Texas Rig vs Punch Rig vs Punching Jig

[CroakHunter]

I'm am new to the "heavy" flipping/pitching technique. Haven't gone over a 1/2 ounce jig or a 3/8 ounce Texas rig. I just picked up a new 8' heavy rod, rate 3/8-1 1/2 that I plan to use for heavy pitching/flipping/and jigs up to about 1 1/4 ounce. I am curious if there are certain variables on when I should use a punching jig or a punch rig Or just a Texas rigged plastic on a flipping hook. I know the end result is "whatever the fish want". but if I can say "the wind is ___, water clarity and temp is ___, and the vegetation is ___ and it is ___ thick then I need to use ___"

 

Now I just need your help to fill in the blanks

[RyneB]

Do whatever you need to do to penetrate whichever cover you think the bass are in. If I see vegetation mats, I'm punching it with 3 options.  Option 1.A 1 ounce tungsten, 3/0 trokar Heavy Flipping hook, and a Gambler BB Cricket. It's my confidence punch bait. 

 

Option 2. 1 1/4 oz tungsten, punch skirt, and Gambler Why Not, 4 /0 heavy flipping hook

 

Option 4. Lightest weight I can penetrate the mat with, I usually start with a 1 ounce. That's rigged with any type of creature bait. My favorites are Gambler Burner worm, rage menace, sweet beaver, and reins punching predator.

 

 

[CroakHunter]

37 minutes ago, RyneB said:

Do whatever you need to do to penetrate whichever cover you think the bass are in. If I see vegetation mats, I'm punching it with 3 options.  Option 1.A 1 ounce tungsten, 3/0 trokar Heavy Flipping hook, and a Gambler BB Cricket. It's my confidence punch bait. 

 

Option 2. 1 1/4 oz tungsten, punch skirt, and Gambler Why Not, 4 /0 heavy flipping hook

 

Option 4. Lightest weight I can penetrate the mat with, I usually start with a 1 ounce. That's rigged with any type of creature bait. My favorites are Gambler Burner worm, rage menace, sweet beaver, and reins punching predator.

 

 

2 questions. Where is option 3? And do you ever use a punch skirt?

[Catt]

A Punch Rig is a Texas Rig on steroids!

 

K.I.S.S.  ?

 

Keep your presentation as vertical as possible, helps eliminate hauling a ton of gras with your bass.

 

Stay in contact with the bottom, many anglers go to lite thinking they're on bottom when they aint.

 

As for how to fill in your blanks, subject to change hourly, experience will tell how to fill em in!

 

 

[CroakHunter]

2 minutes ago, Catt said:

A Punch Rig is a Texas Rig on steroids!

 

K.I.S.S.  ?

 

Keep your presentation as vertical as possible, helps eliminate hauling a ton of gras with your bass.

 

Stay in contact with the bottom, many anglers go to lite thinking they're on bottom when they aint.

 

As for how to fill in your blanks, subject to change hourly, experience will tell how to fill em in!

 

 

Was hoping you'd reply. I've read your write up about Tommy (Martin?) a few times. And will probably read it a few more before I actually go out and have some hand to hand combat with some largemouth. 

[Catt]

Two things I consider ?

 

Type of vegetation; Coontail Moss is easier to punch than Water Hyacinth 

 

Depth of water; in the marshes I fish max depth is 4-6', on Toledo Bend max depth is 12-15'.

 

[CroakHunter]

Not sure what type of vegetation it is that's in our waters. Its thick and viney like. Don't think it's hydrilla or milfoil. Will look up coon tail

[DINK WHISPERER]

I don't use jigs over 1oz at all. The weed guards can hinder penetration in heavier cover. If the cover is that thick, then I'm going to use a T-rig or punch rig. A punch rig if they're favoring the jig profile but a jig won't penetrate easily. Honestly though, i always have all three rigged up and ready anyways. 

[Catt]

38 minutes ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

I don't use jigs over 1oz at all. The weed guards can hinder penetration in heavier cover. If the cover is that thick, then I'm going to use a T-rig or punch rig. A punch rig if they're favoring the jig profile but a jig won't penetrate easily. Honestly though, i always have all three rigged up and ready anyways.

[CroakHunter]

Thanks for the replies guys. I Was definitely over thinking it. Can't wait to get out there and punch

[DINK WHISPERER]

31 minutes ago, Catt said:

Is that the D&M jig Catt? I use all Medlock double guard jigs now for cover. Love how they come through the stuff. 

[Catt]

7 minutes ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

Is that the D&M jig Catt? I use all Medlock double guard jigs now for cover. Love how they come through the stuff. 

 

Terry Oldham's Eye-Max ?

[CroakHunter]

Just picked up my new flipping stick! Too bad it's 30 degrees, I'm stuck in line at the bank, and I've been up for 24hrs and gotta pull another 11hr shift tonight

[fishballer06]

I've never had luck trying to get a jig through in a punching situation, so I've stuck to 3/4oz+ texas rigs and it does the job just fine. However, I recently heard from a professional that you need to use a jig double the weight of what you use for a texas rig setup to punch through. 

 

Example: A 3/4oz texas rig is able to punch through, use a 1.25-1.5oz punching jig to get through.

[Catt]

My favorite time to fish grass is at night during the dog days of summer.

 

I'll have 4 setups on the deck

 

#1: Texas Rig with weights from a 1/4-1/2 oz

#2: Texas Rig with weights from 3/4-1.25

#3: Jig-n-Craw with weights from 1/4-1/2 oz.

#4: Jig-n-Craw with weights 3/4-1.25 oz.

 

The exact weight is determined by current conditions ?

 

[RyneB]

14 hours ago, CroakHunter said:

2 questions. Where is option 3? And do you ever use a punch skirt?

Option 4 is option 3. Typo. I use a punch skirt on one setup. If you only have 1 rod and reel for punching, I suggest the Gambler Quick Change skirts. won't have to retie to get the skirt on and off. I have found that a punch skirt is hit and miss. sometimes they want it, sometimes they dont. If I'm in a tourney and I already have a limit, I'm throwing a punch skirt hoping for a bigger bite.