High End Flipping and Punching Rod and Reel?

[Jeffrey Walker]

 

I fish nasty, weedy, matted ponds and I don’t have a flipping/punching rod. What’” would be good higher end combo?

 

im thinking the Megabass P5 Tequilla barrac would that be a good choice?  Anything serve the purpose in the GLX line up or the St Croix? 

 

if not what are some other rod and reel recommendations. 

 

Also need thoughts on the reel, i mostly have metanium or steez/zillion reels, would these work?

 

thank you!

[Jeffrey Walker]

Edit - i’d would be looking to use 1oz-1.5oz punch rigs, maybe 2oz

 

need a rod and reel

 

dobyns champion xp?

st croix legend or legend X?

megabass Tequilla baccarat? 

Loomis NRX or GLX? 

 

i have no clue on reels.

 

[casts_by_fly]

I love my falcon amistad for what you are describing. Mine is the expert series and the regular amistad (3/8-2), not the extra heavy. I have 50 lb 832 braid but for what you’re saying I’d go heavier. I just landed a half dozen on it tonight in fact pitching a Texas rigged beaver (though not with punching weights tonight). 

[Columbia Craw]

You might look at the Zillion TW HD. The Xtreme 795 F/P is another rod option. Both balance really nice.

[Jeffrey Walker]

Which Dobyns would be best for punching with 1oz to 1.5oz. 766 flip or another model?

 

 

[scbassin]

I see where you mention the Champion XP series. I have several of this series & they are a excellent rods. I am using a Dobyns Extreme HP DX 746 C with a Metanium 2020 XG on it. I love this combo, it's well balanced & very sensitive.

[Jeffrey Walker]

I think i’m leaning towards the Dobyns 766 flip and a lews super duty reel.  This seems to be a highly reccomended options for this use, punching.

 

My goal is more punching than flipping. 

[jbsoonerfan]

Doesn't punching refer more to the weight used and the cover fished as opposed to the technique getting it there? Maybe I don't understand though. You can flip or pitch a 3/16 oz weight but you aren't punching anything with that weight. Put a 1.5 oz weight on there and flip it or pitch it into the nasty stuff and you are punching it through there. Am I missing something?

[Jeffrey Walker]

Just now, jbsoonerfan said:

Doesn't punching refer more to the weight used and the cover fished as opposed to the technique getting it there? Maybe I don't understand though. You can flip or pitch a 3/16 oz weight but you aren't punching anything with that weight. Put a 1.5 oz weight on there and flip it or pitch it into the nasty stuff and you are punching it through there. Am I missing something?

 

i agree with you, i saw that most referred to these applications as universal but i agree with you.  Punching is definitely weight sensitive via the nature of the task whereas flipping is a technique a way of casting. i definatmey am looking for a Heavy duty punch rod

[Jeffrey Walker]

On 6/12/2022 at 11:23 PM, Jeffrey Walker said:

I think i’m leaning towards the Dobyns 766 flip and a lews super duty reel.  This seems to be a highly reccomended options for this use, punching.

 

My goal is more punching than flipping. 

any thoughts about the 766 or 765??

[T-Billy]

Awesome rod for punching while still having enough tip to pitch 3/8 very well. Great A rig rod as well. $129 and on par with a lot of rods costing much more.

Edit to add: The Tharp King Cobra, and Guntersville are equivalent in power to a 6 power Dobyns Flip. The Okeechobee is stouter. 

[Columbia Craw]

For what it’s worth, Gary Dobyns punches with a Champion 766Flip.  That’s Cal Delta slop. 

[T-Billy]

7 hours ago, Jeffrey Walker said:

any thoughts about the 766 or 765??

You definitely want a 6 power for punching, or pitching heavy cover of any kind IMO. They do a much better job of moving fish out of cover than a 5. You won't be disappointed with a Lew's Super Duty. 

[Captain Phil]

You don't need expensive tackle for flipping.   The reel does nothing but hold the line and the rod is a lever.  At one time I owned a Dee Thomas 8' 6" flipping stick.  It let me reach farther back in the grass, but it was heavy.   Today, I prefer a shorter lighter rod that I can fish all day without cramps and elbow pains.  Pitching requires better tackle.

 

Lately, I have been experimenting with newer options.  I am currently using a Shimano Zodias 7' 2" MH with a Shimano Chronach MGL reel loaded with 30 pound Power Pro Black braid.  This combo is unbelievably light and sensitive and I can feel more bites.   I don't fish a lot of heavy hydrilla mats or I would go to heavier line and weights.  In the Kissimmee grass that surrounds the Harris Chain, lighter seems to work better.

[softwateronly]

I don't punch much, but don't think a 5 power dobyns or the MB TB is the best choice.  They'll work for sure, but I find them better at other techniques.

 

scott

[Mike L]

The best “punch” rod is the one that you can afford and not wear you out. 
 

Power is based on the majority of the cover you’re trying to get through. 

Know your waters!

A 5 power can work in moderately matted cover with a recommended weight limit of 1.5 oz. Depending on the rod itself using a 2oz weight most likely would stress it to much when trying to get her out. 

Again, know your waters!

Action is completely individual preference 

The “best” length is the one that you can control the best based on where you fish. 
To me a 7’2” wouldn’t make any appreciable difference when pitching compared to a 7’6” but will make a big difference when flipping. 
 

Line rating is something that should be considered but not to the level of how much weight the rod can handle and length. 

Punching, especially while flipping is 1 on 1 hand to hand combat.
Your entire package needs to be in tune and considered equally, as each part needs to compliment each other. 
 

In my opinion, just considering what to buy to get through is only a part of it.

More consideration needs to be given to getting her out than to just getting down. 
If you do that, your choices can become clearer. 
 

Punching through thick, heavy matted hydrilla or hyacinth is my #1 preferred method. 
I use a 10 yr old H/XF 7’4” original Quantum Smoke with a 7:1 reel spooled with 80# original Power Pro. 
And works just fine for me. 

 

Good luck in your search. 
 

 

Mike
 

On 6/12/2022 at 11:35 PM, jbsoonerfan said:

Doesn't punching refer more to the weight used and the cover fished as opposed to the technique getting it there? Maybe I don't understand though. You can flip or pitch a 3/16 oz weight but you aren't punching anything with that weight. Put a 1.5 oz weight on there and flip it or pitch it into the nasty stuff and you are punching it through there. Am I missing something?

No Sir, you are not

 

(see my post above)

 

 

Mike