Ice fishing is a great way to beat cabin fever in the winter and get outside. There are plenty of basic supplies that any ice fisher needs for catching fish. One of the most important pieces of equipment is a high-quality tip-up.
Tip-ups are devices that signal when a fish grabs on your line. A flag springs up (or tips up) when the fish hits. With the help of Blain’s Farm & Fleet, you can find the best tip-ups for your next trip out on the ice.
With a windlass tip-up, a small paddle catches the wind and bobs the bait up and down. Even in calm water, the tip-up can jig the live bait around to catch the attention of fish.
They also fold up for quick storage, making them easier to carry out to your ice fishing shelter or hole.
Pro-thermal tip-ups are innovative, freeze-proof pieces of ice fishing equipment. A thickly-insulated, round cover goes over the ice fishing hole, which keeps the hole from freezing over.
It seals up, keeping snow and slush out of the hole. It also blocks out unnatural sunlight that can spook the fish. Plus, the small disk shape fits into a five-gallon bucket, so you can you easily carry and store it.
They also come with high visibility flags, so you’ll know when the fish are biting.
A pro-thermal tip-up is great for really cold or snowy days out on the ice.
A hardwood tip-up is the most traditional option. The wood is heavy enough to stay anchored on the ice.
A large, high-visibility flag will help you easily locate your rig and see when a fish bites. Plus, the built-in crank handle with a large spool makes it easy to retrieve your fishing line.
These are just some of the ice fishing tip-ups available. Ultimately, you want a tip-up that will work for you on the ice. Some fishermen swear by the cheapest wooden tip-up, while others opt for the features that come with fancier ones, like the pro-thermal.
Your tip-up should have a stable base that keeps the whole thing from blowing over. You also need to make sure it has a trip bar.
With a trip bar, you can set the tip-up for a light or heavy trip. With a light trip, you’re set for small fish or light bites. You can use a heavy trip setting for larger fish. You can also use it to keep gusty winds from setting off a false flag.
Finally, research the ice fishing regulations for your state. Some states have regulations on how many lines a single ice angler can use. They can also regulate the hole size you drill into the ice.
At Blain’s Farm & Fleet, you can find all the ice fishing gear you need to reel in a big one. From ice fishing rods and reels to ice fishing clothes, you’ll be set for a day on the ice.
For more tips on ice fishing, visit our Fishing Blog.
