Your depth is dictated by season and water you fish. Early I set flags shallower. Mid season and late season ill set flags deeper. Some lakes are pretty clear in winter here. When I'm setting shallow I usually set 2ft off bottom. In deep stained water I do the same. In deep clear water I set half way down. If I can see bottom in 30ft i know they can see all too. Some of my biggest were caught on large chubs set 15ft down in 30fow.
Pike have great. Smell power so scent it up. Use scented plastic and your favorite spray.
Rattle baits have upped my catch also. Especially in stained water. Pounding lures on bottom will do the same thing. A large rattling hair jig can be deadly. The hair can't trigger strikes from lookers. It undulated are rest like a living critter.
Jig bigger baits than normally accepted through ice too. Pike aren't line shy or intimidated by huge pry so go big.