I went fishing on a boat yesterday on the CA delta. one of my most unsuccessful techniques that I WANT and DREAM of mastering is punching.  I am awful at it.  I am back of boat mostly, but my friend does what he can to leave me the better looking spots.   he knows I am jonesing for more punch bites.  he did loan me some rod.  some Edge rod.  7'9".  I just put my reel on it.  with braid.  

 

the longer rod was eye opening.  my pitches were much more accurate and I could go pretty much any distance I wanted.  sadly, I only got tapped and failed to set the hook right to catch the fish..  my friend did well. 

 

the longer handle also let me pitch way longer without fatigue.  no real elbow or shoulder pain today.  

 

I just bought an 8' rod I was going to use for rockfish in the ocean.  its light.  I might try it off my kayak.  see how a long rod off a kayak feels.  if not, I will at least get a rod with a long handle.  

Never used a rod longer than 7'5... and I'm a very tall person. My favorite length is 6'10... but maybe I've been missing out on the benefits of longer rods. I'll have to give it a try. 

Two things...

 

1. For punching I will not use a rod shorter than a 7'6

 

2. On a Kayak I will not use a rod longer than 7 feet.

 

LOL I am a walking contradiction.

 

22 minutes ago, IYAOYAS said:

Two things...

 

1. For punching I will not use a rod shorter than a 7'6

 

2. On a Kayak I will not use a rod longer than 7 feet.

 

LOL I am a walking contradiction.

 

It’s funny because shorter kayak rods are by far the most common but I dont mind a longer rod in my kayak at all. I feel like it gives me better line pickup, makes up for less hooksetting power, and lets me control them better around the bow of the kayak. Granted I haven’t used a rod in my kayak that’s longer than 7’4, but that 7’3 range is what I mostly use. If you’re working a bait like a jerkbait or frog then you might want to go shorter I suppose.

51 minutes ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

It’s funny because shorter kayak rods are by far the most common but I dont mind a longer rod in my kayak at all. I feel like it gives me better line pickup, makes up for less hooksetting power, and lets me control them better around the bow of the kayak. Granted I haven’t used a rod in my kayak that’s longer than 7’4, but that 7’3 range is what I mostly use. If you’re working a bait like a jerkbait or frog then you might want to go shorter I suppose.

 My big kayak is 14 feet but my river kayak is only 12. On the river I will absolutely not go longer than 7 feet because accurate casting trumps power for me but on the lake in my big kayak I've been known to sneak a 7'6 heavy flippin stick on there from time to time. Its ok as long as nobody knows right?😂

Now that I spend most of my fishing time with a 9' - 9.5' H or XH muskie rod in my hand, when I do go bass fishing, even my 7'11" XH flippin stick feels like a fairy wand. All my flippin/pitchin gets done with the 7'11" XH now. 

I don't want to have to master punching.  I love cover, but you can have too much of a good thing.

Punching through anything is one of the easiest presentations you can do. 
 

It’s less about the length of your rod and more about it’s power, your ability to read the water around it and the mat itself to give yourself a fighting chance. 

Assuming as in every mid to bottom t rig, your line and weight are dialed in, the hard part especially for co anglers is having an opportunity and especially the time to pick it apart. 
 

Knowing up front that the boater has the advantage and as hard as he may try there’s no way around it unless you both rotate positions. 
 

I own 3 punch sticks. 

A 7’3 and 7’4 with 65# Seaguar ‘s Smackdown which I just changed too, and a 7’3 with 80# 4 carrier Power Pro. 
All 3 have different actions for different conditions. 
I also use a 7’3 with 20# Shooter. 

Any longer just becomes to cumbersome without a distinct advantage, all you need are accurate, pinpoint flips and/or pitches 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

If only they would stop spraying the weeds and give us something to punch……

Ain’t that the truth 

Getting worse and worse 

 

 

 

Mike

3 minutes ago, Mike L said:

Ain’t that the truth 

Getting worse and worse 

 

 

 

Mike

here as well.   

I use a Dobyn’s champ extreme 745 (7’4 mag heavy) as my T-rig/jig rod and also punch with it once in a while. I’ve never used a rod over 7’4 but I’ve thought about purchasing a dedicated punching rod. Like others have said though, it seems that punching opportunities are becoming less common so I’m unsure if it’s worth it. 

8 hours ago, Mike L said:

Punching through anything is one of the easiest presentations you can do. 
 

It’s less about the length of your rod and more about it’s power, your ability to read the water around it and the mat itself to give yourself a fighting chance. 

Assuming as in every mid to bottom t rig, your line and weight are dialed in, the hard part especially for co anglers is having an opportunity and especially the time to pick it apart. 
 

Knowing up front that the boater has the advantage and as hard as he may try there’s no way around it unless you both rotate positions. 
 

I own 3 punch sticks. 

A 7’3 and 7’4 with 65# Seaguar ‘s Smackdown which I just changed too, and a 7’3 with 80# 4 carrier Power Pro. 
All 3 have different actions for different conditions. 
I also use a 7’3 with 20# Shooter. 

Any longer just becomes to cumbersome without a distinct advantage, all you need are accurate, pinpoint flips and/or pitches 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

What rods do you use for punching? What power/lure weight rating?

16 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

I use a Dobyn’s champ extreme 745 (7’4 mag heavy) as my T-rig/jig rod and also punch with it once in a while. I’ve never used a rod over 7’4 but I’ve thought about purchasing a dedicated punching rod. Like others have said though, it seems that punching opportunities are becoming less common so I’m unsure if it’s worth it. 

What rods do you use for punching? What power/lure weight rating?

 

St Croix GXR w/ Seviin reel combo

7’4” H/F

3/8-1 1/2 oz (with a little adjustment can barely handle a 2 oz)

65# Smackdown 

This whole setup was a total surprise to me as it’s as balanced as anything else I’ve used. 
The action is just a tad slower than the others which is an advantage for longer pitches but that’s countered on shorter flips. 

With the change to 8 carrier Smackdown from the 4 Power Pro I’ve always used, it can double as my frog rod. 

It immediately became my first choice now 

 

Dobyns Kaden 715C

7’1” Mag Heavy/Fast

3/8-1 1/2 oz (1 1/2 oz is a little over rated)

65# Smackdown 

Before the GXR this was my go to for moderate/heavy cover. 
Doubles as my C Rig
 

Quantum Smoke

7’4” H/XF

7/16-1 1/2 oz

80# original Power Pro 

This one is reserved for the heaviest and thickest of Hydrilla and Hyacinth mats especially those that have flowered. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

8 hours ago, Mike L said:

 

St Croix GXR w/ Seviin reel combo

7’4” H/F

3/8-1 1/2 oz (with a little adjustment can barely handle a 2 oz)

65# Smackdown 

This whole setup was a total surprise to me as it’s as balanced as anything else I’ve used. 
The action is just a tad slower than the others which is an advantage for longer pitches but that’s countered on shorter flips. 

With the change to 8 carrier Smackdown from the 4 Power Pro I’ve always used, it can double as my frog rod. 

It immediately became my first choice now 

 

Dobyns Kaden 715C

7’1” Mag Heavy/Fast

3/8-1 1/2 oz (1 1/2 oz is a little over rated)

65# Smackdown 

Before the GXR this was my go to for moderate/heavy cover. 
Doubles as my C Rig
 

Quantum Smoke

7’4” H/XF

7/16-1 1/2 oz

80# original Power Pro 

This one is reserved for the heaviest and thickest of Hydrilla and Hyacinth mats especially those that have flowered. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

Thanks. The champion extreme 745 is rated 3/8-1 1/2oz just like what you use so I think I’ll just stick with it. I don’t get to punch as often as I’d like anyways. Only difference is I use 25lb tatsu FC instead of braid. Yes, I know a lot of you will call me crazy. 😁

On 5/17/2025 at 11:36 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

I went fishing on a boat yesterday on the CA delta. one of my most unsuccessful techniques that I WANT and DREAM of mastering is punching.  I am awful at it.  I am back of boat mostly, but my friend does what he can to leave me the better looking spots.   he knows I am jonesing for more punch bites.  he did loan me some rod.  some Edge rod.  7'9".  I just put my reel on it.  with braid.  

 

the longer rod was eye opening.  my pitches were much more accurate and I could go pretty much any distance I wanted.  sadly, I only got tapped and failed to set the hook right to catch the fish..  my friend did well. 

 

the longer handle also let me pitch way longer without fatigue.  no real elbow or shoulder pain today.  

 

I just bought an 8' rod I was going to use for rockfish in the ocean.  its light.  I might try it off my kayak.  see how a long rod off a kayak feels.  if not, I will at least get a rod with a long handle.  

I am not that tall - 5'10" - and I use a lot of rods 7'6"-8'. I have no problems skipping with 7'6" rods and love the leverage I get.