Best Punching Baits

[Ersteman]

In general, what are the best punching baits, or what has worked well for you? 

I have never punched through mats before and I have an opportunity to do so this summer on a small lake in the south with grass mats.  

I don't know how thick the mats will be, so I'm bringing various weights, but would like to hear what you guys use for punching grass mats.

And if you have a rigging tip or advanced reason as to why the bait works well, I'd appreciate the tip.  

Thanks

[Catt]

[RHuff]

Brush Hogs and Strike King Rodents have worked well for me... 

[Mike L]

I'll rotate through 3...

D Bomb

Sweet Beaver 

Rage Bug

 

 

 

Mike 

[ThePolkFolk]

I like to start with a 1 oz weight and adjust from there if needed. Sometimes with a punch skirt, sometimes not. I like using the Gambler Ugly Otter and Flappy Daddy. If I am having trouble penetrating the cover I will rip off the side arms of the ugly otter.

[primetime]

I wish I knew the answer because one day a Beaver style bait can work really well, then they won't touch it unless you go to a different size etc.

 

Overall, I often catch plenty of fish punching a Worm like the Culprit Fat Max or something really small like the Tiny Brush Hog.

 

I would say the Pit Boss by Havoc is the most economical and with the 3 sizes and colors offered, the fact they stay on the hook really well, kind of make it the best bait imo pound for pound. 

 

The Speed craw style baits like the Gambler Burner Craw, Zoom Speed Craw, Rage Craws are often tough to beat. I am starting to think that size and color and weight/presentation matter most. 

 

The best person I have ever fished with who loved to "Punch" almost exclusively used Larew Salt Craws and the bigger flat bottomed Flipping craws. He also would use Gambler BB Crickets all the time. 

[ThePolkFolk]

1 hour ago, primetime said:

Pit Boss

YES! Forgot about that one!

[camman]

I keep it simple and stick to RI sweet beavers

[Jeff H]

10 hours ago, Catt said:

What happened to you & Larew?

I punch with 3 lures mainly.  Jigs, beavers and worms...(sometimes 5" tubes too.)

[Catt]

1 hour ago, Jeff H said:

What happened to you & Larew?

I punch with 3 lures mainly.  Jigs, beavers and worms...(sometimes 5" tubes too.)

 

They quit making 7 1/2" Ringworms, I still throw Hawg Craws.

[FishOnLMB]

I like to use anything that has a lot of vibration, and moves a lot of water. I also look for a plastic that is compact. Some of my favorites are the rage bug, rage craw, and gambler ugly otter.

[RyneB]

The Gambler BB Cricket in Bowens Silver color,hands down. I feel the Cricket is the ultimate punch bait. I have been in the boat with a lot of other guys punching and throwing other baits. My Cricket goes in and out of the mat much easier, which means my bait is in the water more, increasing my chances. If I know a tournament will be a punching one, I'll have 3 baits rigged and ready.Cricket, Gambler Why Not with a punch skirt, and a D&M punch craw. I have also punched with a D Bomb, pit boss, RI Beaver, Reins punch craw, but those 3 are what I have my most success on.

[RoLo]

 

A punch bait tends to whiz by bass rather quickly, baits that usually generate an impulsive strike.

There's no need to get hung up on esoteric brands or elaborate profiles, it's better to satisfy the basics:

 

Punch Bait Properties:

> Big Signature:

      A noisy bait with strong vibration and a bait that moves a lot of water

      expands the strike window, which is important in the murky shadows of matted weeds

> Streamlined Profile:

      The more streamlined and penetrating the punch bait (like a flattened beavertail),

       the greater the odds that it will reach bottom, which is the puncher's foremost goal

> Dark Color

      Dark colors like black, junebug & green pumpkin absorb the most light and provide the most contrast,

       which is important in dense vegetation where deep shade may be found at high noon.

 

Roger

 

 

[S. Sass]

16 minutes ago, RoLo said:

Punched baits tend to whiz by bass rather quickly, they're baits that typically elicit an impulsive strike..

^^^ agreed

Berkley Havoc Ike's Devil Spear is a simple, effective, and affordable bait. 

[Airman4754]

Anything made by Gambler.

[Bankbeater]

I usually will be using either a beaver type bait, jig or a 4" Stik-O. 

[Advantage]

I also start with 3/4 to 1 oz weight and have gone up to 2 oz depending on need. 90% of the time I'm using a Havoc Pit Boss as my plastic...they're cheap and more durable than most plastics. Can usually catch multiple fish off each bait. (And a side note...they repurpose well as a trailer on a bladed jig, rig them turned sideways if they aren't torn up too bad).

[crypt]

BB Cricket,Burner Craw,Why Not. or  Gene Larew Salt Craw.

[Bluebasser86]

Havoc Pit Boss or Havoc Changeup. 

[ClackerBuzz]

a beaver style baits slip thru cover well. normal craw trailers will get hung up and tear off.  i get more bites with 1/2-3/4oz.  they take more patience b/c you have to gently wiggle them thru...but that's why lighter weights get more bites.  1+oz does shine if you zero in on their location and the reaction bite is on.  and sometimes you flat out need that heavy weight to get to the bottom of 6ft of milfoil.

 

start horizontal to get them to reveal their location.  then go vertical into their house with the lightest weight possible.