Deadstick vs. Tip-up

[coldmark]

Heading to LOTW for the first time in Jan. I've been told to leave the tip-ups at home or risk being laughed at. However, I hear a lot of folks claiming good success while "deadsticking". Where I'm from (U.P. of MI), tip-ups are a primary fishing tool.

Please explain why tip-ups aren't effective but deadsticking can be. It seems like they would be very similar approaches. Thanks.

[coldmark]

Also, is the Nite Hawk worth the drive from Zippel Bay? I saw it on the web and it looks like a good bar.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I dont see why using tipups would be such a big deal. I like using tipups myself you can hole hop a good distance from a tipup and still see the take easily. With a deadstick it would seem it would need to be pretty close or you risk losing fish or the pole.

[Tyler D]

Its not so much that tip ups won't work on LOTW, but that they are not necessary, and I would think would be a hassle. On slow days tip ups might bring in a few extra fish, but on normal to fast days you would be much better served dead sticking. You will catch a lot of small fish, and you will probably miss a lot of fish running out to your tip ups and leaving your jigging rod behind, since the vast majority of fish I catch there come jigging, I don't like to leave it alone.

[coldmark]

I'm glad to hear tip-ups do work. I just don't see us each tending 2 poles when we have all that beer to drink! We'll probably each put out 1 tip-up and fish with a jig pole or rattle wheel inside. Thanks.

[Matt Johnson]

There is nothing wrong with tip-ups. I'll often times use both a jigging rod and a tip-up when targeting pike. For catfish and walleye I prefer to deadstick though. Resistance is a big factor here, the less the fish feels the better. I'll use a rod holder approach (like the Rod Rocker by Today's Tackle) for my deadsticking rod. Today's Tackle is also coming out with a new Rod Rocker 2 that will provide another option. If I'm trying to locate fish over a large area, I'll probably use a tip-up though. But, if I'm within close proximity from where my second line is, then I'll go with a deadstick. Both tip-ups and deadsticks have their place and time in my opinion...

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[subzero]

I use tip ups all the time on LOTW, I jig in the fish house and have the tip up with a huge sucker minnow on outside. When the flag goes up it is usually a decent northern. There are not enough flags in a day to take away from catching walleyes so for me it adds to the enjoyment of the day.

[Blaze]

Tipups=great search tools

Last time I was on LOW the tip ups are what got us on the fish. We started out shallow in the morning and set up 2 tipups further out in water 6'-8' deeper. After 10 minutes of jiggin' in the shallows with no fish, the flags started flying. After 4 flags and only one perch up shallow, we moved out deeper and laid into the fish for the rest of the day. We didn't use the tipups again til the afternoon lull, and they got tons of action again closer to dark. I agree with Matt's tension comment tho - we had the flags set light cuz the takes on the tipups were pretty subtle and many of the fish were small. We had 2 or 3 fish on the line that we found when checking bait - too little to break off the ice/snow buildup and pop the flag. It was snowing/blowing like mad with subzero temps and they would occasionally freeze up on us too, so we used deadsticks when the action was good.

[stick]

I like the deadstick and oftentimes catch more 'eyes on it than the jigging stick. I have a camera, and the jig brings them in and they'll watch the jig and then pick up the dead stick bait 3 feet away. I can then gauge the attitude of the fish and either jig passivly if they are taking the dead stick, or they will simply be hitting the jig and I don't need to worry about the deadstick. My $0.02.

[Captain B.R.K]

I was going to add some stuff hear, but Matt beat me to it. I would definately say the same Matt said earlier. I just want to point out a couple of things away from that:

I used tips up previous to my deadstick use and though I did ok with them, I find I like my deadstick a lot better.

WHY?

The softer tip on a deadstick (true deadstick...ex. Thorne Bros Dead Stick, not just a run of the mill graphite rod) shows me that that my minnow is staying active and when that Walter is hanging around, I can see that tip bounce. PLUS when the bite is light, those fish don't have a clue they are about to get their lip ripped as they take in the bait because the sensitivity is far greater than just a tip up.

Another thing is that my deadstick is normally closer to me so I'm able to get to the line faster than a sprint to the tip-up. Also the digits don't freeze up when I'm wrapping up the line

Don't get me wrong, tip ups are great for using on all species of fish but I find I utilize the deadstick more than I do a tip up.

[coldmark]

How do you prevent the deadstick from going in the water if a big fish hits? Also, what's everyones favorite deadstick presentation? It sounds like a regular hook(red) with a live minow(shiner or deadhead) is popular. Anyone use a swedish pimple with a live minow?

[Northlander]

I put my deadstick on my rock n reel or in my Otter holder. Fish will not pull the rod out of either. I set the drag light so if I dont see the fish hit I will hear it taking line. Usually I see my rod tip saging. A rod with a orange or yellow tip section really helps.

Usually I use a real small jig or a hook n split shot. Color of hook varies. I let the fish show me what they want.

At times if finicky the fish want the bait just sitting there. Thats when I anchor it with a jig of some sort.

[Matt Johnson]

I usually put my deadstick rod in a Rod Rocker...

I have a set attached to my Otter seats that come in handy and are within reach...

And even if I choose to hole hop with my jigging rod I can still leave the rod positioned in the Rod Rocker without worrying about the rod going in the water. The Rod Rocker also takes away from the resistance factor as the tip drops when a fish hits and begins to pull...

These Rod Rockers are from Today's Tackle and can be mounted in a variety of different ways and on a variety of different objects.

Today's Tackle is also coming out with a new Rod Rocker for this upcoming ice season that will provide another option for deadsticking. Keep an eye out for it...

As far as what type of presentation I use, it can really vary depending on the species and conditions. Sometimes I'll incorporate some sort of jigging spoon or flutter spoon so I can work it as a jigging rod when the time calls for it. Sometimes I'll run with a plain hook. And sometimes I'll go with a jig of some sort. Usually it's a live-bait rig of some kind. Minnows preferrably when targeting larger gamefish, and maggots or crappie minnows when targeting pannies. Pin-minnows are my preferred method for deadsticking crappies.

Somedays I'll deadstick a Shrimpo with a spring bobber when the pannies turn negative. I've watched bluegills sit and stare at the jig for several minutes before they decide to take it. Any movement at all and they're gone. By dropping down a plastic presentation you can avoid as much movement as possible, yet you still achieve the desired profile. The finesse tail of the plastic is still going to move somewhat, but usually it's not enough to appeal in a negative fashion. Deadsticking for pannies can be very effective on somedays. It comes down to a patience game...

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[ivegottabite]

Matt-

Are the rod rockers only available to mount on the left side of something?

[Matt Johnson]

Nope, they can be mounted on either side, doesn't matter...

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson