For my dead stick I always used a plain hook and split shoot weight about 3” up. But after watching some videos last night I am thinking there might be some better options. In what situations do you use different setups on your dead stick?
I also use just a plain red hook with split shots. Have never had luck with any jigs of any type.
Depends on the bite and how the fish are reacting. If fish are slow I use very small treble and split shot (try to keep it looking as natural as possible). But if fish are more active I will use a tingler spoon.
My old standby is usually a gem-n-eye or the glow venom inferno minnow for night fishing..
Used to go with red tru turn and split shot but last couple seasons VMC glow resin treble has been good on LOW
Usually just an 1/8 oz Northland Gumball jig, weight depending on depth and size of minnow. After dark, a glow version sometimes.
There are two things I use almost exclusively (for walleye, I use nothing else on my dead stick). Haven’t really found a noticeable difference between the two in terms of success. Both seem to work well:
1) Northland makes a single hook forage minnow jig. Pink glow is the color I typically use, but that can be dependent on the body of water.
2). A pink (again, on home water, but color varies depending on location/water clarity) Gamakatsu octopus hook topped with a few pink and/or chartreuse beads to add a little more color, weight, and a little noise/vibration (if the minnow is lively, or I typically give the dead stick a little rip every now and then).
I like to have as little weight separated a distance from the hook as possible and both options can provide that, although occasionally a split shot is necessary. Avoids the annoying tangles that can happen, less crap hanging down there for finicky fish to spook on, can use a lighter bobber to help with bites. I’ve found I notice the crappie “lift” bites sooner from time to time (but maybe confirmation bias).
Works for anything from panfish to pike, just need to vary the size. As it gets later in the season and the fishing slows down, I downsize for crappies and walleyes and it seems to keep them somewhat interested.
#1 hook and splitshot
#2 Demon
#3 something else. If the first two aren’t working than it’s hail mary time. nothing else will be either
I start with a plain hook and a weight 6″ above. If the fish are really turned off I go to a chartreuse cj&s striper special with a small minnow. Change up the colors for the to see what they want or start with a color that works well on the lake I’m on.
Plain hook with a split shot a bit above it is the best I’ve found. Play around with paint colors as well. In my local spots pink or neon orange seems to work really well.
I’m a Demon lover as well with the dead stick/rattle reel. Anything that glows but preferably orange or red.
Forage minnow jig worked great on Mille Lacs last year
I also use just a plain red hook with split shots. Have never had luck with any jigs of any type.
X2
I usually start with a #6 Blue Glow Lindy Frosty Jig.
I have some demon jigs, but to be honest, I have never used them. What do you guys tip them with for walleye or crappie? Minnows hooked through lips or back? Waxies or something for panfish?
Shiners or fatheads for walleye. James said on a show last year to hook it so hook comes out parallel to head. Tried it last year and my hook up percentage increased by alot
I know it’s about jigs, but I’ve dead stick minnow heads on just about a variety of spoons and it’s worked for me.
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