Dead stick to pair with baitfeeder reel

I am looking at options for a new dead stick rod. I currently use a JM meat stick paired with an Okuma bait feeder. I don’t care for the way the JM loads the bite on the tip and doesn’t engage the baitfeeder. I’m not interested in the JT snare rod. Any feedback on the Tucr DeadStick, 2B deadstick, or Thorne brothers deadstick? I’d like the deadstick to have a light tip to show the bite and not alert the fish, but transition into a good back bone so that it will engage the bait feeder option.

i use a TUCR power precision with my okuma baitfeeder. love it.

Thorne bros dead stick is top notch and I prefer it over the tucr all day long

Sounds to me like you need to loosen the drag on the bait feeder… I have the same combo and never had the issue.

EDIT: I have a few of the Meatsticks, but my Okuma is on an JM DEADMEAT rod. That would be a better option and worth checking out for you.

My baitfeeder drag is on its lightest setting, and it is on a Dead Meat. May give the Thorne Bros deadstick a try.

I have an Okuma bait feeder on a 2B dead stick. Actually have two of those setups. Would definitely recommend. Thorne Bros is always a solid choice as well.

I know Frostbite isnt well liked here but I thought their rods load up exactly like that, sensitive tips without sacrificing backbone.

I found the reel works way better if you have the factory grease replaced with some better stuff. Replacing the rear drag grease made a big difference with my baitfeeder reel. This is not the easiest reel to take apart. What don’t you like about the JT walleye snare? Length/action? I am just trying to get an idea of what you are looking for in a dead stick. Not everyone likes the same action. Most dead sticks have a slower action with a soft tip and you don’t truly get into the backbone until the bottom 1/3 of the rod. I like having the soft tip and watching the minnow dance when something comes close to it. I find some dead sticks work better in different applications. TRW light dead stick, JT walleye snare, and Thorne Brothers dead stick works great with crappie minnows and fat heads. TUCR dead stick and TRW heavy dead stick works good with 4” to 6” suckers. I know some people that like to use a power noodle for their dead stick.

The jt snare is a fabulous rod to pair with the bait feeder. But if you do not like that rod definitely put a Thorne bros rod in to consideration.

I love my Tuned Up Deadstick paired with a baitfeeder. I use this combo for both panfish and walleye and with and without a bobber. It’s very flexible. This episode of IDO shows the Deadstick and baitfeeder in action.

^ just an FYI, TUCR has went to a heaver dead stick designed then what is shown in the video that Dan shared.

Rodwork –

I have went through my baitfeeder real and done a thorough cleaning then regreased. I feel like it is very sensitive currently, but your advice is certainly important. As for dead stick I’m looking for one with a little bit faster action than what I have experienced. I like the soft tip to see the minnow working but wanted to transition into a little firmer application quicker than what I’m experiencing with the meat stick variation. The Tucr in the video seems to be a lot like what I’m looking for, but if they have gone to a stronger blank then it wouldn’t be what I want. My dead stick typically sits in a rod holder beside me in the shack with a minnow on a bare hook with split shot, fishing walleye, perch. I’m not real interested in the JT snare as it isn’t one that loads up the way I’m wanting to and also the 36 inch length is not something I’m interested in. Thorne brothers, how does it load and transition? 2B Deadstick?

MrWalleye, Sounds like you need to go to a custom rod builder and hold a dead stick blank and play with it, then have the rod builder cut it to your liking. I have made myself some nice walleye jigging rods using a snare rod blanks by modifying the tip length to get the action I wanted. Now I have a moderate/slow action rod that loads into backbone quicker to set the hook.

MrWalleye74 wrote:

Rodwork –
As for dead stick I’m looking for one with a little bit faster action than what I have experienced. I like the soft tip to see the minnow working but wanted to transition into a little firmer application quicker than what I’m experiencing with the meat stick variation.

The Thorne Brothers dead stick has a parabolic action to it. I have yet to handle the 2B dead stick. TUCR dead stick may still fit for what you are looking for. You can always add more drop shots to weigh it down. The only way to know is to track one down and play with it. You could always have one made for you. There are many rod builders that are willing to shape the blank to get the exact action you are looking for less than the big guys.

Looks like big Crappie can type faster than me. Some rod builders will cut the blank and some are also willing to sand it to change the action. There are lots of options out there. You will want to find a builder close to you so you can feel the blank before they start.

Rodwork wrote:

^ just an FYI, TUCR has went to a heaver dead stick designed then what is shown in the video that Dan shared.

This is actually not the case. The rods used in this video are the current Deadstick. We did change the blanks about 6 years ago, and when we did, we actually made them a little bit softer, rather than stiffer. The Tuned Up deadstick is a medium power and moderate action. It has a ver stiff backbone about 1/3 of the way into the blank.

Dan Baker wrote:

This is actually not the case. The rods used in this video are the current Deadstick. We did change the blanks about 6 years ago, and when we did, we actually made them a little bit softer, rather than stiffer. The Tuned Up deadstick is a medium power and moderate action. It has a ver stiff backbone about 1/3 of the way into the blank.

My mistake. I thought that video was aired in 01/17/2016 and the current dead stick design didn’t start leaving your shop until mid-December of 2016. Almost a full year after that was shot. The change in the design was pushing the backbone up and stiffen the blank. IDO must have received some preproduction rods to shoot with.

Rodwork wrote:

^ just an FYI, TUCR has went to a heaver dead stick designed then what is shown in the video that Dan shared.

No we actually lightened up the rod blank a little. Revised it making it slower and more like the original deadstick we used to offer. We also increased the backbone at the same time. It helps get a solid hookset, also preventing tear out of hooks.

I think it works very well and paired with a baitfeeder it really shines.

John

Can I ask what you don’t like about the JT walleye snare? I have had great luck with it this year. Love to watch it load up and have landed some big fish with it. You can choose handle type when ordering.

Gonehunting –

36 inch length for storage and flipshack. Also not sure on the parobolic load of the rod taking the bite load vs baitfeeder. Its a very nice rod for many people, just not what i’m looking for right now.

MRWalleye, Sent you a message.

MrWalleye74 wrote:

Gonehunting –

36 inch length for storage and flipshack. Also not sure on the parobolic load of the rod taking the bite load vs baitfeeder. Its a very nice rod for many people, just not what i’m looking for right now.

Certainly not trying to talk you into anything, but I have 3 of the snares (2 x 32″ w/ reel seats and 1 x 36″ w/ Sure Grip). All came from Scheel’s, so they are available shorter than 36″.

Why put a bait feeder reel on a dead stick type rod? Especially a JY walleye snare rod. Defeats the purpose.

Hey wrote:

Why put a bait feeder reel on a dead stick type rod? Especially a JY walleye snare rod. Defeats the purpose.

On a dead stick no, on the jt snare yes. The snare is designed to let the fish pin them selves. A dead stick is a very broad term

Hey wrote:

Why put a bait feeder reel on a dead stick type rod? Especially a JY walleye snare rod. Defeats the purpose.

I can only speak to the Tuned Up Deadstick, but it is designed to be an active rod sytem and not a passive rod system. Buy that, I mean, you have to actually control the hookset. It’s really designed to be used as a bobber replacement. You have it in a rod holder next to you, or at least close to you, while you are jigging with another rod. Instead of watching a bobber, you watch the rod tip. When are fish strikes, you see the bite happen on the tip. The beauty of the baitfeeder is you can let the fish eat the bait without them knowing they are eating a hook. They have almost no resistence. And when the baitfeeder starts to spool out, you hear the audible alert, so you don’t actually need to be watching the rod all the time. It is even loud enough to wake some people up. It’s a lot like leaving the spool open with a bobber, but you don’t have to worry about line spooling off and tangling. Also, they are amazing on devices like iFishPro’s where the flag goes off, but the fish can pull line before you can get there to set the hook.

I’ve never heard the active and passive deadstick explanation, but that makes sense. I am looking for a rod for an active setup with baitfeeder reel.
Tomorrow i’m going to look at the Tucr and the 2B. Tucr is more expensive ($120 vs 2B at $90), so we’ll see.

Just an FYI, Tuned Up is having a sale right now. If you use the promo code March15 you get 15% off sitewide. It runs through March.

Any set up can be an active dead stick if you are using a bait feeder reel with the secondary drag engage. The fish can’t set itself until you disengage the feeder. There is just not enough tension if it is set lightly. If you try to set the hook with it engage you will just pull out line. The dead stick should load slightly allowing you to see any activity going on or dance a little when the minnow gets excited. Then load a little more when it gets hit and allow line to be pulled out. You pick up the rod, disengage the secondary drag, and set the hook. Fish on. Too heavy of a rod and you won’t have the enjoyment of watching the minnow get exited when he is about to be eaten. This is where your rod choice makes a difference depending on your bait selection. You can see the up bite if there is just enough load with the minnow. You don’t want the rod dancing too much or it will cause the bait to have an unnatural prestation. (Bait swimming away, rod loading too much and yanking it back.) This can be buffered by a slower action rod. When it is a supper soft bite the bait feeder drag can be too much tension. A lighter, slower action dead stick will move more allowing you to see the bite before the fish feels anything.

^ just my thought on a dead stick rod. I know others that have a different attitude on how a dead stick should work. That is why there are so many different great options out there. Good luck on your search.

Dan Baker wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Hey wrote:</div>
Why put a bait feeder reel on a dead stick type rod? Especially a JY walleye snare rod. Defeats the purpose.

I can only speak to the Tuned Up Deadstick, but it is designed to be an active rod sytem and not a passive rod system. Buy that, I mean, you have to actually control the hookset. It’s really designed to be used as a bobber replacement. You have it in a rod holder next to you, or at least close to you, while you are jigging with another rod. Instead of watching a bobber, you watch the rod tip. When are fish strikes, you see the bite happen on the tip. The beauty of the baitfeeder is you can let the fish eat the bait without them knowing they are eating a hook. They have almost no resistence. And when the baitfeeder starts to spool out, you hear the audible alert, so you don’t actually need to be watching the rod all the time. It is even loud enough to wake some people up. It’s a lot like leaving the spool open with a bobber, but you don’t have to worry about line spooling off and tangling. Also, they are amazing on devices like iFishPro’s where the flag goes off, but the fish can pull line before you can get there to set the hook.

The baitfeeder is a lot like a rattle reel if used passively, you have to set it yourself.

The baitfeeder reel is nice because you can use it as an active or passive system.

If you are awake and watching it have the baitfeeder off so that you can watch the tip and set the hook, if you decide to rest and worry about the rod being pulled down the hole you can activate the baitfeeder and line will be spooled off like a rattle reel (I’d still attach a line to the rod or use hole covers).