Has anyone started ice fishing?

[MuskieBait]

I've landed pike while fishing for perch, bluegill and crappies. It can be done with 2-4lb mono. We often fish for smaller hammerhandle pike (up to 4-5lb) with straight 8lb mono and no wire leader...especially in one of the lake we fish where the smaller pike are quite wary of unnatural presentation (including the sight of a wire).

Hook placement is very important. You have much better chance if you hook them in the corner of the mouth or at the tip of the snout. If the fish took your bait deep, then there is greater chance it could cut you off. Even so, we landed many pike with 8lb mono in the past. Now I use 12-15lb mono or fluoro as a leader for smaller pike. No issues at all.