Tip Up set up for pike

[N M Mechanical]

Newbie to tip ups I never used them but would like to try them this year. In the other years I have got a few pike while jigging and I catch them in the summer so I know there are some pike So the questions are

1 what line

2 what hooks

3 and rigging

thanks for the help.

[wally-eye]

This article is a good read and should answer just about any questions you might have. Most tip-ups are rigged with black dacron line attached to a swivel that has a mono leader from 3 to 6ft. and a treble hook that is appropriate for the size of bait/fish you plan on catching....... A sinker of heavy enough weight to keep the minnow down is also needed and added 18 to 24 inches or so above the hook....

Good luck....

http://www.cateyeoutfitter.com/articles63.php

[GOTONE]

I use just regular tip up line red trouble hooks with a stinger hook and a weight and a steel leader put a heavy enough weight on just above the steel leader to keep the bait down

[jacktownhooker]

good read and advice ! i know that i only use tip ups when pike or walleye and if i sit tight in shanty to stay warm which isnt too many times ! am waiting next year when we can use three poles then will definitely use !! as i like to jig and move mostly -has anyone used automatic fisherman which is a slammer ? i have 2 and i like having a reel in hand and fighting the fish unlike a tip up

[perchinatorx]

i run pretty much the same setup but,no weight i like the bait to be able to swim my avatar was 1 i ccaught this way . more importantly is youre depth just above the weeds works for me

[roger23]

I like a rig like this ,,trim the tail to slow the bait down..unless I use dead bait

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/medium/homade_Quick_strike_rig1.jpg

[DaveW731]

I use either 15#Tyger wire leader in black, or 20-30# flouro line. So far, Pike don't seem to care much. I have started adding colored beads, painted sinkers and small spinner blades on the line above the hook for some added flash and attraction. Seems like I started getting more flags after doing so, with both wire and flouro leaders.

[N M Mechanical]

did not think about a spinner Now have you guys noticed what is better Shinners or suckers or is that a personal thing?

[MSUICEMAN]

keep in mind the three line thing won't go into affect until next license year... which starts VERY late ice if not after ice fishing season.

i like to use a quick strike rig.... get less in the gullet that way and a higher hooking percentage. i'm not the biggest pike ice fisherman ever, but enjoy it as more of a social event.

[DocHoliday]

I have my tip ups rigged with 30lb dacron backer line then a swivel then 8ft. of 17lb mono then a swivel snap with a large split shot above the snap. Then I tie my own leaders about 1ft long out of 17lb fluorocarbon line with a #8 treble hook on one end and a loop on the other end. Slip the loop on the snap and you are ready to go for pike. I make the leaders out of 8lb Fluorocarbon and a #12 treble for walleye. I believe that the fluorocarbon leaders get more hits than steel leaders. But that is just my opinion there are other methods posted by others in this thread that are very good suggestions as well.

[StumpJumper]

PM Sent

[PITBULL]

I use #30 braided tipup line with a 6' 17lb florocarbon leader. I tie the line&leader together, (no swivels) for the hook I use a #10 treble, and a splitshot about a foot above the hook. I use suckers 4-6" for bait over shiners just due to the fact that they are easier to keep alive after a day of fishing. The florocarbon seems to keep from breaking better than mono. but I still cut the leader and retie after catching a fish. I have better success when I put the bait about 1/3 to 1/2 way to the bottom. When a flag go's up just walk to the hole, watch the line if its not moving wait until it starts moving again, get on the opisite side of the hole from the direction that the line is heading tighten up on the line and just start gently pulling the fish in. dont jerk the line to set the hook, if you use small hooks that are sharp they will hook themselves. If the line dosent move again after a few minuets gently pull in the slack and you will probably feel the fish at the end tighten up on the line and pull her in. take a small gaff or use the handle of your ice scooper to pull fish out of the hole onto the ice.

[Centrarchidae]

Anybody use circle hooks for their tip-ups? I don't usually set out tip-ups because I mostly fish for bluegill, but the few times I'm on a lake with pike, I have been getting about 50% hookset with circle hooks. Sometimes I forget it's a circle hook and set it, and others times it just doesn't hook-up. Any suggestions from those using the circle hooks? Or is 50% successful hooksets comparable to treble hooks?

[cobia302]

I realy don't think it matters the set up for pike. They are mean and agressive fish, if you have a sharp hook and a hungry pike they will hit it.

[Wishn I was fishn]

I tried circle hooks last ice season for the first time. I had horrible hook-up success. I just use straight braided line with a medium size treble. I have better success without a steel leader. I may lose one out of 10-15 fish but the amount of flag set is two fold easy. I agree when the pike are hungry it doesn't matter but when there finicky (and yes pike do get finicky) the steel leader can make all the difference.

As far as suckers or shiners I have notice a big difference in on working better than the other. Suckers are a hardier fish and will last longer in the bucket and on the hook. But I use both with equal success. I should be watch a couple tip ups this weekend if I can get out of the woods with the muzzy long enough.

[Fishslayer5789]

I use #30 braided tipup line with a 6' 17lb florocarbon leader.
:yeahthat:

Do NOT use a steel leader if you want to catch fish in respectable numbers, and especially if you want to get into big fish. A flourocarbon/mono leader in many cases is essential for fooling pike, especially in clear water. I personally used between 12 and 20lb flourocarbon leader on my tip-ups and set my line between mid-depth and 4 ft below the ice. Pike have eyes on the top of their head and will rise to take a bait and will rarely dive down if at all to take a bait.

[Ken Martin]

I use the dacron like must but I use 30# Big game as a leader with a number 4 or 6 red treble. I've lost too many fish with regular mono. No hardware, just a blood knot to tie each together. Split shot to keep shiner from swimming to the ice. I put a small bobber at the spool to set the depth for strikes and to see when I am getting close to the fish.

Ken