Working a Punch Rig

[papajoe222]

I know the basic rigging of the rig, I'm just not sure how to work it in thick, non-emergent weeds.  Do you cast, let it settle in the weeds and then shake it to work it down?  When casting to matted weeds, do you lob cast so the rig literally punches it's way through?  I would love to get a bait down to the base of the weeds and not just present one on top of them.

[Bluebasser86]

Yes.

It really depends on how thick the weeds are and how heavy the rig you're fishing are. Some weeds you might be able to pitch holes in the weeds, some you might have to bomb to bust through the canopy, other times you might have to work a little more to shake it through. 

[A-Jay]

I say that the rig is simply another type of jig which can be fished accordingly.

If you want to penetrate heavy cover, matted grass or anything else, you'll need sufficient weight to do so.   The type of cast may be less of a factor as compared to the sufficient weight needed.  A lob cast may help but may be of little help with too light a presentation.  If it's needed to get through, don't be afraid to load up - the bass do not care. 1, 1 1/4,  1 1/2  ounces and even more all get the job done.  A few members here routinely fish with 2 ounces. 

 As for "working" it when not "punching"  Fish it like a jig - you'll get bit.

A-Jay

[papajoe222]

Thanks. I'll need to pick up some heavier tungsten weights. I have up to 1oz. in brass, but between overall size and the feeling that they would draw unwanted attention, I'll pass on using them. 

[Catt]

To me a Punch Rig is a Texas Rig on steroids!

In matted vegetation I'm flipping or pitching punch rigs of 3/4 oz or heavier; I also punch with heavy jigs.

In matted vegetation keep your flips/pitches as near vertical as possible; this will keep you from dragging the bass & a ball of grass back to the boat.

As for working the lure; some times it's shaking it in place while some times it's stroking it off the bottom...experiment!

[papajoe222]

A-Jay, which type of pegging do you use, bobber stops or pegging strips?

[A-Jay]

Just now, papajoe222 said:

A-Jay, which type of pegging do you use, bobber stops or pegging strips?

I've used and had success with both.

Usually I go with a bobber stop for weights 1/2 oz and less.  Anything heavier, the Peg-It Pegging System seems to do a better job at keeping the weight from sliding up the line; which (like when a frog leaks too muck) makes me a little nuts.

For some of the super heavy cover & weight applications, I've been known to use both ~

A-Jay

[Mike L]

Joe

Work from the inside out. I always start with a 1oz and go up from there but the matts down here are as thick as you'll ever see anywhere. Most of the time the 1oz will punch through but there are times that a 1 1/2 oz will be needed to get back and down. I use double bobber stop when useing a weight over 1oz. 

 Useing a lobbing pitch to crash through is needed sometimes if you don't have a weight heavy enough. Don't worry about the comotion it will cause. The vegetation will slow it down enough. I believe that sometimes the crash itself is a plus. 

Once you're through give it a few hop's, dead stick a few seconds, hop a few more times then pull it out and do it again working your way back..Make sure you hit the matt at different angles, but try to keep each pitch entry as vertical as you can. 

Also, I always bang the underside of the mat once or twice and then let it fall back on a semi slack line before I pull it out. 

Good Luck. 

 

Mike

[Catt]

I always start at the outside grass line with lighter rigs/jigs & work toward the mat. Once I catch a fish I kick a bouy marker overboard & fish in an increasing circle. When you find one there is usually several.

[WIGuide]

When I'm punching, I'm usually adding a little more verticallity to my pitch. I don't want to get it way up there, but in the thicker matts that'll usually punch it through. If it doesn't go through a lot of times you can almost dig a little hole with the bait by pulling it towards yourself slightly and giving it slack and repeating until it drops through.  Once it's through I let it fall all the way down, give it a few hops and if i don't get anything I'll pull it back up to the mat and bang it against the underside a time or two letting it drop slightly. If I don't have anything by then I pick a different spot or hole and repeat.  

I've only used the same type of rig in thick non-emergent veggies a few times but I'd try to work it the same way. Short casts and let it penetrate before I'd pull it up shaking it until I felt it pop free of the grass and would let it fall right back down. 

[Fishingintheweeds]

Because I'm fishing from the banks, I use a lot of things in ways that are different from what's written in the package. What's the farthest you would pitch or consider casting this kind of deal? What would be drawbacks to this, or things to consider? If I come across a log or some brush in or under pads/weeds, can I work it back to me or am I asking to get hung up (because this rig just does/wasn't designed to come through that)? 

 

I ask because I don't have any but they seem like they could be useful. 

[Catt]

@Fishingintheweeds

 

Most anglers try forcing a jig through grass which is all wrong, you gotta finesse the jig through grass!

 

When you feel the jig starting to load up in the grass...stop. Release pressure, pull up until you feel heaviness again but apply slightly more pressure, then release, continue until the jig breaks free. You want the motion to be similar to & as fast as working a shaky head, you're just applying more pressure.

 

Ya can do the same with Texas Rigs  ?

[Fishingintheweeds]

Yes, I think of it as "shaking off" the grass and bouncing off of anything else. I've figured out that it will come through if I just take it easy, and relax and it will still get bit if I work them right. 

 

Maybe it would be worthwhile for me to pick up a punch rig or two and try them out after all.