tip-up rig for pike

[CALVINIST]

Going to buy a couple tip-up this year for the first time. I already got an idea how to rig for walleye, but want some ideas on how to rig for norts?

[Scott M]

I like to keep my tip-ups interchangeable for speed. I will run power pro on the reel with a long fluoro leader for walleye. For pike I will direct tie to quickstrike rigs. You can do a search for those in the Musky/Pike forum and find out what you'll need for that. They also sell quickstrike rigs ready made if you don't want to make your own. That's about it. Pretty basic rig. Tip up, superline, quickstrike, and a big piece of Fish (sucker, shiner, whatever you've got).

That's just me, I'm pretty simple.

[tipup]

Also if you do not want to do the quik-strike thing you can tie a 1-2 foot leader of 25-30lb mono on the tip-up line with a circle hook on the end and a few split shoots in the middle to keep the bait down. I have used both and have not yet decided which i like best. But i can assure you both ways will catch you fish.

[hanson]

I spool my tip-ups with Western Filament's Teflon Coated braided line. Most stores have it- Gander, Fleet, etc. I'll then direct tie this to a Quick-Strike rig. Pretty simple.

Depending on the bait, I'll sometimes add some weight (1/4-3/8oz) about a foot up from the Quick-Strike rig to help it sink better and give the bait something to struggle against. I'll do this a lot with deadbait as a frozen deadbait has a slight tendency to float.

After that, its bait position in the water column; near the bottom, halfway up, or directly under the ice. Experiment until you find a pattern, they all work.

[mskyfshntchr]

Here is how I set up my tip ups for quick change over for different species. Tie the coated nylon (black or green) tip up line to my tip up. Tie a snap swivel to the end. Tie up a bunch of differnt leaders and put them on a lindy rig holder. Have plain hooks, jigs, etc. on different mono or fluoro line and different test line. On the other end put on a barrel swivel. Then I use either a leader with a circle hook or a quick strike rig when I want to fish pike. These have a barrel swivel on the end. So, undo the snap swivel and hook any of your leaders onto it and fish for pike, walleys or panfish with your tip ups. You don't have to even change location or tip ups. Works real well because a lot of my spots have pike during the day and eyes in evening/night. Makes the change quick, quiet and easy. Good luck- these cold night are going to start making ice somewhere near by!!

[Scott M]

Oops, Hanson's right Don't forget the weights! I didn't mention that in my post. I like a bigger split shot added to keep the line straight down. It also shows up better when lowering the whole setup down the hole...sometimes your bait wants to swim outside of the flasher cone and that weight will bring him/her back in.

[Jim Hudson]

Quick Strikes here as well for pike, the only way to go IMHO!!! I do the same as MSKY, with the snap swivel to change out quickly. My rigs are homemade with uncoated wire and are adjustable. I use #4 or #6 hooks, Mustad Triple Grips to be exact. Carry a few extra quick stikes that have different colored beads or even blades for extra color and with the swivel, they are easy to swap out.