tip ups

[Steve Foss]

Sometimes you can't get there fast enough because they just grab it and swallow. In those cases, nothing you can do but kill it and eat it.

Some models of circle hook should be able to come up through the gullet and not hook the gullet itself. But circle hooks are a whole different kind of fishing. They take some getting used to if a person hasn't worked with them before.

[FishLocker]

Stopped at Fleet Farm in North St. Paul yesterday. They have QuickSet rigs (I think by VMC? ) that have the two hook set up with plastic sleeve just like in your photo Steve...one exception, the hooks are set at 90 degree angle so if you stick the short hook top down in the back and the shank then lays along the back, the large hook sticks out along the side horizontally for good hook placement. They were very proud of the rig as it was over 4 dollars for a single rig. Is that what you have to pay for that kind of rig ? I think I would like to tie my own if anyone can find the hooks.

[Steve Foss]

FL, that's exactly the kind of hook shown in my pic. If you look closely, you can see they're set at right angles. It's not easy to tell at first glance, but the larger hook comes straight up off the fabric.

I'd say $4 is about right for those rigs. Best QS rig commercially available, IMO. When I was buying them and the wire got frayed or kinked up badly, I'd save the hooks for retying my own rigs. You used to be able to buy the hooks in bulk, but I haven't seen them for several years, which is basically why I started going with smallish trebles.

[FishLocker]

I guess I will try the FF pre-made rig and see what it all catches. I will also check that lure liquidator up in Brooklyn Park. If you get there first, let me know if they have the hooks...I will do the same.

Thanks Steve,

the FishLocker

[gradyandjill]

Also keep in mind boys, you fish two distinctely different parts of the state. The pike around the metro area are much more finicky. I haven't had much luck with smelt or dead bait around the metro area. I'm originally from Moose Lake, but live in Cologne now. I fish a lot of pike and there's a huge difference in the two locations.

[Scott M]

Wanted to pull this thread back up since it contains information on circle hooks. Anybody have any more thoughts on running circles on tip ups? I'd like to CPR some big pike later this winter, and I have a pile of 2/0 to 6/0 circle hooks. I also have a bunch of quick strike rigs. I'm split over which to use. Anybody compare the two?

[Boar]

I heres my question, with the new regulations on ciscos an smelt, I went on a frog hunt last Sept. Oh boy cant wait to use frogs this march on LOW Wat kinda rig would u guys suggest for frogs, use to make my own harnessess foe smelt but now with frogs, the frogs arnt gonna accomadate the harness, Any suggestions an a picture to view? Thanks Boar

[arctic_scrap1]

I just started using circle hooks on my tip ups this year. I haven't gotten out much but I've landed probably 15 pike on them. They are either 3/0 or 4/0 I can't remember. They will fit inside a beer bottle cap though, haha. I use 20lb tip up line and a short 18lb leader with a rubbercor 1/8oz sinker about 1ft up. I always use live mixed or light pike minnows. It seems to me that the only time I will miss a fish is if it runs into heavy weeds. I let them take it for at least a minute or so and haven't gut hooked anything. I know you're not supposed to give a hook set with circle hooks but I've found that if I give it a little jerk after I start pulling in line it seems to seat the hook into the mouth a little better. I had a few spit hooks before while just pulling in the line.

[LEECH21]

Oh Boy.....boar's talkin' piken'!!!!!! FLAG!!!!!!!!!!!! Haha!

[pushbutton]

Wanted to pull this thread back up since it contains information on circle hooks. Anybody have any more thoughts on running circles on tip ups? I'd like to CPR some big pike later this winter, and I have a pile of 2/0 to 6/0 circle hooks. I also have a bunch of quick strike rigs. I'm split over which to use. Anybody compare the two?

Been spending some time the last three weeks fishing for pike and have used both. Know this may seem a little odd but also have been using large gumballs that also slide out and side hook very effectively, a little trick from a bobber set up from my catfish days on the sauk chain. This is my first time seriously (ok, not real serious but always have one line down for them....fishing in a multi species area) targeting pike, and have increasingly been using the quick strike rigs. They seem to give the best chance for a hookup. Still kind of up in the air for the best place for putting the front hook, as most strikes have come straight on. Really like the action of the dorsal fin, but recently with them getting tentative had to start mouth hooking them. Guess if i had to rate them for where and how I am fishing for them would hands down say the quickstrike, next the gumball, and lastly the circle. Have yet to gut hook on any, even in the middle of the night on rattle reels.... but have been attentive, diligent, and apparently a light sleeper.

[LunkerCity]

I have been looking at buying a couple of new tip-ups. I have a couple of stick type flags which I like because you can see where they are easily. I have been looking at the new Frabill Ice Spider and was wondering if anyone has bought these. They look like they would fit right in my rod bag but at the same time, they look like you could break one of the legs right off if it was frozen down...