I think of punching as a summer thing, which I have been trying to learn ( on the Ca delta). Is there a water temperature below which punching no longer works, or can I keep on finding bass under the mats all year long?

Thanks in advance.

All year long. Especially when the storms roll in. Remember you can punch sub-surface matted grass to.

Winter is probably my most favorite time of the year for bass fishing & deep grass jigging is my #1 technique; I would not call it punching since little grass is matted.

Thick vegetation, even in deep water holds heat