New tip-up!

[kiefer06]

Does anybody watch the show, Midwest outdoors? I saw a ice fishing show,and on it a saw a neat new tip-up. I holds a regular ice rod and it can be set up so when the fish takes the hook it will set the hook for you. I have looked around many Northern metro shops and can't find it. Many stores know what I talking about but they don't know where to buy it.

Any iformation would be great. Thanks.

Keifer06

[scottgj]

yea i seen that too dont know how well it really works .

[kslipsinker]

Got them at the Lakeville Gander Mountain.

[icehousebob]

I was under the impression that any device that automatically sets the hook is illegal in Minnesota. Am I wrong on that?

[Northlander]

I also believe they are NOT legal in Minnesota. I dont think they are in Wi. either.

[76k20]

I have seen tipups that use the spring of the rod when triggered to drive in a hook somewhere before but I am not sure if they are legal or not. The reg book declares no unnatended lines setlines or trotlines but does not specificly forbid these tipups.

I think laws forbid any device that retrieves fish either automatically or semi automatically (without handicap permit).

But I couldn't find that in the reg book either.

maybe operator error

I think I would rather tie a circle hook under a thermal tip up or a wind tip up anyways...

[Lost]

I don't know about the ones on Midwest Outdoors but I saw something like what you're describing at Gander Mountain in Fridley last winter. I also think they're illegal to use in MN.

[augernaut]

actually, they are legal in WI. Don't see them in use very much, but some like them for pike and trout. Numerous homemade versions abound as well, easy to make!

[LostEyes]

Is it like the Slamco?

[note from admin, please no unauthorized links, however, welcome to FishingMinnesota.com and IceLeaders]

[FishBonz]

Legal or not??? I am not sure. I think what you are looking for is the Artic Warrior from Clam Corp. Check out their site. I also believe that most Gander Mt.'s stock them.

[I'llTakeWhatiCanGet]

The ones on midwest outdoors were called the automatic ice fisherman. They've been at gander for about a month now. I guess I never thought about if they were legal in MN or not, but if they aren't that kind of raises an interesting issue with the fact that Gander has a big display of them on an end cap

[PaulB]

Are they blue? If so, I think the automatic part just refers to the fact they jig your bait automatically, I think otherwise they work like regular tip ups. I saw them at GM in Maple Grove, also FleetFarm in Brooklyn Park. At least that was my impression of how they worked. Sure were kind of noisy in the store though. Don't know how that sound would transmit underwater.

[PaulB]

Don't mind that previous post, I was remembering seeing that battery powered auto-jigging tip-up and that's what I was thinking about. Clearly this is something entirely different. Anybody ask the DNR if they're legal in MN?

[PaulB]

Really, I'm not obsessed with this but...

would they be legal because the fish could still pull line out from the reel, just like a tip up, even though the drag might keep it from happening quickly? So it's not really a set line, in that you're using a reel? Seems like a technicality to me, but maybe that's how they get away with it. Things are a little slow at work today...

[02fish]

I was really interested in them too. if you havent seen them, here they are.

Automatic Ice Fisherman

I really wanted one but not for $50. I was hoping to find one w/o a reel for cheaper...i for sure have enough summer reels that could be used on these. Is SD these ARE legal so they seem like the would be awesome here. Anyone seen one w/o a reel?

[sightfisher]

I have seen them either with a rod/reel with them or alone without rod/reel. So what's the final word, can we use them in MN?

[02fish]

How much are they w/o the reel?

[Shawnny B]

They were at the Ice fishing show a couple of weeks ago, the guy had it all set up, he also stated that you could buy just the set up with out the rod and reel for I think it was 30-40 bucks. I havent a clue if they are illegal or not I would contact the DNR with information on them, maybe even contact them via email and send them the link for it and ask about it that way, either way if you find out just let us know here. I dont think I would use it outside because what would happen if the line froze up on the reel and a large fish came ripping threw and SNAP there goes your line unless you have it set up with supper line.

Shawnny B

[tex22]

Yes they are called Automatic fisherman. They were invented by a couple of younger guys just out of Green Bay. And it is based on a down rigger type system(that's where the idea came from). So I don't know why they would be illegal. All it is is a down rigger for ice fishing. On the HSOforum they are $50 with the rod and reel. But you can just buy the base and use your own rod and reel. Just the base is $20 at GM and I picked up an Ugly stck combo for another $20 to go with it. I went Ugly stick because alot of the salmon captains use them on their down riggers. But I will be using mine this weekend, so I'll let ya know if I get in trouble for it.

[PierBridge]

Question 1.

They "Automatic fisherman" are not legal in Minnesota....the DNR does not like the fact that this apparatus sets the hook....

Question 2. "unrelated to question 1"

The battery powered auto-jigging tip-up we tried froze up on us in about 15 minutes, it was real noisy, my friend is/has taken it back.

[Bearfish]

They are currently not legal in Minnesota. When I questioned the guy about this at the ice show, he showed me a DNR letter explaining that fact. My first thoughts were that they seemed to be too "automaitc". But later, after thinking about the product and comparing it to a standard tipup, the automatic fisherman is better imo. With a tipup, the bait may be inhaled and you're stuck with a 26" walleye/northern cause it is gut hooked. I would think with the AI fisherman, the hook would be set sooner possibly eliminating this, but not always. The biggest downfall is a frozen hole if used outside the shack.

My buddy also had the same freezing issue with the automatic jigger tipup. Pretty disappointed in the product. Nice effort, but it looks like marketing won over engineering again.

[hip_hop_fisherman]

Here's the answer from the DNR

Sorry, this item was reviewed last year and found to be illegal to use in

Minnesota as per Minnesota Statutes 97C.325, Subdivision 4.

[Shawnny B]

97C.325 Prohibited methods of taking fish.

(a) Except as specifically authorized, a person may not

take fish with:

(1) explosives, chemicals, drugs, poisons, lime, medicated

bait, fish berries, or other similar substances;

(2) substances or devices that kill, stun, or affect the

nervous system of fish;

(3) nets, traps, trot lines, or snares; or

(4) spring devices that impale, hook, or capture fish.

( If a person possesses a substance or device listed in

paragraph (a) on waters, shores, or islands, it is presumptive

evidence that the person is in violation of this section.

© The commissioner may, by rule, allow the use of a

nonmotorized device with a recoil mechanism to take fish through

the ice.

Heres what it says,

HIST: 1986 c 386 art 3 s 27; 1994 c 623 art 1 s 39

Copyright 2005 by the Office of Revisor of Statutes, State of Minnesota.

So, if its spring loaded its illegal, but if its non-motorised its legal? .....

Id play it safe and stick with the regular tip ups, and from the sounds of it the Self jigging tip up kinda sucks.... too bad I was thinking about getting one but ill save my money!

ShawnnyB

[for-eyes]

Do you suppose that a bent-over rod can actually be considered a "spring device"? I expect that it will be an interesting year since Gander seems to be selling them like hot cakes. Do you think retailers have any liability for selling something that is illegal to use?

[carverfshrmn]

If it is not leagal, how can Gander Mtn. be selling them and not telling us this, my buddy bought one last nite from the minnetonka store for 50.00 and they said nothing about it.