Deadbait absolute beginner.

If you're a newcomer to Pike & Predator fishing and need advice, you can ask in here
Post Reply
Jakubbx6
Stickleback
Stickleback
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Sep 03 2024 15:24

Deadbait absolute beginner.

Post by Jakubbx6 »

I have fished with lures a good bit and caught a few pike not too many though and none above 15lb. I want to go out deadbaiting soon but being a student I'm very tight for cash. Besides that how do I go about getting started.

My initial plan was to use my 9ft rod it has a casting weight of 70g-150g and a fairly chunky baitcaster reel on it. I don't know specifics of the reel as it was gifted to me by my father. I was going to also buy a rod stand and a cheap 15 euro bite alarm along with a simple camping chair. I mainly plan on fishing canals and rivers. I would like to fish the occasional small lake. All my fishing will be done from the bank.

So now for the questions. Will my current rod setup work or is an 11ft or 12ft rod essential. What rig would be recommended for an absolute begginer. Am I better off fishing one spot for the day and waiting for a pike to come. Or should I cast out the bait wait max 1 hour then move on to a new spot. Will the cheap bite alarm work or should I pair it with drop off indicator. Any other tips and tricks/advice are welcome.

Thanks in advance from a new member.
paintman
Eel
Eel
Posts: 880
Joined: Sun May 21 2023 11:11

Re: Deadbait absolute beginner.

Post by paintman »

Probably the simplest way with minimum kit would be to use your existing rod & reel & a float rig.
Either as a float leger with the bait on the bottom or a bait suspended under the float.
ETA With the latter you could set it up as a drift float & on still waters cover a lot of water using the wind. Can be very effective.

If you want to leger I'd suggest a couple of rod rests & a drop off indicator.
Last edited by paintman on Tue Sep 03 2024 20:14, edited 2 times in total.
benelli
Jack Pike
Jack Pike
Posts: 297
Joined: Fri Oct 11 2019 21:02

Re: Deadbait absolute beginner.

Post by benelli »

I'm no expert mate but the rod and reel would work but not ideal. Rather than drop offs I'd be fishing a float leger and moving along the bank every hour or so.
benelli
Jack Pike
Jack Pike
Posts: 297
Joined: Fri Oct 11 2019 21:02

Re: Deadbait absolute beginner.

Post by benelli »

Beat me to it😀😀
J Nix
Chub
Chub
Posts: 1705
Joined: Sat May 21 2016 15:41
Location: Beffnal Green innit

Re: Deadbait absolute beginner.

Post by J Nix »

Ignore - I asked some questions you'd already answered in your original post!

Edited.
The dildo of consequences rarely arrives lubed
paintman
Eel
Eel
Posts: 880
Joined: Sun May 21 2023 11:11

Re: Deadbait absolute beginner.

Post by paintman »

If you set up with a bait suspended under the float try hooking the bait with the head towards the float so a slow retrieve will make it rise & fall.
In a river you can trot this with the current & holding back then releasing will make it flutter.
Same set up on the canal, but cast & then slowly retrieve with frequent stops. It's a very slow sink & draw & I do this on my local canal. Most takes happen after a pull as the bait is settling back. Other than the bait & float I don't normally use any weights on the canal when doing it this way.

I prefer to use smaller deads, not more than 5 or 6" for most deadbaiting & as the canal is quite narrow - GUC in Leicester - I often use sprats there. Leicester has a good fish market so they're easy to get.
User avatar
Carlperkins
Bailiff
Bailiff
Posts: 15825
Joined: Sat Aug 27 2011 05:00
Location: coventry

Re: Deadbait absolute beginner.

Post by Carlperkins »

Get Mick Browns new book.
Will answer every question you can think of
That Perkins !!! 😂
Mologan
Brown Trout
Brown Trout
Posts: 65
Joined: Mon Oct 03 2022 21:30
Location: Northern Ireland

Re: Deadbait absolute beginner.

Post by Mologan »

The other thing to invest in if you don’t have them is good unhooking gear. Forceps, wire cutters, mat etc and watch some YouTube videos.

The gear sounds like it’ll work, we all have to start somewhere. Have a look on Amazon for fladen or Leeda
Pike floats. A friend was starting out a couple years back and bought a couple packs, they came with beads, traces, floats, small weights etc and set up instructions for setting up the rigs
Post Reply