I use rattle reels but i have no line on them. Instead i use poles and wrap the line around the reels 3 times clockwise and leave the bail open. when a get a bite (reel gives the ding ding..) I do a quick counterclockwise spin around the reel and use the pole to set and pull in.
i missed alot of fish by trying to set and pull in by hand... the poles are the way to go.

perchman..

It's pretty basic. You first need some heavy Dacron line on the reel. I use roughly 60 feet of 80# white/green spot Dacron. I like the heavy line because it handles easier and tangles less. Tie a loop in the end for attaching a mono leader. I use 15# green maxima. About 3' of this tie a loop in one end and attach to the Dacron. On this I put a 1/8oz egg sinker. Tie a swivel on to keep the sinker from sliding down. Now I use a 8# fluorocarbon leader about 30". Tied to the swivel and a plain black hook. I like a 1 or 1/0. I use the big hook cause I like big minnows. A 3" fathead or rainbow is my favorite. The bigger the better as far as I'm concerned. A 12"+ perch cannot resist a minnow that size! I retie my hooks often. When the fluorocarbon gets shorter than 20" make a new leader. When you get a bite don't set the hook! Let it take some line and pull with a steady sweep of your arm. Then hand over hand. Let the fish take line if it wants. Don't force it in the hole. Good luck this winter!

WinterBite wrote:

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I pretty much do the same thing as muskiemike, but I switched to a plastic coated tip-up line a few years back when I started to bring up my girls. the lines would tangle fairly easy with the braided line. With the plactic coated, it's easier to handle well your fighting the fish and it will not tangle on the floor of the house.

Plastic coated tip-up line by Mason Tackle Company. It is braided dacron line coated in black plastic. It is designed for ice fishing tip-ups, and will not freeze or kink.

Yes - let the fish take the minnow a second time after the first strike. I have a much better hook rate by doing this. Good luck!

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Great I just saw the Mason line at Fleet Farm. Thanks

 

You will never fish deeper than 35' so there is no need for too much line. Use 15# cause you should not have to replace it till next season. The swivel keeps the sinker above the hook. I hate split shots and I think it would weaken the fluorocarbon. Fluorocarbon is expensive and the less you need to replace the better. I usually end up replacing about 10'feet of fluorocarbon every weekend. 10 x 12= 120' of fluorocarbon every season for me. Btw this is the same way I rig slip bobbers on open water minus the Dacron. If you break off you only loose a hook. I think it saves time in the long run. When the fish are hungry you don't have time to waste. I always have pre rigged leaders ready to go also.

-- Edited by muskiemike on Wednesday 1st of December 2010 03:26:18 PM

-- Edited by muskiemike on Wednesday 1st of December 2010 03:29:17 PM

Everybody has their Special way of setting up a rattle wheel.

I use the black plastic coated tip-up line because it is the easiest
to untangle. I tie on about 6-8 feet of 6-8 lb line as leader.
I use the heavier leader line because it doesn't break as much as the
4lb. test and the new-style line has such a small diameter.
The reason I put on so much leader is that I like to retie
my knots periodically and I don't have to replace the entire
leader each time. When I get to about 4 feet I replace the entire leader.
I place a weight about 1 foot from the hook to keep the minnow from
"escaping" the target depth I'm fishing. I have had the best luck using
a plain hook behind the dorsal fin.


I have found that when I'm jigging in one hole and have my
rattle wheel setup in the next hole over, I seem to to get more
fish when I move the rattle wheel bait up to about 2-3 feet
from the bottom. the jigging brings them in and they sometimes
like the easy meal floating above them.  That's the same technique I use
when dead-sticking in my shelter. If I'm not getting any action on the
rattle-wheel I down-size my hook and bait.


When all else fails just step outside or start making a meal...
the fish seem to sense that your not paying attention!

Muskiemike, thanks for the diagram. It confirmed what I imagined from your narrative.

One more question, why not use a barrel swivel between the Dacron and the #15 Maxima?  

-- Edited by iwalleye on Thursday 9th of December 2010 05:58:28 PM

muskiemike wrote:

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You could put a swivel there also. There is no reason you can't. I'm just trying to save a dime.

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 Ok Thanks. You, Rick and others here have been very helpful to me by sharing your knowledge!