Punchin’, Flippin’ the car battery, gorilla hunting, whatever you want to call it, punching grass mats can be a great option anytime they are available but they can really heat up during the blistering summer sun. Punching is a very easy technique once you have the proper equipment. A stout rod and reel are a must, I prefer Quantum Smoke rods and reels spooled with 80 pound Sunline FX2 braid. I tie the FX2 braid to a 4/0 Gamakatsu Heavy Cover Worm hook and a 1-ounce – 1 ¾ ounce tungsten weight, depending on the thickness of the grass. I finish the package off with a Big Bite Baits YoDaddy. It is very important to have a streamlined bait in order to increase your bait’s ability to penetrate the cover. The more appendages that come off of the main body at a ninety degree angle you have, the less likely you are to get your bait to slide through the mat. Once you hit the water, it is very important to take mental notes when you get a bite. Was that fish located where two types of grass converged? Was that fish on a point in the grass? Was it where the current hit the grass line or in slack water? Another thing to remember when punching grass mats is that fish will often group up under these mats, so when you get a bite, pitch right back to where that fish came from!
