So I have a few ponds locally that get pretty good weeds and matted vegetation in summer. I've always fished around and on top but never really gone in to get them. I'm not talking huge thick mats but thick enough I'm gonna use a heavy rod with 40-50lb braid. I need some bait,hook and weight size suggestions?

Straight shank flipping hook of your choice, whatever size tungsten weight you need to get through, some weight pegs, and a Jackall Archelon. It has replaced most of my presentations in the situation you describe.

 

I would get a collection of weights as the amount needed varies from spot to spot.

What I use for punching...

 

Bait - large craws, beavers or magnum size worms

Hook - Straight-shank flipping hook for the worms, superline EWG for the craws and beavers

Weight - 1/2oz+ pegged bullet weights - weight dependent on thickness of cover

Really any of your confidence soft plastic creature or stick baits will work. 
 

For stick baits I’ve started to use a Max Scent General, which I’m starting to like a lot better than any other. 
 

For creature baits it’s either a Rage Bug, Rage Craw or RI Sweet Beaver. 
They’re the only ones I always have with me. 
 

All either in June Bug or GP. 
 

For hooks it’s always a 4/0 or 5/0 Trokar TK 130, always snelled. 
 

Weights will depend of course. 
But I don’t subscribe to the common thinking of using the lightest weight you can get away with when trying to get through any type of vegetation. 
I’m looking for a reaction strike. I don’t want it to flutter on down and sit. 
 

It’s in, play with it a little bit, get out and pitch again trying to cover it all from different angles. 
 

Good Luck

Its absolutely my favorite way to fish. 

 

 

Mike
 

 

For starters I'll say my favorite bait is an R.I. double wide beaver. As for hooks and weights I want to echo what was said above. 1st I agree with @MN Fisher on hooks, I was always an ewg guy but through trial and error ive found I prefer straight shank for worm style bodied baits like crawworms and brushhogs and ewg for beaver style baits. And as for weights I agree with @Mike L it's better to go with the heaviest you'll need.

Hooks tied on using snell-knot.  Worth mentioning I think.