Are you new to Punching?

Lee Smith · May 16, 2018, 10:38:35 AM

Are you new to Punching? If so here are a few tips I live by when punching heavy mats. During the summer dog days that are coming up fast it is one of my main techniques in our shallow waters down here in the south. Hope some of these help you and I look forward to seeing other tips people post here.

1. Have your best equipment-many people that don't punch regularly skimp on equipment when punching and just use something they have, it want work. Punching is very hard on your equipment, and having the wrong, too light weight equipment will frustrate you and wear you out fast.

2. Use the lightest weight you can get through with until it gets super hot (water in the upper 80's and above) then go to an extra heavy weight-using the lighter weight will slow the fall after the bait has worked it's way through the mat and give the fish more time to 'take a look' once the water warms up, you need the bait to fall very fast and get those reaction strikes. It's a pain, but changing out weight sizes can be more important than the lure itself in strike ratio's

3. Don't spend to much time in one place-Punching is a fast technique unlike what some think. When punching an area hit what you feel are 'key' spots and if you don't get bites move on to the next place. These fish don't just live under the same mat all the time, they move around at night then look to find another cool mat to stay under during the heat of the day.

4. Punch early, punch late-As much as we all love to work frogs and such over thick mats early in the morning punching will deliver more catches almost every time. Early the fish are keyed to the top of the mat and when anything moves the mat they go looking for it, when you punch the hook is below the thickest parts which in turn makes your hook up ratio much better.

5. Pay attention-When punching a thick mat and you see the mat make a minor move a few feet/yds away from your entry point, quickly spool up and punch to that area, don't think that bass will come to you, most of the time they want, they are lazy by nature. I have found that 90% of the time I see a move in the mat and reel up and punch there I get hit. Most of the time this is due to the fish hears or feels something, swings around to attention, then settles back in the same spot, they don't move far. I have seen times when a bass wouldn't move 3 foot for a lure, but will hit it as soon as it comes through by them.

6. Always follow up- ALWAYS! if you miss a fish, get back in there at the exact spot immediately, believe it or not, they will hit it again, even after a tussle.

7. Don't give up-Punching can be tiring, but extremely rewarding! I couldn't tell you the big fish I have caught under mats and floating plants, they are there, sometimes you just have to hunt them down in that big jungle under the water.

These are a few tips, got a lot more for a nominal fee!

SFL BassHunter · May 16, 2018, 01:18:07 PM

I like punching, but I have a limited amount of pitches and hooksets in me before my back calls quits. Sadly.
But I do enjoy it, just don't do it much. As a backseater, I go wherever the boat goes lol.

Kris · May 16, 2018, 01:54:17 PM

Thanks for this Lee. I have been wanting to try punching at a couple of lakes we have that grass up a lot in the late Season. I know there is fish down there and I am going to try it.

Smallie_Stalker · May 16, 2018, 03:24:56 PM

Great stuff. Thanks Lee.

Only a couple places I fish where I can punch. I'm gonna copy the info, print it out and put it in my notebooks for those places. :-

Oldfart9999 · May 16, 2018, 03:49:00 PM

Thanks for the tips Lee, punching is something I don't do but I know a few places around here that it should work.
Rodney

Oldfart9999 · May 16, 2018, 04:00:17 PM

Lee, do you use jigs or mostly creatures?
Rodney

Lee Smith · May 16, 2018, 04:12:51 PM

Quote from: Oldfart9999 on May 16, 2018, 04:00:17 PM
Lee, do you use jigs or mostly creatures?
Rodney

Have to use creatures punching this thick stuff, need the slim profile to get through the mats, especially high growth mats.

Mike Cork · May 16, 2018, 04:30:03 PM

This is going to be a punching beast of a bait.

Punisher Punch Craw I can't wait to put this to good use.

Lee Smith · May 16, 2018, 05:03:36 PM

Quote from: Mike Cork on May 16, 2018, 04:30:03 PM
This is going to be a punching beast of a bait.

Punisher Punch Craw I can't wait to put this to good use.

No question about it! Love the profile!

Kris · May 16, 2018, 05:26:19 PM

Quote from: Mike Cork on May 16, 2018, 04:30:03 PM
This is going to be a punching beast of a bait.

Punisher Punch Craw I can't wait to put this to good use.

I just ordered some of them. What do you figure is best to use for hooks and weights? I figure a 1 oz and maybe a 1 1/2 choice would be best. TR'd or a NuTech bare jig head?

D.W. Verts · May 16, 2018, 05:27:49 PM

Excellent read Mr. Smith!

SteveTX · May 16, 2018, 08:46:07 PM

Quote from: Kris on May 16, 2018, 05:26:19 PM
I just ordered some of them. What do you figure is best to use for hooks and weights? I figure a 1 oz and maybe a 1 1/2 choice would be best. TR'd or a NuTech bare jig head?

For me the weight has to be as Lee stated able to penetrate the mat. Some places require more than others. Have to feel that out based on your exact mat density.

As for the hook I use the Owner Jungle Flipping Hook with the snell knot. The size is based on the plastic I use. I want it to pretty much reach the length of the bait so a fish only catching the lower 1/2 of my bait still gets the hook.

Great post Lee. Let me ask you do you find a certain color to do better or worse punching? I honestly seem to find no real difference but I hear some swear by ____ color. I find that interesting as its a reaction almost entirely on movement. Just wanted to hear your theory on color.

basss · May 16, 2018, 09:05:42 PM

Timely post. The hydrilla will be upon us soon.

Oldfart9999 · May 17, 2018, 06:04:45 AM

Quote from: Mike Cork on May 16, 2018, 04:30:03 PM
This is going to be a punching beast of a bait.

Punisher Punch Craw I can't wait to put this to good use.

Mike, do you tow a tackle barge when you fish?

Rodney

Lee Smith · May 17, 2018, 08:14:11 AM

Quote from: SteveTX on May 16, 2018, 08:46:07 PM
For me the weight has to be as Lee stated able to penetrate the mat. Some places require more than others. Have to feel that out based on your exact mat density.

As for the hook I use the Owner Jungle Flipping Hook with the snell knot. The size is based on the plastic I use. I want it to pretty much reach the length of the bait so a fish only catching the lower 1/2 of my bait still gets the hook.

Great post Lee. Let me ask you do you find a certain color to do better or worse punching? I honestly seem to find no real difference but I hear some swear by ____ color. I find that interesting as its a reaction almost entirely on movement. Just wanted to hear your theory on color.

It's always dark shaded under the canopy to I always lean to colors like Okachobee craw, Super Bug, Black/Blue etc. During the short shad spawn I punch with solid white where I have the opportunity.