How to Rig the Punch Shot Rig
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Which direction should my weight face on the Punch Shot Rig?
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Weight Pointed Upward
Better for dragging the Punch Shot while rolling over rocks, stumps, sticks, and other bottom cover. Preferred for pitching into hard cover such as laydown trees. Greater surface area of the larger end of the weight contacting bottom increases sensitivity.
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Weight Pointed Downward
Better for punching through grass mats. The pointed end penetrates vegetation better than the wider end of the weight, and the wire, hook, and bait effortlessly follow the weight through the mat when rigged this way.
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Double Weight
Provides some advantages of both upward and downward orientations. Excellent when more weight is needed if fishing deep. When the rig is moved, the weights click together, which can attract predator fish from further away.
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How to fish the Punch Shot Rig for Bass
The Punch Shot Rig can be adapted to many different fishing applications, but the three most common techniques are described below:
Punching: The first is punching into grass, weeds, pads, and other mats of vegetation. The weight on the drop-wire of the rig allows it to slip through this thick cover and into the water below the weed mat where bass live. This technique is best done by approaching the grass mat closely, and pitching the rig onto the mat to punch through, or into the pockets and holes in the mat. Allow the rig to sink to the bottom, where you can shake it in place or hop it up and down a couple of times before moving on to the next hole or spot on the mat. This technique is especially effective during the heat of the summer, as bass seek refuge from the heat and sun in thick vegetation, where most other anglers and lures are unable to access.
Dragging: The Punch Shot is also great for dragging across the bottom as a moving bait. Cast the rig out, allow it to sink to the bottom, and reel it in while maintaining contact with the weight on the bottom. Use heavier weight(s) to keep the rig on the bottom in deeper water. When you feel the rig bump into anything on the bottom, stop reeling and shake it in place for a moment to entice bites from bass that are utilizing these pieces of cover that your rig will be intersecting. This technique is great along grass lines, large flats, ledges, and points. This technique is effective for catching bass year-round. Drag the Punch Shot along transitions from shallow spawning flats to deeper water during the pre-spawn. Efficiently cover large shallow spawning flats during the spawn, and shake the Punch Shot in place in spawning beds when sight fishing. During the post-spawn, the rig can be drug across the same drop-offs that were searched during the pre-spawn, as well as grass edges in these transition zones during the pre-spawn through the summer and fall. During the winter, slowly drag the Punch Shot along deep/steep banks where bass spend the cold-water period, taking time to pause the rig and let it sit still or very gently shake it in between drags.
Shallow Cover: One last key technique to focus on with the Punch Shot is fishing shallow cover. Docks, pilings, walls, laydown trees, stumps, rocks, and any other pieces of cover that are visible in shallow water are high percentage areas that the Punch Shot can fish very effectively. This technique is best utilized from prespawn through late fall, but a percentage of bass will even spend the winter shallow, especially in warmer climates or tidal water where bass seek winter refuge in areas away from current such as marinas and coves. Cast or pitch the rig to the cover, allowing it to sink to the bottom. Part of the Punch Shot's design in having the hook above the weight is that it can be shaken in place without moving the bait from its position on the bottom. Shake the Punch Shot in place by twitching your rod tip next to these shallow cover areas and your bait will flutter just off the bottom, which is often too much for bass to resist.
Punching: The first is punching into grass, weeds, pads, and other mats of vegetation. The weight on the drop-wire of the rig allows it to slip through this thick cover and into the water below the weed mat where bass live. This technique is best done by approaching the grass mat closely, and pitching the rig onto the mat to punch through, or into the pockets and holes in the mat. Allow the rig to sink to the bottom, where you can shake it in place or hop it up and down a couple of times before moving on to the next hole or spot on the mat. This technique is especially effective during the heat of the summer, as bass seek refuge from the heat and sun in thick vegetation, where most other anglers and lures are unable to access.
Dragging: The Punch Shot is also great for dragging across the bottom as a moving bait. Cast the rig out, allow it to sink to the bottom, and reel it in while maintaining contact with the weight on the bottom. Use heavier weight(s) to keep the rig on the bottom in deeper water. When you feel the rig bump into anything on the bottom, stop reeling and shake it in place for a moment to entice bites from bass that are utilizing these pieces of cover that your rig will be intersecting. This technique is great along grass lines, large flats, ledges, and points. This technique is effective for catching bass year-round. Drag the Punch Shot along transitions from shallow spawning flats to deeper water during the pre-spawn. Efficiently cover large shallow spawning flats during the spawn, and shake the Punch Shot in place in spawning beds when sight fishing. During the post-spawn, the rig can be drug across the same drop-offs that were searched during the pre-spawn, as well as grass edges in these transition zones during the pre-spawn through the summer and fall. During the winter, slowly drag the Punch Shot along deep/steep banks where bass spend the cold-water period, taking time to pause the rig and let it sit still or very gently shake it in between drags.
Shallow Cover: One last key technique to focus on with the Punch Shot is fishing shallow cover. Docks, pilings, walls, laydown trees, stumps, rocks, and any other pieces of cover that are visible in shallow water are high percentage areas that the Punch Shot can fish very effectively. This technique is best utilized from prespawn through late fall, but a percentage of bass will even spend the winter shallow, especially in warmer climates or tidal water where bass seek winter refuge in areas away from current such as marinas and coves. Cast or pitch the rig to the cover, allowing it to sink to the bottom. Part of the Punch Shot's design in having the hook above the weight is that it can be shaken in place without moving the bait from its position on the bottom. Shake the Punch Shot in place by twitching your rod tip next to these shallow cover areas and your bait will flutter just off the bottom, which is often too much for bass to resist.
How Should I Set the Hook?
It will take some practice if you're just starting out, but you'll quickly learn what a bite feels like on the Punch Shot and how to differentiate the feel of a bite from the bait contacting weeds, sticks, rocks, etc. Using braided line or braided line connected to a flourocarbon leader will help you feel the bites better than less sensitive lines. When a bite is detected, often felt as a couple quick taps, a mushy/weighted feel, or sometimes even a sudden vicious pull on the line; reel in any slack in your line until you can feel the weight of the fish. Lean into the fish slightly, and set the hook by sweeping your rod tip upward or to the side.
Purchase Punch Shot Rig Tackle
Punch Shot Kit (Select 5 or 10 Pack)
$6.49 - $8.49
- Available in five (5) pack or ten (10) pack. Includes five (5) or ten (10) Punch Shot Rigs with five (5) or ten (10) Razor Series EWG Hooks (size 4/0).
- The integrated heavy-duty split ring allows you to use the included hooks or virtually any other hook to match your soft plastic bait and fishing situation. The attached roller swivels keep your line from twisting and allow your bait to swing freely around the weight-stem for unmatched action.
- Easy to rig – Simply attach your hook to the split ring, slip a weight onto the weight-stem wire and bend the wire upward to lock the weight on. Rig up your favorite soft plastic bait, and you're ready to fish the Punch Shot.
Tungsten Flipping Weights w/ Weight Pegs [Select Size, Qty]
$10.99 - $16.99
- Tungsten is nearly twice as dense as lead, which means your weight is now about 50% smaller in size for the same weight as a lead sinker. This more compact size creates a more weedless/snagless profile, making it easier than ever to fish heavy cover like grass, weeds, rocks, laydowns, docks, and more.
- The increased density offered by tungsten over lead provides greater sensitivity, as the weight transmits more vibration up your line, allowing you to feel the bottom like never before.
- Harmony's Tungsten Worm Weights feature a smooth, polished inner bore - eliminating line fray. The cupped rear design allows your hook eye to sit recessed into the back of the weight, creating a more streamlined, weedless profile. Harmony's signature black oxide matte coating doesn't chip like other brand's painted weights. Each weight is laser engraved to show the weight size for easy identification.
- Includes one set of ten (10) Weight Pegs.
