Installing punch stops or bobber stops is an essential skill for bass anglers. They are a very useful piece of terminal tackle that provides many uses. If the proper steps aren’t taken to install them, anglers can ruin a whole pack of punch stops or bobber stops very quickly. In this article we will show you how to correctly apply a punch stop/bobber stop to your line, as well as, cover some non-traditional uses that most anglers have never thought about.

The first step is to make sure that you are utilizing the correct size punch stop for the line diameter that you are applying it to. Most companies make multiple sizes of punch stops and have line size recommendations on the packaging or in the product description on our website.

Start by running your fishing line through one of the open wire loops on the cluster of punch stops. After you run your line through the open wire loop, pinch the punch stop and hold it tight. Then pull the wire loop back through the punch stop while holding the punch stop hub. This forces your line to feed through the middle of the punch stop.

You can use a punch stop in place of a swivel on a light line finesse Carolina-rig when your short on time or terminal tackle. Simply add a weight to your line then a punch stop behind it. This also allows you to quickly adjust leader length without having to re-tie.

If anglers want to present a bait in the same fashion as a traditional split shot but don’t have any split shots in their tackle box, you can use one punch stop above and one below a sliding weight to keep it pegged in place at a designated length.

If anglers opt to not use a bead on a Carolina-rig, it’s a good idea to use a punch stop in between your knot and weight to add protection and shock absorbency from setting the hook with heavy weights. If a punch stop is not used your weight can often damage your line and compromise your knot.

You can use two punch stops to create a Gika Rig on the fly. Using two punch stops and and a tie-on style drop shot weight, simply add one punch stop to your line, followed by a tie-on style drop shot weight, then another punch stop.

Add one punch stop to your line. Next add a small willow blade that is attached to a swivel. Add another punch stop after the willow blade and slide everything up the line together to the desired distance before tying on a lure. This will create a presentation that makes your lure look like its chasing a small baitfish.

Punch Rig Gear Guide

Carolina Rig Gear Guide

How-To Choose The Right Line For Beginning Bass Anglers