What do you Great Lakes guys (or others who have the opportunity to run into big fish consistently) fish wih?? After having a couple opportunities @ 9# + eyes this year, and having one equipment failure, I am curious to see what you are using. I really like the way my swimming lures work on lighter line (6lb.), but need more heft. How big do you guys go?? How about tipup leaders?? I'm using 12# Vanish, seems to be working. Any tips, etc??

I really don't gear up much. Still use 6 or 8 lb test line. Haven't lost a hog yet to line breaking. Have a couple of 12# in the last few years.

Yeah I got one tip don't use Vanish, if fishing around structure make sure you have no knicks in the line and double or triple check all knots between leaders and other terminal tackle. Stick with some regular trilene or stren 8-10 pound, also be sure to have a reel with a smooth drag with as many ball bearings as possible, a longer rod will allow you to get away with lighter line if that is what you want to do, keep your hooks razor sharp also.

Ive been ice fishing for a long time now, always improving tactics I simply fill the whole reel with Vanish 6lb it works like a dream you dont need more than that for pulling straight up a hole, last year I pulled up a hog Northern that snatched my Walley bait on 6lb. Forget all that ice fishing line stuff it is redundant as far as Im concerned also once you start running slip bobs at all different depths espeacially shallow youll appreciate not having to worry about a leader / line knot, ect. I also re-tie constantly on changing jigs, spoons ect. so I dont have to worry about using up a leader / tippet.