Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

Okay i was wondering about a lunker punker rod/reel setup for around $150-$175? Is it even possible? Im not lookin for the best just something that will get the job done on a budget.

My primary rod for the wooden punkers is a 766 Lamiglass telescoping XTF 766 that I bought used for $60. Has a very nice short butt on it for easy workings. Topped it with anold ABU Record #50 and spooled with #80 braid..... and it works perfect for me.

The injected punkers/crackers/go-to minnows/ac plugs - A 766 rod as well and a smaller profile reel spooled with #65 braid.

Any rod with a nice soft tip, the backbone for the bait and a small handle that balances the reel easily will work as the bait really works itself.

Okuma 7'11" Medium Heavy/Cardiff 300 WSpool / 65# braid for molds, shell cracker or any 6" Plastic's

Okuma 7'11" Heavy/Cardiff 400 WSpool / 65# Braid for Wood

Okuma Rod $109,00 /Cardiff 300/400 $84.00? at the Hook Line and Sinker

Any 7 to 7'6 MH to Heavy action rod will work for you. I use 2 Powells. Powell 735 or 765 rod...both are readily available in the NCBF classifieds for around $100.

65lb Braid = $30

Any bass reel you have will work - no need for a high capacity reel or over the top priced reel. I use the same Curado 200 I use for bass fishing.


Hope this helps

Thanks for the replies. I will definatly have to check out the okuma MH and cardiff at hook line and sinker.

im using a dobyns savvy 735....works really great for me...easy to walk and throw the bait....has plenty of backbone on this rod and a soft tip...throwing with 70# sumarai braid...

Any preference on tying the line to the eye or the O ring ???

fishwithron2 wrote:Any preference on tying the line to the eye or the O ring ???

use a O ring one the eye..walks better that way...

New to this punker as one more question. Any max depth you should throw it ???

fishwithron2 wrote:New to this punker as one more question. Any max depth you should throw it ???

Uh ... DEPTH?! ... uh ... the punker is a topwater bait!

I know it's a top water lure ( uh ??) I'm asking if still use it in depth more than say 10'. Didn't expect sarcastic reply as this forum is to help on question.

fishwithron2 wrote:I know it's a top water lure ( uh ??) I'm asking if still use it in depth more than say 10'. Didn't expect sarcastic reply as this forum is to help on question.

in my experiences , 3-10' is ideal strike zone for tw , 15' max ... clarity can play a big part in how deep you call em up from

hope that helps

Ron,

Depth here on the Delta for stripers don't matter. I've caught them in Franks & Big Break in as little as 2 feet of water, yet been out on the main San Jaquine, Washington Cut and other deep channels and caught them when tossing that punker out in the middle in 20-35 feet. Out in those deeper areas, typically, if the stripers are not right on the bottom feeding or staging in deep holes, they are cruising. Their cruising range typically is anywhere from 4- 12 feet below the surface. They will come and blast that punker over deep water if'n ya git it in their range! Most productive zone for me day in and day out, is probably the 6-10 foot range.

new2bassfishin wrote:Okay i was wondering about a lunker punker rod/reel setup for around $150-$175? Is it even possible? Im not lookin for the best just something that will get the job done on a budget.

240xl US reel with a 7'6 - 8' spinning rod ... 150$ if not less

Thanks Cooch and 925 for answering my question with a civil reply. Have never used a punker and going to give it a try and wanted some helpful hints on how to use it.

new2bassfishin wrote:Okay I was wondering about a lunker punker rod/reel setup for around $150-$175? Is it even possible? Im not lookin for the best just something that will get the job done on a budget.

n2bf,

Punkers are unique cause ya got wooden baits and plastic baits, they cme in 5", 6", 8", 9", 10" even 12"s now. The wooden ones dig differently than the plastic ones. I fish the rattlin' Injected Punkers differently than I fish the ones with no rattles. For me, each requires a different type of rod. I'm using a 6'9" MH, X-Fast Cameron for the Rattleless 6" Injected I'm tossing now. As I'm target casting, as well as using it for blackies thru out the day, this rod allows me to better place pinpoint casts, versus using a great big 7-8' Swimbait type rod and chucking it a mile. I use that type of rod for my Wooden and the new 12" Punker.

For the 101 angler, a 7', Heavy, Fast tipped rod that is light in weight, will work perfectly. You can get really good distance with this, especially using th 5-9" baits. It's got that good stiffness in the tip to really dig them wooden baits when yer fishing the dig-n-glide retrieve, yet works really well too with the smaller baits when employing a more erratic and rapid walk the dog retrieve.

fishwithron2 wrote:Thanks Cooch and 925 for answering my question with a civil reply. Have never used a punker and going to give it a try and wanted some helpful hints on how to use it.

Anytime Ron, don't mind that Stratos 201pro guy, he meant no harm. Fact he's prolly looking at his post now going, DUH, what was I thinkin! He's one of the good guys! Truth be told, that was the first thought that hit me too, until I thought about it before responding! HAR! HAR! HAR!

Cooch wrote:

fishwithron2 wrote:Thanks Cooch and 925 for answering my question with a civil reply. Have never used a punker and going to give it a try and wanted some helpful hints on how to use it.

Anytime Ron, don't mind that Stratos 201pro guy, he meant no harm. Fact he's prolly looking at his post now going, DUH, what was I thinkin! He's one of the good guys! Truth be told, that was the first thought that hit me too, until I thought about it before responding! HAR! HAR! HAR!

GO GIANTS!!!!