To answer the dead-stick question... It's mostly all an experiment! The classic advice is to jig a good bit when you start to attract fish to the area, then it seems like keeping the line still is best most of the time. However I've gotten LOTS of hits when I first drop to the bottom and am cranking back up just a few inches. Seems they often hit on that crank. Also, when you want to pull your bait/lure up to check it, do so s-l-o-w-l-y and you just might get luck on the way up, and discover that fish are suspended at a different level. Play with the options, but yes, most of the time, keep it still. In fact I find that leaving the rod and reel sitting on the ice instead of in my hand, I can detect more subtle bites I would miss. Get one of those little wire extensions for your rod that indicate subtle strikes. They help a lot too. Have fun!
