I would like to start punching grass mats out of my kayak and could use some advice on a rod and reel combo. Im thinking I wouldn't use much over 1 oz maybe 1.5.

 

I was looking at some of the dobyns fury rods. I would like to stay under $200 for a rod. 

 

I was looking at the dobyns 765 flip and wondered if that would be enough or if the 805 would be better?

 

Could use reel recommendations too.

 

Thanks in advance 

 

 

how heavy of cover are you throwing into?  I do what I'd call 'light punching' around here. Thicker pads with milfoil inside, full milfoil beds, etc.  Certainly nothing like what the delta or florida guys do.  I'll throw up to an ounce plus a small bait.

 

Are you going to be sitting or standing in the kayak? 

Im thinking more on the lighter side. Im thinking up to an once plus bait too...Im planning on standing in the kayak but there is a possibility I could be sitting at times too 

Lefty Tatula 80.  Palm the reel with 2 finger in front of the trigger and use you thumb base to push the thumbar while palming the reel to disengage the clutch.  Use your thumb pad on top of the spool to act as a light brake as you stip out line from between the 1st guide and reel with your left hand.  Use one of the palming hand finger tips of the two fingers in front of the trigger to flick the drag star to re-enguage the clutch or use your thumb tip to lift up on the thumb bar. 

 

You can use whatever reel you like but a small reel with a long arm drag star is pretty comfy.  I use a JDM Zillion HD but the Tatula 80 is much cheaper and very similar especially with a cheap handle upgrade.

 

 

1 minute ago, Bigbox99 said:

Lefty Tatula 80.  Palm the reel with 2 finger in front of the trigger and use you thumb base to push the thumbar while palming the reel to disengage the clutch.  Use your thumb pad on top of the spool to act as a light brake as you stip out line from between the 1st guide and reel with your left hand.  Use one of the palming hand finger tips of the two fingers in front of the trigger to flick the drag star to re-enguage the clutch or use your thumb tip to lift up on the thumb bar. 

 

You can use whatever reel you like but a small reel with a long arm drag star is pretty comfy.  I use a JDM Zillion HD but the Tatula 80 is much cheaper and very similar especially with a cheap handle upgrade.

 

 

This is great and really helpful!! Thank you!

 

I want to be looking for a higher speed reel correct? Maybe something over 8?

 

Also would you recommend braid or flouro?

1 minute ago, Wetwater said:

This is great and really helpful!! Thank you!

 

I want to be looking for a higher speed reel correct? Maybe something over 8?

 

Also would you recommend braid or flouro?

8 or 7 is fine.  I also punch with an old 6 gear reel. 

 

people get hung up on gear rations but I don't find the difference between a 6 gear or a 8 gear reel to be that noticeable on the water.  There are some instances like when burning in baits to fire off another cast or skip when rapidly casting to targets while moving a quick pace.  Outside of some specific examples they pretty much fish the same to me. 

 

I would go with an 8 gear Tatula 80 because of the 32mm spool.  Smaller diameter spools slow IPT compared to a larger diameter spool.  This is why 6 gear 36mm spool and an 8 gear 32mm don't feel all that far apart in line recovery. 

For a rod, the Doybyns 735C might work for you. It's a lighter powered rod, generally what people would use for throwing frogs. The 765FLIP would be better for 1.5oz weights.

For a reel, you don't need much. I use a Tatula CT currently and have used a Tatula 150 for a while until the side panel came off and won't stay on (still need to look at seeing if I can fix it). I generally opt for a reel with a full spool of 50-65# braid so I can use it for punching or frogging.

38 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said:

8 or 7 is fine.  I also punch with an old 6 gear reel. 

 

people get hung up on gear rations but I don't find the difference between a 6 gear or a 8 gear reel to be that noticeable on the water.  There are some instances like when burning in baits to fire off another cast or skip when rapidly casting to targets while moving a quick pace.  Outside of some specific examples they pretty much fish the same to me. 

 

I would go with an 8 gear Tatula 80 because of the 32mm spool.  Smaller diameter spools slow IPT compared to a larger diameter spool.  This is why 6 gear 36mm spool and an 8 gear 32mm don't feel all that far apart in line 

Would the dobyns 765 flip with the tatula 80 be ok paired together?

Based on what you said above, something rated up to 1.5-2 oz is going to be right then.  An ounce weight plus plastic will get you to 1 3/8 or so.  Braid vs fluoro vs mono is personal choice.  I used to use 50 lb braid and swapped to 20 lb big game.  I like big game better.  I have fluoro on two other rods that do lighter cover pitching and I'd be just fine with fluoro on the punching rod if that's your preference.

 

If $200 is the rod only budget, I would have recommended the Expert Amistad.  I had one and used it for exactly this.  It's a great rod for that.  But they just raised the prices and are now $220 I think.  Plus limited stock.  If you can find an old stock expert amistad for the original $199 then grab it. It fits that just right power/size for light punching.

 

 

18 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

Based on what you said above, something rated up to 1.5-2 oz is going to be right then.  An ounce weight plus plastic will get you to 1 3/8 or so.  Braid vs fluoro vs mono is personal choice.  I used to use 50 lb braid and swapped to 20 lb big game.  I like big game better.  I have fluoro on two other rods that do lighter cover pitching and I'd be just fine with fluoro on the punching rod if that's your preference.

 

If $200 is the rod only budget, I would have recommended the Expert Amistad.  I had one and used it for exactly this.  It's a great rod for that.  But they just raised the prices and are now $220 I think.  Plus limited stock.  If you can find an old stock expert amistad for the original $199 then grab it. It fits that just right power/size for light punching.

 

 

After looking at prices a little closer if I was to move my budget to $300 for rod only would you have any other recommendations?

@Wetwater at $300 for the rod only you have tons of choices. As a falcon guy that’s an amistad. I have the Cara series now and that’s what it is for. If you want to go a bit longer and heavier (and forsake 1/2oz plus plastic) then the big bait rod is a great punching rod. It is 1-4 oz and just under 8’. Mine is largely a big swimbait rod but for 1-1.5oz plus plastic it’s a great puncher. 

11 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

@Wetwater at $300 for the rod only you have tons of choices. As a falcon guy that’s an amistad. I have the Cara series now and that’s what it is for. If you want to go a bit longer and heavier (and forsake 1/2oz plus plastic) then the big bait rod is a great punching rod. It is 1-4 oz and just under 8’. Mine is largely a big swimbait rod but for 1-1.5oz plus plastic it’s a great puncher. 

I will check them out.  Thank you!