Any thoughts on a good set up for punching. Headed to Eufaula for next high school tournament and want some opinions on rods. I don't have to have the latest, greatest and most expensive, just a decent rod. I know a fast ratio reel is part of the set up along with heavy braid.

David

Big jig

any good 7'2" heavy action rod paired with a 6.6:1 Revo SX and 65lb braid. I dont like the loss of cranking power with a reel ratio higher than a 6.6. Some do but I've found it to be plenty fast to get them up and out.

I just listed a couple of Fenwicks in the classifieds that would work great for punching!

Thats a great deal on those flipping sticks too! The fish on Eufaula will still be pretty shallow until Apr. eating spinnerbaits and sqare bills.

Don’t be afraid to give em that buzzbait early either, seen em eat a frog early as well... always fish outside the box

Sorry left that out

When are you going? It’s going to be around Mid April when the punching bite is hot. Right now they are either on outside of grass/weed beds getting ready to spawn And some are already behind the grass spawning. We are going this weekend. Should be good.

I’ll be there as well. Never even seen Eufaula so have no clue where to start.

My son and I are going this weekend to practice for the tournament on March 7th. We will try a little of everything to see what works. We fished a tourney there last November, and managed 12th place out of 60 boats give or take. That was a tough day, quite a few boats didn't catch a single fish big enough to weigh.

Tight lines,
David

7’6” heavy action rod
7:1 gear ratio reel
50 lb braid
Lightest weight you can get through the mat usually a 1/2 up to 1.5 oz for me

Also a straight shank hook snelled if you like with a beaver,craw or worm up to you

I use a powell endurance 795 with a 7.1:1 or 8.0:1 geared real with 65lb power pro braid.