Deadsticking Window is Wide Open

Had a little time to experiment this morning on Stillhouse and actually focus on fishing after an unusual “run” of sonar session requests lately.  I went prepared for jigging and deadsticking, and used both tactics to boat this this morning.  The fish I caught earlier (didn’t head out until 8:30a after a breeze came up) went for a more aggressive presentation and were shallower.  The fish I caught later (still prior to noon) were suspended, sluggish, and definitely preferred the deadstick tactic.

If you’re not familiar with deadsticking, I wrote an article for the Killeen Daily Herald this past Sunday here: http://kdhnews.com/sports/fishing/bob-maindelle-deadsticking-a-sound-technique-for-dead-of-winter/article_b64e1e4e-a9db-11e4-b6d2-175c82ce6684.html

shot 54

This screenshot was taken in 37 feet of water this morning.  Notice the elongated fish signatures in the middle of the screen.  These are very, very slow moving white bass that stayed in the slender area covered by the StructureScan transducer for an extended period of time.  I simply reeled up to them, held my bait nice and still over a single fish signature (usually the highest one), and watched my rod tip and felt for a strike — that’s deadsticking.

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

White bass weren’t the only species responding to deadsticking.  This largemouth grabbed my presentation after I held my lure still just inches off the bottom after seeing its solo signature on sonar.

If past years are any indicator, this approach will hold up for another 2-3 weeks, and longer if we get any more protracted cold weather.

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TODAY’S CONDITIONS/NOTES:

Start Time: 8:30a

End Time:  12:00 Noon

Air Temp. @ Trip’s Start:  38F

Water Surface Temp:  51F

Wind Speed & Direction:  SSW6-8

Sky Conditions:  Light grey, complete coverage.

Other: GT=0

 

AREAS FISHED WITH SUCCESS:

**Area 1301/190

**Area  1201

**Area 1306

 

 

Bob Maindelle

Owner, Holding the Line Guide Service

254.368.7411 (call or text)

Salado, TX

www.HoldingTheLineGuideService.com