Bassmaster Elite Tyler Rivet has some tips for punching matted vegetation for bass. When you’re punching grass, the gear ratio of your reel is important. For lighter, thinner vegetation, use a higher gear ratio like 8:1 to quickly pull your bait out and move to the next spot. For thicker, heavier cover, drop to a lower gear ratio like 6:1 to have more power and control, it’s just like driving a truck through mud in a lower gear.
Concerning soft plastic lure selection, fish don’t care much about the details of your bait; it’s all about getting a reaction. Keep your bait simple, like a basic worm with just a couple of legs. Use a lighter weight, like 3/4 ounce, to get more bites and avoid getting stuck on grass or branches. Focus on finding where the fish are hiding and keep moving, rather than staying in one spot too long.
Great info Tyler!