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Today's technique is one I've been experimenting with. Sort of a pre-ice, ice fishing setup. I took the boat, and simply dropped vertical over the side. No weight, and no float. A single 3 mm tungsten tipped with a spike took today's fish.

The rod is a 4.5' St Croix ultralight, and the reel is an Eagle Claw inline meant for ice fishing. Straight line means no line twist, which is a huge turn off for big gills.

Hit the free spool and let the jig fall to the bottom under it's own weight, slowly, then take up the slack, and raise and lower the jig under tension. Bites were light, but the sensitive rod let me know when it was time to set the hook. No casting, just vertical jigging. Worked great, and no float to watch!