Not a big perch.
I wanted to see a 50 inch perch!
Oh ya and whatever would be feeding on it.

I've always used about 8" of wire. Cortland makes good stuff called Tyger wire that knots well. A figure 8 knot works well with wire. Sz.  4's always did it for me, but I've never bested 42".  With suckers I'd run a double hook rig- one behind the dorsal, one in the lip off a small 3 way swivel.
Pike pick up the minnow and run with it. They generally attack from the side and end up with the bait crosswise.  They'll then stop and orient it to swallow. If you pull during the initial run, you have to hope they have the hook positioned to hit home. If you pull during the pause, likely you'll just pull it away. The best  is after they move off the second time, as they now have it going down their throat.  Pike will attack relatively large prey for their size. HT probably has some finer points, and better suggestions, but that's what worked for me for many years.   10-12" suckers are the preferred bait- Not a bunch of spiny rays on their dorsal and lots of fat on them. Good eatin' for a 'gator.  Big shiners in the 7-8" range are good also.

For when I know or target pike waters I will put 25# big game mono on for a leader. I have and carry quick strike ( 2 treble hooks ) steel leaders but rarely use them.. Just plain leftover big game line I have. For my laker- perch or walleye tip ups I rig 8# mono leaders and have caught many pike on that set up too but if I'm breaking leaders then I will switch to the 25# right away
For hooks:
All most all my tip ups are rigged with a size # 10 treble and if I'm using giant bait then I will up the treble to a size # 8 or 6 depending on the size of bait.
We have found that the small trebles produce much better hook sets right in the corner of jaw instead of a J- hook which usually results in a deep throat hook. The trebles are much easier to remove.

Bait:
It's always a good idea to put a few of the biggest shiners or suckers you can find. That said we have caught very big pike on just med or heavy shiners and caught very small pike on the biggest baits too.

O come on Rich,time to tell the truth and nothing but.....you land the Lakers with your mouth....don't you?

fichy
I've always used about 8" of wire. Cortland makes good stuff called Tyger wire that knots well. A figure 8 knot works well with wire. Sz.  4's always did it for me, but I've never bested 42".  With suckers I'd run a double hook rig- one behind the dorsal, one in the lip off a small 3 way swivel.
Pike pick up the minnow and run with it. They generally attack from the side and end up with the bait crosswise.  They'll then stop and orient it to swallow. If you pull during the initial run, you have to hope they have the hook positioned to hit home. If you pull during the pause, likely you'll just pull it away. The best  is after they move off the second time, as they now have it going down their throat.  Pike will attack relatively large prey for their size. HT probably has some finer points, and better suggestions, but that's what worked for me for many years.   10-12" suckers are the preferred bait- Not a bunch of spiny rays on their dorsal and lots of fat on them. Good eatin' for a 'gator.  Big shiners in the 7-8" range are good also.
 
Charlie,way back many years ago when fishing "Swartwood,Paulinskill,Hopatcong,Bear,Deleware,etc. lakes" for Pickerel they would hit the minnow,make a run,pause.then make the second run and then we would set the hook.Does that bring back some memories?

God yes, Jack. Big pickerel are brutes. Still one of my favorite fish. I'm hoping Jersey lakes freeze up this year and are OK in Feb. to relive some of those memories with my older brother. After my sister passed, I've been paying a lot more attention to family. I talked to my niece in Portland Or. and sad to say, she's started to fish for steelhead with a spinning rod and I may have to twist my arm and go out and visit.

Charlie,I've never been to those west coast rivers but from pictures I would think that new switch would be the ticket out there.

I think I am going to get the #8 trebles.   I am CHEAP,  so paying $8 to $10 for a dozen minnows every time out makes me cringe, especially when I am targeting perch for the most part. A few times a year I will spurge and get a dozen.  I usually just throw a perch or small sunfish on 2 tip ups and that's it. It's legal as long as you count them towards your daily limit and do not take them from lake to lake.  Have good enough luck like that.     The others are set for perch.
I finally picked up my Marcum pro 1 tonight so it is game on
http://www.amazon.com/Marcum-Fishing-Sonar-System-Flasher/dp/B0041INZCM
 
I have a Pop up lined up from someone at work because the one I wanted is sold out.  My old Clam wieghts at least 80 lb and is a bear to load in the back of my SUV
 

HT-What's the plan for this Ice Fest weekend?  Who's in? out?  What do I need to bring?  Do you have a list of places to stay?  etc...and so on.....
 

Clint,
I hear you about the bait.. The Big Pike bait that I get are $2.00 each so they are very few and far between.. Generally I buy 3 every now and then and use heavy or med shiners for warm water fish..
I do have a good tackle shop that treats me well so a little bait order goes a long way :)
 
When Jigging for perch or Lakers , live bait is really not necessary.. It's all about attraction and sometimes scent for Lakers.. I have found plastics or gulp tipped on jigs or spoons work just as well as live bait.. It's the electronics and seeing what is happening under the ice that makes a bigger difference.. Your eyes will light up when you see that fish appear on the screen and you will learn how to present your lure to make them strike.. Much different then blind jigging..
 
Gerry & crew:
You guys tell me when and I will be there, heck I'm there regardless..
Schroon lake has enough ice to drive a semi out right now and has been giving up decent lake trout on the short pole.. We have caught very large pike in there as well and at the one local shop they have a 50" on the wall from schroon.. I like that lake personally..
Lake George is better potential for bigger Lake Trout and just froze over this past week.. Most likely I wont be giving that lake a try until the weekend of Jan-17th but may swing in on my way to Schroon on Monday..
 
As for lodging:
Our first choice is Maple Leaf Motel on north end of Schroon Lake right off exit 28 on northway (87) .. I stayed there Monday night..
 Very good place 2 miles from where I walk on.. He likes cash over credit and the room for 2 was $60.00 out the door.. We have had 4 comfortably in there in the past.. No need to reserve ahead of time as there is always a place to stay..
In Lake George I stay at super 8 downtown.. They are $70.00 per night (2ppl cash or credit ) and again 2 miles from fishing or the winter carnival that happens in Feb...
If one was to bring their spouse for a weekend getaway, the Alp Horn Motel on Loon Lake (6 miles from schroon) is a good place with a great restaurant, a little bit pricey though but sometimes worth it.. You can walk to good fishing on Loon (pike & walleye) and is a middle spot for Schroon & Lake George..
 
P.S
The trail systems for sleds are out the door from the Maple leaf and the Alp Horn..