Dead bait Rods

[Beaker]

I am sure this has been asked before but, do you need specialist rods for dead baiting?
I currently use Shimano Tribal Velocity 3.25 tics, and they are ok, so do I need to change and if so what would my peers recommend?

 

[thecrow]

Other than the rods having the stiffness to pull hooks out of bait or Pike I see no reason to change.

 

[flightliner]

I've been using my Shimano 2•5tc powerloop carp rods for years,
Perfectly adequate for the job and waters I use.

 

[john step]

If they suit you then they are fine. Mine are a couple of Shimano 3lb tc 12 footers that were marketed as marker rods. After trying a few in the shop (usual waggling about etc) These were what I liked. Power to cast but sufficient bend and feel, not feeling like a broomstick.

If you cast out heavy baits a distance yours are fine. If you fish small waters they may be a bit overgunned in so much as you may find the pike in smaller sizes don't put so much a bend in them. Might spoil the enjoyment?.

For light deadbaiting for pike and zander I have a couple of 1.5 tc rods that are a joy to catch on.

 

[tigger]

I haven't been dead baiting for yonks now but I used to use a pair of 3lb test curve original shimano diaflash rods. They where great for casting large deads and where still great playing rods also. I still have the rods ready for if/when I decide to have a days pike fishing.

So for the OP, i'd say....stick with what you have .

 

[flightliner]

If they suit you then they are fine. Mine are a couple of Shimano 3lb tc 12 footers that were marketed as marker rods. After trying a few in the shop (usual waggling about etc) These were what I liked. Power to cast but sufficient bend and feel, not feeling like a broomstick.


If you cast out heavy baits a distance yours are fine. If you fish small waters they may be a bit overgunned in so much as you may find the pike in smaller sizes don't put so much a bend in them. Might spoil the enjoyment?.

For light deadbaiting for pike and zander I have a couple of 1.5 tc rods that are a joy to catch on.

John, that old, early nineties range of Shimano rods have quite a following these days amongst the Trent pike and zed boys.
One that we both know uses one at 2•25tc and has done astoundingly well as we both saw at Lincoln.
If I happen to fish a large pit or other water that demands long casting I sometimes dig out my old trusty 2•5tc fibreglass Cono flex rod that I knocked up in the early eighties.
Super rod for the job.
Agree full on about the lighter rods tho.
I have aNash hooligan carp job at 1•25 tc - 11'-0" that is another good alternative for drain and margin work.

 

[john step]

John, that old, early nineties range of Shimano rods have quite a following these days amongst the Trent pike and zed boys.
One that we both know uses one at 2•25tc and has done astoundingly well as we both saw at Lincoln.
If I happen to fish a large pit or other water that demands long casting I sometimes dig out my old trusty 2•5tc fibreglass Cono flex rod that I knocked up in the early eighties.
Super rod for the job.
Agree full on about the lighter rods tho.
I have aNash hooligan carp job at 1•25 tc - 11'-0" that is another good alternative for drain and margin work.

Mick, I went out for a lazy day with maggot and feeder rod this week. Plenty of bait fish about. With the clocks going back soon and the river nice and steady it looks ideal for the Zeds at dusk.

 

[flightliner]

Hi John, yes, I'm hoping for one or to this winter all being well.
I joined a new club last week for that very reason!

 

[David Gane]

I use Fox Warrior 2.75lb test curve carp rods for my deadbaiting. They do the job just fine.

 

[Beaker]

Thanks for the advice chaps, I will carry on using my Shimano. Cheers.

 

[terry m]

Carp rods will of course cover pike fishing.

Today I had a4 hour session sat behind 3 dead bait rods yielding 3 runs and 3 fish to low doubles.

I was using Greys 3lb DB rods and they are a joy to use with a real through action that bends right through to the butt.

 

[Jimk2]

There’s a couple of things to note regarding pike dead bait rods. The first is casting ability, this is if your using 4oz leads with large dead baits 8oz+.
For this you will need a high test curve rod, if you want any distance of course. Something around the 3.5tc, these powerful rods will help control bigger powerful pike away from snags, anchor ropes etc.
The lighter test curves I like for shorter distance work, these are 3lb and under. I actually have some harrisson blanks on 3lb test curve and they are very soft and more difficult to cast heavier and longer distances.
But they are a pleasure to catch big pike on, sometimes bending all the way through the curve to the butt. Hook hold is very good on these rods even with braid.

 

[mikench]

I'm curious! What qualities does a dedicated pike deadbait rod possess which a carp , barbel or specialist Avon rod do not! I suspect none!

 

[john step]

I'm curious! What qualities does a dedicated pike deadbait rod possess which a carp , barbel or specialist Avon rod do not! I suspect none!

That is largely true if one sticks to the parameters the rod can cast. Dont forget the label on the handle plays an important part in the rods use though:wh:wh

 

[mikench]

I thought as much John! of the 3 examples I gave which would be preferable for deadbait fishing but not at great distance?

 

[john step]

I thought as much John! of the 3 examples I gave which would be preferable for deadbait fishing but not at great distance?

For small deadbaits like a 3 ounce roach a few rods out the avon would do. A herring or half mackerel would necessitate the beefier alternatives. Depending on which barbel rod tc of course.

If you are contemplating deadbaiting I reckon on rods you use and know you will have a good idea of their capabilities.

Before I had my Shimmies I used a glass rod I made in the 60s, the blanks marketed as a bass spinning rod. Very through action and it is still good for close in piking. In fact it is my holdall for tomorrow.

Use what you have.

 

[terry m]

Good luck with setting large hooks with a normal Avon rod.

Carp rods with a good through action will be fine, tippy SU rods may struggle. And, if you are fishing with 8" + deadbaits (plus the rig) Avons or Barbel rods will be challenged.

Pike fishing is no different to any other form of fishing. For example if you want to go trotting, people will swear by this rod or that rod, but actually any old float rod will do a job. If you want to get the most enjoyment out of fishing a particular technique, or for a particular species then using a purpose built tool will of course enhance that enjoyment, even if only marginally.

I fish for pike a lot. I get limited enjoyment heaving out a herring 70 yards, or sat behind a battery of rods for hours. What is really enjoyable is fighting a good sized fish on capable, but balanced tackle that gives the angler the best enjoyment, the best chance of landing his quarry, and the least chance of damaging the fish, directly of indirectly.

Hook up to a decent pike in a fast running river on undergunned Avon rods and you will very likely lose the fish in snags where it may perish.

Just my view.

 

[mikench]

My Avon is an 11'6" Hardy Marksman Supero . My carp rods are 2.75tc! The barbel rod is 1.75tc. I will only be fishing still waters and not attempting anything above 50 yds or so with a sprat or other small fish as bait and indeed I might never do it at all!

I am sufficiently deluded to buy a rod per species! I have a chance of an ET pit master something or other pike rod but wanted to try my own rods first if I ever do!

Does a 10lb pike make more demands on a rod than a similar weight carp or barbel other than casting a large weight which I will not be doing!

 

[john step]

When I previously said use what you have it was for that reason I guessed you were thinking of having a go. If you decide to do a lot more then consider a specialised rod as you would for other types of fishing. I don't think you will have much problem with any of those rods at close range with small deadbaits.

Pike won't test tackle any more that those species you mention. Probably a lot less in fact in still water.

A deadly method you could try with the lighter of those rods is sink and draw with a deadbait. Put the bait on head up the line and a small weight above the trace. Just cast and let it sink. You can twitch it back or lift tie rod a couple of feet at a time and wind the slack until you reach the bank. Then leave the bait in the edge a few seconds without lifting straight out. You often get a take at this point.

I often put a clear plastic chubber float on to slow the sink and often keep the bait above weed

Do read up on The Pike Anglers web site re handling and unhooking or go with a regular piker to start with is a good idea..

 

[mikench]

I will have a go with what I have but thanks for the guidance John! I will try a lure first and progress!!! Maybe!!