Tip up rules?

[cubbies11]

What are the exact rules with tip ups in minnesota. 1. How can they be rigged? 2. What about trebles? 3. Quick Strike Rigs? 4. Every thing else that is sketchy in the reg. book. Any input is appreciated.

Thanks Cubbies

[Steve Foss]

Cubbies:

You can use quick-strike rigs in Minnesota only if they have a spinner attached. That makes it a "lure" in the DNR's eyes. There's some talk that a bead is enough to do that, but most COs that I've talked to won't go for that.

Some over-the-counter quick-strikes have blades, some don't. I make my own with sevenstrand wire, and you can buy those tiny pink clear spinner blades from most tackle stores for almost nothing.

If you have quick-strike rigs of your own with no spinners, buy the little spinner blades and put them on your line above the quick-strike and you have a "lure." Pike are not put off by that small spinner blade, I can tell you. And I've caught 12-inch walleyes on 6-inch suckers with quick-strikes/spinner blade before.

Quick-strikes are the most humane set-up, in my eyes. Flag goes up, run over and jerk the line with no waiting, and the fish almost never swallows the works when you use those rigs, making release pretty simple. One tip: smaller hooks work better than larger ones. It takes less jerk to set a small hook, and they hold just fine as long as they're stiff wire hooks.

Someone else will need to clarify this next point, but I believe any treble on a live-bait rig needs to have a spinner attached in Minnesota. That's simply my understanding of the regs. I haven' t specifically asked any of the COs I know about that. But it's not really an issue, because today's single hooks (like Kahle and Tru-turn), will hook as well as any treble, and in many ways outperform them when it comes to hooking and holding. Especially holding, because, with a treble, it can become wedged, and the fight of the fish can result in leverage being applied to one hook of the treble, forcing out the one that's grabbing the mouth.

Most importantly, have fun, and never be afraid to ask questions. There are no stupid questions.

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"Worry less, fish more."
Steve Foss
[email protected]

[feverpetal]

You cannot use a "bare" treble or "Baited" treble hook in minnesota, since this would be akin to snagging. If it's part of a lure, then you can have as many sets of treble hooks as you want, I believe. But, a homemade lure is still a lure. Treble hooks aren't too bad for casting and retrieving, but for jigging, when you're pulling the fish mostly out, not just towards you, I would think you would want one single hook, since it will definately set correctly. Avoid double hooks, they are just evil.

fp

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"Cast riiiiight....there."

[feverpetal]

These might help...

http://fishingminnesota.com/ubb/Forum30/HTML/001243.html

http://fishingminnesota.com/ubb/Forum30/HTML/001173.html

http://fishingminnesota.com/ubb/Forum30/HTML/001158.html

http://fishingminnesota.com/ubb/Forum30/HTML/001104.html

http://fishingminnesota.com/ubb/Forum30/HTML/001050.html

And this one just because http://fishingminnesota.com/ubb/Forum30/HTML/001041.html

Also, after reading those threads, my new thoughts are as follows... When using bait that looks/is a fish, I think a single hook in the middle of the minnow (I prefer below the spine, I think they move better) would be better, but if you are going to just put bait on like magoots and the like and maybe even worms, treble hooks might be better. Medium size would be good, not large, also.

fp

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"Cast riiiiight....there."

[Steve Foss]

I use the double hooks extensively on my quick-strike rigs (when I can find those hooks anymore). On each double hook, one tine is smaller. Oxboro tackle used to make them, but that company is out of business. I was still able to find a few cards of the hooks on the clearance racks last year.

I have had excellent luck with them, but limit myself to the smaller sizes, even for bigger pike, because they hook with less pressure and hold very well. The big hooks make it all tougher.

Using a treble with a little spinner makes it a lure, just like a quick-strike rig, so it is legal.

------------------
"Worry less, fish more."
Steve Foss
[email protected]

[cubbies11]

Thanks you guys that really helped, I love fishing quick strike rigs and I make my own as well. I even use them for walleyes as well as pike. I will have to make some with some spinners. Thanks again.

Cubbies