Slow slow slow

[jig1]

Fished an area that has been good to us in the past.... Not this wk end   30+ guys in the area and only saw 2 lakers and 3 perch... None for me  . Only fished 18 hrs Saturday . Hopefully there will be some cusk swinging this morning.( really  would like to make a chowder ). Good luck all !    Jig1.       
                                                         

[BrookieSlayer99]

X2 today has been super slow.i couldn't get to my fav spot cuz of the snow and now I ain't catchin anything

[Altonbayicefishingfool]

Fished an area that has been good to us in the past.... Not this wk end   30+ guys in the area and only saw 2 lakers and 3 perch... None for me  . Only fished 18 hrs Saturday . Hopefully there will be some cusk swinging this morning.( really  would like to make a chowder ). Good luck all !    Jig1.       
                                                         

What's the best technique for setting cuck lines? The kids and I set a bunch Friday night and almost everyone had the bait gone.

Thanks for any input

[nixstyx]

What's the best technique for setting cuck lines? The kids and I set a bunch Friday night and almost everyone had the bait gone.

Thanks for any input

How are you doing it now? Haha. Biggest factor I can think of is probably hook size. A larger hook with a a slightly outward turned point tends to lead to less stolen bait for me. Also, consider the possibility that something else (laker, perch, etc) took the bait off your hook. Cusk generally inhale it, but other species are known for picking at bait. That tends to happen more often with smaller/medium shiners. I use the largest I can find and try to thread it on a bit, or at least pull the eye of the hook through.

[jig1]

He is right... Cusk will eat about anything that will hold still or can't get away. Missing bait is usually a panfish , if a trout  / salmon had it ..the 6 in leader will be twisted up the line above the 1 oz. weight. Actually saw it happen on a fish cam !

[ice fisher]

I once had all of my bait stolen off of my cusk lines . All but one guess what I pull up with the bait on the last one ?  Crayfish still clawing on the bait !! I don't think that all of your baits were eaten by perch  !!