How to Build Ice Fishing Tip-Ups

How to Build Ice Fishing Tip-Ups
One of the most daunting tasks while ice fishing is staying warm. Instead of sitting and holding your fishing line by the ice hole, you can do other things to stay warm and remain comfortable by using a tip-up. Ice fishing tip-ups are devices that signal when a fish strikes your fishing line. A flag springs up when the fish tugs the line allowing you to sit back and wait, while relaxing and keeping warm in a shelter.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • 24-inch wooden dowel, 1/4-inch in diameter
  • 24-inch wooden dowel, 1/2-inch in diameter
  • Narrow strip of bright-colored cloth
  • Braided fishing line
  • Superglue
  • Scissors
Step 1
Place the 1/4-inch diameter dowel over the 1/2-inch dowel in a cross shape. Take the braided fishing line and wrap it around five times at the point where the two dowels intersect. Do this while ensuring the smaller dowel can move and turn freely around the braided binding.
Step 2
Make an overhand knot to tie off the braided line. Cut the line with the scissors and place a drop of superglue to keep the windings tight.
Step 3
Attach the cloth to one end of the smaller dowel. This will be your tip-up flag.
Step 4
Put the tip-up over the ice hole so that the larger dowel sits on the bottom and extends over to both sides of the ice hole.
Step 5
Loop the fishing line loosely around the shorter dowel on the opposite end of the signal flag. Wait and watch until the flag tips up when a fish strikes your line.

Article Written By Rona Aquino

Rona Aquino began writing professionally in 2008. As an avid marathon runner and outdoor enthusiast, she writes on topics of running, fitness and outdoor recreation for various publications. Aquino holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications and English from the University of Maryland College Park.

Write for Trails.com
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