Over the last year I have been reading about deadsticking but have not tried it. I now have a chance to do some winter fishing on Lake Buchanan and would like to learn the technique. Any condensed version as to how, what type of lures, what part of lakes to target would be appreciated. Anyone know of past articles written that I could reference?

Find fish on graph. Best to stop the boat on that spot. Rig a Fluke style bait on a 3/4 or 1 once jig head with the hook exposed. Drop the Fluke straight down to their level. Hold rod still (deadstick), when you feel a tap, set the hook without hesitation. You only get one chance and you better be fast!

I have never done it, but I'm ready to now! http://deadstickingheadquarters.com/how-to-dead-stick-striped-bass-and-hybrid-striper/

There are a few videos on YouTube, search deadsticking, thumping. I'm new to it also, with only a few winter trips last year. To me it appears finding the right fish is 90% of the challenge, side scans are not absolute must have, but sure make it allot less time consuming. The link Cvillemudcat posted is pretty cool, thanks.

I watched a show yesterday where these two guys were ice fishing in Canada for crappie. They had a little fish finder with the transceiver hanging through the hole watching for fish. When they saw something, they would drop their little jig down to that level, and WHAM!... dinner.

Thanks for the info. Anyone have a soft plastic brand they think is better than others.
Do you look for humps,trees or points? Or just search for fish and bait balls?
I will look at video's tonight.

I use Moe's flukes but as he is now out if business I will use Bass assasin or Cocoho minnows while looking for more options in size/action.

My best deadsticking results have been using a small sassy shad or fluke type body on a hook tied to a dropper loop. I use a slab for weight at the bottom, but could just as easily use a dipsey sinker, since I don't get as many fish on the slab.

Tie the loop long enough that the lure body will have it's own movement even if you're holding the rod perfectly still. But not so long that it tangles with the mainline on the drop. I prefer a very slow, small jigging movement - less than a foot of movement at the rod tip. But I think I do that just cause I'm fidgety.

There's plenty of ways to deadstick, and no one particular method is the only "right" way. Figure out the method that fits you best and go catch fish!

I think the key to dead-sticking is having a dead stick! No movement other than what little the boat is moving. My friend tells me that the striped bass slow way down in the winter when it comes to eating. So very little movement and very slow moving baits are the key. Mostly soft plastics! I have good luck with the jerk baits (flukes) with split tails. I have tried the swim tail versions and not done as well, but each lake is different. H & H Cocohoe's in glow work pretty good on Bridgeport for Hybrid. Moe's drop shot clips work very well for the upper bait too. If you so choose to use a double rig. One that is has two baits on one line around 18" apart. I put a small one on top and a bigger one on bottom. Try to put it right in front of the fish so all it has to do is open and bite. LOL At least that is the object of the game. Just some FYI for you hope it helps.

I use a fluke with an ounce to two ounce head. Round is good as is triangle. You are fishing your marks for fish just above them so mark your rod at 1ft. per pull. Color on the fluke depends on water clarity. Clearer water go clear with some fleck in it. Just like crappie fishing waiting on the tap, but you had better set the hook. I like to tempt with a little bit of frozen shad on it so they get the smell that they are used to. I tie a Palomar Knot tight so that my jig sets at a 90 degree angle and let the tail do the twitch that it needs to.

Everyone is talking about small plastics which I use as well but I also catch as many fish on small slabs with a stinger hook on it just as well.

And don't forget to SMACK the botom of the boat repeatedly!

Or puchase a bobo thumper to do it for you. Lol
www.bobosthumper.com

This works for me also. Deadstiking is productive, but you must concentrate or you will miss a lot of hits. I know I do. It is similar to a crappie hitting a jig.

For me, flukes work better when fish are suspended in mid water column, which mostly occur on twok and bigT. And slabs work well when fish group up at bottom or hugging bottom which are more frequent on ray hubbard. Good to see a deadstick thread every winter to help out the newbies

IMO, DS is easy and it's not easy because lots of variables involved. Hands on training on the water with guides or experience DS buddy will shorten your learning curve big time. Now is the time to do it so you can practice the next two to three months. Water temps in the 50's is prime time