05-10-2021, 02:10 PM
I have been "dip-sticking" for decades from my float tube. Started by stringing a fly rod with mono and dropping small jigs into cover for crappies and other panfish. Graduated to buying some of the long "crappie rods" now sold by B &N rods and other manufacturers. I think you can get them up to about 16 feet.
While living in Arizona and dip sticking for panfish I often found myself in hand-to-fin combat with a largemouth or a big ol' catfish. So I started making long rods on stout blanks and deliverately dunking large baited jigs for larger fish. Caught channels over 10# and successfully rassled some flatheads in the 30# range. Anything bigger usually just powered back into cover...dragging and my tube with it.
Making careful vertical presentations with a long rod is a good way to finesse finicky fish in the shallows.
While living in Arizona and dip sticking for panfish I often found myself in hand-to-fin combat with a largemouth or a big ol' catfish. So I started making long rods on stout blanks and deliverately dunking large baited jigs for larger fish. Caught channels over 10# and successfully rassled some flatheads in the 30# range. Anything bigger usually just powered back into cover...dragging and my tube with it.
Making careful vertical presentations with a long rod is a good way to finesse finicky fish in the shallows.