I want to learn to punch

[Hez]

I have been suffering from the summertime blues lately.  Fishing has been tough...the fish are hard to find in this Florida heat.  

 

I want to learn to punch heavy cover and mats.  I think I can improve my catch rate if I start to target these light protected areas more often.

 

Any tips or advice from the resident "punching" experts.  Especially our Florida guys.  

 

I am thinking about starting out with an ounce and a quarter and an ounce and a half tungsten - ideally set up on 2 rods for flexibility...and probably start off with a Gambler Why Not.  

 

I also need to work on my flipping and pitching efficiency...but that will come with time I feel.  

[Fishes in trees]

Pretty simple - purchase some punching gear and have at it.

[Hez]

3 minutes ago, Fishes in trees said:

Pretty simple - purchase some punching gear and have at it.

 

If that's the first step - I've taken it.  

 

Am going to start actually practicing the technique this weekend on the water.  Hope to be able to report good results. 

 

 

[Megastink]

I just posted a video of a recent trip punching here in Pa. it's posted in the Marine Electronics section called "The Dog Days". Here's a link:

 

 

[roadwarrior]

https://www.bassresource.com/content/search?SearchText=punching&BrowsePageLimit=30

 

[Bass XL]

I have excellent luck punching mats in ponds and lakes near where I live. For me, it's about covering water---flip to inconsistencies on the mats surface. When the your rig punches through, let it sink to the bottom. From there, raise the bait to the bottom of the mat and kind of use it to knock on the bottom side of the mat a few times. I get roughly 90% of my bites using this method. Might work for you. Just make sure you are pegging your weight. 

[Montanaro]

The biggest piece of advice I can give you is pitch to anything that looks different.  A small gap, a floating lily pad root, a little stick poking up, a couple dead reed stalks.  Dont waste time punching every square inch.

[Hez]

Thanks for the helpful feedback guys - it's appreciated!

 

[Catt]

[Mike L]

Let the mat dictate your weight. I usually start off with 3/4 and go to 1 1/2 oz.

After a while you'll be able to narrow it down by just looking at it. 

 

Start at the ouside of the mat and work your way in paying special attention to any change. ..hydrilla mixed with blown over reeds, areas where submerged emergent vegetation meet topped out floating ones, holes etc.

I use 65# power pro with a double bobber stop, h/xf rod with micro guides.

Favorite plastics are a Sweet Beaver or a Pit Boss. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Hez]

10 hours ago, Mike L said:

Let the mat dictate your weight. I usually start off with 3/4 and go to 1 1/2 oz.

After a while you'll be able to narrow it down by just looking at it. 

 

Start at the ouside of the mat and work your way in paying special attention to any change. ..hydrilla mixed with blown over reeds, areas where submerged emergent vegetation meet topped out floating ones, holes etc.

I use 65# power pro with a double bobber stop, h/xf rod with micro guides.

Favorite plastics are a Sweet Beaver or a Pit Boss. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

Thanks Mike - this was some of input and feedback I was looking for .  I was hoping you would chime in.  

 

Yesterday was my first day at attempting to punch.  The Harris Chain doesn't have a whole lot of "punching" potential...but I was able to locate a few spots...mostly mats of dead grass that has accumulated on one side of the lake from the wind.  

 

I did get to practice the technique.....get a feel for keeping the "splash" to a minimum while entering the water...and tried to just get familiar with the basic fundamentals of Pitching the Heavy mats.  

 

I am sure with time I will get better...it will definitely be a learning curve.  

 

Will keep your sweet beaver and pit boss in mind...wasn't to too crazy about the Gambler Why Not...but it has a small profile...so that is why I started with it. 

 

Can I ask you about your hooks...what hooks do you use?  I was using the Trokar flippin hooks...3/0 in size I believe to fit the Why Not well...other than the large hook keeper.....I like how strong the Trokars are.  

 

Thanks again for the feedback.  

 

@Mike L - Maybe some day I will make the trip down to South Florida and we can fish together.  

 

 

[Mike L]

1 hour ago, Hez said:

 

 

Thanks Mike - this was some of input and feedback I was looking for .  I was hoping you would chime in.  

 

Yesterday was my first day at attempting to punch.  The Harris Chain doesn't have a whole lot of "punching" potential...but I was able to locate a few spots...mostly mats of dead grass that has accumulated on one side of the lake from the wind.  

 

I did get to practice the technique.....get a feel for keeping the "splash" to a minimum while entering the water...and tried to just get familiar with the basic fundamentals of Pitching the Heavy mats.  

 

I am sure with time I will get better...it will definitely be a learning curve.  

 

Will keep your sweet beaver and pit boss in mind...wasn't to too crazy about the Gambler Why Not...but it has a small profile...so that is why I started with it. 

 

Can I ask you about your hooks...what hooks do you use?  I was using the Trokar flippin hooks...3/0 in size I believe to fit the Why Not well...other than the large hook keeper.....I like how strong the Trokars are.  

 

Thanks again for the feedback.  

 

@Mike L - Maybe some day I will make the trip down to South Florida and we can fish together.  

 

 

 

Hez...

I don't look twice at anything dead, mat's or anythjng else, there really is no need too just move and look for something else.

Keep your presentation as low as you can while still having enough momentum to penetrate. Sometimes you'll have to lob it high and crash down to get it through but if you need to do that, and you're convinced there's fish there, go to a 2oz weight and treat it like a shaky head, it'll go down. 

 

Now, in really thick mat's I'll dead stick it after bouncing a few times. I know you've been told and read if they don't hit on the fall bring it up a few times, bounce it off the underside, pull out and do it again.

Yes, that's the way to do it but sometimes just dead stick it a few seconds. You may be surprised 

 

I use a 4/0 Trokar TK 130. Won't use anything else.

I know they get a bad rap here because they're so sharp and tear up the plastic. If you find that also, don't tex pose them. Bring the point up but don't penetrate it, keep the point in the meat and you won't have that problem.

Another knock on them is the keeper, don't understand that one. 

Granted, Other hooks may have a better keeper but I don't use them because of the keeper. 

When I get bit under a mat and stick it good with the Trokar that fish is comimg out, the keeper is a non factor.

 

To me flipping a punch rig is akin to hand to hand combat. It'll drain you doing it all day but it's bar none my favorite way to fish. If you want to be introduced to Big Mama, you gotta go to her house. 

 

And absolutely! If you ever make it down here pm me. Lunch is on me!

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

[kadas]

4 hours ago, Mike L said:

 

Hez...

I don't look twice at anything dead, mat's or anythjng else, there really is no need too just move and look for something else.

Keep your presentation as low as you can while still having enough momentum to penetrate. Sometimes you'll have to lob it high and crash down to get it through but if you need to do that, and you're convinced there's fish there, go to a 2oz weight and treat it like a shaky head, it'll go down. 

 

Now, in really thick mat's I'll dead stick it after bouncing a few times. I know you've been told and read if they don't hit on the fall bring it up a few times, bounce it off the underside, pull out and do it again.

Yes, that's the way to do it but sometimes just dead stick it a few seconds. You may be surprised 

 

I use a 4/0 Trokar TK 130. Won't use anything else.

I know they get a bad rap here because they're so sharp and tear up the plastic. If you find that also, don't tex pose them. Bring the point up but don't penetrate it, keep the point in the meat and you won't have that problem.

Another knock on them is the keeper, don't understand that one. 

Granted, Other hooks may have a better keeper but I don't use them because of the keeper. 

When I get bit under a mat and stick it good with the Trokar that fish is comimg out, the keeper is a non factor.

 

To me flipping a punch rig is akin to hand to hand combat. It'll drain you doing it all day but it's bar none my favorite way to fish. If you want to be introduced to Big Mama, you gotta go to her house. 

 

And absolutely! If you ever make it down here pm me. Lunch is on me!

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

+

 

4 hours ago, Mike L said:

 

Hez...

I don't look twice at anything dead, mat's or anythjng else, there really is no need too just move and look for something else.

Keep your presentation as low as you can while still having enough momentum to penetrate. Sometimes you'll have to lob it high and crash down to get it through but if you need to do that, and you're convinced there's fish there, go to a 2oz weight and treat it like a shaky head, it'll go down. 

 

Now, in really thick mat's I'll dead stick it after bouncing a few times. I know you've been told and read if they don't hit on the fall bring it up a few times, bounce it off the underside, pull out and do it again.

Yes, that's the way to do it but sometimes just dead stick it a few seconds. You may be surprised 

 

I use a 4/0 Trokar TK 130. Won't use anything else.

I know they get a bad rap here because they're so sharp and tear up the plastic. If you find that also, don't tex pose them. Bring the point up but don't penetrate it, keep the point in the meat and you won't have that problem.

Another knock on them is the keeper, don't understand that one. 

Granted, Other hooks may have a better keeper but I don't use them because of the keeper. 

When I get bit under a mat and stick it good with the Trokar that fish is comimg out, the keeper is a non factor.

 

To me flipping a punch rig is akin to hand to hand combat. It'll drain you doing it all day but it's bar none my favorite way to fish. If you want to be introduced to Big Mama, you gotta go to her house. 

 

And absolutely! If you ever make it down here pm me. Lunch is on me!

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

All good info from Mike--your why Not is a great punch bait along with Gambler's Crawdaddy and Cricket.  I generally put at least 3 bobber stops on because you will burn them off in a day of fishing this style. A good heavy 7'6" or longer rod and a good higher speed reel with the drag tighten down max and 65 lb braid will get you going great. All of mike's pointers are spot on--I do not use the trokar hook but that is just personal preference, The more you do it the more you will be able to pick out good punch areas in the fields of mats. Also know sometimes you just have to "go get them" because they are really buried. If you keep trying to horse them they will wallow a hole where you have them hooked and you will lose them--just keep pressure on them and go get them and dig them out!  Like mike said--favorite way to fish and you will be tired after a day of it but for me also it is my favorite way to fish.  Just go do it and enjoy and know after you hook a couple of them in the mats you will be like a lot of the rest of us and consider it the best way to fish for bass!

[Hez]

4 hours ago, Mike L said:

 

Hez...

I don't look twice at anything dead, mat's or anythjng else, there really is no need too just move and look for something else.

Keep your presentation as low as you can while still having enough momentum to penetrate. Sometimes you'll have to lob it high and crash down to get it through but if you need to do that, and you're convinced there's fish there, go to a 2oz weight and treat it like a shaky head, it'll go down. 

 

Now, in really thick mat's I'll dead stick it after bouncing a few times. I know you've been told and read if they don't hit on the fall bring it up a few times, bounce it off the underside, pull out and do it again.

Yes, that's the way to do it but sometimes just dead stick it a few seconds. You may be surprised 

 

I use a 4/0 Trokar TK 130. Won't use anything else.

I know they get a bad rap here because they're so sharp and tear up the plastic. If you find that also, don't tex pose them. Bring the point up but don't penetrate it, keep the point in the meat and you won't have that problem.

Another knock on them is the keeper, don't understand that one. 

Granted, Other hooks may have a better keeper but I don't use them because of the keeper. 

When I get bit under a mat and stick it good with the Trokar that fish is comimg out, the keeper is a non factor.

 

To me flipping a punch rig is akin to hand to hand combat. It'll drain you doing it all day but it's bar none my favorite way to fish. If you want to be introduced to Big Mama, you gotta go to her house. 

 

And absolutely! If you ever make it down here pm me. Lunch is on me!

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

I figured those dead mats were no good - just wanted to go through the motions.  

 

Thanks for the elaborate response.  

 

I am not sure whether I have the TK 130's or not...I stocked up a while ago...but the ones I have are the ones with the red keeper. 

 

Thanks again for the feedback - I'll make it down that way one day.  I will shoot you a message ahead of time.  

 

Thanks bud.  

3 minutes ago, kadas said:

+

 

All good info from Mike--your why Not is a great punch bait along with Gambler's Crawdaddy and Cricket.  I generally put at least 3 bobber stops on because you will burn them off in a day of fishing this style. A good heavy 7'6" or longer rod and a good higher speed reel with the drag tighten down max and 65 lb braid will get you going great. All of mike's pointers are spot on--I do not use the trokar hook but that is just personal preference, The more you do it the more you will be able to pick out good punch areas in the fields of mats. Also know sometimes you just have to "go get them" because they are really buried. If you keep trying to horse them they will wallow a hole where you have them hooked and you will lose them--just keep pressure on them and go get them and dig them out!  Like mike said--favorite way to fish and you will be tired after a day of it but for me also it is my favorite way to fish.  Just go do it and enjoy and know after you hook a couple of them in the mats you will be like a lot of the rest of us and consider it the best way to fish for bass!

 

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. 

 

I'll be working on all of the details.  

[sully420]

9 hours ago, Mike L said:

 

Hez...

I don't look twice at anything dead, mat's or anythjng else, there really is no need too just move and look for something else.

Keep your presentation as low as you can while still having enough momentum to penetrate. Sometimes you'll have to lob it high and crash down to get it through but if you need to do that, and you're convinced there's fish there, go to a 2oz weight and treat it like a shaky head, it'll go down. 

 

Now, in really thick mat's I'll dead stick it after bouncing a few times. I know you've been told and read if they don't hit on the fall bring it up a few times, bounce it off the underside, pull out and do it again.

Yes, that's the way to do it but sometimes just dead stick it a few seconds. You may be surprised 

 

I use a 4/0 Trokar TK 130. Won't use anything else.

I know they get a bad rap here because they're so sharp and tear up the plastic. If you find that also, don't tex pose them. Bring the point up but don't penetrate it, keep the point in the meat and you won't have that problem.

Another knock on them is the keeper, don't understand that one. 

Granted, Other hooks may have a better keeper but I don't use them because of the keeper. 

When I get bit under a mat and stick it good with the Trokar that fish is comimg out, the keeper is a non factor.

 

To me flipping a punch rig is akin to hand to hand combat. It'll drain you doing it all day but it's bar none my favorite way to fish. If you want to be introduced to Big Mama, you gotta go to her house. 

 

And absolutely! If you ever make it down here pm me. Lunch is on me!

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

Love the trokar tk 130 and im a punching junkie

[hawgenvy]

If you're punching through compacted hyacinth and pennywort you probably don't want a skirt. 1.5 oz usually is heavy enough. I use a 4-0 or 5-0 snelled hook. And #65-80 braid. I usually use my Powell Max 3D 8 foot mag heavy rod. And some Advil. Seems 2-4 foot depth under the mat works best. It takes time to get really good at punching the heavy stuff and actually hooking fish and getting them out. Personally, I'm still pretty sucky at it, but I keep trying.

[hawgenvy]

For floating hydrilla mats or lily pads, I'll use a jig or something like that pictured in the post above with the Menace grub.  But that wont get through hyacinth or pennywort.

[Hez]

 

BOOOM!  First punching fish.  She was probably a solid 3lbs.  

 

It was text book - I pulled up on this spot of thick lily pads with a few reeds mixed in next to some kissimmee grass.  Picked up the 1 oz tungsten rigged on a 4/0 trokar with a beaver style bait.  

 

Flipped it in a couple of holes...hit the third hold and BAM!  There she is.  

 

What a rush!! 

 

Definitely a fun way to catch fish.  

 

Missed 2 more bites in that same area then moved around the lake to similar looking spots to try to get another bite but never did manage.  

 

I'm trying to learn something with every cast...every flip.  I definitely gained a little confidence today.  

 

Thanks for all of the help guys.  

[Mike L]

Atta Boy! Great Job!

Watch it now, it'll get in your blood and be the only thing you'll want to do. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Hez]

Oh, it's addictive for sure.  I just want to get better at it for now.  I appreciate your input and help.  

 

It's kind of hard on the Harris Chain, because  there aren't (or I have not found) a lot of spots to punch.  I found a few today on Lake Eustis....but only a couple where ideal (until I get another setup and can be more versatile with my weight and presentation).  That is the best I have found so far.  I know of a few pad field, so we will see.  

 

Thanks again for all of the input and help.  Once again, you guys have made me a better fisherman!