Rigging for ice fishing

Question
Dear Sirs:
I have gotten into ice fishing about 4 years ago. The guys I go ice fishing with hardly ever catch any fish, I was wondering if I'm rigging my tip-ups correctly. We use black ice line and run about 5' of 6 to 8 lb. test line off of it. We then tie a treble hook size 5 on the line and add the minnow to the hook. I never get any bites on my set ups, while the other guys use the same set up and may get 4-8 strikes all day. Please help me out as I want to do more than talk all day long.

Thank you for your help.
Arnie Claflin
Berlin Wi.

Answer
Oh boy there are so many details and possibilities.

First off, I'm assuming you are targeting walleye, since you are using #5 hooks and a mono leader.

I perfer #10 or 12 hooks for walleye on most lakes where the eyes perfer smaller minnows like the Milwaukee minnows. Some lakes the big golden shiners are perfered so I just us my larger pike rigs with 7 strand leaders and #6 and #8 hooks.

Next thing would be location of your tip ups on the structure compared to your buddies. Then depth of setting the minnow. Another thing would be how hard you are setting the tip up to go off.

I also, hook the minnow just under the skin by the dorsal with the hook point pointed towards the tail.

I perfer to use my old white musky line for my tip ups. It is easier to see the line in the hole and which way it is pulled off to the side when you get a flag.

Your tip ups need to spin freely once a fish hits or they will drop it. The round Frabils are my favorite for eyes and the HT polars are the best for Northern Pike. If you need to relube your tip up, only use the stuf sold for it. HT has the blue grease and I saw some other stuff at Fleet Farm this year by the tip ups.

Last thing I can think of without more info. Use the highest quality hooks (like Gamakatsu) and you will not just get strikes...you will catch the fish that hit!!!

I hope at least some of this helps.

Feel free to ask more questions to get to the bottom of your bad luck.