Ice Fishing for Pike

I have probably logged more time chasing pike in winter than any other species. I've gotten pretty good at it and have iced many in the upper 30s but never got a 40 incher yet. I release most of the fish I catch but keep those that are deeply hooked and a few in the mid-20s for the fryer as they are the best WI fish to eat IMO.

I fish them with tip ups rigged with shiners, suckers and dead smelt where legal. I miss being able to use smelt up north but the VHS rules are in place for a reason.

Has anyone tried using large Gulp! minnows on tip ups for bait? I'd guess that they'd be like a dead smelt - no movement but plenty of good aroma. Hot dogs are another bait that I've heard works but have never tried it. Anyone care to share stories?

Smelt works best for sure, ven better then large shiners

 colored  red or green beads on the line above the hook and a walleye spinner blade above it works for me hook the sucker or shiner  by the tail  makes the stuggle more moving the blade

Jim

I have been after some pike for a while and find that using Smelt is the best bet. I also have tied on a  large Mepps (without the hook) to the top part of a leader. That extra flash sure seems to work. Im also looking for a couple of other ideas for rigging a tip-up for pike. Any set ups that are worth a try would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and Tight lines 

If you use a quick strike rig instead of a single hook, you won't get any of those "Deep Hooked" fish.

Try setting one line just below the ice surface, that is where many of the largest Pike can be found feeding on dead bait.

"Ace"

I've heard that using large smelt with 2 drops of Dr. Juice Northern scent is the way to go. I'm going to try it this year to see if it really does outfish non scented live bait.

Ive never tried Gulp! but what i would suggest trying as I have lots of success is by buying a small musky sucker and surrounding it by your smaller shiners and even dead bait. 2 years ago we started this and we have caught the biggest northerns of our lives as a result. Figures the very first time we tried this out on the ice a 43" fell for one of our dead shiners set out right next to the sucker. Coincidence? I think not