Support Iceshanty... Get some great gear and forum goodies... Join The Iceshanty Hardwater Militia
I am interested to see if anyone with experience replies, but while having not done it personally,I have heard of people cutting the tail off of a big tip up sucker to simulate/create a distressed baitfish situation.Hopefully you can nab that big one that tormented you under your shack a few weeks back...
I have the smaller scotty clips on my traps to keep the suckers from popping the flags.
Fishing live or dead? It makes a difference (sort of). Either way, if you're dangling footlongs a tandem Q/S rig is the order of the day if it's legal where you fish. Fixed end hook goes near the head and the adjustable (or also fixed) second hook goes near the dorsal. If you get a flag and they're taking line, tighten up and put the steel to 'em. If multiple hooks are not legal one treble (or single) at the dorsal just like you hook smaller minnows will work best.As far as controlling big live bait, the rubber band trick might be the best (https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=266318.0) Weight can be splitshot up the leader. Weight for dead can be a 16p nail down the mouth or up the vent, your choice.
I got out for a bit today and it was a beautiful out unfortunately I only had two hours to fish. I set up in 50 fow I want using big suckers they were probably 4 inches or so.
Not the size I was looking for but my presentation worked