Fly line for tip-ups?

[SlabSlayKid]

Just picked up some new beaver dams the other day. Which IMO are still the smoothest tip-ups on the market. My buddy claims he rigs his up with fly line because it doesn't freeze up as easy as the heavy braided line does. My concern is with the smaller spool fly line would get to much memory and not sink and straighten like you would want it to. Does anyone have any experience with this? What is your preferred set-up for your tip-ups?

[dan z]

I set up a new tip up this year with metered 15lb suffix braid and let's just say its the hot tip up this year. Even other guys that put it out have had luck with it.

[Whopper Stopper]

The spools on the Beaver Dams wouldn’t allow you to put much fly line on. Fly line is nice on rattle reels but not on tip ups.

I use the regular tip up line with a 6’ piece of floral carbon for my leader. I join these together with either a heavy duty swivel or a wolverine split ring. I use a quick strike rig at the end of the floral carbon tied on with a Palomar Knot. I use either a small marker bobber or a slip bobber string to mark my depth.

WS

[Hawg]

Fly line is too thick and kinky for tip ups.

[20lbSloughShark]

I have tried alot of lines on tip ups, 30 pound braid, rubber coated line, all sorts of mono line, 50 pound flurocarbon you name it. I have never tried fly line, but I imagine it would not be very good. I find there are 3 catagories line must meet to be good for a tip up.

1. it has to be the perfect diameter. Thick so you can grab it, but you can still get 50 yards on it.

2. The less line memory, the better. Line that comes off in coils is hard to wind back up because it gets caught on every part of the tip up exept the spool.

3. strenth/diameter is better higher. Oviously the strongerr the line is the better, but some line is bad in this department.

If I had unlimited money, 100 pound braid would be the perfect tip up line, thick, no memory, and nearly unbreakable. I spool all my tip ups up with the basic "Woodstock" tipup braid (20 pound, dark green) because it gets the job done and is very cheap. Its downside is it is basically oversized sewing thread and it breaks just tying it; I have not broken off with a fish yet though. I have also found 30 pound mono to be a desent line. It does not take up any water and does not freeze (I don't care, all lines thaw in the water) is invisible if thats what you want, and is very strong. Right now I have four tip ups set up exactly the same. 50 yards 20 lb dark green "tip up line", albright knot to 5' of 30 pound mono, and finally the rig (2 with thick 4/0 cicle hooks, 1 with a thin small 3/0 circle hook, and 1 with a big "natural rig"). Merry Christmas

[Hawg]

SloughShark, so why not use Cortland or a better line than Woodstock, it's still cheap. You're right, there is no perfect tip up line yet, I just wish the vinyl stuff had a little less memory. I was looking on the big E and there's some real cheap spectrta/dyneema lines from China. They might be the ticket, 300 yards for $10 or less.

[20lbSloughShark]

I would use cortland, but it isn't sold around here. Its hard to buy it online and pay shipping when I can get woodstock 3 miles away at little jim's for $2.57 a 50 yard roll.

[AlligatorDundee]

Uncle Josh

Is suppose to be coming out with their own Beaverdam brand tip up line.

I was told it will be wax coated like dental floss to keep it from absorbing water.

They also said if there is anything else to make tipup line better they will do it.