Punching?

[Brett Strohl]

I've been fishing a small lake with tons of lily pads, and I was wondering if there are any good videos or instructionals about how to get down into them?  I have no idea how to do it.  

[Catch and Grease]

Look up mikeybalzz on YouTube he has tons and tons of videos about punching grass... Not so much on pads but it's pretty much the same.

[BassinLou]

I've been fishing a small lake with tons of lily pads, and I was wondering if there are any good videos or instructionals about how to get down into them?  I have no idea how to do it.  

 

Are you fishing from the bank or from a boat? If you are fishing from a boat, pitching and flipping will be more ideal than punching in pads. Imho. Pads have little pockets and openings that require accurate technique. Punching although a very effective  is used for matted vegetation and breaking through layers. Mikey Ballz does have several entertaining vids on punching and flipping. 

 

From the bank, punching and flipping presents a challenge. The main one I see is tackle retrieval in the event you get stuck. Fishing with heavy braid you have to be careful when you attempt to pull loose your bait. protect your rod and reel at all times and utilize a stick to wrap the braid around and then try to pull your bait loose. 

 

Good luck. 

[Brett Strohl]

We're fishing from a boat, so I guess it doesn't seem practical.   I guess the problem I see with flipping is that there is enough fishing pressure in this lake that it will be hard enough to get close to them without spooking them.  Usually when I catch fish it's when we're slowly working our way around and I'm casting far in front of the boat.  

[BassinLou]

We're fishing from a boat, so I guess it doesn't seem practical.   I guess the problem I see with flipping is that there is enough fishing pressure in this lake that it will be hard enough to get close to them without spooking them.  Usually when I catch fish it's when we're slowly working our way around and I'm casting far in front of the boat.  

 

I can understand that logic. But when you are pitching into thick vegetation, although fish are weary by nature, when their in cover they are less weary if you can reach them. As far as pitching, you can pitch from a considerate distance. Flipping on the other hand is a little bit more up close and personal. 

[Darren.]

I can understand that logic. But when you are flipping into thick vegetation, although fish are weary by nature, when their in cover they are less weary if you can reach them. As far as flipping, you can flip from a considerate distance. Pitching on the other hand is a little bit more up close and personal. 

 

I believe it is the opposite - pitching is for longer distance, 

flipping is more precise... at least this is what I always

understood it to be.

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fish/flip-pitch.html

[BassinLou]

I believe it is the opposite - pitching is for longer distance, 

flipping is more precise... at least this is what I always

understood it to be.

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fish/flip-pitch.html

 

Darren,  you may be right lol!! I for whatever reason get those 2 mixed up sometimes.  

[BassinLou]

I believe it is the opposite - pitching is for longer distance, 

flipping is more precise... at least this is what I always

understood it to be.

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fish/flip-pitch.html

 

Thanks Darren, dang it I mixed them up again.... lol!! 

[BassinLou]

I believe it is the opposite - pitching is for longer distance, 

flipping is more precise... at least this is what I always

understood it to be.

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fish/flip-pitch.html

 

Fixed it Darren, thanks again!! 

[hatrix]

Are you fishing from the bank or from a boat? If you are fishing from a boat, pitching and flipping will be more ideal than punching in pads. Imho. Pads have little pockets and openings that require accurate technique. Punching although a very effective is used for matted vegetation and breaking through layers. Mikey Ballz does have several entertaining vids on punching and flipping.

From the bank, punching and flipping presents a challenge. The main one I see is tackle retrieval in the event you get stuck. Fishing with heavy braid you have to be careful when you attempt to pull loose your bait. protect your rod and reel at all times and utilize a stick to wrap the braid around and then try to pull your bait loose.

Good luck.

You use a stick to pull a snag free or break off? I have kinda always wondered the different methods people use.

I just wrap the line around my forearm a few times. It won't cut you and you can pull anything out.Since I don't know you I guess I can't actually gurantee it won't cut or hurt you so use caution. Some of you might have abnormally weak skin or are easily damaged for some reason The more times you wrap it the better and if you worried get you arm in your shirt kinda or use a rag.

[BassinLou]

You use a stick to pull a snag free or break off? I have kinda always wondered the different methods people use.

I just wrap the line around my forearm a few times. It won't cut you and you can pull anything out.Since I don't know you I guess I can't actually gurantee it won't cut or hurt you so use caution. Some of you might have abnormally weak skin or are easily damaged for some reason The more times you wrap it the better and if you worried get you arm in your shirt kinda or use a rag.

You wrap 50lb braid around your arm and just pull using your arm alone? Impressive. I am too soft skinned to even try that. Lol!! I use either a rag that I carry with me, and if it's real bad, i will wrap it around my pliers. On the boat hang ups are not a problem.

[Mike L]

You use a stick to pull a snag free or break off? I have kinda always wondered the different methods people use.

I just wrap the line around my forearm a few times. It won't cut you and you can pull anything out.Since I don't know you I guess I can't actually gurantee it won't cut or hurt you so use caution. Some of you might have abnormally weak skin or are easily damaged for some reason The more times you wrap it the better and if you worried get you arm in your shirt kinda or use a rag.

  

You wrap 50lb braid around your arm and just pull using your arm alone? Impressive. I am too soft skinned to even try that. Lol!! I use either a rag that I carry with me, and if it's real bad, i will wrap it around my pliers. On the boat hang ups are not a problem.

Fella's

To me the best, easiest and most effective way to un snagg, or break off braid or any other type of line for that matter, is to take up some line from the reel, or from what you already have out and wrap it around the side of the reel a few times and then pull.

No need for a towel, your shirt, a dowl, your forearm or pliers.

Mike

[Bankbeater]

The biggest problem I have while punching is the wind.  I usually pick out a mat that I want to punch through, then I move the boat upwind from it.  I drop anchor and let out enough rope so that the end of the boat is over, or close to, the mat I want to punch.

[Brett Strohl]

I've always just wrapped my braid around a stick or the handle of my pliers and pulled free with that.  No way I could wrap that around my arm without cutting myself

[jitterbug127]

Spinning gear isn't going to be efficient. You need a baitcaster

[Brett Strohl]

Spinning gear isn't going to be efficient. You need a baitcaster

 

 

Lies!!!

[Glenn]

Okay, so...to pull a lure loose from lily pads, use the straight pull method outlined here: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/lure-unstuck.html but really, just pay attention to the direction the pads are pointing.  If they're pointing towards you, then you're more apt to get hung up on the "crotch" of the pad.

 

To fish pads....a little known secret, if you will, is to use 3" grubs on 15-25lb co-polomar line.  Just drag it across the pads, then let it drop when it finds an opening (you may have to give it some line in order to do this).  This is very effective.

 

I tried this with 6" worms, but the tails just hung up on the pads too much.  3" grubs seem to do the trick.  4" Senko's pegged on a 1/4 oz weight also works well too.

 

Ya, you'll catch a lot of small bass doing this. But occasionally a pig will jump all over it.  So you'll need a heavy action rod for this.  It's baitcasting country here.  Spinning reels just don't have the torque to winch out an angry 4-pounder in the lily pads.  Get over your fear of baitcasting gear and use it.  You'll be glad you did.

[Brett Strohl]

  Get over your fear of baitcasting gear and use it.  You'll be glad you did.

 

NEVER!!!!! >=O

[deep]

Well then, I guess you need some inshore grade gear.

 

Punching to me is just a way of getting the bait under the mat. It doesn't matter if you need to flip, pitch, or throw the bait straight up (not exactly straight up of course- then it'll land on your head) to do that.

 

From rod tip: bobber stop (or stops), flipping weight, snelled flipping hook on ~65# braid. Bead and skirt are optional. Use a compact bait.

[hatrix]

Trust me about wrapping it around your arm. Wrap it half a dozen times and just pull or walk back and you will probably be fine lol. You might have some marks that look like if you put a rubberband on your arm but it's nothing. Ya I will pop 50# braid all day or bend out that hook. If it was real bad I would get my shirt or a rag in there before I wrap the line. I always use my forearm and wrap close to your elbow.

[ClackerBuzz]

Trust me about wrapping it around your arm. Wrap it half a dozen times and just pull or walk back and you will probably be fine lol. You might have some marks that look like if you put a rubberband on your arm but it's nothing. Ya I will pop 50# braid all day or bend out that hook. If it was real bad I would get my shirt or a rag in there before I wrap the line. I always use my forearm and wrap close to your elbow.

flat out really bad advice. just b/c ur willing to risk a trip to the ER doesn't mean others should. clearly you've been luckly so far...so far. wrap braid around ur hand and try to break it free if you'd like a small taste of what a forearm full of veins and arteries is in store for

[Miller's Ferry 8]

The best set up for punching is a 6:4:1 baitcaster, 7'6"-7'11" Heavy or Extra Heavy (depends on brand) with 30-50lb braid.  Use the lightest tungsten you can get away with I use no less than 3/4oz though.  Try to get it in there as quietly as possible. Make sure you peg the weight.  Then in spring and summer especially use a punching skirt along with a stout flipping hook and some sort of plastic.  Just get creative honestly.  But the things you absolutely need are a pegged tungsten weight and the right reel and rod combo.   

 

Secondly, make sure your trolling motor (if you need to use it) is on very low speed and your electronics aren't on.  The sonar clicking will spook them sometimes especially on a pressured body of water.

 

Hope this helps.  Go get em buddy.

 

For any other questions just go to youtube.com and search "punching for bass".  It should find some nice results for you to look at.

[lectricbassman]

Well then, I guess you need some inshore grade gear.

Punching to me is just a way of getting the bait under the mat. It doesn't matter if you need to flip, pitch, or throw the bait straight up (not exactly straight up of course- then it'll land on your head) to do that.

Ive seen a video of greg hackney launching bait straight up into the air so that it has enough momentum to punch through. It was pretty neat but not something ive ever tried

[Miller's Ferry 8]

Well then, I guess you need some inshore grade gear.

Punching to me is just a way of getting the bait under the mat. It doesn't matter if you need to flip, pitch, or throw the bait straight up (not exactly straight up of course- then it'll land on your head) to do that.

Ive seen a video of greg hackney launching bait straight up into the air so that it has enough momentum to punch through. It was pretty neat but not something ive ever tried

 

Yeah I have actually used Hackney's technique at Lake Seminole.  The grass mats are so thick that it is the only way to break through.  A 2oz weight and a nice jerk down when the bait is at its peak.  The heavy tackle is required in grass like that.  You'll never get them out otherwise. 

[Catt]

Hackney technique?

Been doing that for close to 40 yrs