Tip Up Style Preference

[gonehunting]

Just curious what style tip ups everyone prefers. Looking to do some pike fishing this winter and was curious what everyone's favorite was. I have the old orange HT style tipups and some of the round Frabill insulated versions. Are the beaver dam tip ups that much better?

[Fishin4fun_MN]

Don't know about that. I like the Clam Arctic Warrior.

[AndRo]

I like the round Frabill just for storage purposes.

[northerndave]

I've had all kinds of tip ups over the years and my fav are still the old style wooden base, simple non telescopic flag and a big spool.

This one happens to be a south bend, I have several brands of this style and have no favorites brand wise but I like this style.

For hole covers my fav is still a piece of foil coated bubble wrap style insulation sheeting. You can cut 1' squares with a slit from one outside edge to the center of the square, duct tape all cut edges including the slit cut and you have cheap hole covers that last for many years and weigh practically nothing.

[Gus]

Northern Dave, the bell is a nice add on.

Myself, I like the good ole wooden tipups myself. I've trimmed my tipup box down to a few trusty Beaver Dam tip ups.

[Hawg]

I'm a fan of the good old Polar cheapies. They are the smoothest I've used and easy to relube. In the snow though I go to a round one or a hole cover.

[Farley]

I prefer the classic wood tip ups with the metal spools because if the hole does crust over you can just pull them out with a good hard yank, plastic spools break in this circumstance. The round ones are nice too but I like being able to see the line come off the reel.

[northerndave]

Northern Dave, the bell is a nice add on.

Myself, I like the good ole wooden tipups myself. I've trimmed my tipup box down to a few trusty Beaver Dam tip ups.

Got to have the bells.

I sure love me some jingle when that flag pops lol!!

[Zenit]

Don't know about that. I like the Clam Arctic Warrior.

Second that. I like the Beaver dam tip ups, have three or four of them, but I rarelyuse them anymore in favor of Arctic Warrior.

[MN BassFisher]

The beaver dam tipups are nice and will last forever, you can't go wrong. We've had a batch at my cabin for the last 30 years and they still work well. I personally have a collection of the orange Frabill insulated ones. I like them for storage (you can stack them in a 5 gallon bucket) and I like them because they insulate the hole and keep the water from freezing. The one gripe I sometimes have with them is during windy/snowy days or if you've got some good distance between you and your flag, it's sometimes hard to see if the flag is up (a longer arm would be perfect). But it's not too bad, I also put a piece of reflective tape on my flags so I can just shine a light during dusk or night time and see if one is up.

[Whateverzbitin]

Hands down I like the classic Polar. They are cheap, smooth, easy to maintain, and easy to see. If it is cold just use those insulated discs. It adds a little expense to do it that way, but I find the soft discs insulate better.

[Hoffer]

I use my round frabil insulated ones 80% of the time.

As mentioned above - they stack in a 5 gallon bucket and with a seat cover for the bucket you can carry 6 tipups and have a seat all in one.

I still do use my wooden beaver dams as well. I even had one ge run over by a snowmobile a few years ago and it still works.

On days where the holes arent freezing over I have really enjoyed using the new style "tip up" that allows you to use a rod and reel. The line goes through a trigger and that is attached to a flag. The flag goes up and you are free spooling on a regular rod and reel combo. Really like these...not as easy to transport and you have a few more things to bring out on the ice...but they are fun. Usually use them inside a portable so the hole doesnt freeze over the line...or on days when the temps arent freezing the hole over outside.

[Gus]

You guys that use the artic warrior care to explain how you fish them? I have 1 also but I've never had good luck with it. Either the flag doesn't trip, or the fish feels something.... do you use spinning or casting reel? Open or closed bail, etc. How do you rig it to trip the flag.

Thanks

[muc33]

I rarely use tip ups, but I must admit, I became fond of the Windlass tip up because with a small breeze, you could set it to make a jigging motion. I think that added to it's functionality. Although they are like complete tough unit's they served me well for good walleye fishing when I have used them.

[perchking]

beaver dams are my go to's...

[Whopper Stopper]

I have 8 Beaver Dams. Three of them are 30+ years old. I have only had to re-pack one of them. The rest, work like a fine Swiss watch.

WS

[nolte]

This usually seems to be a regional/state type of preference. It also depends on how much/when you are going to use them. WI guys usually use beaver dams and other areas tend to favor something else. Plastic ones work great for space/weight or pleasant conditions. If you fish in real cold conditions and leave them in for extended periods of time the beaver dams are tough to beat. They can take a few missed chisel hits and still keep working.

[Fred_Bear]

I use the round frabills. They are easy to store and transport, durable, keep the holes clean, and all at a good price.

[broman]

Don't know about that. I like the Clam Arctic Warrior.

+1

[snoozebutton]

[Fishin4fun_MN]

You guys that use the artic warrior care to explain how you fish them? I have 1 also but I've never had good luck with it. Either the flag doesn't trip, or the fish feels something.... do you use spinning or casting reel? Open or closed bail, etc. How do you rig it to trip the flag.

Thanks

Bail closed. Spinning. I just followed the instructions that came with mine.

Here is a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DISluvEbpq0. It is kinda long. You can forward to around 12:30