I’m a big fan of Circles for Just about any live bait application on ice. try and find gamakatasu off set circle hooks in size 8 for smaller fatheads, and size 6 or 4 for shiners or smaller suckers. it’s important to use a Snell knot when tying these onto the line for the hook to work properly. i use a 12 lb fluoru leader and don’t get bit off too much. for tip ups / rattle reels just hold the line taught and the fish should hook it’s self when swimming away. this is a great set line system, put a rod in a sturdy holder and rig a live bait below a float, peel off a littel extra line so the fish has time to swallow the bait while pulling down the float, it will load the rod and hook itself. just loosen the drag a little for fish that hit hard and run right away. this works great with jingle bells attached to the rod, spread within earshot around other holes you’re fishing

I own the panfish series 7ft PFS70LXF spolled with 6lbs nanofil, and this rod has become my go to smallmouth and walleye rod for throwing almost anything under 1/4 oz. Casting distance is superb, and this light rod Can still handle 20″ fish (even reeled In a tail hooked carp in heavy current). Highly recommend this rod.

Welcome to the world of river fishing! Thought i would share this in-fisherman article on how to present Lures in current for bass. http://www.in-fisherman.com/bass/smallmouth-bass/smallmouth-bass-and-current/

Also once things heat up a Heddon tiny torpedo is a great all around topwater for Smallies.