Looking for recommendations for a dead stick setup. I’d like to purchase one of these or even a Thorne Bros dead stick and wanted recommendations/advice on what everyone uses and what works for them.
Also, what reel are you pairing these with?
Thanks!
Def not a float. I’ve used a finicky fooler a lot this year. Little jigger tip down in the past.
Would use the JT rod holder if I went that route.
Looking for a rod with softer tip/backbone the dead sticks provide.
I would get the jt or the thorn. 500 baitfeeder.
I just picked up the TUCR Dead Stick. Only had the chance to use it once so far but having owned other TUCR rods I’m confident it will do what I need no problem. Put a Piscifun Ice X 5 on it. Great reel for the price point.
TUCR Deadstick for me with an Okuma Avenger Baitfeeder reel. I haven’t used a TUCR that I haven’t loved. Make sure and get your hands on each of them if you can before you buy so you can figure out what feels best for your tastes.
I have the walleye snare and a set of 36 inch tuned up dead sticks. Both are fantastic. The JT is slightly softer than the tuned up and has more of a noodle rod on the tip section. The rod holder with the JT is really nice being able to see the rod load up and they both have plenty of power to handle big fish.
Make sure and get your hands on each of them if you can before you buy so you can figure out what feels best for your tastes.
Great tip. There is a big difference between the different designs. They all work in different presentations.
There are lots of post on hard water dead sticks on this form. Look through the search it the upper right and you will find lots of threads on this.
Is the purpose of your deadstick rod to be to hang a minnow directly underneath on a jig or hook/sinker without a bobber? If so, I’d recommend the Thorne Brother Deadstick instead. It seems similar to the JT rod Ty Kennedy is describing. The tip on the TB is quite a bit softer than the TUCR, soft enough that a small shiner, rainbow, or fathead can make it dance, but firm enough that an 1/8 jig or a couple split shot won’t bend it too far over. When a walleye hits it, the rod loads nicely and the fish usually hooks itself.
I was dead set on a TUCR Deadstick last season, searching high and low, making WTB posts on here and elsewhere, but when I actually handled one, it seemed awfully stiff. To me, it’s a nice bobber or IFishPro rod, but really any rod can handle those duties at much lesser cost.
Like others have said, head down to the Twin Cities and give both a try. The TB and TUCR versions are quite different.
I often hook my minnows through the tail on my dead stick set up. They seem to be much more lively as they are basically hanging upside down and always trying to swim to right themselves. Was on the Duluth Bay last Friday first time with the TUCR Dead Stick and hooked my minnow this way on a plain red hook and a small split shot.
That orange tip on the TUCR was dancing around pretty good and it was a smaller size fathead on the end.
They are all great rods, I’ve owned them all. Depending on what you want to do with it or what size of minnows you want to run, In my opinion I would share the following on the 3:
JT snare: softest tip (very soft), fastest taper
St.Croix CCI: 2nd softest tip, fast taper
TUCR: Stiffest (for a dead stick, but not actually stiff), more moderate
Once again all great rods…you can’t really make a bad decision, I would say touch them all and decide which fits your fishing style best.
My deadline is always either a jig and minnow or hook and minnow.
Two weeks ago at LOW I had the 1/8 oz PK spoon in red dot glow with a full minnow, tail hooked below it.
Would the JT rod tip be bent over a little with this setup or will it handle it? I fish Devils Lake, LOW, and Lake Winnipeg each winter.
I’m leaning towards the JT setup as I think it’s a really nice rod and I like the stand and ability to see the rod from a ways away. Just want to make sure you’re not extremely limited as to what you can put down there for presentation with it.
Whatever you choose, pair it with a baitfeeder. That way you can step away from it without risk of going down the hole on a big fish.
Handled all of these and totally personal preference due to their differences. Sorry, got the jt but haven’t had it out yet.
The Tuned Up Deadstick is meant to be used in close proximity to you. You watch the tip instead of watching a bobber (really handy in a wheelhouse or permanent when you can’t see a bobber easily). The tip will dance a bit under a normal-sized fathead, and more with larger baits. It will not be overtaxed by medium and large suckers. When the fish hit, the tip will dropdown. You pick up the rod and set the hook. If you pair it with a baitfeeder reel, like the Okuma Avenger, you can see and hear a fish bite. It also allows you to be further away from the rod. This is a great combo to be used in an iFishPro or Finiky Fooler.
Dan
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