I use plain spreaders with no blades. I use the gold tru-turn#4 hooks. I allways out fish people with blades. When I take people out they quickly switch to plain spreaders. Another trick that works real well when the bite is lite is to take a single hook and tie a 2 foot leader to it, then drop your weight to the bottom and bring it up about 8" off the bottom. When the fish bites there won't be any tension on the bait and they will take it in. As soon as you see the rod tip move set the hook and you have your fish. You don't need a whole minnow either, take a knife and cut it into pieces.