How much difference do you think the lure makes?

 

For example, would punching with a Strike King punch bug vs a Yamamoto Kreature make a noticeable difference? Assuming both baits made it through the canopy. I have a feeling you could really use almost any soft plastic since you’re dropping it right on them. 

It makes all the difference in the world when it comes to your wallet and bias. The fish though? Little to no difference.

I’m of the opinion that it doesn’t make a difference. I tore up my last Rage Bug on a dink and switched to a 5in. tube, same result, another dink. 

punching is a reaction bite.so the lure the gets through the canopy will be the one that gets bit.the fish don't care who makes it......

When punching; you are triggering reaction bites. Therefore shouldn’t matter which brand creature bait you use. Granted some have more action than others, but for this application it’s null and void from my experience.

I’ve found I like gambler baits for punching… not because they necessarily catch more fish but because they make the body plenty thick to hold a flipping hook well. When punching I have no part of the hook exposed. The point and wire leading up to it are both completely buried. No ‘skin-hooking’

 

 

Lure size makes more difference than brand or style.  Sometimes bass want a large bait with lots of vibration.  Other times you can get more bites with a finesse worm.  Weight size is a close second.  

To begin, the size,shape or color of the bait won't matter until it does. Those that might have suggested that punching is 'only' a reaction bite are wrong. While it can and will elicit many reaction bites  'punching' is just a method of getting your bait to the fish. Sometimes you've gotta let it sit there,other times you've got to lift and drop a couple times and sometimes you've got to bring it back up and 'bang' it on the underside of the mat. And for @LrgmouthShad, I'm a skinhooker with my double wides, it never ceases to amaze me how many fish I catch outside the mouth when they swipe at it on the way down.

I would say it depends how thick the vegetation is you are punching through.  If the bass can actually see the bait coming down then it may make a difference.  If you're in very thick stuff that goes down a way, then it probably doesn't matter that much.  Bass will know something is working down toward them and strike at it when it is close.

I can't answer your question directly, but I will say the Jackall Archelon has been good to me. Seems made for punching. In particular the hollow body makes a great place to bury a flipping hook securely but without having to get through a bunch of plastic. Has a rattle hole too.