is anybody dropping flukes yet, I bought these Littlejohn rigs and I'm sure itching to tie'em on...

Yes, for over two weeks. However, moving the boat via drift socks or into wind via trolling motor @.04 mph is key. Put out a cple ghost poles and hold another, at different depths . Bite has been light or simply a " push up ".
Nothing huge mostly 5 pounders with some angry eights mixed in.
Sandbass are fattening up and aggressive. Pushing bait up on flats , easy pickens, slab ,buck tail with trailer or crank bait.

thank you for your help, that awesome.

Have read a couple of posts about ghost poles but don't know what they are, explanation please?

Have read a couple of posts about ghost poles but don't know what they are, explanation please?

Designated pole set up with slab or jig(s) tandem or single. Pole placed in rod holder just like many people do when live bait fishing.
The phrase when referenced to "dead sticking" means unmanned or not held.
If the ghost pole consistently gets hits, get it out and hold, just make sure u hold pole still.

Dead sticking does not mean unmanned.

Gborg explained it quite well, the idea is to have as much �bait� in the water as possible. Slab/fly combo, or fluke combos. Double rigged Is what I prefer. Also, change color up on each rod till you find what is working more consistent.

The phrase when referenced to "dead sticking" means unmanned or not held
Ghost pole , when REFERENCED. to "dead sticking" !

All these answers are correct. I always thought ghost poles were unmanned in a rodholder with different baits/colors than the ones being held. As many as possible to give the fish different options and us a good idea what they prefer. I almost always have a couple out that fish have hit on previous trips. You still need to watch them closely since the bites are so subtle this time of year.

Imagine the lightest Crappie bite possible, that could be a 10lb Hybrid. Wintertime fishing is great.

This^^^
I�ve had striper up to 18 lbs bite like a baby crappie till hookset then nearly yank the rod out of my hands. Surprise surprise!

That�s what keeps me at the lake this time of year! I�m hunting this week and next, then it�s back to the lake.

My thoughts only an unmanned deadstick rod in a holder will lose 80% or more bites + fish caught vs one hand held, I also learned the hard way there. I do really enjoy it. As far as a light bite when you feel nothing set hook, swimming up with it is very common. I like a stiffer action rod for better set.

This is true lenahorse. But if you notice the bites you can take it out and hold it and put th other in the holder.

Use braid, makes it easier to feel or see the light bite.

How do u dead stick????

20 lb multicolor braid to 15 lb Flourocarbon, 7 ft medium/heavy rod. Locate fish, turn on BoBo thumper. When fish move under the boat, they always do, get comfortable in bow seat. Drop braid, different color every 5 ft, to depth fish are at. Sit back, hold rod still.
Options dependent on wind. Use Xi5 to move boat as necessary. Hold or very slow troll.

I am long retired and lazy. Multi rods are of no interest as I catch all I want fishing 3 to 4 days a week.

This is good!! Thanks!

This has been my experience. I have witnessed people landing them with their gear in rod holders, I just cannot react fast enough I guess. It is more enjoyable to me to just hold one rod in my hand. A lot of the bites still result with no fish.
It is about two feet from the reel to the first eye on the rod. I just strip the line until the slab or soft plastic is just above the school & wait for one to nibble on it.

Following... hoping to get a chance to give it a shot on the kayak. This will be my first winter probably ever taking big the kayak out and have yet to catch a hybrid or striper. Thanks for the info

I can't seem to get hook ups with a rod that stiff. I like using the lighter action rods.

Gulp