Dead Sticking and Rod Rocker 2

[broncosguy711]

ok, do not know much about dead sticking. I figured to a point that is the same as bobber fishing. What is the difference.

I also bought the Rod Rocker 2 how will the rod not fall out on a strike? and how can you tell of a bite? I take it the pole stays down?

thanks-

Broncs

[harvey lee]

It is the same as bobber fishing only you dont use a bobber.What I do is place my Thorne Bros deadstick rod in the Rod Rocker and when a fish bites you will see the rod go down.With the Thorne Bros rod you can see the minnow wiggle on the rod tip.Great way to fish a second line.The rod rocker will stay in place and your rod will rock up and down with the bite instead of watching the bobber go down,and the rod will not come off.You will see the fish hanging on your line.I guess the best way to explain it is the rod will swivel in the rod rocker and will only go down so far.

I drilled two holes on the edge of my portable tub along side my seat,so the rod is right next to you.You can also mount it on a flat board for fishing outside the house.It will keep your rod from sliding down the hole if a fish takes the bait.I have not lost a pole down the hole since using these holders.Great addition to your fishing tools.

I suppose if you were to be far enough away from the rod and a fish big enough hit the bait that just maybe the pole might go someplace other than intended.I am never that far away from my lines.

[broncosguy711]

Thanks for the info. Ice fishing is slowly getting more and more of my attention.

Can I fish with my normal rod and reel? Or do I need a special rod. I normally fish with ultra light and 4 or 6 lb test line.

Thanks-

Broncs

[harvey lee]

You can fish with the rod that you have.I bought a deadstick rod from Thorne Bros for just this and it works great,but another rod will work.

[broncosguy711]

What is the difference of a dead stick rod and the one I use?

[CrappieJohn]

You can fish almost any ice rod from the rod rocker 2. And you can make a mound about half the size of a softball from auger chippings and stick the tines into it to hold the rocker.

These little gadgets make any rod a very sensitive creature and are an excellent way to deadstick some live bait.

[broncosguy711]

OK so what your telling me is this thing pretty much lets the fish set the hook on it self? I am just wondering as I know how the perch and stuff can be. So i watch rod goes down and stays down. then just pick up? or do I have to set the hook? and rip their eyes out setting the hook ?

thanks

Broncs

[Dennis Steele]

SOme fish may set the hook themselves, but I usually will set the hook as well.

With finicky fish, the Rod Rocker 2 is effective at detecting those light bitters as well.

You may see your rod tip rise or tip down just a little bit.

One tip on mounting the Rod Rocker 2 on your tub is to drill your holes so that the Rod Rocker is at a slight angle toward the hole. The tines then rest on the under side of the tub and makes the whole set up much more stable.

[harvey lee]

I still set the hook,but I dont rip thier eyes out.If the fish has the rod tipped down and when you go to pick it up and the rod is up,then I would wait just a bit incase he let go,if there is still tension on the line,then I slightly set it a little and start reeling.

[marine_man]

Quote:

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What is the difference of a dead stick rod and the one I use?

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The Thorne Bros Deadstick rod has got a short section of "noodle" rod for detecting really light bites... the noodle portion of the rod is sensitive enough to bounce all over when you have a good sized minnow swimming around. The back 7/8 of the rod is stiffer and has a great backbone... I've seen a 9lb walleye landed on the Thorne Bros deadstick landed without problem and have used it for perch when I didn't have my ultralight with... it's a great versatile rod.

The drawback - they're a little spendy... Here's the link: Thorne Bros Deadstick

One other thing... any rod will work for the Rod Rocker2 or deadsticking for that matter... the deadstick is perhaps more sensitive, but before I bought my deadstick I used a normal walleye jigging rod which worked good too...

marine_man

[broncosguy711]

thanks guys. I am actually mounting it into a 2 x 8.

[broncosguy711]

How do I tell if it is the minnow (shiner) or a fish?

thanks-

Broncs

[Matt Johnson]

Minnows will usually only "dance" the rod while in the Rod Rocker 2, where a fish will actually cause a more noticeable movement. The thing here is that the rod is perfectly balanced, so too much tension one way or the other will cause the rod to dip or rise. Typically the minnow won't be able to do that, unless you're working large suckers or shiners...

[broncosguy711]

Thanks to all who responded. And thanks to anyone else who stillwould like to chime in on this.

Broncs