I like to fish my deadbaits flat on the bottom as if they'd just 'landed' there after expiring. This can be an awesome method in the margins, especially at night when who knows what is lurking (getting excited thinking about it) about!
In addition though, I used to use a method I called the 'popped down' rig which involved a 'headless' roach/rudd/skimmer etc being fished a couple of feet off the bottom of deep rivers. Quality it was and although I fish primarily for Zander, I used to get stacks of Pike on it, some decent ones too!
I always fish a decent long trace and try to ensure my line is taught to my bite indication when deadbaiting - I think you have to be even more careful when deadbaiting, a livebait will almost always give an indication or two before it is taken.
Good luck Dutchy, if you need any line diagrams or whatever - visit:
www.averagezedheaven.com
go into 'tactics' and rigs. There are a few deadbait rigs I use in there mate.
Good fishing dude!
