One of the quickest and most effective methods used by anglers to catch Bass is fishing with a punch rig. Bass love these lines and your chances of having them take the bait grow exponentially. Not to mention how effective a punch rig is for grass fishing.
If you’ve ever been out fishing for bass of any kind, you understand how picky they can be sometimes. If the line isn’t perfect for them, they won’t go for your bait. That’s why many anglers have begun to utilize a punch rig as their lure of choice when fishing for a bass. As long as you’re in the right location to bring the bass in, the punch rig is one of the most effective lines you can use.
Now that you’ve chosen the best line setup to use, it’s time to learn how to rig it. Many anglers struggle with the rigging process of the punch rig, but we’re here to get the process started and finished in a matter of minutes – mistake free. Don’t let the rigging process deter you from a punch rig – build your line right the first time and get out there to start fishing those bass.
The Rigging Process
Setting up your line can be confusing at times, but with the right steps, rigging a punch rig is simple. The only difference between this line setup and any other is the design and placement on the line of your tools. For example, a punch rig line setup utilizes a bullet weight as it can easily penetrate the grass on the surface of waters where bass are likely to be feeding.
If you’ve ever set up your own line before, then this should be a piece of cake. The punch rig is simply a specialty line that’s best used in situations that your generic rig can’t be. By following our four step process, you’ll have your punch rig set up in no time at all and you’ll be ready to start fishing within minutes!
1. Adding the Bobber Stopper
It’s important to add the bobber stopper for the exact reason as the name implies. If you add the bobber to the line with nothing to hold it back, it will slowly continue down the line until it becomes useless and the line floats to the top with nothing holding it down. The stopper allows anglers to specify where exactly they want the bobber to rest.
2. Increasing the Weight
Here is what makes the punch rig so special. It utilizes a special weight called the bullet weight. This allows the line to “punch” through the grassy surface of any mats where bass might be found. Depending on the type of bass you’re fishing for, you might want to add more weights so that your line can reach further down below the surface.
3. Dress the Punch Skirt
Place the punch skirt directly below the weight. This is done in an attempt to both hide the line and provide a bit of a draw for the base. Typically, the skirt will hide the weight and help disguise it against the grassy backdrop. At the same time, the flowing nature of the skirt will draw the attention of any bass in the area, raising your chances of a catch.
4. Pick Your Hook
Once your line is dressed, it’s time to pick the perfect hook and knot for your trip. If you’re going for larger bass, you’ll want a larger hook and a stronger knot. If the species you’re fishing for is smaller in nature, a smaller hook that can fit in their mouths will be the better option. You won’t need as durable a knot for the smaller hooks either.
Why Should Anglers Punch For Bass?
Think of the punch rig as your number one backup for when conventional fishing fails you. Catching a bass is possible with the typical fishing methods when done in the right locations. However, if you’re having a bad day on the water and nothing is biting, then switching over to a punching method will spice things up and is almost guaranteed to draw more attention from the bass.
It also depends on where you’re fishing for the bass. If you’re fishing on a mat of grass – which is where finding bass might be most effective – then no line other than a punch rig is going to work. Anglers have many reasons for utilizing a punch rig, and setting them up is as easy as the four steps we listed above. Start fishing for bass with one of the most effective lines out there.
Where to Find the Bass?
Small and large mouth bass can be found all across North America. They make their habitats in waters as deep as the Mississippi River to as shallow as Florida canals. Finding the location of a bass species is all about knowing what’s available in the local area. Start your search by narrowing down the type of species of bass you’re looking for any go from there.
There are a few cross-over points between large and smallmouth bass, but for the most part they have separate habitats.
Punching Mats
The best place to find a bass and the spot where your punch rig will be most effective will be a punching mat. These mats are grassy waters where you can see pockets of seagrass all along the surface. The more grass there is, the better the spot for bass fishing.
These punching mats or grass mats can change with the seasons, so a spot that worked wonders for you last month might not be so effective this month. Keep an eye on these mats to find where the best spot for your punch rig will be.
