Dead bait fishing is an extremely effective way of fishing for pike and zander. This type of fishing is mainly done in autumn and winter, although some anglers use dead bait throughout the whole year. The popular dead baiting technique is especially known for the large pike that are caught with this technique. Large pike prefer to catch an easy prey, while smaller pike are more likely to actively pursue their prey. Because of the chance of catching big pike, it is wise to adjust your equipment accordingly. A suitable deadbait rod is important for this.

Deadbait float

There are two different ways to fish with a dead bait. One way is to fish with a float. When the pike bites the deadbait, the floater will submerge and you can hook the pike. When you attach the treble hook to the baitfish, it’s best to do it near the dorsal fin. With this attachment, the baitfish hangs in the water as naturally as possible. Also, pike often take their prey from the side, so the hook is already in the right place when they take a bite. When dead-bait fishing with a float you can either let the baitfish float a little above the bottom or hold it on the bottom with a lead. Using a lead with your bait is a good choice when there is a lot of wind or when you are fishing in deep waters.

Static deadbait assembly

The second way to fish deadbaits is with a static asssembly. This static method of fishing has some advantages and disadvantages compared to dead-baiting with a float. When you fish with a floater you have a lot more flexibility. On the other hand, when using a static lure, you don’t have to be so careful as you often use a bite alarm. Simply place your rod in the alarm and wait for it to beep. When it does, you know the pike have taken your deadbait and you can strike. This method of fishing also allows you to use several rods. The attachment of the treble hook is the same as when dead-baiting with a float. When you use a big baitfish, you can choose to attach two hooks to the deadbait.