Mid-summer puzzle: "Punchin Through" heavy cover.. Advice needed

[RandyFish]

Alright guys....going into 4th holiday with time off....want to fish pads and foil...no problem with frogs but

What about "punching through" foil canopy....I've never had much success.

Do you just use heavy jigs and pigs?

Or a heavy texas rig (pegged in front so it does not slide forward) (if so, do you like smooth bait like a worm to slip through weeds or a bulkier bait like a lizard tube or other creature bait.

Finally .... and this couild be my biggest problem ....what about presentation once the bait is through the matting?

Are you aggressive with presentation or do you let it sit with little or no movement (aka, letting a jig and pigs sit still for a 20 couint before bouncing).

I really the appreciate the help.

[Wayne Ek]

For milfoil I use two rigs. The heavy rig is a 7'4" with 65-pound power pro. I texas rig a SK Rodent or Beaver on a 5/0 wide gap with a 1/2-ounce SK tugnsten weight (pegged). I use this rig most of the time. I have a medium heavy, 7-foot rod with 30-pound power pro, rigged with a 1/2-ounce Bitsy Flip (SK) and trailer for light milfoil patches or working around the edges of heavy patchs. As a general rule I will not pitch jigs in heavy milfoil, as they hang up on milfoil more frequently than a texas rig does. I also make short fast pitches, it hits, sinks, I lift it two or three times and then make a new pitch just a few feet from the last one... on and on and on.

[phishnerd]

Sounds like a job for the "punch rig." Check out this link to see a good step by step on how to set it up: Advanced Angler This rig has been used down south for quite a while but is gaining popularity up here in the north as well. I started fishing it a couple of years ago and man what a difference it can make. I always use the sliding skirt. You can find them online but I had a buddy of mine make some at his tackle business which was great because I got to customize my colors Obviously you can use what ever hook you want as long as it's the right size and type for the plastic bait you are using.

I'll use anywhere from 1/2oz. to 1 1/2oz Tungsten weights but again use whatever you are comfortable with. This a great rig for "punching" through weed mats and awesome in lilies because it won't get hung up in the crotches Give it a shot, I think you'll really have fun with it.

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

great link phishnerd!

[Deitz Dittrich]

yup, I punch skirt a lot. just short flips, shake it a few times repeat.. 1/2 oz sinker for me usually, but if its thick will go to 3/4 or even 1oz. Pegging the sinker is a must.. and a stout enough rod to get them out is another..

[Craigums]

Finally .... and this couild be my biggest problem ....what about presentation once the bait is through the matting?

Are you aggressive with presentation or do you let it sit with little or no movement (aka, letting a jig and pigs sit still for a 20 couint before bouncing).

I really the appreciate the help.

Depends on were the fish are positioning. On high sunny days the fish with "usually" position right underneath the mat were there is the most shade. So if they don't hit it right when it breaks through lift your bait up and pound the underside of the mat.

[Juan Grande]

Is punch fishing fun or is it just a means of putting fish in the boat for a tourney or during the middle of the day? Seems like fishing with that heavy gear and just dropping it into holes and pulling fish out would almost be like cane pole fishing.

Don't get me wrong, catching fish is always the goal, but this seems like one of the least fun ways to do it. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[delmuts]

Let's face it! The MOST fun way to catch bass is with a top water lure, BUT! There are many ways to catch fish, and busting thru matts is just one. Some like to fish this way, others don't. Try and see if you enjoy it. Otherwise fish the way you prefer.

[thatoneguy]

My PB largie - 23 1/4" - came the only time I've ever punched mats (milfoil on Lake Waconia) so yeah...it can be fun

[phishnerd]

For me anytime I can pitch a jig it's fun. Punch rigs let me fish with the same technique in heavy cover but it' more fun because there's no cleaning your lure after every pitch. If you've ever wrestled a 5 pounder through a thick mat then u know how fun it is. And since when is putting fish in the boat for a tournament or catching fish during the day not fun?

[BTL]

Is punch fishing fun or is it just a means of putting fish in the boat for a tourney or during the middle of the day? Seems like fishing with that heavy gear and just dropping it into holes and pulling fish out would almost be like cane pole fishing.

Don't get me wrong, catching fish is always the goal, but this seems like one of the least fun ways to do it. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

IMO, it's extremely boring and tedious until you get that first bite of the day. Then it starts being fun.

Still not my favorite technique though. I have a really hard time putting down my frog rod to start flippin.

[Juan Grande]

Sorry guys, I wasn't trying to declare war or anything on flipping milfoil mats. I guess I shouldn't knock it until I try it.

I'm a complete novice when it comes to flipping or jig fishing in general. I need to learn to put the senko down.

[phishnerd]

No worries Juan I can be a Senko guy myself sometimes. Give punching a shot. You'd be surprised what lurks beneath the thickest of the thick.

[Juan Grande]

I'll be on Centerville in a couple weeks and that lake's milfoil is so thick you need a downrigger weight to punch through it. I tried fishing the edge last year and didn't have much luck, so maybe I'll give punching a try this time.

[OLY]

I cant think of a better day on the lake then pitching shallow cover. I have been using the punch skirt set up the last few years in place of a jig, and it works sooo much better. Setting the hook on a giant fish in heavy cover is just pure awesomeness.

[Deitz Dittrich]

**Agree**