i've always hooked mine through the eyes. i use to hook them through the back but ive found that they will stay alive longer if u go through the eyes. ive never hooked them through the lip. but i think if you ent through the lip you'd have good presentation. the thing with fishing minows is keeping them lively. it's been my experience that crappie won't hardly hit a dead one unless they are in a really agressive state. i do i would go eyes. don't want that big minow shaking the hook loose. lol