Ice fishing is a popular sport in areas that see long, cold winters and thick ice layers. Ice fishing is different from normal warm weather fishing in that in order to set the hook properly, you must let the fish take your bait longer and deeper. Tip-ups allow ice fisherman to set up their rod and bait so that they not only know when a fish takes the bait but also can allow the fish to take the bait deeper without feeling resistance on the line. Making your own ice fishing tip-ups is easy, fun and can save you a significant amount of money.
Things You’ll Need:
- 1-inch dowel rods 1/4-inch screw in eyelets 1.25-inch tubing clamps Ice fishing reel with spooled line 2×4-inch lumber 8 penny finishing nails
- 1-inch dowel rods
- 1/4-inch screw in eyelets
- 1.25-inch tubing clamps
- Ice fishing reel with spooled line
- 2×4-inch lumber
- 8 penny finishing nails
Step 1
Construct the tip-up rod first. Cut the 1-inch dowel rod to 24 inches in length. Use the tubing clamps to clamp the pre-spooled fishing reel to one end of the dowel rod. Screw one eyelet into the dowel rod directly in front of the reel and then place another eyelet at the opposite end of the dowel rod. Pass the fishing line through these two eyelets to complete the rod.
Step 2
Cut a piece of 2×4 inch lumber to a length of 20 inches, and then cut the base into a point so that you can punch it into the snow. Next, cut a 2-inch-long by 2-inch-deep square out of the top of the 2×4-inch lumber, and then cut notches on either side of this square perpendicular to the 2-inch side of the wood.
Step 3
Attach bait to the end of your fishing line, letting the line go through a hole in the ice. Push the base of the tip-up into the snow approximately 10 inches from the edge of the hole. Hammer two finishing nails 8 inches from the base of the reel on either side of the rod and place the nails into the notches on the 2×4-inch base. The weight of the reel will keep the base of the tip-up down until a fish takes the bait, at which point the rod will tip up, indicating a hit.
