I have never had luck dead sticking. I know it works cause I see people catching fish all around me.

In the winter you dead stick? True? You have to just float the bait in front of them and hope they eat it. That is the winter fishing method.

My question is this...If that is the winter method, how is it that Dennis Christian can go out in the winter and use his same old Mepps way of fishing and catch fish in the winter?

So now then, is dead sticking just one of several ways to catch fish in the winter? If so, what are the others?
We have
1. Dead sticking
2. Dennis C's Mepps method
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?

I would imagine that a very slow presentation would be the norm, I see guys hopping a slab 5-8' off the bottom and letting it drop and I know they aren't catching anything.

Dennis "probably" down sizes his lure, and fishes it at a crawl on the bottom.

I would also suggest that a few of you are getting bit and just missing it. Ernest Paty pounded me into submission one day fishing the same lure in the same water, he felt the bite, I didn't.

You can catch hybrids/stripers/whites on slabs right now, as well as live and cut shad. I think the key is slooooow your presenatation.

One thing you might try if you're not getting bit deadsticking the traditional way is downsizing.
I downsized to crappie gear - light action rod, 6# line and a 1/16oz roadrunner.

You have to deadstick in order to keep that roadrunner down deeper.

The lighter gear will help you realize light bites.

<edit> I don't catch any big fish. So I can get away with using crappie gear.

Austin. When I was fishing Lavon last year ( when there was water in it ) I would tie on two three inch sassy shad about 18 to 20 inches apart and SLOW roll them through the fish. I mean slow. Other than that Frank and I were deadsticking a 1 ounce slab but we were also bouncing it up and down about 4 or 5 inches to give it some movement. Just an opinion

Hear lately on Buchanan me and my fishing buddies have been killing them on slabs. the secret is to lift the slab up maybe a foot off the bottom drop and let it sit there for several seconds then repeat. Just tried deadsticking yesterday so I am going to focus on that in the coming weeks. I think braid with floro leader will help feel thos light bites. One thing is hook sets are free.

Whatever you use...use it very slow..dead sticking is not the only way..I've quit dead sticking and started using buck tail jigs with a 4 inch trailer..retrieve as slow as you can and when you think your going slow enough..slow down some more

1. Dead sticking
2. Dennis C's Mepps method
3. Dynomite
4. Nitro Glycerin
5. Hand Grenades

The last three result in a difficult release.

Austin I've fished Hubbard year round for a long time. I only remember a few winter days where they hit it reeling it in slow and then letting it drop back back down slowly using your thumb on the line as a "brake" so to speak. Other than that it's dead sticking. I only use slabs dead sticking. Small ones at that in the winter. The old adage is feed them what they are eating and catch them how they are biting. I mentioned in a post recently and JV concurred (Keith you probably saw it in those fish we caught) that the shad they are eating are 1-inch at best. Then the dead sticking is how they are biting. It takes a couple times out to get used to it again each year. I caught them one day last week, and Vapor Man I think is his name, was in his Kayak and we talked about how to catch them. Johnny Procell was there also drift fishing. But what I like to do is go to the bottom and slowly raise my rod up in the air (real slow....) versus reeling it in and dropping it back down. Then when you feel the 'tap" whip the rod up hard. Your not going to catch one every tap but you will catch them. For someone like me who is Type-A with ADD it takes every ounce of patience in me to do it right!

You got that right. man, dead sticking is about as boring as it gets, I might add.

Try spider rigging.

Austin I've always thought you should've been a lawyer!!! Lol.


You've tried dead stickin maybe only 2 times. Once was last year on Twak, and
Once was with me this year. You caught a huge hybrid last year.


Then you watched me and you're girlfriend catch
2 huge hybrid right in front of you! Fish more during the winter,
it pays of big time! I've caught more big fish this winter, than almost 2 seasons
of fishing.

I'm actually just razzin ya, but you just need to fish
More!!

Let's go buddy.

Yep Frank I forgot to mention in my report the fish were STUFFED with 1 inch to 1 1/2 inch shad. Yes I actually measured them . and they had just eaten them because digestion was just starting In other words they were still whole shad

Not trying to sound like an idiot but when you guys say "slabs" you mean spoons correct? Also the color of choice appears to be chartrouse or mellow yellow? thanks

A spoon is a bit different from a slab. Most slabs are built with a straight kind of profile. Spoons normally have some curve to the shape, and
Normally are limited in colors. Spoons are normally lighter in weight compared to slabs.

They both can work, but slabs with the added weight can normally be kept a little better in the strike zone. Not saying spoons don't work, cause they do! IE the kahoona spoon from Moes tackle. Certain times of the year they produce big fish.

Good luck

WOW! what an idiot question that was! I am totally kidding! i am sure my entire post is more of a stupid thread than anything!

Mike, I KNOW!
I wasn't asking because I think dead sticking is BS and because I don't like it - I have just always heard it IS THE WAY to fish in the winter and then when I read Dennis's post yesterday I though, mhhh - how many other ways are there!

I see the big fish being caught, I just prefer the warm sun shining on me when I'm fishing...and probably knowing that I'll see a few bikini girls during the summer!

I also saw Dennis's post, and thought the same thing! Dennis didn't say
How slow he was working the lure, so we don't really know. He just said slow.

Truth is follow all you're buddy's that know how to fish and clean up their sloppy seconds!!!!!

Lol

I know some of you will say this is poo but last Saturday we fished Slabs and Dead Sticked Plastics. All sandbass caught came off of slaps not one Hybrid was caught on a slab and all the Hybrids caught were off dead sticking the plastics. Who knows try it all.

i don't unless it's the only way to catch some. maybe a handful of days a year. like jd said slow,slow and slower

Those monsters we caught last Thursday were mostly off slabs. AsK Worm On A Hook....I defer all winter time Slabbin to him

VIP, my personal experiment with slabs vs. flukes on my past 5 deadstick trips, in December, at Texoma, at Ray Hubbard, and Twok. Either me or one of the guys on my boat used slabs and the rest used flukes.

My results:

Texoma: slabs caught more fish but smaller stripers, a kitty and sandies with occasional good striper. Flukes caught majority of the quality striper and sandies.

RH: slabs caught more fish...sandies, yellows, goos, kitties. Flukes caught quality fish, Hybrids and bigger sandies.

Twok: Flukes caught way more hybrids stripers and magnum sandies. Slabs resulted in two kitties, lol

But like I told Terry and Ray last Saturday, deadstick is not for everyone, when we saw a couple of guys catching NADA for the day. If you are fortunate to fish with Lakeguide or Bill Davis and Tammy, I bet they catch at least 100-300+ QUALITY hybrid/stripers just last week, each, deadstiking. ITS VERY EFFECTIVE!!

My take on it is this. Any one that post on here how they managed to have a good day is giving you free advice. You can take it or leave it. Personally I am grateful for any insight that anyone has been kind enough to share. I try to remember everything that I have read or tried and start with what I think is best and if it works great if not try other things. I believe the phrase "Deadsticking" is just a nickname for presenting your lure way slower than one would think. Just like JD said "Hooksets are free", so is different presentations.
If I get a chance to fish soon Im gonna start with a fluke held still in my hand with a shad on another pole in the holder. With a wildeye waiting in the wings beside a TNT slab!
Hopefully I will be able to add some info to the reports soon if the dam wind will quit blowing everytime I have a free day! JMHO Robert

i agree with todd. the flukes & slabs out performed other baits when the water got to 50*. but what works for one doesn't ness. work for everyone. i cant use The Dennis Christian method when its warm. i challenge the masses to try to imitate what hes doing now.

think the flukes being thinner towards the tail allows for more action with less movement.

also think one could add a big ol curly tail grub to the list for the same reason. haven't tried it YET but think it would be a producer for cold water the slow or dead sticking method.

scented plastics and dipped baits make em hold it a lil longer which allows me more time to set the hook.

I agree Zombie. Haven't tried a curly tail, but
Those flukes work wonders.

To answer your question... IMO No. You dont have to dead stick to catch em. But if you do, the right size jig head with a real sharp hook is also important for better hook up ratios

Thanks for the tips. Going to try the flukes. Have been doing ok with slabs. Might try dropping all them slabs and flukes down in front of their faces and mosey around them with the trolling motor.

Like everyone else I was seriously skeptical until I tried it. Did good even in the warmer months.

One oz slab with silver. 3/4 oz will work to. I dropped to bottom and moved it as slow as possible. I will be on Hubbard Thursday afternoon. Caught personal best at 25 inches.

When will we see you out there Paul?

Worm on a hook

My son and I were on Hubbard Saturday morning. We had 1 rod in a rod holder, that rod caught as many fish as the ones we were using. Dead sticking does work.

I've seen it, that works!! Terry's dad, Ray always keeps one in the holder. I've had to holler at him "Ray" you're pole's going down!

Super cool sounds like y'all caught some Gene!

I am sure you dont have to deadstick but I agree with the results that SeaPro stated vs slabs. The few trips I have fished of late at Texoma, Lake Altus, Lake Foss. Flukes got better quality Hybrids, stripers and huges sandies. TNT 180's caught a few fish catfish and sandbass small stripers. What worked well last couple trips, 1oz round ball jig head, with the flukes dipped in scent. Color didnt seam to make a huge difference, but orange heads maybe got bit a lil better on hybrids. I posted this pic on my okie deadsticking post...

That two hook slab called a sidewinder made by Sooner Slabs was made for deadsticking. I use it sometimes in the summer as well tie two flies on and catch at times 4 sandies at once. But it is perfect for being the rod in rod holder as the two trebles catch fish better then a fluke with one hook(this does work too though)...And the hybrids like it as well. Something to consider if you guys are wanting to try something different. The other wiggle jig, does wonders in this type of fishing as well. Just figure it is a round ball head, bucktail hook sitting pretty stationary and it sits right in the water the way you want it to. I think that is something that is getting lost in the discussion...just my opinion. Not gonna say slabs wont work,but feel there is something better for better quality fish. Those heads you find roundball or bullets shaped like moes sells work well as the fluke sits right in water. These other two baits sit the same way positioned right for a lazy fish to suck it in. Most slabs are fished with action lifted up and down, the action triggers the bite. Action not needed on this. I sure as heck am not expert just observations over the past few years playing at it. Your fish finder is definately your friend for this as well.

I am no expert in this type of fishing , but I will say
my deadsticking sucess improved greatly when I upgraded
my electronics. If you are not moving the bait , it
had better be right in front of the fish.

With an high resolution graph on the front , I can see
the lure in relation to the fish. There will always be
some fish , or groups of fish more active than others.

If you are not getting bit, move around till you find
fish that will bite.

Again , in my limited experience , if most of the fish
are holding at 25 ft and you can find some at 20 ft ,
those will be the more active fish.

your mileage may vary.

MO

Yes VIP you must dead stick or be sent to your room without Diet Milk!

Cold weather = slower to slow/Stop lures speeds. I'm sure slabs, tail spins, spoons, sassy shad, flukes, grubs, and cocaMoes will do the trick!

I'm with ya on the lack of fun deadstick'N, but it puts fish in the box!

I just picked up several of that exact "plastic" at BP in the Berkley Bait brand... Plan to test drive soon....

Fastguy is right - in 2 ways. You have to move the Mepps slowly - as slow as you can and feel the tell-tale drag that says the blade is spinning. Second, the bite feels like a very suttle rsistance on the line, which you can feel a lot easier if you point the rod in direction of the line. When you feel the slightest resistance, set the hook. As for as lure size, I start with a #4 and catch some. When that slows, I swith to #2 with weight up the line, and catch more. I catch some with a more upright drag of bait and then I'll try a more sideways drag of bait and catch some more. When none of this is producing any more, I go looking for some more fish - on a different structure. Dennis

The older you get the more you will like dead sticking. Just sit back with a diet milk and wait for the tap and them throw diet mike all over your self setting the hook.

I get it Pat!!! Lol.

That's the best/worst time to be talking on you're phone!!!!

I've already lost one phone to Twak, setting the hook while I was
Talking. Those small taps sneak up on ya, so do not" I repeat do not"
be talking or texting on you're phone while dead sticking!!

Or eating egg rolls

Hale SEA PRO TODD!!! Egg role king, and a pretty good fisherman.

Thanks Todd you've made many of my trips!

Sorry think we high jacked this post I'm done

VIP, report hijacker Luv to the MODs asap. 30 mins in the penalty box

He needs top take about a 2 week vacation!

Hate/ luv to say it, but Zombie put up a 12 lb. er today!! I saw it!!


DEADSTICKING