Snow Sports Articles

Tip-up fishing is a lot like watching a bobber, the only differences is you're waiting for a flag to come up.

Utilizing a tip up not only increases your odds on catching more fish, but it also assists you in finding, the correct depth and type of bait the fish is after. Let's say you're fishing a long point, and you're not sure if the walleyes are in shallow or in the deep water. By drilling multiple holes along both the shallow and deep edges of the drop-off, you can set your tip up at one of these locations and utilize your jigging reel at the other. Thereby checking both areas at the same time.

If you've never had the opportunity to utilize a tip up there are some basic tips that will be helpful for you.

The Line

It is best to spool up with a high quality braided line or one that has been specially coded for ice fishing. Personally I like to stick around the 40 pound test line as I feel this provides you with the best overall coverage. Also will want to tie on a snap swivel at the end of this line to accompany the leader. Because if you've seen this line you'll know that it is rather thick and black making it unsuitable for walleye or pan fishing. Therefore, when fishing for panfish, walleyes, or northerns I will tie a monofilament leader. Pre-tying these will save you got a bit of time. I utilize a Lindy rig holder and simply tie 3 foot to 4 foot long monofilament leaders varying in line strength and the lure on the end. For example, if you're going for crappie, try tying on a 2 pound or a 4 pound monofilament line with small jigs and hooks tied to the end. For walleyes you may want to step up into the six or a pound test line, and tie on a hook, a small spoon or Swedish pimple. For northerns, I will often timed my monofilament line on to a steel leader. I like to use a single strand units for my steel leaders. It's also good idea to tie all of your leaders the same length. That way, if one breaks or if the line gets a little frayed from catching too many walleyes. You can simply switch it with another one!

Depth

As mentioned above, I like to set my tip up at a different depth than the one that I'm fishing with my rod and reel. Most fishermen set their tip ups at a shallower depth than the one that they are jigging at. Personally, I look for the first weed line break, and will often set up my tip up at the edge of that structure. This is where electronics really pay off. By utilizing a depth finder, you can more accurately find multiple spots on one location. As far as how far off the bottom you want to set your bait, discreetly depends upon what fish or after and of course what time of the year is.

Type

There are a lot of different models of tip up’s. However, they break down into two basic groups, one type fully covers the whole any other type does not. There is some major advantages to the ones that completely cover the whole. Number one, they provide an air gap, this helps insulate the hole preventing it from freezing up. This also helps in wind not rushing across the hole and freezing it up. Another advantage to this type of tip up is that it does not allow for light to travel down the hole. The other type of tip up as probably the longest history, this is the type of tip up is often referred to as a stick tip up. Both these types work extremely well in catching fish and in fact, I happen to own both types. I have however made a modification to the stick type tip ups, I've cut a round shape with a slit in it to move the tip up in and out of out of a piece of solid insulation.

When to Use a Tip-Up

I've been asked us number of times and I guess the easiest way to answer this is to say always. Whether I'm fishing on foot, out of a vehicle, in a portable shelter, or even in my sleeper icehouse I use my tip ups! Of course if you fish throughout the evening, seeing a tip up in the middle of the night may be difficult. However, there are adaptations for that, most manufacturers sell tip up lights that a light comes on when the flag goes up. Their also tip ups that utilize wind power to jig your lure. Last year, I even saw one that was battery-operated and jig to line this thing also had a heater to keep the hole unthawed!

Enjoy the Experience,
Randy Man