Punching Mats for Bass | 7 Overlooked Tips for Success

Fletcher Shryock loves fishing bass buried in grass mats with flipping and pitching techniques. He shares some overlooked pointers such as the best times to target bass in mats, identifying the best grass, key tackle for punching matted grass, working a flipping setup, and overlooked areas that can get you more bites (Lake Guntersville!).

FEATURED TACKLE
• ROD - Heavy Favorite FS Series Balance Rod, 7' 11" moderate action

Shryock's 7 tips to better punching success on grass lakes:

1. Fish during bite windows. Countless days on the water have informed Fletcher that there are 3 distinct bite windows per day: 1) around sunrise for the first couple of hours is usually the best to score on big bass in the mats, 2) there's a secondary bite under intense heat and sun during midday, and 3) in the low-light evening period.
2. Visually identify the best habitat. Shryock looks for the biggest clumps of surface mats. Like a tree's canopy, sprawling surface vegetation usually means a combination of space and abundant shade underwater. Focus your efforts on the thick stuff.
3. Feel for the best habitat. Step 2 is seeing, and step 3 is feeling with your line and a sensitive rod. Shryock explains the importance of "the vertical drop." Don't spend a lot of time dropping on the edges of the grass (aka house) -- instead, bomb the ceiling and put a bait in the middle of the house where bass have room to maneuver. So how do you determine a productive drop? Penetrate the canopy and feel for the bait dropping unobstructed -- this indicates a good pitch where bass can find your lure.
4. Stay in hookset position. Don't be caught with your pants down. Maintain a rod angle, so you don't get "straight-lined" by a hungry bass. They need a second to get the bait in the back of their mouth.
5. Fish the inside. We get it; it's super daunting to penetrate acres upon acres of jungle. And it's a lot of work too. Shryock delivers some powerful rationale for dropping the shallow water anchors and "fan pitching" productive areas away from the pack for those grinders. Watch the video 😉.
6. Work the water column. So do you drop in and immediately feather the underside of a mat? If you're 7 feet or under, Shryock lets the flipping presentation drop to the bottom. He explains how lots of bites happen in the vicinity of the bottom while most happen mid-water column or just under the mat. Bass often FEED down, though!
7. Use a slower action rod. Times have changed from a heavy power pool cue action to a heavy power with a more moderate tape. Shryock does a great job explaining why you must go easy on rod action to keep bass pinned.

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[Steve_Balboni]

I really like this guy. Doesn't say stuff like "choked it" or "you think he wanted it?" Good demeanor and just trying to figure out the pattern and helping viewers along the way.

[MJ_Bass]

Great video, one of my favorite ways to fish. Sometimes feels like an absolute waste of time when you've made a thousand flips with no bites, but when you hit the schools its a blast.

[OhMyLarryFishing]

Nothing better than flipping the heavy stuff.

[Outdooradventure]

very nice flipping/punching video. good quality content as well

[northeastpac-man]

Man googan, 13 fishing and favorite are getting all the good pros on there pro staff, ,

[SoSaysYou]

@1:57 thats a monster hook set
Im surprised that bass still had his lips.

[jasonrekker]

What would you do to cover water and find fish initially, especially if you don’t have electronics?

[jtomlinsonfishing]

Most important thing he brings up here folks is the type of rod

[DFWdarin]

Yep.. Saturday morning about an hour after sun up I got into a pretty good and then about an hour after that they died off

[eddiestephens]

Awesome man. When is this rod coming out? I’m new to your channel. What brand is it also? Thanks

[us_patriot_b]

AJJ just survived fishing that area this year.

[jasonrekker]

Is there a reason you would go straight braid and not braid to fluorocarbon leader? I’m more of a smallie and steelhead guy and you would always want the lowest profile leader possible

[jamesa]

How are you not getting snagged with weeds on the weight.