FLIPPING AND PUNCHING

While most anglers are fishing deep in mid- to late summer, you can bring in some nice bass by using the flipping and punching technique in shallow water, which is a matter of dropping the bait on the fish’s head and getting a reaction bite. Many fishermen are intimidated by the prospect of getting snagged, but given that some of the prize largemouths dwell in heavy cover, such as lily pads, brush piles, trees and docks, it’s well worth the effort. To minimize problems, try using a heavy-duty abrasion-resistant line, like a 20- to 25-pound fluorocarbon or 50- to 80-pound PowerPro braided line.