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Punching Vegetation for Bass - School Me
Posted on 2/6/19 at 5:12 pm
Posted on 2/6/19 at 5:12 pm
Looking to learn this tactic when it comes to bass fishing. I love going out on the water with full intentions of learning something new. I would plan to make a couple trips with only the right equipment to figure it all out. What is the OBs experience with his type of fishing?
Have a couple reels (CuradoHG) that I would pair a good heavy rod with. Need suggestions for a heavy rod.
Would get some heavy tungsten (1oz+), 50-65lb braid, and creature baits. Seems straight forward enough. Anything I would be missing?
Have a couple reels (CuradoHG) that I would pair a good heavy rod with. Need suggestions for a heavy rod.
Would get some heavy tungsten (1oz+), 50-65lb braid, and creature baits. Seems straight forward enough. Anything I would be missing?
12
Posted on 2/6/19 at 5:17 pm to Splackavellie
Big rod and big line. Flip the bait but don’t engage the reel until the bait hits the bottom. Bounce it on the bottom then slowly pull it to the top. Pay attention to where you get bit. Sometimes they are on the bottom and sometimes they are right under the grass. Set the hook and hold on. We used to do this in 8-10 FOW at Toledo Be d when they had grass.
This post was edited on 2/6/19 at 5:24 pm
Posted on 2/6/19 at 5:33 pm to Splackavellie
I use a duckett 7’6 extra heavy rod. 65lb power pro. I used to use 50 until someone that I trust told me to switch to 65 because I could lose big fish with 50. 5/0 Trokar flippin hook. Bobber stopper is a must. Change your tungsten depending on how thick the vegetation is. You’re looking for a reaction bite so you need it to punch through and sink fast. Let it hit bottom, twitch once or twice, reel up and try again.
I’ve always used the traditional Texas rigged method but I’m going to try the Tokyo rig for punching next time I go out. Look that up on YouTube.
I’ve always used the traditional Texas rigged method but I’m going to try the Tokyo rig for punching next time I go out. Look that up on YouTube.
Posted on 2/6/19 at 5:58 pm to Splackavellie
quote:
Need suggestions for a heavy rod.
This is gonna depend on your budget. In general you're looking for a 7'6"-7'11" extra heavy fast action with the mythical "soft tip". Most companies have a line or model of flippin sticks, if you're unsure just google the model and people will have asked about it. In general a shorter rod is going to be a little bit more accurate if making pitches to targets rather than true punching, but a longer rod will have more leverage and takes up line faster on the hookset.
Tacticalbassin on youtube is the gold standard for learning about specific techniques. They will walk you through it. They aren't sponsored by specific brands but are loyal to a few, so don't get tripped up if you aren't familiar with the gear they recommend, just use it as a guide. I will say that I'll be buying a flippin stick this spring and it will be either a Gloomis or a dobyns.
Posted on 2/6/19 at 6:01 pm to Splackavellie
Biggest thing is the rod. You want a heavy to xxheavy action but it needs to be light in weight. If not, you will be worn out quick. You need the heavy action to lean on them and pull them out quick. I use a Powell 8' 3D Max. Best non custom punch rod I have put in my hands.
Get a high speed reel, at least 7:3:1. That is so you are not dragging the grass on the retrieve back on longer flips. That will tear your plastic up and cause fustration.
65lb braid, I punch hyacinth mostly so 1-1/4 tungsten weight (pegged) is the norm for me. I like to put a glass bead between the weight and a Trokar 4/0 flipping hook. This will protect the knot. I prefer the snell knot. It increased my hook ups. Black/blue for dirty water, watermelon red for clearer water.
It's going to take a bit before you realize what the bite feels like. They don't really smoke it like other techniques. Sometimes you will just feel pressure, maybe a twitch. If anything feels different, especially on the drop in, just set the hook. This is my favorite way to fish just keep it simple.
Get a high speed reel, at least 7:3:1. That is so you are not dragging the grass on the retrieve back on longer flips. That will tear your plastic up and cause fustration.
65lb braid, I punch hyacinth mostly so 1-1/4 tungsten weight (pegged) is the norm for me. I like to put a glass bead between the weight and a Trokar 4/0 flipping hook. This will protect the knot. I prefer the snell knot. It increased my hook ups. Black/blue for dirty water, watermelon red for clearer water.
It's going to take a bit before you realize what the bite feels like. They don't really smoke it like other techniques. Sometimes you will just feel pressure, maybe a twitch. If anything feels different, especially on the drop in, just set the hook. This is my favorite way to fish just keep it simple.
Posted on 2/6/19 at 7:00 pm to Splackavellie
This is my favorite way to fish. One thing to add is a rod butt cushion. Saves the gut after a great day of setting the hook on dem slounches.
Posted on 2/6/19 at 7:22 pm to tigerbass
Looks like all the bases have been covered. I’ll just add that my favorite punch baits are a RI Sweet Beaver, Culprit 4.5” incredi-bug, and Culprit 4” incredi-craw.
Posted on 2/6/19 at 7:32 pm to Splackavellie
Rod -broomstick 7ft 6”
When they go on sale buy one or two as you will break them
Reel- I’m a team diawa TDS guy that does not matter. Get solid aluminum base reel not plastic.
I use left hand reel
Braid 65lb
Weight 1 oz to 2 oz depends on vegetation
Hook 5/0 snell hook
Bait any cheap crawfish type lure. I like bitters tackle as they have one that slides through grass.
Throw in heavy stuff sometimes they crawfish are eating right under grass so might slowly let lure sink and jig it right under the grass.
Sometimes they are at the bottom.
Sometimes you have throw that lure way up in the air and let it pound into the vegetation.
You will learn to feel the bite.
It just takes practice.
The biggest part of punching is just try it.
When they go on sale buy one or two as you will break them
Reel- I’m a team diawa TDS guy that does not matter. Get solid aluminum base reel not plastic.
I use left hand reel
Braid 65lb
Weight 1 oz to 2 oz depends on vegetation
Hook 5/0 snell hook
Bait any cheap crawfish type lure. I like bitters tackle as they have one that slides through grass.
Throw in heavy stuff sometimes they crawfish are eating right under grass so might slowly let lure sink and jig it right under the grass.
Sometimes they are at the bottom.
Sometimes you have throw that lure way up in the air and let it pound into the vegetation.
You will learn to feel the bite.
It just takes practice.
The biggest part of punching is just try it.
This post was edited on 2/6/19 at 8:47 pm
Posted on 2/6/19 at 7:46 pm to cbr900racer22
quote:
tungsten weight (pegged) is the norm for me. I like to put a glass bead between the weight
This with brush hog.
Posted on 2/6/19 at 8:10 pm to TarponKing
Here's what I like to use...
Dobyns 735
Daiwa Tatula SV TW 8.1
Sunline SX1 50lb
Trokar Flippin Hook 4/0
1 1/4 oz Tungsten weight
Missile Baits D-Bomb
I love to punch!
Dobyns 735
Daiwa Tatula SV TW 8.1
Sunline SX1 50lb
Trokar Flippin Hook 4/0
1 1/4 oz Tungsten weight
Missile Baits D-Bomb
I love to punch!
This post was edited on 2/6/19 at 8:11 pm
Posted on 2/6/19 at 8:51 pm to canthandle
Fitzgerald Titan (rod)
Fitzgerald Vursa braid 60-80 lb
Missile D Bomb (Cali Love or Zematoma)
Fitzgerald tungsten weight
Gamakatsu 4/0 heavy cover worm hook
Practice and patience
Fitzgerald Vursa braid 60-80 lb
Missile D Bomb (Cali Love or Zematoma)
Fitzgerald tungsten weight
Gamakatsu 4/0 heavy cover worm hook
Practice and patience
This post was edited on 2/6/19 at 8:53 pm
Posted on 2/6/19 at 9:25 pm to Splackavellie
MikeyBallz on YouTube. He’s been screeching on them for years. Covers a lot about punching. As said on here figuring out how they like it that day and recognizing the bite are the hardest parts. Swing that hammer on the hookset and keep em coming out
This post was edited on 2/6/19 at 9:29 pm
Posted on 2/6/19 at 10:39 pm to Splackavellie
This is why I come here. Thanks for all the information. Really great to get straight forward advice/tips from people who know what’s up.
A couple follow ups after reading everyone’s comments.
How do you know how much weight to use? So is it basically the least amount able to punch through on a flip of the bait? Are you trying to avoid a big splash/crash through the veg or is that what triggers the reaction bite?
Hoping to spend around $100 on the rod. Typically that is my rang for any rod I purchase. Dobyns seem interesting to me. Have seen good things about them on here and won’t break the bank. Just don’t have any experience with them.
How deep of water are you looking for the vegetation in? I know someone mentioned they would punch in 8-10 but I mostly fish areas much shallower than that. 2-3’ min?
And is punching a mainly summer technique? Or is it successful for y’all year round? I guess traditionally I think of it during hot days mid summer.
A couple follow ups after reading everyone’s comments.
How do you know how much weight to use? So is it basically the least amount able to punch through on a flip of the bait? Are you trying to avoid a big splash/crash through the veg or is that what triggers the reaction bite?
Hoping to spend around $100 on the rod. Typically that is my rang for any rod I purchase. Dobyns seem interesting to me. Have seen good things about them on here and won’t break the bank. Just don’t have any experience with them.
How deep of water are you looking for the vegetation in? I know someone mentioned they would punch in 8-10 but I mostly fish areas much shallower than that. 2-3’ min?
And is punching a mainly summer technique? Or is it successful for y’all year round? I guess traditionally I think of it during hot days mid summer.
Posted on 2/6/19 at 11:17 pm to Splackavellie
If you're mainly punching Hyacinth/hydrilla mats then 1 1/4 oz is pretty much the gold standard.
Do not buy a $100 rod, you'll be disappointed in the long run.
As long as the mat has 1' or more you're good.
I punch year round, I never stop.
Do not buy a $100 rod, you'll be disappointed in the long run.
As long as the mat has 1' or more you're good.
I punch year round, I never stop.
Posted on 2/6/19 at 11:58 pm to happy hour 2
quote:
Do not buy a $100 rod, you'll be disappointed in the long run.
I use a duckett ghost 7’6 xtra heavy and I’ve never felt disappointed in it. They go for $110 and you can catch them on sale on eBay sometimes for like $80. No sense in breaking the bank on a punch rod to find out you actually don’t like getting yourself hung up on purpose.
Posted on 2/7/19 at 5:51 am to Splackavellie
I switched to Dobyns champion rods last year and don’t have any complaints.
Posted on 2/7/19 at 5:51 am to A_bear
I agree you will break some rods over time.
When basspro put the bionic blade 7ft 6” rod on sale for $49 I bought 4 of them. Most I just need to replace one or two pacbay guides as the guides take some abuse. Rod feels very light balanced on a diawa fuego reel.
Presently I use Dolybns Sierra 7ft 6” with Fuji guides which I got on sale for $69 at a tackle store in Florida. This one feels extremely well balance on my team diawa 103. A lot nicer rod at the end of the day does not matter as the rods take a lot of abuse.
Sometimes you feel a tick similar if you open the palm of your hand and poke it with your other hands finger. Other times they just take it. Then you have to get them out of the grass quick. The rods take a lot of pounding.
I have two of these setups Dolybns Sierra rods with team diawa left hand reel with engagement switch on the top.
I buy my plastics from bitters tackle in Florida.
Jim Bitter a former professional bass angler started pouring lures and 2 bags for $5. Strong and work well.
When basspro put the bionic blade 7ft 6” rod on sale for $49 I bought 4 of them. Most I just need to replace one or two pacbay guides as the guides take some abuse. Rod feels very light balanced on a diawa fuego reel.
Presently I use Dolybns Sierra 7ft 6” with Fuji guides which I got on sale for $69 at a tackle store in Florida. This one feels extremely well balance on my team diawa 103. A lot nicer rod at the end of the day does not matter as the rods take a lot of abuse.
Sometimes you feel a tick similar if you open the palm of your hand and poke it with your other hands finger. Other times they just take it. Then you have to get them out of the grass quick. The rods take a lot of pounding.
I have two of these setups Dolybns Sierra rods with team diawa left hand reel with engagement switch on the top.
I buy my plastics from bitters tackle in Florida.
Jim Bitter a former professional bass angler started pouring lures and 2 bags for $5. Strong and work well.
This post was edited on 2/7/19 at 6:27 am
Posted on 2/7/19 at 8:09 am to johnnyrocket
this is one setup that i would splurge on a custom. you might pay around 200 but its well worth it. Some people prefer the big ole thick broom stick but i like a little give. Reel brand is up to you but make sure its high speed.
Posted on 2/7/19 at 8:26 am to A_bear
quote:
I use a duckett ghost 7’6 xtra heavy and I’ve never felt disappointed in it.
If it’s working for you then that’s all that matters but all the ghosts I own now sit in a corner in my shed. Those stainless guides they use on that rod do not stand up to braid over time and it will cut grooves in the rings, which will eventually cut the line. They are good for bumping a worm and certain moving baits with mono/flouro but that’s the last rod I’d recommend to use for something like punching or frogging. It’s not just the heavy braid, the vegetation is gonna cause it to bring grit back through the guides that acts like sandpaper.
Posted on 2/7/19 at 10:00 am to bayouvette
Would you consider 7.1:1 a high enough gear ratio?
Also, for the drag on the reel, so you just lock it down? Pretty much allow no give I’m guessing?
Also, for the drag on the reel, so you just lock it down? Pretty much allow no give I’m guessing?
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