Bass Digest/April, 2014
simple fact is your line is touching and possibly wrapped around things that you cannot see, most of the strike will be absorbed by whatever your line touches. So when you set the hook make sure you give it a proper whack. If you want to really take your technique to the next level, watch Youtube videos of the pros who are really good
at punching like Bub tosh and Ish Monroe. Study and copy their technique and you will not go wrong.
The heartbreak of losing a big one is too much
At some punching sessions you will land 100% of your fish hooked whereas at others you may only land 50%. Some of this is due to factors beyond the angler’s control, but there are many ways to increase your success ratio. Firstly tackle: are you using the correct hooks? Heavy gauge straight
shank 4/0 heavy cover flipping hooks are my choice and they definitely make a difference to the hookup ratio. With line, anything below 50lb
braid is asking for trouble. Rods are a much tougher subject, but generally rather go for too much power than too little power. You need to be able to power a beast through and over a thick mat of hyacinth or grass. An important thing to remember is once you have hooked the fish, carry on pulling. You need to keep that head facing towards you. If the fish gets pinned against cover and it won't move, keep just enough pressure to keep it pinned and go and collect it. Always stick
your hand in to the cover rather than pull the line with your hand. Not only will you lose less fish this way, but you will also avoid serious injury. Braid can cut like a knife.
Punching is hard work and boring
Flip the lure in the grass, move up and down a few times, leave to soak and then repeat - sounds almost like the directions on a shampoo bottle. Now, imagine doing that 1000 times in a day and only catching 5 fish. Sometimes this is how punching goes when you are a newbie. But that's no reason not to try, especially when some of the world’s biggest tournaments are being won with punching. I never get bored of punching as I