When faced with the challenge of figuring out which style of bait would be best for flipping heavy cover and thick mats I was stuck on a few options.. Craw style bait like the chigger craw, paddle style bait without appendages, or a tube? I was thinking because of the flipping tubes sleek and top heavy design it would probably be best for getting through thick mats. What do you think? does it lack the action once it does make it through?

Sweet Beaver is one of my main flipping baits. They produce the big bite as well. Around here, most of the cover is straight slop, so it's a Spro frog or fish somewhere else, though. If it is sparce enough to flip, really any compact plastic will do.

Big tubes are great. Rage Hawg is very good as is Lobster. I punch the Rodent a lot, too.

Why dont you combine the two? I did just that and found one of my top producing baits of all last year...the Jackall Cover Crawl. This thing is absolutely sick, and for some reason just whacks the fish around here.

http://www.***.com/Jackall_Cover_Craw/descpage-JCC.html

You could use any style of bait you want. As long as you have enough weight to punch through the mats then you could use just about anything. Try a 5/16, 3/8, or 1/2 oz sinker. I use lead but many people would reccomend tungsten. It's up to you though. Just make sure you peg your sinker!

You could use any style of bait you want. As long as you have enough weight to punch through the mats then you could use just about anything. Try a 5/16, 3/8, or 1/2 oz sinker. I use lead but many people would reccomend tungsten. It's up to you though. Just make sure you peg your sinker!

heck Some guys think an ounce isn't enough sometimes! :blink:

Havoc devil spear is suposed to be good I tried it for punching I got 2 bass

Personally I like the craw type baits for punching. Power Team Lures has an awesome bait that I like to use while punching heavy grass mats, called the Diesel Craw. Team this bad boy up with a one ounce weight and hold on. These baits are impregnated with a special blend of scents that will make the fish hold on to it so you can get that hook in him really good. Punching grass mats - What a fun way to catch a fish.

heck Some guys think an ounce isn't enough sometimes! :blink:

Its not enough in certain places. The flip side is fishing mats that are that thick can be a double edge sword. Hooking up may not be a problem but getting them out is another story. Usually end up blowing out the mat because you have to go in after them with the big motor.

5" senko and a 3/4 tungsten weight. Goes through pretty much anything and doesn't get caught up.

the thicker the mat the heavier the weight and smaller the bait,and be sure to use a good oil based lube like bang.the mats on rodman are so thick in most places its takin 2 oz. to get thru.a tube would be a good choice and the action isnt whats needed to get bit.we down scale baits to fit the mat one of the best baits to get thru any mat is a gambler b.b. cricket.the big show craw gets thru good as does the beaver baits especially the yum b- bug cause of its slender profile,but we have found the b.b. cricket gets thru better than any of them.be sure to lube the weight as well.