windless tip ups

[jimyoumook]

Picked up a box of ice fishing gear at an auction recently and along with the beaver dam tip ups that i wanted were 2 windless tips has anyone ever used these.

[Whopper Stopper]

They can be great for use with a dead bait presentation.


             WS

[fundseeker]

I've caught walleye on them with minnows on a spreader, but they are better known for presenting dead bait to pike here on Georgian Bay .They are a bit finicky to get balanced to automatically tip  up and down with lighter winds, but once balanced it's a great way to put motion in your second line.

[rink 610]

I have an old Mr.Tipup windlass and I've caught everything from 12in crappie to 34in northern on it. Once you learn how to set it up you will love it.

[Big Red Shack]

If it is below freezing when you are using that your line can freeze to the spool and you won't catch any fish, so be careful about that

[esox_xtm]

Windlass tippys are always in my arsenal. Like WS pointed out, I use them mostly to swing dead bait for pike. Nothing like a gently bobbing dead to draw some attention while being the easiest target in the pond.  You will have to spend some time getting to know the rig. It's not like falling off a log but well worth your time.

A few tips:

1.   Spool with vinyl coated line. It's stiffer than regular Dacron but necessary to keep line from freezing to itself.

2.   I usually bend the end of the "paddle" up to catch the breeze better.

3.   New units used to come with two springs. They were not identical; one was heavy and the other light, use the spring suitable to the weight of your bait.

4.   Usually the orientation is for the unit to be positioned pointing downwind so the wind blows across the top of the paddle from behind. Occasionally a wilder bobbing is more effective and that can be accomplished by reversing that so the wind tends to lift the paddle instead of pushing it down.

5.   Put some duct tape on the end of the flag spring above the flag to help get a grip on the line to trigger the flag. Sometimes the vinyl is so smooth it can slide on the flag spring without tripping it. I usually bend the end of that flag spring as well to help keep it secure from “wind flags”, just a slight curve in that end that contacts the spool to match the spool curve does it.

6.   I use a piece of black belting for a hole cover. It’s not very thick, just stiff enough to not fall in the water with a hole that’s big enough to accommodate the bobbing line without it touching. It works very well down into the 20s to keep the line from icing up and bobbing properly. On sunny days it works even better (solar collector) and using a fly line dressing on the vinyl helps water shed so there’s less to freeze.

To set up:

1.   Open the unit and lock the upright into the notches in the base with the thumbscrew.

2.   Lock the top arm to the upright about horizontal to the base.

3.   Determine wind direction and place the unit next to the hole so the line goes in the center of the hole. Pack the base with snow or slush to secure the unit.

4.   Determine how deep you want to set your bait. I usually mark the line with a small clip-on bobber at a reference point below the waterline. This helps keep the bobber ice free and reduces the problems associated with freezing.

5.   Hook up your bait and send it down the hole. Loosen the top arm so it can move freely. Use the “slider” adjustment on the spring to apply just enough tension to lift the arm with the weight of the bait to horizontal. Now when the breeze blows it will catch the paddle pushing the top arm down. When it lets up the spring will return the arm to horizontal.

6.      Adjust the wingnut on the spool to allow the spool to turn freely not so loose that line comes off wildly uncontrolled. It can snarl up and snag on something.

7.   You should experiment with different settings. Usually more spring tension is required for a stronger breeze to accomplish the bobbing. It sometimes takes me two or three fine tunes until I’m satisfied with the action. If you bait is too heavy for either spring,  let the slide all the way loose and push it off to the side angling it away from the upright to apply enough tension and secure the screw to keep it from slipping back.

That’s the basics to get you going. Have fun and Good Luck!

[thegeorgeone]

I have good luck with windlass tipups when I put crappie rigs on. The weight on the bottom of the crappie rigs causes you to lose some of the jigging action but it makes it much easier to set your tension springs IMO. Yes it does cause a tangled up mess on occasion when you store them. When it gets cold enough that I don't want to leave the shack to bust ice out of the holes I just pull them in and set up the rattle reels inside. The only fish I generally target with these tipups are northerns, walleyes, and perch. They work excellent for lite biting walleyes as long as you are keeping an eye on them and if you aren't watching them you will eventually know what noise to listen for and go bailing out of the shack when they go off. It is very tricky to set these up with nite lights, I have set some up with alarms connected by velcro but the velcro doesn't hold up so well in the cold. The main thing is getting familiar with them and how to set them for what you are doing. Esox gave an excellent demo of what to do to get started with these.

[mr tip up]

any advice if the wind keeps chancing direction

[esox_xtm]

It happens..... gotta adjust. Wind changes can signal a change in fish activity, usually for the better Make sure all your rigs are ready.

[hardwater diehard]

any advice if the wind keeps chancing direction

I usually have the Ice Shanty flag hoisted up as I get set up and get an idea of the best wind direction on average and set them up accordingly ...hole covers work to a degree but they are like head cheerleaders ...lota maintenance on really cold days .

Any members try the "jigging up" positioning ? If so what species have you had success with ?

[fishinnut]

I epoxy a strip of sandpaper to the flag arm where it grips the spool. Never slips.