My hole keeps freezing up!!!

[Ice Honkey]

Does anyone have any advise on how to keep my hole from freezing up.... With this weather, it isn't taking very long before I have an inch of ice in my tip up hole. It makes ist real hard to set the hook on those light biters

[hip_hop_fisherman]

I also have a similar question, how do you guys/gals keep your holes in your ice house from freezing? I don't have the money to spare on the "plugs" so any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[deputydan]

1. Put some lighted charcoal in a coffee can, 2. chip a little hole next to your tip up hole, 3. chip a little "running stream" to your tip up hole. The water will melt from the heat of the coffee can and run into your tip up hole keeping it ice-free. Hope this helps. (You'll see this alot at ice fishing tourney's, I haven't used it in this -20 degree weather though)

[The Yeti]

I use the round plastic tip ups. Seem to work pretty well. Not sure if that was what you were referring to as a "plug"?

[fishermn]

Regarding the tip up holes, use a Frabil Thermal tip up (round plastic with about an inch of insulation. I have fished in some of the nastiest windiest weather at -20, and the hole was almost completely open when I took the tip up out... For the ice house holes, do some searching, I know this issue was discussed about a month back, and people had a lot of good suggestions.

[Matt Breuer]

Stone Legacy makes a hole cover that is great for tip-up fishing and keeping your hole freeze-free. Check out the FreezeBee at http://www.stonelegacy.com/icefish.html.

------------------
Matthew J. Breuer
Northcountry Guide Service
[email protected]
-----------------------
Custom Jigs and Spins
Phelps Tackle
Stone Legacy
Ice Leaders

[Ray Esboldt]

I've used the Stone Legacy Freezebees in some awful, cold conditions, and they did a real nice job keeping my hole clear.

------------------
Ray Esboldt
MarCum
Stone Legacy

[This message has been edited by Ray Esboldt (edited 01-30-2004).]

[Deputy Grizz]

The best way to keep your "hole" from freezing up is to wear long johns, and never sit on the ice without using a seat or bucket.
D'OH!

[buzbunni]

There was a thread on this subject that I saved. Of particular interest to me was the modifications that Lucky Eddy recommended. It seems like the warm running water would keep the hole open in the most adverse conditions.

Plus, it's just a cool modification.

http://fishingminnesota.com/ubb/Forum30/HTML/004078.html

------------------
SERIOUSLY! It was THIS big!

[This message has been edited by buzbunni (edited 01-30-2004).]

[Northlander]

Make sure your heater is working properly or get a bigger one. If that dont work try a small clamp on fan to circulate the air. Also make sure your house is banked well.
If this dont work its too cold to fish.

[powderburns]

When I have this problem, while fishing from my hut, I keep a can of water on my stove. As the hole starts to freeze, I pour a little hot water in. Doesn't take much, + the hole remains open 4 awhile.

[wall eyell be]

Peein' in 'em helps !!

[cmherrmann]

Try a little vegatable oil in the hole, not much only a couple spoons full.

[federline]

I use a piece of 1 inch thick styrofoam scrap cut 12 inch diameter circle with thin slot to slip tipup shaft through. Works better than Frabill thermal - did them head to head. Pile snow over the edges, works even better.

[jimh874]

a old piece of carpet cut to cover the hole works, and doubles as a kneeling pad.

jim

[hip_hop_fisherman]

As far as the plugs, I was referring to "air plugs" that I found in one of the banners on this site, but they run a little spendy for my blood. I was thinking of just getting a couple more frabill tip ups and just leaving them over the holes at night.