Post
There’s Life In This ‘Deadstick’
Fishing Tackle Reviews admin PM
Technique specific Bro Series Deadstick comes to life in its role as a companion combo
Jackson, Wis. – For the fanatical ice angler, there are plenty of reasons to prefer a day on the hard water to bouncing around in a boat. Chief amongst them is the ability, and legal authority, to fish with extra lines. Some states, for example, allow only one rod per person on the open water but you can double-up in the winter. The choice then is how to best maximize the opportunity. Rod designer and Frabill Pro Staff Brian “Bro” Brosdahl jigs first and ‘deadsticks’ second with his dynamic Bro Series Deadstick.
“Good luck taking away my jigging combo,” challenges Bro, a hands-on ice angler who has developed several popularized jigging and rigging methods. “I haven’t run into a single situation on the ice where jigging is secondary to another technique – jigging is so versatile and adaptable. But when you talk about a companion presentation, well, that opens up a world of opportunities from bobber fishing to tip-ups.
“Over the last several years, after experimenting with several techniques, I’ve settled on deadsticking. In fact, I’ve even helped Frabill® engineer the ultimate deadsticking rod, the new Bro Series Deadstick.” Deadsticking, as described by Bro, is a way to “present livebait at a specific point in the water column for any species, be they suspended or hugging the bottom.” Once that depth is established, Bro sets the super-sensitive Bro Series Deadstick in the rod holder of his Frabill PRO shelter, or if he’s on the open ice, might simply bury the butt in slush with the rod tip centered over the hole.
The tip of the 28-inch Bro Series Deadstick is so sensitive you can see when the minnow’s simply swimming, trembling in fear, or laying dead to rights. “Most often, I use live minnows when dead sticking” explains Bro. “And to effectively deadstick with a minnow, you need to know what it’s up to at all times. ‘Nervous minnow syndrome’ usually means there’s a predator looming. Same can be true if the minnow goes stone-cold – but motionlessness can also signal that it’s time to replace the minnow with a harder worker, one that’ll attract fish. Essentially, you need to ‘read the minnow.’”
As a strike-indicator, the Bro Series Deadstick easily nods with the bite of a fish, from the subtle suck of crappie to the wallop of a walleye. Then, as the final act, it provides the sheer power to uproot predator class fish, even the stubborn ones. The 28-inch Bro Series Deadstick features smooth yet durable aluminum oxide guides and ‘blank through’ handle construction on solid graphite blank to promote feel and overall strength. The 100% cork handle is extra long for balance, which is paramount to deadsticking.
The Bro Series Deadstick combo is fitted with the new Bro Series Reel. Engineered expressly for ice fishing, the Bro Series Reel operates on a 5 plus 1 ball-bearing system with infinite anti-reverse. Infused with Frabill’s exclusive Sub-Zero™ Sub-Zero® lube, the specialized reel operates smoothly in extremely cold temps.
“Let there be life,” shouts Bro in Frankenstein fashion while deploying his new deadstick.
ABOUT FRABIL
Frabill, Inc. (Jackson, Wis.) is in its 72nd year of engineering premium, trusted fishing equipment. Frabill’s ice fishing product mix consists of portable ice fishing shelters, rod and reel combos, tip-ups, bait containers, portable aeration, apparel, and other related accessories. Open water products include landing nets, portable aeration, bait containers, bait care, bait traps and seines, and other accessories.
Visit www.frabill.com.