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By: Matt Johnson
When ice fishing for crappies, it seems that
sometimes there are a lot of things that are
needed to complete a catch. Increasing
your odds is the name of the game and
going above and beyond the average
techniques is how you win. Deadsticking is
one of those techniques that can increase
your catch on the ice this winter.
Deadsticking basically consists of a stationary rod, either in a rod holder,
across a bucket or whatever way you want. This is meant to keep a
presentation at a certain level and without action from the fisherman. Using a
bobber or float can work as well. A float like the Ice Buster Bobber is a great
way to introduce a deadstick set-up. The action of a deadstick is all
dependent on the bait or lure. Minor adjustments here or there are added,
like a little jiggle of the rod to keep things moving, etc.
Deadsticking has a few major roles:
• It allows you to use two different presentations
• It draws in fish when using a lively minnow
• It allows you to fish at different depths at the same time
covering more of the water column
• It often times weeds out the bigger fish and triggers
them to strike
• It can be your only means of success on a negative day
• And, it doubles your odds when you are trying to
pinpoint the proper presentation
There are more characteristics of deadsticking but I feel those are the most
important.
So, here they are in detail...
It Allows You to Use Two Different Presentations
Using two different presentations allows you to determine what the fish
want faster and more efficiently. When using both maggots and minnows, it
tells you what fish prefer and which ones are not worth using and that given
time. If noticing that minnows are working but you can't buy a crappie on
maggots, then you can switch both lines to minnows and visa versa.
It Draws in Fish When Using a Lively Minnow
This can be one of the most important characteristics. Often have I been
fishing only to have one or two fish show up and then leave, but by dropping
down a minnow on a deadstick, it kept those fish there and also drew fish in
to see what all the commotion is about. Fish will stay as long as they have
food. How many times have you been fishing a school of crappies and after
you catch a fish the school moves on before you can unhook the crappie and
drop your jig back down? I know it has happened to me numerous times,
but by dropping a minnow down on a deadstick you will notice that some of
those schooling crappies will stick around, maybe not to feed on the minnow,
but because they feel food is still in the area. It works.
It Allows You to Fish at Different Depths at the Same Time Covering More of
the Water Column
Finding out what depth the fish are coming through at can be difficult in
deeper water. If you are fishing at the wrong depth then sometimes the fish
won't even come into your area if they are not inline with the jig. By
deadsticking a minnow or maggots, you can utilize more of the water column
and stay inline with those suspended crappies, not to mention those crappies
roaming the bottom too.
It Often Times Weeds Out the Bigger Fish and Triggers Them to Strike
I've noticed this to be the case for crappies on several occasions. The larger
crappies pass up the jig and maggots and engulf the deadsticked minnow on
a plain hook. Often times the more aggressive crappies will take the minnow
and they are typically the first ones you catch, which are also some of the
biggest. Larger crappies often times want a piece of meat and a struggling
minnow is an easy meal.
It Can be Your Only Means of Success on a Negative Day
If you can understand deadsticking and find a system that works, it can
really improve your catch on negative days. On those negative days, spooky
crappies dart at the sign of anything that moves too fast, looks to fake, or
isn't sitting still right in their face. By deadsticking a small 1/64 or even 1/200
oz jig with a single maggot or even a small finesse plastic, you can accumulate
a nice catch even on those tough, seemingly impossible days. Let the fish
have a starring contest with your jig and let the maggot or tiny plastic do the
work. Although you might think the plastic or maggot isn't moving, it is. The
fish know that and those microscopic movements are what those crappies
pick up because they are accustomed to feeding on zooplankton and micro-
organisms ten times (or more) smaller than your jig during the winter. Slowly
will the crappie move towards the jig and with a split-second rake of the gills
the jig is inhaled. The art of keeping the jig as motionless as possible can
really help on those days when nothing else works.
And, it Doubles Your Odds When You are Trying to Pinpoint the Proper
Presentation
Doubling your odds, now who wouldn't want that? Increasing your odds is
the name of the game, and by deadsticking you are doing what it takes to
catch fish and improve on a day of fishing.
One great option for a deadstick rod holder is the Rod Rocker 2. The Rod
Rocker 2 allows the fish to feel very little resistance when taking the bait. So,
not only does it act as a strike indicator, but it also doubles as a finesse tool.
Try deadsticking for crappies next time you are on the lake if you haven't
already. You might be surprised.
***Matt owns and operates Matt Johnson Outdoors (www.
mattjohnsonoutdoors.com) where he provides guided fishing trips all year
round and also offers fishing tips and videos. You can also find Matt at
Thorne Brothers in Fridley, MN (www.thornebros.com), where he works
helping others learn about the great sport of fishing. Matt’s ability to
effectively communicate with others and his ambition for the sport of fishing
is where he excels. Whether Matt’s giving a seminar, writing a fishing article,
spending time at Thorne Brothers, or out on the lake, he enjoys what he
does!
To contact Matt please visit his website at www.MattJohnsonOutdoors.com.
When ice fishing for crappies, it seems that
sometimes there are a lot of things that are
needed to complete a catch. Increasing
your odds is the name of the game and
going above and beyond the average
techniques is how you win. Deadsticking is
one of those techniques that can increase
your catch on the ice this winter.
Deadsticking basically consists of a stationary rod, either in a rod holder,
across a bucket or whatever way you want. This is meant to keep a
presentation at a certain level and without action from the fisherman. Using a
bobber or float can work as well. A float like the Ice Buster Bobber is a great
way to introduce a deadstick set-up. The action of a deadstick is all
dependent on the bait or lure. Minor adjustments here or there are added,
like a little jiggle of the rod to keep things moving, etc.
Deadsticking has a few major roles:
• It allows you to use two different presentations
• It draws in fish when using a lively minnow
• It allows you to fish at different depths at the same time
covering more of the water column
• It often times weeds out the bigger fish and triggers
them to strike
• It can be your only means of success on a negative day
• And, it doubles your odds when you are trying to
pinpoint the proper presentation
There are more characteristics of deadsticking but I feel those are the most
important.
So, here they are in detail...
It Allows You to Use Two Different Presentations
Using two different presentations allows you to determine what the fish
want faster and more efficiently. When using both maggots and minnows, it
tells you what fish prefer and which ones are not worth using and that given
time. If noticing that minnows are working but you can't buy a crappie on
maggots, then you can switch both lines to minnows and visa versa.
It Draws in Fish When Using a Lively Minnow
This can be one of the most important characteristics. Often have I been
fishing only to have one or two fish show up and then leave, but by dropping
down a minnow on a deadstick, it kept those fish there and also drew fish in
to see what all the commotion is about. Fish will stay as long as they have
food. How many times have you been fishing a school of crappies and after
you catch a fish the school moves on before you can unhook the crappie and
drop your jig back down? I know it has happened to me numerous times,
but by dropping a minnow down on a deadstick you will notice that some of
those schooling crappies will stick around, maybe not to feed on the minnow,
but because they feel food is still in the area. It works.
It Allows You to Fish at Different Depths at the Same Time Covering More of
the Water Column
Finding out what depth the fish are coming through at can be difficult in
deeper water. If you are fishing at the wrong depth then sometimes the fish
won't even come into your area if they are not inline with the jig. By
deadsticking a minnow or maggots, you can utilize more of the water column
and stay inline with those suspended crappies, not to mention those crappies
roaming the bottom too.
It Often Times Weeds Out the Bigger Fish and Triggers Them to Strike
I've noticed this to be the case for crappies on several occasions. The larger
crappies pass up the jig and maggots and engulf the deadsticked minnow on
a plain hook. Often times the more aggressive crappies will take the minnow
and they are typically the first ones you catch, which are also some of the
biggest. Larger crappies often times want a piece of meat and a struggling
minnow is an easy meal.
It Can be Your Only Means of Success on a Negative Day
If you can understand deadsticking and find a system that works, it can
really improve your catch on negative days. On those negative days, spooky
crappies dart at the sign of anything that moves too fast, looks to fake, or
isn't sitting still right in their face. By deadsticking a small 1/64 or even 1/200
oz jig with a single maggot or even a small finesse plastic, you can accumulate
a nice catch even on those tough, seemingly impossible days. Let the fish
have a starring contest with your jig and let the maggot or tiny plastic do the
work. Although you might think the plastic or maggot isn't moving, it is. The
fish know that and those microscopic movements are what those crappies
pick up because they are accustomed to feeding on zooplankton and micro-
organisms ten times (or more) smaller than your jig during the winter. Slowly
will the crappie move towards the jig and with a split-second rake of the gills
the jig is inhaled. The art of keeping the jig as motionless as possible can
really help on those days when nothing else works.
And, it Doubles Your Odds When You are Trying to Pinpoint the Proper
Presentation
Doubling your odds, now who wouldn't want that? Increasing your odds is
the name of the game, and by deadsticking you are doing what it takes to
catch fish and improve on a day of fishing.
One great option for a deadstick rod holder is the Rod Rocker 2. The Rod
Rocker 2 allows the fish to feel very little resistance when taking the bait. So,
not only does it act as a strike indicator, but it also doubles as a finesse tool.
Try deadsticking for crappies next time you are on the lake if you haven't
already. You might be surprised.
***Matt owns and operates Matt Johnson Outdoors (www.
mattjohnsonoutdoors.com) where he provides guided fishing trips all year
round and also offers fishing tips and videos. You can also find Matt at
Thorne Brothers in Fridley, MN (www.thornebros.com), where he works
helping others learn about the great sport of fishing. Matt’s ability to
effectively communicate with others and his ambition for the sport of fishing
is where he excels. Whether Matt’s giving a seminar, writing a fishing article,
spending time at Thorne Brothers, or out on the lake, he enjoys what he
does!
To contact Matt please visit his website at www.MattJohnsonOutdoors.com.
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Deadsticking for Crappies
