So now is the time I try to learn. I want to start punching this year and need some info. I have a set up that will work but I need to know where. The lakes I fish don't really have floating mats so can I punch into thick weeds. There are milfoil patches that come to the top in summer. Would this be a good place to try? Any other places I should try? I have never really used real Heavy weights either, I have some but for some reason never wanted my bait to drop like a rock. I really want to spend some time on this technique and learn it to see if it is for me. Any info. Is appriciated. Thanks guys!

First, let me say once you learn how to fish grass, you look for it and seek it out where others do not.  You don't need mats, thicker subsurface weedbeds will work.  I would look into a H action rod, 7'6" or better, no less then 30lb braid, no leaders needed, and tungsten weights or punch jigs....I suggest looking at Siebert Outdoors website and look into his punch jigs.  Find you some beaver/craw baits, bobber stops and some strong hooks and your set.

 

Now fishing the grass you only want to use enough weight to get you thru the grass.  I mainly use 1/2 to 1oz depending, like the Rage DB Craw as a trailer but that's me.  Now, look at the grass, how it lays out.  Look for where two kinds come together, where it has a hole, a thick spot, point, channel...etc.  Look for irregularities in the grass.  You want to let your bait fall on a semi-slack line(pay attention on the fall) and if you feel something that doesn't feel right or see it move, set the hook.  Most grass bass you will feel weight when you lift up so you need to learn what your bait feels like and when it feels different.  Once thru lift up and jig it 2 or 3 times and let it fall.  No bite, on to the next spot in the weedbed.  

 

I use this a lot in the summer on bright days when a lot of people choose not to fish or have slow fishing......not too many people punch the grass where I fish and use this to my advantage.  I fish the sunny shores....why, because I know the bass are going to burry themselves up under the denser weeds and that's where I am looking to pitch my bait.  Once you're bit, pull, steady pressure, no herky jerky.  Just pull as you may have to pull a bunch of weeds in with that fish.  They may fight or may think they are hidden.  Be prepared when you remove the grass for that fish to wake up.  

 

As spring turns into summer, watch the way the weedbeds grow, and any cover that may be in and around those beds are always great spots.  Remember that anywhere two different kinds of weeds or cover meet is always a great place to try, and look for deeper water breaks close to the beds as well as if there are slight channed or bottom changes also.  If there is a depression or hole under those beds, odds are there will be a fish sitting in it.  There are quite a few articles on here if you look for them under grass/trash/weeds....etc.  Welcome to punching, once you get a few you will be hooked, I love full contact fishing and that's pretty much what this is.

Now fishing the grass you only want to use enough weight to get you thru the grass. I mainly use 1/2 to 1oz depending,

This^ is exactly right... As gulfcaptain said..

In summer, in Fl. I will have to go 1 1/2 oz. only because I'm trying to penetrate the top layer of the mat, whatever it maybe. Pays to have at least 2 or 3 rigs ready. I would rather use 1/4 oz any day over 1 or 1 1/2 oz.. Gotta break thru, that's the goal..

That's pretty good info right there!

Here's something I do most do not!

I keep a buoy marker on my deck & as soon as I get bit I kick the buoy over board. I will the fish that area in a widening circle.

That's pretty good info right there!

Here's something I do most do not!

I keep a buoy marker on my deck & as soon as I get bit I kick the buoy over board. I will the fish that area in a widening circle.

 

 

I thought that's what GPS was for....lol but can't argue with old school tactics when the results are just as good. Takes less time to kick over a bouy then to punch in a waypoint for sure.

I thought that's what GPS was for....lol but can't argue with old school tactics when the results are just as good. Takes less time to kick over a bouy then to punch in a waypoint for sure.

 

 

That's pretty good info right there!

Here's something I do most do not!

I keep a buoy marker on my deck & as soon as I get bit I kick the buoy over board. I will the fish that area in a widening circle.

 

 

I thought that's what GPS was for....lol but can't argue with old school tactics when the results are just as good. Takes less time to kick over a bouy then to punch in a waypoint for sure.

 

Do Both.

 

One's for today & the other one's for tomorrow.

 

 

A-Jay

Do Both.

One's for today & the other one's for tomorrow.

A-Jay

Exactly!

Kick the buoy over while I keep fishing

Mark the GPS when I pick the buoy up

i see one of your favorite lakes to fish is van sciver I've actually been going there for 15 years if you plan  on trying to punch there try the lake at the club house, once the grass thickens up with the lily pads i pull a lot of nice ones out of there and especially near the boat launch because of the tournaments they have there I've caught 5 pounders there.  and on that lake theres a lot of isolated lily pads that hold some really nice bass, when I'm punching it ill usually use a 1/2 to 1 oz tungeston weight with a 3/0 or 4/0 vmc punching hooks or the owner flipping' hooks, i usually use netbait beavers (watermelon jelly and black shadow work the best for me) or  the big bite baits brush pig and if I'm using a punch skirt ill use a z man skirt (3 for $2.89 can't beat that)

 

any questions i can help with just ask

goodluck and tight lines, jim

Do Both.

 

One's for today & the other one's for tomorrow.

 

 

A-Jay

used to use paper plates and newspaper way back in the day when I would sonar around and then mark a bunch of fish when I ran sportboats to give me an idea where to set up and drop the anchor.  But Catt beat me to the Exactly post.

Do Both.

One's for today & the other one's for tomorrow.

A-Jay

A most excellent point! & no, not a waypoint! Lol..