Hey that would probably be the million dollar question for most fisher people. I find there is no logic or reason behind what works. However, I do try different things. My kids and wife use dead or live bait because it is easy and works effective, but sometimes live bait just doesn't work. Me personally, I try to use plastic and rubber jigs along for ice fishing. Oddly, my catch count is usually the same or more than my kids of wife. That being said, when we fish we end up with using both live and fake baits by me. Fishing is weird and sometimes can drive you crazy lol. There was one year in 2010, we catch zero fish after about 10-15 trips. It was like some fishing curse that was put on me that year. But honestly, you can't go really wrong with live bait, but really hard to attain depending on where you are. You might find this interesting - my son did a science experiment for this school's science fair. The topic was 'What bait works best?'.... we use live bait, dead bait, grapes, Schneiders Super Hot Rod Sausage Snacks.... To my surprise. ONLY GREEN GRAPES WORKED THAT DAY! Skews the data, because it was the only exception on that one day. It has never ever worked again. Weird. Last notes... the time of year though is pretty consistent. Ice in is good times, ice out is good times. The first couple of weeks after open season is usually good times. I hope fishing pick up with you.