Physical beat down from fishing. Punch fishing. ??

[Darth-Baiter]

I think a lot of it is about equipment.   I punched-fished lots of hours yesterday. First problem; I cast right handed, but I punch and pitch lefty.  My weak side. Secondly; I purchased my punch rod i when I didn’t know squat about punching.  All my kayak rods have shorter handles. Wrong!  I believe a punch rod should have a longer handle to brace against body and forearm.  Third; I should lift weights. Haha. 
 

I am beyond sore today. Enough so to call my buds and cancel a kayak fishing trip.  Left elbow, shoulder..mild pain. Visions of carpal-tunnel injury:(

 

I should have dropped down to a 1oz weight when we found thinner mats. I was too lazy to take off the honkin 2oz cuz I don’t love the snell knot. Duh. 
 

I might buy a lefty reel to put the rod back on my strong side. At least I would be able to switch sides to rest. 
 

Unfortunately I am committed to catching  a giant bass punching mats. My bud got a 5lb and it was pure pandemonium when he set the hook.  The line was screaming in tension against the weeds, fish was throwing huge water, it was wild. 
 

injury from fishing?  Who would have thought?  

[TnRiver46]

I’ve never punch fished, my injuries have always been from bees haha

[Mobasser]

You can easily get worn down from throwing big, deep diving crank baits also.

[Captain Phil]

If you are physically worn out from flipping and pitching, something's wrong.  This is one of the least physically demanding ways to catch bass.  I flip and pitch sitting down because I'm too old to stand up all day.  Why are you using 2 oz. weights?  The most weight I have ever used even when fishing heavy hydrilla was 3/4 oz.  Look for holes in the grass before making your drop.   If you hang a fish, you'll have a better chance of pulling it out.   Relax and don't make this too complicated. 

[Mobasser]

I think sometimes, I get more worn out from plastics or jig fishing. Staring at your line where it enters the water, waiting for a light strike. It becomes mentally tiring.

[dodgeguy]

4 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

If you are physically worn out from flipping and pitching, something's wrong.  This is one of the least physically demanding ways to catch bass.  I flip and pitch sitting down because I'm too old to stand up all day.  Why are you using 2 oz. weights?  The most weight I have ever used even when fishing heavy hydrilla was 3/4 oz.  Look for holes in the grass before making your drop.   If you hang a fish, you'll have a better chance of pulling it out.   Relax and don't make this too complicated. 

There are plenty of guys who punch through thick mats with 2oz. weights. They don't look for holes they create them. Where they fish they need it to get through. Not my style but guys do it and love it.

[Darth-Baiter]

10 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

If you are physically worn out from flipping and pitching, something's wrong.  This is one of the least physically demanding ways to catch bass.  I flip and pitch sitting down because I'm too old to stand up all day.  Why are you using 2 oz. weights?  The most weight I have ever used even when fishing heavy hydrilla was 3/4 oz.  Look for holes in the grass before making your drop.   If you hang a fish, you'll have a better chance of pulling it out.   Relax and don't make this too complicated. 

I  can flip/pitch all day long.  punching is a different animal altogether.  

 

my buddy never has the pedestals.  we stand for 10 hours.  only sit down time is when we are under boat power.  :D.  I might ask him to bring a pedestal next time for me.  

[Cbump]

The only pain I get from bass fishing (besides the occasional broken heart when your line breaks or you pull up a big drum that you thought was about to be a lake record bass) is bruising on the chest from setting the hook hard and the rod handle digging in lol. 

42 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I  can flip/pitch all day long.  punching is a different animal altogether.  

 

my buddy never has the pedestals.  we stand for 10 hours.  only sit down time is when we are under boat power.  :D.  I might ask him to bring a pedestal next time for me.  

I’m the same way. No time for seats lol! I forget though when I sometimes take my older friend. He’s not very happy with me after a tourney day. 

[Darth-Baiter]

4 minutes ago, Cbump said:

The only pain I get from bass fishing (besides the occasional broken heart when your line breaks or you pull up a big drum that you thought was about to be a lake record bass) is bruising on the chest from setting the hook hard and the rod handle digging in lol. 

I’m the same way. No time for seats lol! I forget tough when I sometimes take my older friend. He’s not very with me after a tourney day. 

crap!!  I am the older friend!!!  darn whippersnappers.  hahah..

 

thanks for the comments bud.  

[Mike L]

48 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

There are plenty of guys who punch through thick mats with 2oz. weights. They don't look for holes they create them. Where they fish they need it to get through. Not my style but guys do it and love it.

I’m one of them. 
I would rather punch, flip and pitch all day, which I do more times than not, than any other presentation. 
It’s rare that I would need a 2oz weight but there are times.  

If you’re worn out and physically beat up as you describe either your equipment, technique or both needs to be changed. 
Yes, a longer handle will help with the leverage you need, that’s the first thing you need to change. 

With a short handle you’re forcing your wrist, forearm and lower back to do all the work instead of the rod just to get it in the water!!

No reason to be effected so much as you describe. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Darth-Baiter]

6 minutes ago, Mike L said:

I’m one of them. 
I would rather punch, flip and pitch all day, which I do more times than not, than any other presentation. 
It’s rare that I would need a 2oz weight but there are times.  

If you’re worn out and physically beat up as you describe either your equipment, technique or both needs to be changed. 
Yes, a longer handle will help with the leverage you need, that’s the first thing you need to change. 

With a short handle you’re forcing your wrist, forearm and lower back to do all the work instead of the rod just to get it in the water!!

No reason to be effected so much as you describe. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

I agree.  I have been searching for a suitable punch rod all morning.  I might go to a fishing store.

 

I think a longer handle would be paramount.  dunno.  I am so new to all of this.  there is no way to escape the physics of a big weight on the end of a long rod.    except add more weight to the other end of the pendulum I suppose. 

[Cbump]

I have a Dobyns Sierra 766 flip that I use. Works well for me. 

[The Bassman]

Hand arthritis, and a bad right shoulder limits me to lighter applications, mostly spinning. Fortunately the places I fish don't typically require strong arm tactics. That said, 5-6 hrs. of walking with a bad ankle and casting, especially in summer heat takes a toll on me (until the next day).

[Mike L]

No

There is cause and effect on most things and not matching a rod a reel to fit what you need is one. 
A balanced setup with everything matched as close as you can is one thing, but learning how to do it efficiently is another. 
 

If your friend is not having the same physical problem as you watch what he does or any other fishing friends you may have.
Another option is to watch some videos made by professionals instead of the commercial you tube crowd. 


 

 

 

Mike

[dodgeguy]

I know a guy who flips a bait up in the air and whips it down to shoot it through the mats. He catches lots of 5-8 lbers here in ny that way 

[Mike L]

28 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

I know a guy who flips a bait up in the air and whips it down to shoot it through the mats. He catches lots of 5-8 lbers here in ny that way 

Yep

Sometimes that’s the only way to get through. 
At my last trip to Okeechobee 2 weeks ago the heaviest weight I had was an 1 1/2 oz and still had to bring it up above me standing on the deck to get through. 


OP

Just another thought…

All a punch is, is a pitch or flip with a weight heavy enough to penetrate or “punch” through. 
That’s why a heavier rated rod with heavy line enough to accommodate the weight is needed. 
A longer handle just makes life easier. 
 

I cast and reel right handed and make subsequent deliveries with my left also, but only up to 3/4oz weights. 
For 1oz to 2oz weights I pitch right and reel right only. 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Captain Phil]

The heaviest hydrilla mats I fish are in West Lake Toho or Rodman.   Using 3/4 oz or less, I pitch to the small holes and shake the weight until it falls through to the bottom.  Bass are attracted to those holes just like any other structure. I always use the lightest weight I can get away with.  Maybe I'm wrong, but 2 oz. seems like fishing with a cannon ball tied to your line. I wonder what the bass thinks when it eats one?  Until recently, the Harris Chain did not have much hydrilla.  Most of my big fish came from pads or Kissimmee grass.  Because of this, 5/16 and 3/8 is my most frequently used weight.   Flipping and pitching is one thing I can do all day that doesn't wear me out.  

[throttleplate]

Fished on saturday for the first time in 23 days. We were on vacation and while on vacation i did my stretching, yoga every day and my  body workouts.

 

So saturday while wading, bank fishing stepping on big rocks walking up the steep bank, casting, jerking, ripping, my body from the hands to my ankles were very sore during the latter part of the day and when we got home.

 

I woke up sunday feelng sore and did all my yoga stretches and am fine. I learned that all the exercises, stretching, weight training helps me tremendously with healing better after an outing.

 

But when I am away for an extended period from actually grinding it out in the elements from the bank to wading that there is no exercise program that can replicate every muscle twitched, stretched, overused.....Just walking on the boulders and trying to balance your body wearing tackle bags slung over the shoulder, tackle belts around the waist and a rod in your hand just isnt going to happen in the gym.

 

[T-Billy]

4 hours ago, Mike L said:

I’m one of them. 
I would rather punch, flip and pitch all day, which I do more times than not, than any other presentation. 
It’s rare that I would need a 2oz weight but there are times.  

If you’re worn out and physically beat up as you describe either your equipment, technique or both needs to be changed. 
Yes, a longer handle will help with the leverage you need, that’s the first thing you need to change. 

With a short handle you’re forcing your wrist, forearm and lower back to do all the work instead of the rod just to get it in the water!!

No reason to be effected so much as you describe. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

4 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I agree.  I have been searching for a suitable punch rod all morning.  I might go to a fishing store.

 

I think a longer handle would be paramount.  dunno.  I am so new to all of this.  there is no way to escape the physics of a big weight on the end of a long rod.    except add more weight to the other end of the pendulum I suppose. 

Going from 7'6" to 7'11" made a big difference for me when pitching a big weight, and an even bigger difference when throwing an A-rig. I love this rod for both. Lots of backbone with a sweet tip. It does a great job of moving fish out of the jungle. Throwing 2 pounders clean over the boat is a piece of cake. ?

4 hours ago, Mike L said:

No

There is cause and effect on most things and not matching a rod a reel to fit what you need is one. 
A balanced setup with everything matched as close as you can is one thing, but learning how to do it efficiently is another. 
 

If your friend is not having the same physical problem as you watch what he does or any other fishing friends you may have.
Another option is to watch some videos made by professionals instead of the commercial you tube crowd. 


 

 

 

Mike

Yup. Ergonomics is huge for us greybeards. ?

[dodgeguy]

21 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

 

Going from 7'6" to 7'11" made a big difference for me when pitching a big weight, and an even bigger difference when throwing an A-rig. I love this rod for both. Lots of backbone with a sweet tip. It does a great job of moving fish out of the jungle. Throwing 2 pounders clean over the boat is a piece of cake. ?

Yup. Ergonomics is huge for us greybeards. ?

Wouldn't a longer rod have you Fighting against the fish? The leverage is not on your side.A 10 lb. Fish would feel heavier on a longer rod. It's like lifting weights. If you hold a 10 pound dumbbell out straight you can't hold it up as long as you would close to your body.

[T-Billy]

6 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

Wouldn't a longer rod have you Fighting against the fish? The leverage is not on your side.A 10 lb. Fish would feel heavier on a longer rod. It's like lifting weights. If you hold a 10 pound dumbbell out straight you can't hold it up as long as you would close to your body.

I know it seems counter intuitive. I thought the same as you until I tried a longer rod. The rod tip moves further on the set, the rod loads deep into the blank, and catapults them out as it unloads. This rod is a beast without being a pool cue. If I'm pitching over a half ounce, I'm doing it with the Guntersville. It'll pitch a 3/8 very well though.

The longer handle made a HUGE difference when casting an A-rig. Just use your palming hand as a pivot and pull the butt toward you with your other. Just as much distance as using your torso to lob it, with far less effort. 

[new2BC4bass]

6 hours ago, The Bassman said:

Hand arthritis, and a bad right shoulder limits me to lighter applications, mostly spinning. Fortunately the places I fish don't typically require strong arm tactics. That said, 5-6 hrs. of walking with a bad ankle and casting, especially in summer heat takes a toll on me (until the next day).

Getting old sucks in more than one way.  I'm glad you are still able to get out.

 

I picked up a few fly rods last October/November figuring to go after panfish and to try for trout in nearby 'blue lines' since bass fishing (from shore) in this area is extremely tough.  Unfortunately my leg strength and balance haven't recovered from a bad back episode I had last fall.  I thought I'd be fine months ago.  Don't think wading over slippery rocks is a good idea at this time.  Especially since I can't swim.    Just walking over a few rocks at the fishing pier on Lake Nockamixon is an adventure.

[flyfisher]

 

I am sure you will figure it out but the few times I have went "punching" i wasn't sore.  Only time I am sore from fihsing nowadays is after a long day of fishing mountain streams.

[Bird]

Heck I'm exhausted after throwing a 1/8 drop shot for several hours.

We're so excited and focused, we don't realize the energy used.

NAP TIME. lol

[TnRiver46]

Since I rarely fish a tournament and we have minimal grass mats, I don’t have to throw that sort of stuff. Worm, fluke, frog, easy stuff to throw for 16 hours 

 

fishing jerkbaits or spooks is the few times I’ve thought “dang this is getting old”