Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

Just went out and threw this bait for the first time. Wasn't really fishing, just trying out the bait to see how to fish it. I'll be darned if I could get this bait to do ANYTHING. Couldn't walk it, or wake it, or pop it. On top of that, the line kept getting hung up on the trebles and I'd end up pulling it back to the boat sideways.

Now I know these people make great baits so I assume I'm not working this bait correctly. I would accept any recommendations/instructions on the use of a great looking bait.

What kind of line were you using?

20# mono.. what kind of rod were you using? Its the same concept as a spook. So if you can work a spook you can work a punker.

That's exactly what I was using, actually 20 flouro. I can walk a spook with the best of them and I was using the same rod I use with my spook because I expected this to be a spook-like bait. But if the line wasn't caught up in the trebles, when I would start to work it, it would just sort of pull straight, go nose down and do nothing. Iw was quite frustrating.

I don't remember if it has a split ring on it... if it doesn't, I always add one to my spooks I wonder if it needs one.

I own a BUNCH of punkers. I just got the new injected without the rattles. Being that Ive thrown punkers Im use to walking them. The hard bait walks super easy. For some reason I had a hard time walking the injected one at first. I finally got it right after a few casts, then KABOOM fish on! It was a little spunky 3 1/2 It was nice to take it out of the package and get a fish on it. The new colors are the chit!

Sounds like the problem is...me...egads. I'll just have to keep working with it. I was glad to hear that the injected model gave an experienced LP user some difficulty so it isn't ALL me.

It sure does LOOK good sitting on the deck of my boat.

Using flouro is the mistake... it sinks... braid is ideal, mono works too

Oh yeah, I also use 20lb Pline CXX.

Yup, sounds like flouro is the problem to me. Try braid or mono and you should have much better results.

braid all the way.........

RipnRog wrote:braid all the way.........

+1

I'll give braid a try. I thought about it but didn't do it, now i'll try it.

adman wrote:I'll give braid a try. I thought about it but didn't do it, now i'll try it.

just the hook setting power is worth it alone........

cooch like 65 because it is stiffer and does not wrap around the hooks as much but I have done fine with the 50 myself...... remember it is kind of like walking a frog where you are twitching the line and giving it slack so it can do its thing.

Get rid of the flouro on all your top water baits................ flouro sinks................

65 pound braid always. No matter how clear the water is. Went to Berry this weekend caught about 20 on the new silent version. Water was clear and had no problem with the braid.

I use 50# braid. It will help you walk the bait with out having to jerk the rod so hard. The night before you go out, hang the bait and put a couple of drops of super glue on the line 10" above your bait and let it run down to the knot. This will make that line stiff and will b=not get caught in the hooks anymore. If it still does, change your cast. Use more of a side arm swing and less of a over head cast. That should help allot

That's some great advice Mike. I have never tried the glue like that but it sounds right, I'm going to give it a try! Thanks.

I have been doing it for years with big topwater/swimbaits and buzzbaits. It sure helps with the blood preasure!!

Mike thanks for the tip.

The stiffer line doesnt mess with the action?

some guy wrote:The stiffer line doesnt mess with the action?

not at all....... remember you jerk and give slack immediately......

I fish all my punkers on straight braid and I dont really have a problem with my hooks getting wrapped when I fish the bait. Every once in a blue moon I get the braid caught in the split rings but thats about it. You would think having 10" of line super stiff would hurt the walking action. Cool to know it doesnt.

It doesnt bother it at all. After a few cast, it's not stiff as a board, but is just enough to keep the live out front and not in the hooks.

Im digging it. I started using 30lb mono as a leader and never had an issue because its stiffer. The clear water fish will get wise to straight braid down here after a while.. especially since every boat down here now has an arsenal of them on deck. I would dig this at night to have that extra confidence on a long bomber cast at night without turning the punker into the worlds largest rattle trap. Good info.

This is great! The best , most helpful thread I've read in a long time. I'm glad I was having trouble with this bait 'cause I'm learning more than I bargained for! Outstanding info.