How to keep fish on the line?

[Novice fisherman]

So today I was fishing with a few buds, and we were getting a lot of flags. I mean it was awesome but all the fish kept getting off. We were using tip ups and targeting pickerel and bass. There were small perch hitting the tip ups, and small fish trying to hit our minnows, so they got off but there were larger fish that got off. Any tips?
Thanks

[bullpine]

Small trebles like #12s as stingers to the hooks that don't seem to be working. When they try to chew the bait  off the hook you will catch them on the stingers. 

[thomasthepikehunter]

Bigger hooks, harder hooksets, and pull the fish in slower.

[michianafisherman]

Was the fish still taking line while you tried to haul em in? Wait till they stop taking line. Then you know they stopped to eat. Then you can set the hook.

[Rwolff]

Small trebles like #12s as stingers to the hooks that don't seem to be working. When they try to chew the bait  off the hook you will catch them on the stingers. 

Was the fish still taking line while you tried to haul em in? Wait till they stop taking line. Then you know they stopped to eat. Then you can set the hook.

X2 both good advice and what I do as well.

[thomasthepikehunter]

IMO, if you hooked the fish for any amount of time, you let them have the bait long enough.

[mjmeyer]

Sharper hooks is often the answer. They should almost reach out and stick you. You know the ones that always are catching your fingers as you bait. Also sometimes when fishing for catfish in the summer, I'll bend the gaps on the trebles out slightly. It makes the points that much more "aggressive".

[harrops26]

X2 on sharp hooks. I test my hooks once a week on my thumb nail. If the point digs in its good. If not I use my little Anglers Image hook sharpener to touch up the points.

[Whopper Stopper]

Not much else to add. Just don't give up!

           WS

[JiggerDan]

I see you're new. It takes a bit of practice to be able to set the hook properly. don't give up, you're only going to get better.

[bryantukkah]

Jig.