why is deadsticking so much cooler or pc?

[bigbucks]

When did it become so taboo to say bobber fishing so it has to be coded as deadsticking? (Unless I'm really missing the boat on the meaning of this term, but I don't think so.) It's still the same thing, it works, why the new term? To me it seems like everybody must feel like they're a kid if they're bobber fishing, but if they're "deadsticking" they're a guide or an outfitter. It doesn't matter & it's not that I'm opposed to the terminology it's just one of those things I don't really get. I'm imagining it helped sell some fishing magazines, or got a few more people to come to a seminar. Oh deadsticking, I've never heard of that, better check that out...

Incidentally, I use my kid's short little Scooby Doo & Tweety rods as additional bobber rods when ice fishing. My Dad caught our biggest walleye, a 24" on Scooby no problem on our last week trip to LOW. They don't have the best drag in the world, but if you've ever hand over hand ice fished it's not much trouble to play them a little, especially in deeper water where there's a little more line to stretch. I've also used them when I've been drifting for panfish with the kids & they get bored & I want to change lures on my line. It helps keep the kids interested when they're pole becomes the "lucky" one. I bought those for when they started fishing as they cost $10 or less, they like the cartoon characters, & of course if they break them or drop them in the lake, not much lost. It's interesting how this last summer my son turned 6 & wanted to use a bigger rod that casts farther...

He also thought it was kind of neat that Grandpa caught the big fish on his Scooby rod, but he said, "Hey he didn't ask if he could use it!"

[fiskyknut]

Deadstick in my book has no bobber on it, but a Bobberrod does.

fiskyknut

[Pig_sticka]

Deadstick to me says using any line where you aren't jigging it.

So either a bobber or not that is what I call it.

[Rick]

Deadsticking does not usually utilize a bobber. If we're bobber fishing we call it that.

Deadsticking often utilizes a rod holder and some are better than others. However, you can also set a deadstick on the ice. The type of rod also makes a differance as does the lure and/or bait combination.

There are a number a variables that can help with the effectiveness of the presentation depending on fish activity levels. That's why the discussion on deadsticking can be interesting.

A deadstick is almost always your second rod and is normally close at hand so when it get's activity you can work it to trigger a strike or set the hook.

There is a lot more to discuss and we all have our preferences. Some work better than others in given situations. Maybe we will get it rolling in this thread???

[Matt Johnson]

Yep, deadsticking doesn't use a bobber. It's a system where you allow either a sensitive/flimsy rod tip or a rod rocker of some sort to detect the bite. It's meant so you can actively fish stationary rods. I know it's a play on words, but it has some meaning. When you fish a bobber or a float rig, you are tied into one depth, unless you change the slip-knot or peg. So what if fish are coming in at different depths? With a deadsticking rig you can reel up or drop down to where the fish are and then return the rod to the deadstick position to watch for the bite. You have more flexibility on what depths you can cover in the water column and it allows you to aggressively target finicky fish. You also don't have to worry about bobbers/floats freezing up and you can easily turn your deadstick rod into a jigging rod if the situation calls for it. I use deadsticking for just about every species when out on the ice, ranging anywhere from crappies to pike, walleyes and catfish.

Some options for deadsticking would be the actual rods designed for deadsticking with a sensitive, bright colored tip, or else a rod holder like the Lazy Jigger, the Rod Rocker, etc...

Bobbers and floats still have their place in the ice anglers arsenal.

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[who are those guy]

What blows my mind is that people buy $75.00 "deadstick rods" when a dang quarter can buy a bobber which does the same thing.

"Ultra sensitive tip for light bites" ..junk

I am going to sell "ultra sensative bobbers" next - $5 bucks a pop (for a bobber that barely floats)

[Dave]

Geez, I thought "deadsticking" meant fishing with one of those old icefishing sticks, the one you wrapped the line around two pegs, with the metal point on the end of it

[wall eyell be]

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What blows my mind is that people buy $75.00 "deadstick rods" when a dang quarter can buy a bobber which does the same thing.

"Ultra sensitive tip for light bites" ..junk

I am going to sell "ultra sensative bobbers" next - $5 bucks a pop (for a bobber that barely floats)

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OK, now ya got me confused.

$75 vs $5? With a name like "Big Bucks" what's it matter ?

[Keith_MN]

We could have the same conversation around 'tightlining'. Just another name for 'jigging' in my book.

[Northlander]

Yes I can trim down a Ice Buster bobber so that the fish doesnt feel any resistance when it takes my bait. As Matt says though with a deadsticking rod and no bobber on its much easier to put your bait where the fish are. At times this isnt much of a concern but when fishing Lake Superior or lakes for Crappies I often use a deadstick so I can get up to the suspended fish quickly. Much fatser than moving a bobber stop. If your deadstick is set right you can see your minnow bobbing your rod tip up and down slightly. Then when a fish hits it drops your rod tip and you grab the rod and set the hook.

I use both setups at different times. If I know the fish will more than likely come in at a certain depth I go with a bobber. If not I use my Rock n Reel rod holder or Lazy Jigger. I also have been using my Fish n Chum and have found that to be a good tool. I like the fact I can jig my baits with different leg movements. Ill admitt it looked goofy but after using it Ive come to like it.

Whatever you use make sure its what your comfortable with. Theres nothing wrong with a good bobber.

[bigbucks]

For the record, I'm not the one that said that. Nice play on words on my handle though, even though it has to do with deer not money.

[bigbucks]

Okay, so obviously I was confused on what you guys meant by a deadstick. I actually do that fairly often with my jigging rod, sometimes because I'm tired of jigging, usually because I need to do something else for a minute. I don't have any rod holders for that, but I'll just lay my rod somewhere, or prop it somehow to get my bait in the fish zone. I too have caught a fair number of panfish & occasionally walleyes this way, but typically my second line has always been a bobber, as it's just too difficult for me to concentrate that hard on two lines.

Thanks guys for clearing up the confusion. I just have heard so little talk about anyone ever using a bobber, that it was my understanding it was just a new term for the same thing. I still know an awful lot of ice fishermen that use nothing but bobbers, I'd imagine you guys do too, usually they're the guys with more time on their hands or are less concerned about actually catching fish all the time.

I guess I need to fish with some of you other guys to try to learn some more new tactics. Can't do the FMer thing on the 19th though, gotta watch the NCAA's. I love to fish, but not during March Madness, maybe sneak out in the morning around here before the coverage starts.

[Guest]

I believe using a deadstick is just personal choice.Usually when fishing for crappies I will always jig one pole and deadstick the other ,so if a school of fish come through 5-8 ft higher, I can reel other line up quick and have 2 lines in the strike zone, one being my jig and the other option being my deadstick with a minnow to cover both sides. A good deadstick yes is not cheap to buy and its another rod and reel to buy,just another tool in the weaponery.I like to have everything possible on my side when trying to catch fish.Yes there is nothing wrong with a bobber,use spring bobbers for the light bite and sometimes use ice buster floats trim to size for those finnicky eyes.

[who are those guy]

I know what all you guys mean on versatility - but I am joshing on the dudes that come in my ice house with all their fancy equipment and jargon & then prop their rod up on a bucket and call it a deadstick. Just makes me laugh. You can sell those guys anything.

Thats why I like those icebusters so well for second hole. Easy to pop on and off, depth adjust & cut to size.

[Jeremy airjer W]

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I am going to sell "ultra sensative bobbers" next - $5 bucks a pop (for a bobber that barely floats)

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LOL

[Rick]

Ice Buster bobbers are popular for a reason. They can be made to barely float and certainly don't cost $5 a piece.

Sorry, but Ice Buster beat you to it and at a lower cost

[GullGuide]

True "Deadsticking" is a little more involved than just throwing a bait down and sticking the rod in a holder. It's a finesse presentation that allows you to put the bait where the fish are in the water column without having to mess with bobbers, line markers, etc. All one needs to do is drop down the transducer, reel up or let out line and you are in buisness.

When I "Deadstick" I usually use a rod that is 40" plus, a rod holder that allows the rod to move freely such as the Rock-N-Reel, and a reel with a bait feeder option such as an Okuma Epixor.

The long rod lets a fish take the bait with less resistance coupled with the holder and bait feeder reel they almost never know they are hooked, or about to be hooked. Using a circle hook here is a good choice because they will many times hook themselves.

"Deadsticking" has it's time and place, but when used in the right situation it is a very deadly method.

[wall eyell be]

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I actually do that fairly often with my jigging rod, sometimes because I'm tired of jigging, usually because I need to do something else for a minute.

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Like what ??

Again I'm confused !!

What could possibly be so urgent as to cause you to abondon your jigging rod "for a minute"

[walleyehawk]

Buddy of mine deadsticks with his second rod. Uses a spring bobber for panfish and can see the slightest bites. Very effective with a very light spring bobber. Bobbers are OK for kids and wall eyell be , but spring bobbers are the ticket for your second rod.

That and the spring bobber is more visable than a bobber if you are a few feet away.

And this guy always out catches anyone in the group 3:1. On Red Lake, it was fun to watch him sprint between holes when the spring bobber would go down. Between rods, he put on a clinic. And even if the bite is slow or light, he eeks out his limit in a few hours.

I especially like it when he is not looking, I even catch a few on his rod.

Why abandon the jigging rod--plenty of reasons. Pit stop, change lures, give snow swirlies to walleyellbe's kid when he is telling everyone how good our bite is. That is when the deadstick comes in handy.

Just make sure the rod is on the bucket right so it does not go down the hole with a strong bite--as I was reminded a few times.

[CRAPPIEBAIT]

To be honest with you guy's,I DO NOT have a single bobber in my boxes.I only "DEADSTICK" & jig while the deadstick does it's magic.While fishing a "local" lake towards the end of the Walleye season,the only thing I could get them to hit was the deadstick.I do not know why.I tried many,many,many different approaches,but time after time almost every fish was on the deadstick.

On the part about the $75.00 per a rod,buy 1 and you will understand why.Try the Thorne Bros. rod,and ask the guy's there what the bennifits are from a .75 cent bobber to a $75.00 rod.If they raised the cost to $100.00 it's still worth the money.

[muskybuck]

Bobbers are OK for kids, heh, heh, heh.

Hey BigBucks, do you ever get the feeling no matter what you say your gonna get a kick in the butt?

[bigbucks]

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Why abandon the jigging rod--plenty of reasons. Pit stop, change lures, grab the bobber, get my kids something to eat, etc.

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Exactly!

Personally I still enjoy watching a bobber go down the hole, but I love to jig too.

[The Grebe]

Here is another one that made me smile....from the time I was a kid, we called the set up a river rig, make a quick loop in the line, link a bell sinker at the end of the loop, tie a hook to the end of the single strand and you were ready to fish the current. If there were alot of snags, or you were using a cane pole, pinching split shots on the end of the loop, kept you from breaking off as much...now I think it is called "Drop Shotting"?

"Sight Fishing" is another thing, I did'nt know it was actually a system like "Dead Sticking" or whatever else? I thought it was just looking down the ice hole in a clear lake, to see what was going on, some lakes being better then others!

Does using an Aqua View constitute sight fishing, or is this a different catagory I have to learn? How about spearing? Is it still refered to as spearing, or is there a new terminology I have to know, when talking to someone in a darkhouse, so as not to offend them?

I guess I have been fishing to much and have unknowingly excluded myself from the informational loop!

[Ice9]

While we're on terminology...

I bought this thing at a fishing show. It's a wire frame like a gallows with a d-ring and an s-hook on the rod, held with a zip-tie, so the rod dangles. With a little casting rod with the drag set very light, a crappie will take the bait, the rod will angle down, and they don't drop it, and if they get going they'll take line. I keep a bobber-stop on the line as a marker. To hookset, or when a big northern takes the bait I can thumb the drag--can't do that with a spin reel. This rig is very effective. Last night it outfished five other guys about 2-1 COMBINED before the fish started biting well, then stayed about even when the bite was on. The wind gives the rod a little action, too. Only drawback is that the holder is about 18 inches tall, and I'd like one that's about four feet tall to make it easer to grab. Is this a rod-rocker?

ice

[who are those guy]

I am going to have to respectfully disagree on any ice rod being worth $75.00. I use some of Thorne bros parts for making my rods & they do have some great stuff. But not for that price.

Those guys do hold a very high regard for their rods. One of those guys told me that "every maker of ice rods uses Thorne bros rod design" Come on now. I didnt

One last question for you deadstickers. Other than instant depth adjustability - What is the difference between a very sensative bobber, no movement & right depth to that of a deadstick sensative rod? Bobbers dont have to submerge to give a sign - slight movements or 'pops' in a bobber can give a telltale sign that a fish hit coming up & staying up or even an inhale tap. I lose no jigability (is that a word?) with a bobber. I believe its the same technique - just with different tools.