I have had many bites on tiny slip floats this year on a minnow rod.  However, I've only been hooking about 30% of them and landing 10%.  I have been nose hooking the minnow and using #10 salmon egg, thin wire hooks to keep the minnow lively. 
Anyone having a better bite/hookup/landing ratio?  Doesn't seem to matter how long I let the fish hold it under, even 5-10 sec. doesn't help. Thoughts appreciated.

Whenever I get a day pass to go fishing, it is usually followed by a night in the kitchen making dinner.  I love to cook so here is tonights recipe.  We just had perch fry the other night so wanted something different.  This only takes about 45 minutes and 15 of that was spent folding laudary while the mixture chilled in the freezer.

1 lb. crappie fillets, (8-12 depending on size)
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup mayonaise
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. Penzey's Northwoods seasoning
2 tbsp. butter
1/4-1/2 cup oil to coat skillet
Salt and pepper to taste.

Clean rinse and dry fillets. (I layer them in paper towels until they do not soak through when pressed against the counter with an open hand)
Melt butter and place fish in skillet, salt and pepper to taste.  Cook for about 3 minutes per side until fish turns white and flakes easily.  Be careful not to brown the fish.  When it is done, it will be difficult to remove from the skillet without braking apart.  Put aside in a bowl, butter and all.

Mix together Mayo, spices and eggs until consistant. Add 1/2 cup breadcrumbs.  The mixture should be about the consistancy of pancake batter.   

Use a fork to break up the cooked fish, then stir the fish into the above mixture.  It will be a little runny, add more breadcrumbs until it begins to stick together.   Place completed mixture in freezer, log into IFO, open a beverage or fold laundary like I did. 
After 10-15 minutes, mixture will have firmed up a bit and the breadcrumbs will have absorbed any excess liquid.  Add enough oil to the skillet you prepared the fillets in to coat the bottom.  Form batter into patties with your hands, a little will stick to your hands but you should be able to hold them together enough to place in the skillet.  Place in skillet on medium heat, turn at 5 minutes or when they begin to brown.  After 5 minutes on ther second side, they should be done. 
Serve with your preferred sauce or eat as fishburgers etc. 
Yields 6-8 cakes depending on size.

Hope you enjoy, they are good enough that I got another pass to go catch more crappies this weekend

Arrived at about noon at the Cemetary, open water on the edges to about 10 feet out except for the Old road, spudded out to about 50 yards and could not crack through with 5-6 good hits.   Once out to the clear ice you could tell it was 6+ of good ice still.  Ice floated up and water blew off so as slick as can be.  Fishing was unremarkable, moved to 305, same conditions, someone had put a few large rocks in to keep the boots dry.  A few boards would help if trying either area as it will be wet until mid week at least.
 Traffic was light, about 5-6 trucks came after I went out at the cemetary, guess I won the first idiot award today.  About 15 people off of 305.  Caught some crappie during the magic sunset hour and that was about it for the day.

Spikes required and watch the edges but otherwise good.  A friend reported open water near a creek inlet though so watch if near one.  Sounded like a thunderstorm with all the ice building towards dark and holes were skimming over so we've dodged another warmup for now.

Hello all,
Does anyone know what would cause my frabill flip over front bar to be about 6" above the ice?  It was not this way in the past and can't figure out what could have bent or moved.  Just retightened all of the bolts as general maintenance.  But the skirt barely touches the ice.  Can take a few pics in the driveway set up if anyone has any ideas or previous experience with a flip over with this problem.

Thanks,
Steelneyes