Need a new deadstick

[walleyeslammer]

Hey everyone, I am in need of a new dead stick rod. I broke the tip on my 28 inch meat stick last night putting it into its hard sided protective case (hook caught, bent the tip very sharply and snap). It was totally my fault so I would buy another meat stick in a heartbeat. I was just wondering what opinions were on here. It is between the 24” meat stick, 28” meat stick, and the Bro dead stick right now but I’m open to other suggestions. What do you like/suggest? I guess I loved my 28 but maybe it’s because I didn’t ever try anything else. I fish everything from gills to 'eyes, but really use this for perch and 'eyes the most.

[motley man]

Put a new tip on and call it good.

[castmaster]

If you can swing the $ I'd go with a Thorne Bros Quiverstick. 1 piece blank instead of tying a lighter tip into anotehr blank like the Meatstick does.

Just out of curiosity, did it break at the point where the tip section is "tied" into the main part of the blank?

If your using it primarily for perch and eyes, I'd stick with the 28".

[thatoneguy]

I just use any old ice rod for my deadstick - I use just enough of a float to be able to detect a bite (but without providing much if any resistance for the fish to feel) and fish with the bail open. When the float goes down, flip shut the bail and set the hook. Just a thought if you're looking for a very useful way to get more out of what you already have instead of adding new equipment

[walleyeslammer]

Thanks guys, it broke about 1.5 inches down. It was really frustrating because I loved the rod but have always worried about that tip breaking. Another thought, does anyone use a st croix spring bobber set up as a deadstick?

[IlliniWalli]

yep, i do. love those st. croix spring bobbers. put one of them on a cheaper rod and you've got a great deadstick.

i always have a deadstick out and jig with another rod. or depending on the bite sometimes 2 deadsticks w/croix spring bobbers.

[Duffman]

Thanks guys, it broke about 1.5 inches down. It was really frustrating because I loved the rod but have always worried about that tip breaking.

It does sort of stink that you have to be extra careful with the Meatstick. But I guess some equipment just needs a little more attention than other stuff. I'm on my second Meatstick, it's lasted a full year for me. I've treated it like the danty little thing it is, but I also did that with the first one, sometimes stuff happens.

As a deadstick, I do enjoy the Meatstick. A TB Deadstick would also be nice to have, maybe some day for this guy.

[harvey lee]

I would put a new tip top on the rod. It should still work just fine.

[castmaster]

Thanks guys, it broke about 1.5 inches down. It was really frustrating because I loved the rod but have always worried about that tip breaking. Another thought, does anyone use a st croix spring bobber set up as a deadstick?

I actually prefer the JM spring bobber rods to the St Croix ones, and they are less $. I just like that style spring bobber more than the others.

[icekid10]

Another meat stick will work but if you wanna get a rod you can jig with too get a power noodle from thorne. It has a tip like the meat stick and a great backbone. I have seen many large fish caught with these.

[fishwater]

I've done that too. Now I always remove lures and wind the line completely back onto the spool on all my lighter rods before sliding them into sleeves.

For what you want to use it for, longer is better. I use a 32" powernoodle primarily as a walleye deadstick. Besides the lighter tip, the action is very comparable to the regular Thorne Brother deadsticks once you get into the meat of the stick. I've landed a few 25"+ walleye on them. My buddy pulled in a 10+ lb pout on one last year.

[Ed Carlson]

The new Jason Mitchell MeatSticks are a very good choice as well. I especially like the new 48" 2 piece stick.

Hi Vis tip, very sensitive, and a lot of backbone is needed. Can easily serve as a walleye dead-stick as well as for smaller fussier fish like crappie. Strong durable E-Glass blank makes it far more goof proof than others.

[hamms-scooter]

I will be getting a 28" meat stick as well very soon. Jason Mitchell great guy, great product!