First pike on a tip up?

[Huntin Horseman]

Today I finally rigged up my tip-up,and went out to a lake that has huge pike in it and hardly any fishing pressure,you have to walk a mile to get to it.So I went out to the creek and caught my chubs and walked out to the lake and 10 minutes after I set my tip-up I had a flag so I went and checked it and my chub was gone so I rigged another one on and 15 minutes later I had a second flag so I walk over and the spool isn't moving so I start pulling my line up to check if my chub is still on and all of a sudden I felt something on, so I set the hook and started pulling her up and when she got to the hole she took off so I let her run for a while and started pulling her up again and she got up to the hole and ran again so I let her go, then I pull her up once more and she came right up out of the hole and measured out at 30 inches :D I was so happy, she was my fourth pike ever and first through the ice.Maybe I'll get a pic on if I can figure out how to use it.Oh that lake has tons of pike in it and last year there were guys who limeted out on 14 inch crappie.This lake is so much fun to fish,hopefully it stays secrete,Shane

[scottfree]

well good for you!!! at least someone is having luck icefishing. lol. how deep were ya fishing? how large were the chubs?

[Can't Touch This]

I just caught my first pike on tip-up last year, it's a different feeling!!!! I have one of those round runs that tells you if the spool is running without looking at the spool. When its still running, if there going fast, let them go until they slow down, then pick it up(if you hadn't already), set the hooks hard, and use your drag(fingers) wisely. Well, that day on houghton lake, i caught my first 6 pike through the ice, 4 on tip ups, 2 on poles.

[dieseldude]

Arent secret lakes cool?
I didnt catch where you were fishing.....:cool: ;)

[buckslayermichigan]

congrats both, it looks kinda stupid tip up fishin till you do it. cant ask for more fun than that can ya. peace jeff

[TONGA]

nice job Horseman!!
I have never had a lot of luck with tip-up's ,but my buddys do pretty good with mine!

[scottfree]

keep trying the tip up fishing till your successful. then you will be "HOOKED" no pun. the site of the flag stickin up in the air brings such intense emotion. you hurry and get there not knowing what is on. usually.......NOTHING!!! lol. just my experience. but every once in a while the fishing gods allow you to be part of the excitement that everyone else is talkin about. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!! congrats again!

[Banditto]

Can't Touch This hit the nail on the head. That is exactly what we do. We are probably near 100 pike this winter already. We use the largest bait we can find. I have landed 20" pike on 10" bait so the bigger the bait the better.

One thing to add is pull it up as fast as possible, don't let it run. The just before the hole slow down to make sure it's nose is pointed through the hole (not off to the side). If it isn't centered drop it down a few inches and try again. This is critical because they can freak out right at that point and if you pull when they are sideways you will pull the hook out.

30" is a nice size fish HH.

[Huntin Horseman]

Ya,I think I'm gonna buy another tip-up and just do that.I was fishing off a point near an inlet about 5 feet down but I don't know how deep it was right there.I was using a chub about 5 inches long and I catch all my bait in the creek right down the street.A guy I fish with on another lake told me he'd give me $10 for 5 chubs next time he see's me.There is pike in that lake about 40 inches easy so maybe I'll get a bigger one yet:D Thanks for all the nice words:) ,Shane

[bigberniegb]

What is a good set up for tip-ups. Would a true turn hook on a micro line black steel leader with a stinger hook work well?The reason I was thinking of trying it like this I think that the true turn hook with a stinger would be more stealthy.

[Huntin Horseman]

I have green 30# test line with a stinger treble hook and a regular old steel leader so far it has worked great but after catching a fish the hook needs to be re-shaped.,Shane

[Banditto]

One of my secrets is I use a noose style pike rig. The noose allows you to tie the leader around the body of the minnow, while actually piercing it with a hook. The noose goes around the body and there is a stinger that hangs in loop below the minnow.

It keeps the minnow alive while you fish, and if you don't get a bite you can loosen the noose and return the minnow to the bait bucket. If you get a bite the minnow is sheared in 1/2 though...

Most of the time I will get hit after hit, but what it really saves you is if you have an unproductive hole you can easily move it without loosing a lot of minnows.

I wish I had a digital camera to give you an idea of what I am talking about... cause it is kinda hard to explain otherwise and it does take a leader making tool kit to make these.

BTW I use Sevalon 7Strand brand uncoated wire in 40lb which is a little thicker than a 4lb test mono.

[fairview253]

Just iced my first pike last weekend, I got a half dozen on tip-ups on Houghton. There is nothing like sitting down with a couple of 30-packs and a half-dozen buddies and just watching the flags fly. I know the fishing will not be that good every day but it sure was fun catching those sublegal pike and letting them go. Ok that part sucked but the catching was fun.