No splitshot?

[Baetis62]

Yup, Good beads really attract fish.     I've used these in emerald, ruby and clear crystal with dead bait, dead stick.     

And, Sawovski's are priceless.   

 Here's a link:    http://www.firemountaingems.com/shop/swarovski-beads--5000

Thanks for the link IG. What sizes would you say a guy should order for Pike?

[1moslab]

I also was curious on size

[JiggerDan]

I use just enough weight to take the minnow down, not so much that it can't swim around freely. I pinch it on about a foot and a half up. Catch plenty of big fish.

[Idahogator]

Thanks for the link IG. What sizes would you say a guy should order for Pike?

From what I've read and tried,  4mm, 5mm and 6mm.

Oddly, I've never been in an area with pike, but have read  8mm or 10mm, at least, as the little light beams reach out a bit further to catch their eye so curiosity to bring them closer.
One more little clue: a small mirror neat the hole to angle a sun beam down onto the bead.  On a really slow day put a paper match book on the line for a tiny bit of movement on a non-windy day.     

[1moslab]

You the man Idahogator

[Adkrs]

Put my split shot about 5ft away from bait today because I wanted them to be able to move. Ended up with tangled mess, regardless of barrel swivels. I'll be putting them back down to 2ft

[Idahogator]

You the man Idahogator

Oh jeez, now I've got to live up to that.     

[Baetis62]

Thanks IG.  No pressure sir.  Just looking for another excuse to buy more fishin stuff.

[Idahogator]

Thanks IG.  No pressure sir.  Just looking for another excuse to buy more fishin stuff.

         Are they still charging for the paper match books?       

[shiveringjoe]

Good luck shiveringjoe, I hope it works out well for you. None other than Scott himself , leader of ice shanty always recommended using a bead or beads for attraction. I just never felt I needed it, never tried it. Guess I may have to this year if we ever get ice safe enough for me.

The side hooked minnows do swim nicely in the water but I don't think they caught any more fish that my standard behind the dorsal fin method. But they certainly both work better than my buddies shiners that he insists on hooking through the lips... We had a busy day with around 25 pike and 20 smallmouth bass, and got some big perch on the tipups too. I run at least one glass bead on all my leaders and just use my flasher to check depth then do hand pulls to get the correct amount of line in the water.