I've started fishing bayou black. The place has thick weeds everywhere so I started flipin a speed craw with a 3/4oz bullet weight but It doesn't want to punch all the way through and I keep pulling up 10lb of weads with it. Any tips on what to use?

a heavier weight

I've started fishing bayou black. The place has thick weeds everywhere so I started flipin a speed craw with a 3/4oz bullet weight but It doesn't want to punch all the way through and I keep pulling up 10lb of weads with it. Any tips on what to use?

 

The obvious answer is more weight, and I would add, what rod are you using for this application? 

1 1/2 oz weight should get through anything (punchable, that is ).

Besides a heavier weight (Id start at 1oz and go from there) use a more compact plastic such as a craw type bait of your choice.

Mike

Although 'weed-probing' can be done with a 3/8 oz sinker,

true "mat-punching" normally requires a punch sinker between 3/4 oz & 2 oz.

I keep a 1-1/4 oz punch sinker on my mat-punching outfit which is very rarely changed.

IMO, too much weight is better than too little weight, as it tends to trigger more strikes out of impulse.

 

Roger

The obvious answer is more weight, and I would add, what rod are you using for this application?

For my heavier flipin stick I have a Duckett gost 7.3 heavy with an shimano bantam castic and for my lighter flipin stick I have a Duckett micro magic 7.3 med heavy with a shimano bantam castic

For my heavier flipin stick I have a Duckett gost 7.3 heavy with an shimano bantam castic and for my lighter flipin stick I have a Duckett micro magic 7.3 med heavy with a shimano bantam castic

In that case, increase weight until you can punch through the canopy. The weight range can be anywhere from 1oz-1.5oz

try a 3/4-1 oz Jika rig. That thing will drill through anything as long as you keep your plastics compact

try a 3/4-1 oz Jika rig. That thing will drill through anything as long as you keep your plastics compact

Will do thanks.

I also saw something called a football swing jig. Is it the same or different?

Will do thanks.

I also saw something called a football swing jig. Is it the same or different?

i would stick with cylinderical weights ( tungsten bullet weight ) 1 - 2.5 oz.

Will do thanks.

I also saw something called a football swing jig. Is it the same or different?

 

They are similar, but not as snagless. They are more for dragging across hard/sandy flats like a football jig, but with a free swinging action.

That's about all I know. Heavy jikas and pegged punch rigs are about the best ways to get down there. Now you could stay on top and hop a frog or rat across those mats. Or attempt to rip a trap or chatterbait, or swim a jig or underspin around the perimeter.

Will do both. Anybody else have something I can try?

What some of Scott Martins punchn utube videos!

^^^ this. Or search mikeyballz.

These two offer everything you need to know about punching mats.

I'm punching mats tomorrow! My fav thing to do.

^^^ this. Or search mikeyballz.

These two offer everything you need to know about punching mats.

I'm punching mats tomorrow! My fav thing to do.

 

I enjoy Mikey's videos. I really enjoy the sound tracks he has them embedded with. Lol... Not only does he show how to punch, he also shows you the tackle he using and why. 

I use 3/4 to 1 oz. poison head - 5/0 round bend with a heavy weed gaurd and a "missle" shaped plastic or a skirted jig (on trimming of the skirt) with no trailer.  Both methods work great. Keep your plastics slender with nothing sticking out to get caught in the matts/ grass and if your water is on the warm to hot side, a jellyied sent works well to let your bait "slide" thru the heavy/ slimy stuff. I use Smelly Jelly and leave it on the deck in the sun. It will seperate, just move your plastics around in it and you'll bring it back.  No sure if your local bait shop carries it, it's made in Or. or Wa. Most of us west coast guys know of it. Try the XXX3 crawdad type. I know Bass tackle depot carries it. Also look into Bass Kandi baits (your local co.) Mike makes the right colors for your and many other areas. He's located in the south/western part of your state.

 

 

Will do both. Anybody else have something I can try?

 

You can also use a miller weight to get through heavy mats.