I was just won dering how other people fished for northerns. What bait, what equiptment(line, hooks, leaders). I am from South Dakota I use mostly all Smelt when going after northerns. I use a few minnows. On my tipups I use black braided nylon line. I also have one that has camoflagu line on it. I then use a weight ad a 9 inch steel braided leader. Then top that off with a number 6 hook. It seems to work pretty good. I have used monifiliment but I usually had them break my line. Although I have caught some 2 or three pounders on my jig pole when fishing for perch. Talk about fun fighting one of those on 4 pound line.
Well good luck everyone. Hope you have fun ice fishing