Deadsticking for lakers

[bouldertrout]

Reading online, it seems that you want to use a smaller bait and a few feet off of the bottom when deadsticking for lakers. I was wondering if you suggest any particular bait for that? I usually fish at Granby and jig with a 3"-4" white tube with sucker meat, but haven't yet figured out the deadstick setup. Appreciate any comments!

[JohnnyO19]

I have usually had success using a tube jig/ sucker meat combo (sometimes smaller tube like a 2.5) as a dead stick. Depending how deep you are fishing, with 2 rods, they may come in for the jigging tube, and hit the dead stick. If they are in a pack, it's not uncommon to get doubles as they hit both your jigging rod and dead stick. In deeper water be careful how close your 2 rods are, sucks when they wrap up.

Also, make sure drag is set right and/or rod is secure, they will steal your dead stick if not paying attention 

[stinkyfingers]

At the risk of getting Slayer's blood pressure up, you might think about putting that dead stick in a JawJacker in case they're biting soft. Laker (and Pike) rods can be on the stiff side and a soft bite might go undetected.

[fishslap]

I use to dead stick with salmon spawn and large demon jigs.  Worked great for granby 20 inchers.  You need to line watch or use a spring bobber on the rod.

[mattyt]

maybe even a tipup with a small dead sucker

[SLAYERFISH]

Roe sacs are like crack to a ho-

[bouldertrout]

All, thanks for the helpful advice! I appreciate it!

Johny, I hear "set your drag carefully", but it is not quite clear to me what exactly that means (I am a newbie). I have lost lakers on the jigging rod giving little drag to have a strong hook set and then loosing the drag a bit so the fish can run, if needed. I use a heavy rod with a 10 lb floro, so I don't have much flexibility in the rod/line.

[fricknfishn]

Put the deadstick bait on the bottom watching them with a aqua view they would rather take it off the bottom. They will come in on camera wile I jig it but wont hit it till I settle it to the bottom. Imo 

[Baetis62]

I use to dead stick with salmon spawn and large demon jigs.  Worked great for granby 20 inchers.  You need to line watch or use a spring bobber on the rod.

Since we only get two here in CO I like to jig both R/L with Marcum in the middle but if you gotta have a beer and some grub this is the answer.