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What did you guys prefer for your deadstick setup? I've always preferred a slip bobber to allow light biting fish to really get ahold of the bait, but I see a lot of guys going with just a soft tipped rod.Why do you prefer the method you use?
I have been using pencil style slip floats exclusively for over ten years now on all my ice rods, much less resistance than even a limp tipped rod. On a light bite with a correctly weighted pencil float and a bit of slack line there is virtually no resistance and the fish gets an extra second or two to ensure a good hook set. I probably see more fish lost in the winter to guys without a float due to an early hook set than anything, especially for walleye and perch. On a really light bite for walleye the jig can be set right on the bottom with the float laying flat, when the jig is picked up the float stands up.............once again almost zero resistance. Success equals confidence............ ..fish with whatever you have confidence in, for me it is a float.
There are many options, but my preference is a slip float with the bail left open.I have been doing this for many years with great results. Often jigging will bring in finicky fish that will hit the dead stick but not the jig.It's also easy to see when your minow is not lively and fresh one may be needed.2x that your peripheral vision picks up the float easily. (Image removed from quote.)
Interesting read, thanks for the replies. I guess the biggest thing keeping me using a float is not wanting to watch two rod tips. I tend to focus in on my jigging rod and can check my bobber quick with peripheral vision rather than having to watch a rod tip. Plus I fish at night a lot in a very dark shanty so a fluorescent float is just easier to monitor. I'd also worry about a deadstick with zero slack line getting pulled down the hole by a fast moving fish. To each their own though, watching rod tips seems to work extremely well for a lot of guys.
For those that use slip bobbers, how do you keep the line marker in place when reeling in a fish? Seems like I always have to reset the knot after reeling in a fish with any heft to it and it really slows things down, especially fishing deeper.
That's all I use, too. Last weekend fishing LOW, had to reset the knot after almost every fish, no matter if I was using braid or mono. Same for my fishing buddy, so it wasnt just me. I just can't seem to get them tight enough to stay put.