"Punching" for largemouths 2025

BigFishChris reply :

Over the past year or so I've been hearing a lot of talk about "punching" the grass for bass. 1 oz weight would be an idea start? Does anyone use 1.5 oz for this? What's the basic bait most of you'll are using? Thanks for any info.

Chris

ethan-333 reply :

i like a slim profile bait like a craw that slides through the grass easy

sometimes adding a slip skirt below the weight

JJMcCray reply :

i just got into punching this year for bass. i like to have to set ups. one with 1.5 oz weight and another one with a 3/4 to 1 oz waits depending on how thick the mats are. ive most been using the 1.5 oz and have had great success with it so far. i would say start out with a 1.5 oz. i use baits the can ease through the mats easily such as a crawfish style bait

j bab reply :

Yes I've used 1.5 oz before. Use whatever gets you through the mat. I've heard of people using up to 2.5 oz!

For baits I like a rage craw, menace, game hawg, sweet beaver, or whatever other craw type bait you have.

BigFishChris reply :

Thanks for the help. I forgot to ask about line, what are you'll using and what lb test?

Bluebasser86 reply :

Our vegetation isn't as thick here, mainly water willows. I use a 1/2oz for almost all of it, usually with a 4/0 Hack Attack Heavy Cover hook and 50-65lb braid. Right now I'm using Seaguar Flipping Braid in 65lb. I really like the thin diameter of the line and the fact that it's black so I don't have to color it.

Bankbeater reply :

I use 3/4 and 1 ounce weights. I usually use 50lb braid on a 6'6" heavy rod.

Catt reply :

On 5/17/2016 at 12:43 PM, BigFishChris said:

Over the past year or so I've been hearing a lot of talk about "punching" the grass for bass. 1 oz weight would be an idea start? Does anyone use 1.5 oz for this? What's the basic bait most of you'll are using? Thanks for any info.

Chris

I see you're from Lake Charles, so am I

To properly answer you questions it depends on where & when.

I'm fishing Lacassine a lot this year, the water is up, & the grass is just now getting thick.

I've been flipping, pitching, & punching with lighter baits. Last Friday I was flipping & pitching a 1/8 oz & a Zoom Speed Worm on 15# mono in canals.

Why so light?

Cause the bite was right on the bank!

The week before it was 1/2 oz jigs!

My point is read the vegetation & adjust your technique to match.

Master Bait'r reply :

My favorite punching setup is probably a half ounce Mendota rig and the big Savage craws

On the lighter side, a Neko rigged Slug-Go SS is also a certified killer too.

bigbassin' reply :

On 5/17/2016 at 12:43 PM, BigFishChris said:

1 oz weight would be an idea start? Does anyone use 1.5 oz for this? What's the basic bait most of you'll are using?

Depending on the cover you could go as low as 3/4 ounce, I personally use a 2 ounce pretty often in thick stuff, and I know people that'll go up to a 2.5. Your favorite craw/creature bait is a pretty standard bait selection, however I've seen people punch worms, paddletail swimbaits, grubs, etc.

boostr reply :

Same up here, don't really get thick mats. I use between a 1/2 oz to 3/4 oz weight with a VMC Flippn' hook, and either a Rage Bug or A Pit Boss.

zeth reply :

I have used up to 2oz weights.. Depends on the cover. as far as baits it can vary but I will often use a Fake Fish. If not the fake fish I will punch with Fat Impacts or Crazy Flappers.

Mosster47 reply :

Have between 3/4 and 1.5 and let the cover tell you what it wants. For simplicity anything made by Gambler is a good punch bait.

lakeannaangler reply :

I only use 3/8 or 1/2 weights. For baits rage menace, pit boss, cut-r worm, ragecraw , rodent

bayouXpress reply :

i like to use the lightest weight that will get through it. So it could be different every time out.

crypt reply :

8 foot MHX flipping blank,micro guides,65 lb. braid,4/0-5/0 jungle flipping hook,gambler Why Not. 1-1/2 oz-2 oz. depends on how thick the mat is.

Catt reply :

@BigFishChris you've gotten everything from 3/8-2.5!

Read the vegetation!

Oklahoma Mike reply :

Use the lightest weight you can get away with - whatever will punch through the vegetation you're fishing.

65lb braid (min) on a rig with enough backbone to hoist them out of the muck.

D-Bombs, Rage Structure Bug, Pit Boss are my favorite baits, but I'll try just about anything that I can get through there.

BigFishChris reply :

Thanks for the info guys, I'll have to get some big tungsten punching weights and get after it.

frogflogger reply :

I prefer tube type shapes as craws and paddles can slow or prohibit punching through some of the densest stuff.

Catt reply :

@BigFishChris

Mike L reply :

Don't forget a punch skirt! Sometimes that'll be the only thing missing.

Mike

RyneB reply :

As said above, go with the lightest weight possible. I usually start with 1 Oz and then go from there. As far as baits go. My favorite is a gambler BB Cricket, I can get that through easier than other baits an it flat out catches them. Other baits I usually add a punch skirt include a D Bomb, Gambler Why Not, rage menace, and rage structure bug, sweet beaver and SK rodent. I usually always start with a punch skirt on one setup with one of those baits, and another setup with just a gambler BB cricket. Then I let the fish tell me what they prefer.

Catt reply :

SwampLife reply :

In from Louisiana as well Depends how thick the mats are.. I hAve two punching set ups one heavy and one the extra heavy.... I usually go with a 1.25 weight but but some times in the summer I have to go to a 1.5 weight..always 65lb power pro with a 4 or 5/0 hack attack heavy flipping hook with a sweet beaver or a d bomb as my punch bait... On my heavy rod i do basically the same but have a 3/4 ounce weight on it that's for the not so thick stuff.. I go as light as I can, I'm punching Mats in very shallow water.. And like Catt, if I'm flipping cypress trees and lay downs in using a medium heavy rod with 15lb to 20lb test with a 1/8 to 1/4 ounce weight... If I can't make up my mind She gets a 3/16 ha

Oklahoma Mike reply :

One very important thing that I don't think has been mentioned yet - use a snell knot on your flipping hook. This will drastically increase your hookup ratio.

9604

"Punching" for largemouths 2025

related Fishing Tackle topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Fishing Tackle topic