at first ice, i use a medium blue shiner. i like using glow in the dark hooks, the size reccomended for minnows, forgot the name of the hooks, attach a barrel swivel 18 inches above hook. put a split shot between swivel and hook, hook minnow on 1 pole just behind dorsal fin through back, on other pole hook minnow in the stomach, be sure not to hook into organs it will kill minnow. i always put 2 red clunker beads on line before tying on hook, theyre the glass beads that are sold for carolina rigs for bass. set 1-2 ft off bottom and deadstick, ive never used a tip up but im planning to this winter. the struggling minnows will make the beads clack together and attract attention. it never hurts to use stinger hooks, i sometimes do if i remeber to get some. just let the stinger dangle freely below minnow, it will lodge in walleyes mouth when he sucks it in, i also catch alot of slab crappies this way. good luck 8) 8)