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I must admit, in the mid to late summer the grass mats get so thick that I'm having a lot of dificulty getting my Title-SHot through the grass. I have tried numerous methods to get my jig to penetrate the grass, but in the end I have been left frustrated.

Punching was on the back burner for a while, but I've decided to get a modest bit of punching tackle to experiment with next year. I have done some reserch into the tackle required for punching, however I still believe asking questions is best way to get information that will help anyone make proper tackle choices for next year's assault on the grass mats. I have read good things about Tru-Tungsten punch weights as well as Miller brass punch weights.

So basically I'm interested in what style of weights are you using?

How heavy?

Skirt or no skirt?

Do you peg the weight?

What styles of baits do you prefer?

What style of hook?


Thanks,
Drop

Oh Oh....Steve's in Largie withdrawal already....

For punching mat I've been relying solely on Flippin' jigs....Weights of an ounce or better......I prefer Nichols jigs for this but the Revenge jigs did the trick this year as well....I also way prefer the colour patterns on the Revenge than the Nichols.....

A upward cast and allowing the weight to gain momentum will get you thru the mat most of the time with that weight.

Hope this helps....sounds like it's gonna be a long winter for the Dropper...


RJ

RJ wrote:Oh Oh....Steve's in Largie withdrawal already....

Hope this helps....sounds like it's gonna be a long winter for the Dropper...

Is it that transparent?

I'm on board with the Revenge flip jigs, however I found the weedguard a pain in the butt in the slop, in all fairness I wasn't throwing a very heavy weight. I generally switch to a Title-SHot & beaver for the slop.

That reminds me, Justin likes flippin jigs in the slop too......

I guess I'm different, but I've already analyzed the year and what worked and what didn't. What I'm gonna change and what stays the same. Besides I'm going home for a few days, which puts me 25 miles away from BPS Harrisburg.

Is it the last Sat in June yet????

check out the episode of the Extreme Angler Bobber was on. They're "flinging" more than flipping. They would pitch their jigs almost vertically about 20-30 feet in the air and onto the mat to get good penetration.
There should be some good tips there if the episode is available online.

Yannick

fisherguy33 wrote:check out the episode of the Extreme Angler Bobber was on. They're "flinging" more than flipping. They would pitch their jigs almost vertically about 20-30 feet in the air and onto the mat to get good penetration.
There should be some good tips there if the episode is available online.

Yannick

Hey RJ....that episode was filmed at the exact same spot you and i were talking about a month ago. remember??

Andy_L wrote:

fisherguy33 wrote:check out the episode of the Extreme Angler Bobber was on. They're "flinging" more than flipping. They would pitch their jigs almost vertically about 20-30 feet in the air and onto the mat to get good penetration.
There should be some good tips there if the episode is available online.

Yannick

Hey RJ....that episode was filmed at the exact same spot you and i were talking about a month ago. remember??

Oh I know.....and I can see why....

DropShot'r wrote: How heavy?

Skirt or no skirt?

Do you peg the weight?

What styles of baits do you prefer?

What style of hook?


Thanks,
Drop

1 ounce tungsten weight

Yes to the skirt

Yes to pegging the weight

I like using Reaction Innovation Sweet Beavers or similar or any craw bait like a Jackall Cover Craw or Jackall Sasuteki Craw, you can also use flipping tubes

Flipping Hooks

I will also add 70lbs Samurai Braid

What rod are you thinking of using if you don't mind me asking??

Fin Techs Title Shot is available in 1 oz and heavier - rigged with a skirt & sweet beaver is a deadly bait for the slop.

Dave Wolak placed third in the BASS Oneida tourney two years ago using that exact combination in heavy matted slop.

I've got a few 1 oz unpainted here if someone would like to try them out.

biggs wrote:What rod are you thinking of using if you don't mind me asking??

I have a Kistler flipping rod, but I was leaning towards my Dobyns 705C

fisherguy33 wrote:check out the episode of the Extreme Angler Bobber was on. They're "flinging" more than flipping. They would pitch their jigs almost vertically about 20-30 feet in the air and onto the mat to get good penetration.
There should be some good tips there if the episode is available online.

Yannick

Hey guys, you can find the episode here ---> http://www.fish-hawk.net/hawktalk/viewt ... highlight=

thanks fiiiish

DropShot'r wrote:

biggs wrote:What rod are you thinking of using if you don't mind me asking??

I have a Kistler flipping rod, but I was leaning towards my Dobyns 705C

I think you might find the Dobyns 705C to be a little short and may lack the power needed for punching, with a 1oz weight plus thick mats I would be a little scared setting the hook with the needed "oomph" in fear of snapping the rod.

I found that my Dobyns 736C (rated up to 2oz and a beast of a stick) works alright with punching but I think a longer rod would be better.

Of course you could use a 705C for punching I just don't think its the ideal rod and you might be better off using your flipping stick.

There are specific punching rods and they all seem to be in the 7'10" - 8' range.

Just my 2 cents.

Someone else might be able to chime in and give some more insight.

Punching mats is one of few techniques I can say that I use very, very well.

Here is my set-up:

Rod - Shimano Crucial 7'3 Heavy
Reel - Skeet Reese Revo
Line - 65lb Sonic Braid

As far as baits go, the thicker the mat, the more you will have to throw a texas rig. Big jigs work, but when things get gnarly they just aren't the best option. I just ordered 20 of Oldhams Jigs in 1oz and 1.25oz to try next year, however.

I use two baits; Sweet Beavers 90% of the time, and Yum Craw Papi's (3.75") when they want something a bit smaller. Obviously, there are many baits on the market (including big tubes) that work. These are the ones that have earned my confidence.

Throughout most of the summer a 3/4oz tungsten weight PEGGED does the trick. You must peg the weight with a rubber stop or it won't pull your bait through. Of course as you mentioned, the mats get damn near bullet proof towards the end of the season. I have found that I almost never lose fish with a 3/4, but miss a fair bit when I go up to an ounce. You really have to be on the ball when using that big weight, otherwise you will miss your hook set. This is especially true if you try a slack-line hook set and drop the weight in the fish's mouth. Tossing it in the air and letting it crash through usually works, along with shaking the bait if it sticks half way down.

As far as hooks go, you need a straight shank 4/0 wide gap for the baits I mentioned. A 5/0 is too big for those baits. I use a heat-shrink barb to hold the bait in place. I bought a pack of the Trokar Flippin Hooks (no I am not rich, but thought I'd spoil myself). The hooks are sharp and strong, but not worth whatever outrageous price I paid.

Skirt or no Skirt? I tie my own, and just ordered 50 "punch hubs" so I can try those next year. When you need a jig but can't get it through, this looks to be a killer technique.

I know many guys use longer rods, but this is the best one I've tried. You still need a lightweight and sensitive rig. You aren't making long ptiches, and this rod can really cross their eyes on the hookset. Shorter rods are generally more accurate also. I do use rods that are 7'6 to flip jigs in bushes and trees, but that's another thread.

Billy

Try some of the Gambler KO hooks, using the large owner centering pins, and pick up some t stop rubber pegs...and yes don't forget your 65 lb braid and 1 to 1.5 tungsten wts. Any type of creature/craw bait works fine! I use this type of setup on my Loomis 7'11" (954).

fiiish wrote:

fisherguy33 wrote:check out the episode of the Extreme Angler Bobber was on. They're "flinging" more than flipping. They would pitch their jigs almost vertically about 20-30 feet in the air and onto the mat to get good penetration.
There should be some good tips there if the episode is available online.

Yannick

Hey guys, you can find the episode here ---> http://www.fish-hawk.net/hawktalk/viewt ... highlight=

Can't seem to find that episode on there at all. Has it been taken down or am I have'n a blond moment?