line

[WeponsOfBassDestruction]

what is the best lb test for catching pickerel and big bass through the ice?

[shaun]

the bigger the better..  i use 20lbs but u may want to use a small ledder

[TheBigPickerel]

i use 10 pound all the time on tipups.  mono is cheap and i catch pickerel all day with that.  flouro is a bit better for high pressured lakes and bass.     just check for nicks in the line every couple of fish, and replace the leader or slide the hook up and cut the bad part.  you'll be fine with that.   
 
go with as light as you can , without sacrificing the strength you'll need for the "big one" 

[WaterWolf60]

thanks ill have to try it out when we finally get some ice!

[fish_finder]

I like braided line on tip ups becasue mono can be a bit of a pain in cold weather. The black tip up line works great but i really like spider wire braid in 20lb test.

[snowman3406]

I use 15 lb braided tip up line, with a 2-3' leader of 8lb fireline on my tip ups.  I found that the fireline wont break as easlily as mono will on their teeth when they start thrashing at the hole.