personally, I've always been in favor of smelts through the back . With the option, its a go to for me. But recently there is limited places around that have smelts, so shiners it is. I've been catching fish, but i think its the reason why the fishing has been slow. Now, with finicky bait fish comes dieing bait. How do you hook? The traditional under the dorsal? Recently after fishing with a buddy, i saw he goes through the mouth, down through the jaw. So i began experimenting, with no real effect. If anything, had alot of bait missing going through the jaw, from the fish ripping it off i presume? Whats your go to? Any experience beyond mine?