Dead Bait Tips Needed

[Deep_Sinker]

Hey all. I have a question about using dead bait such as smelt or ciscos for 'gator' fishing. What is the best technique when using these baits? Should I be setting the bait on the bottom or suspended? Which bait works better for big pike? Also, has anyone found a good way to keep them on the hook?

[metrojoe]

Pike hooks work really well for dead bait. I usually suspend them 1 to 3 feet off the bottom depending on the depth. I've gotten away from smelt over the years, but not by choice. At one time smelt was available at just about any bait shop, now it seems a special trip is required to get it. Plus it was tough to find the big ones. I just started buying shiners and suckers and freezing them myself.

[stellarfisher]

If you are looking for a good setup, I would recommend the wind tip-ups, fishing a couple of feet off of the bottom. This will give you the added action if you do not want to sit and jig the whole time. As far as keeping the dead bait hooked you can wrap a small amount of fine netting around the bait to keep it attached to the hook. Hope this helps!

[icehousebob]

For dead bait tipups, I make quickstrike leaders with a 3/0 single hook and treble about three inches down from it. Above the single hook, I put a few beads and a spinner blade. I like to color the smelt green with food coloring so they show up better. Hook the large single hook through the back and the treble on the head. For general Pike fishing, I suspend it about half way down. For the biggies, I put it closer to the bottom.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I use a 3/0 hook. After mid-Jan I plop a smelt right smack dab on the bottom. I'll kind of jig it every now and then to stirr up the muck on the bottom.

I've found this works best later in the season for the bigger pike. I've often wondered if they kind of go dormant and don't want to work that hard at feeding. It's kind of cool, you can see them in the camera come by and just scoop them up.

If you can't find smelt at the bait shop the grocery store usually has them.

[Lunker]

All good tips. Quick strike is probably the way to go. I use frozen herring that I had shipped to me, and if you can find it it's a very good sized, oily fish that the pike love. If you are fishing deeper water I would put the bait a few feet off the bottom, but in shallower water(15ft or less) I put the bait approx half way down, so 6-8 ft down in 12-15 ft of water, 4-5 in 8, etc. Deadbait has been very effective for me, and it's also very convenient. Good luck

[efgh]

Don;t forget to try the dead bait rig 1 - 2 ft. under the ice, caught numerious pike this way in 20 ft. of water, use this with a windlas tip up, fish deeper with your other line.