Dead bait just under the ice???

[stoutbait]

I only started using dead bait last season and it produced some good fishing. Normal presentation is about 6" to 1' off the bottom under a windlass or BD. I was wondering if anyone fished dead baits up high just under the ice? Any luck with this tactic?

[Flypopper]

I've heard that pike will cruise just under the ice in shallow bays so could be worth a try. I have had good luck with dead bait.

[monoped]

Used to go with frozen whole smelt from dipping season, swedish hooks and balancing them level a couple feet under the ice. They seem to glow.

[SeisMec]

I've caught dozens of pike with a foot of water under the ice in sloughs in North Dakota using 4" smelt on a treble hook.

[fishm_n]

I only started using dead bait last season and it produced some good fishing. Normal presentation is about 6" to 1' off the bottom under a windlass or BD. I was wondering if anyone fished dead baits up high just under the ice? Any luck with this tactic?

whats your target fish??

I catch all sizes of trout dead sticking smelt heads. 

This weekend one hook was 3' under in 9' water and the other 5' under in 20' both got fish.

The rainbow were shallower and brookies where deeper.  It was clear ice with a skim of snow in clear water.

[stoutbait]

Targeting Pike.

[FRESHBAIT]

I fished a pike tourney last year and had great success with dead smelts just under the ice.  I'd take them and stomp them to smoosh them and get some more scent out of them. We had a quite a few fish caught in 1'. Or less of water but majority were in 15' with baits set at all depths. From on the bottom to just under ice. 

[stoutbait]

Thanks for the info guys good luck to all of you!

[fishm_n]

glad to help!!

[Gills-only]

Pike can only see upward the way their eyes are set in their head, so the higher up might be better.