Punch Rig Pegging?

[Tim Kelly]

I don't get many chances to fish punch rigs, but had some fun with them in the summer. Looking at the general punching info on the net it seems common to use bobber stops to peg the weight and a snell knot for the hook. What troubled me about this was that the moving weight and snelled hook make the bait hang at an unnatural angle. I used a peg-it inside the weight and a standard palomar knot on the hook. With my version it seemed to me that you could leave the pegged weight a couple of sixteenths away from the hook, so it didn't interfere with it and it hung straight. Seemed to work fine for me, and I'm probably way overthinking it, but does everyone else punch with a snelled hook and a bobber stop on the line? 

[RCCA]

I'm no expert but I do it just like you do for the same reasons.

[Catt]

I use a Palomar knot & must of the time un-pegged weight.

[J Francho]

Here's what use.  The weights are one to on-and-a-half ounce trolling weights.  Takes half the weight of a pegged bullet weight to punch through.

 

[WRB]

Take a look at Kieth Combs punch rig vedio.

Tom

[Jrob78]

The problem I've had with those rubber inserts is they aren't big enough to peg a 1.5 oz punching weight.  I know they make larger ones but I don't have any.  If your inserts are working for you, no reason at all not to use them.   As long as your weight stays with your bait, that's all that matters.

[Tim Kelly]

Take a look at Kieth Combs punch rig vedio.

Tom

 

Thank you, just watched it. That was exactly the way I was rigging it this summer.

[.ghoti.]

Here's what use.  The weights are one to on-and-a-half ounce trolling weights.  Takes half the weight of a pegged bullet weight to punch through.

 

Now that's a good idea. Why didn't I think of that? I have a bunch of those rigs I made up, but none anywhere near that heavy.

[WIGuide]

It sounds like you're doing what I do, but instead of using a bobber stop I use an Eco Pro Tungsten Pro Peg. It seems to hold a little better than a bobber stop. I also use a palomar though instead of a snell. 

[gulfcaptain]

I do it both ways.  Either snell or well San Diego Knot.  Heavy weights sometimes get two bobber stops.  And I've had days where they liked the way the bait sat with the snelled hook (bait seemed to sit up right when it hit the bottom) and other days with it tied direct.  Only difference, when I don't use a snell, I try and use a punch skirt to protect my braid from the tugsten weight which I have had cut the knot from the small amount of movement the weight has being flipped as where the snelled hook protects the line with the eye of the hook and eliminating that issue.  And all snelled hook fish seem to be hooked in the tops of their mouths more often as well.

[gulfcaptain]

Here's what use.  The weights are one to on-and-a-half ounce trolling weights.  Takes half the weight of a pegged bullet weight to punch through.

 

And just ordered some of these to try as well next.

[Mike L]

The old fashioned way has worked well enough that I don't see the need to change...use as many bobber stops as needed depending on the weight to keep it pegged.

If punching matts tie a snell, if not a palomar for braid and the

"No name" for heavy flouro.

Mike

[Tim Kelly]

Here's what use.  The weights are one to on-and-a-half ounce trolling weights.  Takes half the weight of a pegged bullet weight to punch through.

 

 

I bet they work well John. How's the hook up ratio?

[J Francho]

No issues there with Owner 5/0 Rig'n hooks.  Did break a rod in half with Jim during a tx last year.  Fish stayed buttoned, lol.

[Tim Kelly]

You he-man. 

 

   

[J Francho]

You he-man. 

 

   

 

Not really, it was a Dobyns Champion Extreme, lol.

[Tim Kelly]

Snaptastic. LOL

[Cmiller]

The snell knot seems to help get the hook in the upper lip better. 

[hawgenvy]

I don't get many chances to fish punch rigs, but had some fun with them in the summer. Looking at the general punching info on the net it seems common to use bobber stops to peg the weight and a snell knot for the hook. What troubled me about this was that the moving weight and snelled hook make the bait hang at an unnatural angle. I used a peg-it inside the weight and a standard palomar knot on the hook. With my version it seemed to me that you could leave the pegged weight a couple of sixteenths away from the hook, so it didn't interfere with it and it hung straight. Seemed to work fine for me, and I'm probably way overthinking it, but does everyone else punch with a snelled hook and a bobber stop on the line? 

I agree that the bullet weight in front of a snelled hook results in the hook being not exactly in line with the bait, but the advantage of the snelled hook is that when setting the hook the point kicks out into the fish's jaw improving the hook-up ratio. I believe a good deal of that advantageous kicking out has to do with the pressure of the weight against the hook eye during the set, and you lose that benefit when the weight is not next to the eye. Of course, you might argue that you'll get less bites when whatever godforsaken creature your punched gizmo is supposed to look like looks instead like some other more crooked fluttering contraption -- but in my opinion the improved hook set outweighs the aesthetic flaw.

[Tim Kelly]

That certainly seems to be a common view amongst the pros too. Until I start missing unacceptable numbers of fish I think I'll keep the aesthetic approach going.  

[J Francho]

I'm in the group that doesn't believe the knot hase anything to do with hook up.  A well tied knot is better than the one the pros say to use. I don't snell when I use a z-bend hook.  Why? I can tie a better Palomar or Uni knot that will hold.  If I'm using a straight shank flipping hook, I'll snell it.  Why?  It's fast, and holds well.  Easy to tie, and retying is important when punching.  I generally snell any straight shank hook, regardless of technique or even species.  A snell also protects the knot itself from the weight, so there's probably better durability.  The idea that it results in better hookups isn't really quantifiable, and think about it - stick a hook point in a piece of wood, and pull on the line.  Where is this "kickout" everyone talks about?  I agree, the hook rests differently when supended in air, or even in the water, but when it's sucked in be a bass, and you pull the cord, it's pretty much the same direction, regardless of knot.  So, if you tie a good snell, use it, man.

[Catt]

I never use a snell knot & I seldom peg a weight on any Texas Rig & yes a punch rig is a Texas Rig on steroids!

My hookup ratio is in the upper 90 %

[WPCfishing]

Buy a few pinch jig heads from Siebert. Add the skirt of your choice. Buy some Texas rig hooks, add a punch jig tube. Tighten it up and Use a tooth pick to peg the jig head.

Another option is something I've done for a long time.

Take a drill bit to the back of a 1/2 oz lead bullet weight to hollow it out. Use a long shaft Texas rig hook. Put the skirt right on the shaft and glue it up against the hooks eye so there's room for the tube or trailer which is put on before the skirt. Follow the other steps to complete the punch jig.

The punch jig will be straight...

Buy a few pinch jig heads from Siebert. Add the skirt of your choice. But some Texas rig hooks, add a punch jig tube. Tighten it up and Use a tooth pick to peg the jig head.

Another option is something I've done for a long time.

Take a drill bit to the back of a 1/2 oz lead bullet weight to hollow it out. Use a long shaft Texas rig hook. Put the skirt right on the shaft and glue it up against the hooks eye so there's room for the tube or trailer which is put on before the skirt. Follow the other steps to complete the punch jig.

The punch jig will be straight... I tie a uni knot.

[SoFloBassFiend]

Here's what use. The weights are one to on-and-a-half ounce trolling weights. Takes half the weight of a pegged bullet weight to punch through.

[/quote

Medtronics pump user?

[SoFloBassFiend]

You can also try using a bobber stop and then a rubber "peg it" and you'll have zero slippage of the weight.