Tip up question

[OldSailor]

While we are all impatiently waiting for ice and keeping an eagle eye on the forcast, let me ask a question about something I have no experience with, and that's tip-ups. All I've ever done is jigging and bobber watch. I know we can use 2 poles and 6 tip-ups to ice fish, but 6 tip-ups seems like a lot to keep an eye on. What species do you target, how do you set them up as in bait and depth and how many do you use?? I'm planning on fishing Indian Lake,Kiser, Buckeye, and any ponds or lakes close to me. OR wouls I be better of with a jawjacker, but that counts as one of the two poles, doesn't it?? I was thinking of investing in just one or two to play around with. Would they be good to set for saugeye with a good sized minnow, or with something else for pannies?? Let me pick your brains please!! 

[Bonecrusher]

I use them to help scout an area. If fish are moving often times well placed tips will tell you how and when. I start out with a circle and it gives me an idea of where the fish are hungry or feeding. Also vary the depths on each tip up until you get them dialed in.

I have used them for Saugeye but never had any luck. Crappie and gills are another story. Fishintechnician and I had them out one day and we were in TShirts from running after all these and finally we had to take them out of the water. Waxies and minnows for the panfish.

[mitch131]

jaw jackers is consider a tip up not a pole.

[ratherbefishing]

The following is a copy of a post I made a while back in response to almost the same question.

To address the issue of Jawjackers being jigging rods or tip-ups. All I have heardfrom anyone is that they are an absentee fishing method and that they will be viewed as a tip-up.

I hope the following explanation of tip-up use is helpful...

Re: Tip Up how to's?

« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2010, 12:51:12 PM »

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I can bring mine as well.

Here are the basics:
1. Spool the tip-ups with at least 100' of heavy braid or tip up line.
2. To this line attach your leader. (6-10lb. mono)
3. Use split shots to keep your live bait in check. Space them out a few inches apart to stabilize the bait.
4. Drop a sounder to the bottom (heavy weight on a gator clip,) and grab the line right at the surface of the water between your thumb and forefinger.
5. Pull up a bit of line from the hole to get your presentation off of the bottom. I usually go 4"-5" off the bottom. It is important to note that at this time you must also compensate for the extra drop imparted by the down rig on your tip-up. You Mark this spot with a small clip bobber and reel in the tip-up until the bobber rests against the line guide.
6. Remove the sounder from your hook and replace it with the bait of your choice. I like minnows!
7. Now wait for the magic to happen. Little fish goes in the hole, big fish comes out!

*Note*
Make very sure to account for the extra drop imparted by the down rig on your tip up! If the spool rests 8" below the surface and you want to fish 5" off of the bottom, you'll need to take in 13" of line to correct the difference. DO NOT FORGET THIS STEP!

[mikeL]

I do allot of tip up fishing in Wi for walleyes and do very well.
The best way to describe how to use them is hands on.  We can go fishing together. I'm more than willing to show anyone. Everything I know.

Have fished my whole life with tip ups in Wi.

[mikeL]

Also where do tip- downs fall under

If you could use six tip-downs  for crappies it would be killer!!!

[icebucketjohn]

I'll use them a few times, but rarely take all 6 out at once.  I like to move around and when using all 6, you're limited to the area where you're drilling holes.

Here's 2 mods I made to my tip ups.

[slabslayer]

I have tip-ups but rarely use them.  I prefer riggers, they're very similar, count as a tip-up (so you can use up to 6), and are easire to use.  I like it because I prefer to fight a fish with a pole, a tip-up won't let you do that.  The rigger is similar to a jawjacker, but there are differences.  The rigger has a flag that trips upon a bite, and the trip sensitivity can be set for anything from bluegills to muskies.  When the flag pops-up, run over, grab your rod, and the fight's on.  Nothing in the way cluttering your hole.  Of course this only works if you're obsessed and have poles out the wazoo like I do.   The top pic shows the rigger in the tripped position with flag up.  Notice the line clip rotated fully forward.  The bottom pic is the rigger set.  The line clip holds the line between the reel and first guide, there is a black gromet on the side of the line clip bar, so you can adjust the tension.  These riggers are also reversible, the line clip bar can be flipped and the flag put on either side of the board, depending on your reel handle location.

[OldSailor]

Slabslayer, what are riggers, where can you get them, and what's the price?


I've seen Automatic Fisherman on Cabela's, but think Jawjackers would work better.

[slabslayer]

Riggers are similar to jawjackers in that you use a fishing pole in them, but they trip a different way.  They don't "set the hook" for you.  The fish swims off and trips the flag, then you go set the hook.  Which is a nice feature if you're livebait fishing for walleye or musky, where sometimes they don't really take the bait for a few seconds.  I paid about $15.00/each for mine.  I couldn't find them around here at all.  I bought mine online thru Fink's Bait and Tackle, they had the cheapest price I could find at the time.  Also in this year's in-Fisherman Ice Guide 2012 there's an article about fishing with riggers on page 28.  They will work for panfish, toothy fish, even catfish and bass.  The secret's getting out.

[OldSailor]

I was just checking them out online and came back to remove my post and you were on it like white on rice!! Thanks!! Also found info on tip-downs. Are riggers and tip-downs considered like tip-ups and Jawjackers are? Not considered a pole, even though they do use a pole

[slabslayer]

Yes they are considered tip-ups in that they are "unattended fishing devices" and are treated as a tip-up by the ODNR.  You can use up to 6 at one time.

[HardWater Junkie]

I would be careful about using anything like that saying that it is a tipup without having it in writing from the state. I have heard of people being checked and being let go by one officer just to get a ticket another day from a different officer. There is a fine line with the jawjackers and HT riggers and other devices of such nature. Anything that has a removable rod and reel could swing either way depending on the officer and what kind of day they are having. My word of advice is to contact the ODNR and tell them exactly what product you are using and get it in writing from them. The letter fro the Jawjacker from ODNR is on this site some where. I advise printing it off and keeping it with you on the ice to be safe.

[mikeL]

So tip-downs are considered tip-ups. If this is true, I can't wait for crappie fishing this year.  It would be nuts to have six tip-downs in and two poles!!!!!!!!!

[slabslayer]

Good idea hardwater, always best to have it in writing.  I was going by what I was told by a person on the phone with the ODNR.  Never know though, not worth the hastle if an officer is in a foul mood.