jlew

Mike L, you must be fishing the Budget tourney? I fished the Gerrard's yesterday, and boy was it tough. First was around 23.5lbs, second 21.7, and third was 20.9. What where the weights for your tournament?

Actually, I've got one more question on this subject... When using the wide gap straight shank flipping hook do you guys run the point of the hook all the way through the bait and then skin hook it, do you stop the point just a hair short of penetrating the opposite side of the bait, or do you leave it buried say one millimeter in the bait?

Hey guys, thanks for all the recommendations. I'm going to go give it another shot this Wednesday utilizing all the tips. I'll let you know how it goes.

I seem to be having a problem with hookset while punching mats. Please help. Set up: heavy rod, 65lb braid, 1 oz. tungsten pegged, punch skirt, 5/0 flipping hook sharpened, sweet beaver. I think I'm loosing way too many bites. I'd say my boating ratio is at 40% versus the number of bites I know I'm getting. I feel I'm either pulling the bait out of their mouths if i go too hard or I'm not getting a good hookset and I loose the fish on the fight. Anyone have tips?