My local lake has some weird grass/weeds that grows in the water about 4-5 feet off the bank. It gets about 1 foot high and is thick. I win my local touraments flipping senkos and jigs next to it. Right now its flooded and the grass is just laying dead on top of the water with water behind the grass since the shore is flooded. There are open pockets in the grass but it doesn't grow in anything thats deeper than a few feet. I saw about 10 bass in one of the pockets a few days ago when the sun was out but spooked them when I casted on them. ( can you punch that stuff since its so shallow.) My 3/8 jig almost goes through it. I was thinking of next time trying a 1/2 bitsy bug jig or peg some sort of heavier tungston. Would a heavy weight in 2 ft of water scare the fish thouhh .

If the bass can fit under it, they will use it as cover. I wouldn't worry too much about scaring the bass. Bass are a lot harder to spook in heavy cover. It gives them security. I would use the lightest weight I could get away with though. I've punched mats five feet away from me on the bank and have caught fish. A lot of people don't do it, and sometimes it really pays off.

Very interested in this thread as I have a ton of hydrilla and cover on all the banks near me. Sorry I don't have much input other than give it a try

Absolutely, and even skinnier.

Why certainly

Don't be afaid to move up even heavier!

Tnx for the reply well give it a shot

go to an 1 oz. if need be

I can't vouch for genuine "punching" techniques, but I fish some very skinny water. I'm never afraid to fish heavy shallow cover in general. Ill catch fish in 6 inches of water if it looks right to me. +1 on ^^^ if a bass can fit under it they will use it for cover

Use the weight needed to get thru canopy.. Whatever it takes.. Punch thru, shake it, reel in, repeat!

Use the weight needed to get thru canopy.. Whatever it takes.. Punch thru, shake it, reel in, repeat!

Ditto

Mike

I cast past the open weed pockets and my bomber model A size 05 in redapplecraw floats so I slowly move it into the open pocket and shake it using the rod tip. Any bass that's there will inhale it.

Go ahead and drop it thru.....Agree if they can hide in it they will.  Go in and get them.

Sure can. Punch away. Down here in Texas, there's rarely such a thing as "too shallow".

I've punched matted cat tails in early spring in 1 foot of water and caught numerous bass. If it's warm, has food, and is deep enough to cover their backs they will be in it.

Check out "Mickey Balzz" videos on YouTube. He has some good videos on punching.

Ask yourself why wouldn't they be in that muck.