Minnow Question

Don't fish with em anymore, but hooked them in the lip. I used a size 10-12 hook. Once it gets real cold, I'll hook them on a jig.

Figured I would try some live bait this trip up. Question is, how do you rig your minnows up? (through the lip, back, tail). Last year, my son's only fish caught came on a minnow someone gave him to try. Now he's convinced they are the only bait he will use. Hook size still small?

I use minnows 3/4's of the time and like to tie a loop in the end of my leader and thread them onto the line with a minnow needle.  Then use a size 14 treble hook, with a 6lb floro leader, so that the stem of the hook is up inside the minnows body and only the points of the hook are sticking out.  First I let it drift through a pod of fish a few times, then I'll start swinging it in front of their face or even just holding the minnow inches in front of their face as long as I can.  This can produce hookup after hookup all day long when there is some flow and color to the water.  I prefer smaller sized medium fatheads.  As long as you don't rake the minnow across the backs of fish, there won't be any snagging issues with this setup.

Honestly though in the current super low/clear conditions, minnows are probably only going to get you a hookup or two in the morning and evening.  If you want to catch fish all day while the sun is up, single eggs on size 14 or 16 single hooks with 4lb to 6lb floro is the only way to go.  You can pick up some cured hard single eggs at BAC and at Poor Richards. 

Use a darning needle and some leader and a small hook( I use a double ). Tie the hook to the leader. Using the darning needle, shove that right up the minnows butt and out of his mouth. Be sure to have a loop on the other end of your leader.

upper lip

it's been awhile since I dunk'd any minnows, but my greatest success was with LIVELY  fatheads drifted under float at fish eye level  thru a skool of fish in frog water

"frog water" =  slow moving pools

The key I found  was  a LIVELY fathead (preferably large or larger size) slow drifted thru the pod .
as long as it's LIVELY and stays at fish eye level thru the shool....It's almost like cheatin'

You also have to have some weight on the line, or the minnow will swim to the surface to avoid it's eminent demise .
You got to keep it at fish eye level to get bit

You only get a couple/few  drifts before the minnow croaks .
dEd minnows will work in faster moving water, but not so well in the frog water...so change the minnows often in frog water 

fatheads are tougher than Emerald shinners ...the Emeralds are pretty much lifeless and dEd  after one or two drifts

size 16 hook thru the  lip (don't put the hook thru it's HEAD...or you kilt it before it hit the water).
in the back just under the dorsal fin is cool too


..L.T.A.