Is Punching Lilly Pads A Technique

[Green Trout]

I have lilly pads on my river body and I have caught frog bass over them so I know there is some bass that holds in pads. However, I am really starting to get into punching and would like to punch these with worms and 1 ounce weights. Is punching lilly pads a good technique? Have you done it with good success?

[ABW]

You don't "punch" through lilypads. You can throw your bait between them, though. 

[gardnerjigman]

Treat lily pads like a brushpile you are flipping. Hit the gaps and openings.

[Jrob78]

You don't "punch" through lilypads. 

If they're thick enough you do.

[ABW]

If they're thick enough you do.

 

I mean like actually "break" through the pad with the weight. I see where you're getting at, though.

[Jrob78]

I mean like actually "break" through the pad with the weight. I see where you're getting at, though.

Man, you would be surprised.  I have a little place close to me that has large pads and they're very close together.  You literally do have to punch through them with at least an ounce of weight.  It's obviously different than punching mats but I still consider it punching.

[corn-on-the-rob]

Yea I Punch pads all of the time. I found that 1/2 to 3/4 works best for me, it gets through easy without burying down too much once it's through. I like throwing craws, creatures, or 8 inch worms. Don't get too caught up in the application, just because it is tied on doesn't mean you can't work the edges with it too!

[Catt]

I target my cast to where the pads over lap but I'll punch through!

[Montanaro]

I fish thick lily pads and watershield and you do punch them. Caught a lot of bass that way.

3/4oz tungsten and up. Only other way to fish them is with weedless topwater.

[FinCulture]

"I fish thick lilies." Try saying that three times fast! And yes, I would consider it punching if the pads are super thick, but it'll usually be flipping.

[Angry John]

I use a creature bait and a 3/4 tungsten as well.  I try and just set the weight on the pad and drag it over to the edge.  The edge of the pad will not normaly support the weight and it rolls off and decends.  I do this very slow and it works just fine for me.  If the pads are overlapping i have to go up in weight and it does not work as well for me.

[sprint61]

Punching is a technique I would consider punching lilly pads a pattern, that is if your catching fish.

[Jrob78]

Punching is a technique I would consider punching lilly pads a pattern, that is if your catching fish.

Yes, I agree with that.

[Bluebasser86]

Not all pads are the big pads everyone thinks of when they think of fishing pads. You get into thick silver dollar pads that are matted up with other weeds and you are most certainly punching. I hate fishing pads though and they are avoided at all cost. 

[Bankbeater]

I don't like punching through pads either.  I always seem to get hung up on whatever is under the pads.  I would much rather just flip the bait in the gaps between the pads.

[Montanaro]

Not all pads are the big pads everyone thinks of when they think of fishing pads. You get into thick silver dollar pads that are matted up with other weeds and you are most certainly punching. I hate fishing pads though and they are avoided at all cost.

Some of the watershield I've seen is so thick that a rod and reel would sit on top of it.

[ww2farmer]

I hate fishing pads though and they are avoided at all cost.

Same here....almost, while I don't avoid them, they only get a casual pass through, I don't spend too much time on them. I have caught good fish from pads, but I don't like them at all...at least on Silver or Conesus. On Waneta/Lamoka though, they are often the ticket since there is little milfoil or coontail in those lakes. So when I go there, I put my anti-pad stance in check,and fish them way more thoroughly than elsewhere.

[corn-on-the-rob]

Same here....almost, while I don't avoid them, they only get a casual pass through, I don't spend too much time on them. I have caught good fish from pads, but I don't like them at all...at least on Silver or Conesus. On Waneta/Lamoka though, they are often the ticket since there is little milfoil or coontail in those lakes. So when I go there, I put my anti-pad stance in check,and fish them way more thoroughly than elsewhere.

 

Yea, I enjoy fishing pads as long as they are hot! But some lakes have so many pads that you have to find the "good" pads which can be a pain.

[ClackerBuzz]

try to keep ur casts under 30 ft.  a 75 ft cast means you'll be wasting time fighting the pads the whole way back.  also try to remove the rod from the equation when it's time to bring ur lure back.  point ur rod tip directly at the lure and use a reel retrieve.  the rod won't load so the lure gets hung/snagged up far less.  this no-rod method also works well when bouncing a buzzbait thru tall lily stalks b/c ur only using a reel and braid.