jig or jig with a veritical line tie with narrow cone shaped head?  I want to be able to cover the watercolumn which may not be possible with heavy weed mats.

[ClackerBuzz]

The bead in front of a senko is a great idea!  My other plan of attack was fishing soft jerk baits weightless.  What is your opinion on a grass jig or jig with a veritical line tie with narrow cone shaped head?  I want to be able to cover the watercolumn which may not be possible with heavy weed mats.

the shape of head and eye tie become irrelevant in relation to the weed guard b/c it's much larger than both of them put together.  the weed guard is the vacuum that collects every weed in the pond. i don't know who invented a 'grass jig' but in my experience they are useless.  T-rigs and/or punch rigs are far more weedless.

[Fishes in trees]

Not to be a buzz kill, but neither a punch rig or a jika rig is going to work very well from the bank.  Sorry.  This the of year, spend the money and get a belly boat - find some way to get off the bank.