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Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Tipups => Topic started by: Bearseatfish on Nov 23, 2018, 08:47 PM

Title: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Bearseatfish on Nov 23, 2018, 08:47 PM
I was just looking  To pick up some more  Jack traps for my boys.  They are 52 - 81 dollars now Before adding any modifications.  They are a good looking trap but I'm starting to wonder if it would be better to just buy some unfinished heritage Lakers and just  Stain and poly them myself....
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: RyanW on Nov 23, 2018, 09:18 PM
You could make quite a few tip-ups out of a plank of hardwood and some small pieces of hardware. Might have to buy the spools and flags but even the flags shouldn’t be hard to make either. Felt, flat wire, and some staples. I say make your own and screw paying 50-80 bucks for about $3 worth of parts.
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Baetis62 on Nov 23, 2018, 10:24 PM
Fleet Farm had Beaver Dam Jolly Rogers on sale for $35 earlier today.  I like the old ones but probably some good value at decent price.
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Iceassin on Nov 24, 2018, 03:26 AM
I have been using these for years...never had any issues and won't break the bank. I use the ETU-10 (black) with the larger spools. I did drill out the holes on the sticks a little larger to allow them to slide a little easier on the screws when setting up and taking down.

https://www.fishusa.com/product/HT-Enterprises-Fisherman-TipUp?utm_source=google_ps&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_ps&gclid=CjwKCAiAiuTfBRAaEiwA4itUqABh80Es9GCsI8cGbXwts9Inyj8V7OfPIPfihGsN5xm9sp_ioxW70hoCwQMQAvD_BwE
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Mr.Seaguar on Nov 24, 2018, 05:46 AM
People pay $100 for a fishing rod. A tipup catches fish in worse Conditions for many years. Even $80 sounds like a bargain if its quality equipment.
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Iceassin on Nov 24, 2018, 06:13 AM
You could make quite a few tip-ups out of a plank of hardwood and some small pieces of hardware. Might have to buy the spools and flags but even the flags shouldn’t be hard to make either. Felt, flat wire, and some staples. I say make your own and screw paying 50-80 bucks for about $3 worth of parts.

Couldn't agree more Ryan. "I" can't justify spending $80-$100 on a couple of sticks and a spool. Caught plenty on my $15 setup...and the tip up wasn't the reason for any misses. I've even caught them on my spearing decoys...an old baitcaster fastened to a 2X4. But that's just me.
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Agronomist_at_IA on Nov 24, 2018, 08:35 AM
I've got two blue plastic tipups that Scheels carried a few years ago. I think berkley made them, but the name on them is hard water tackle Nordic Ice tip-up. They were $5 each and do the job well.

I also restored an older HT tipup that I used and refinished it, then dropped a beaver damn flag on it.

When I was going through all of my tipups getting them ready, I thought ...... With the strong built plastic tipups a guy never has to restrain or redo the wood.......and they do the job.....and tend to cost less.....huh.

(https://i.postimg.cc/XZQNtRQX/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XZQNtRQX)


(https://i.postimg.cc/qzRFG9Cj/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qzRFG9Cj)
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Ramp 23 on Nov 24, 2018, 11:31 AM
I just got some heritage lil lakers came finished & they are really nice long way from 40 - 50 $
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Martian on Nov 29, 2018, 09:32 AM
 expensive tip ups , never made sense to me. a trap is nothing more then a srike indicator. so is a bobber., and I suppose there is a guy out there who would want to pay $30 for a bobber, or $1.59 like the rest of us
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: P Meyette on Nov 29, 2018, 02:15 PM
i noticed it at the begining of last season
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: sploke on Nov 29, 2018, 02:26 PM
I fish with a big group of guys a few times a year, and about half of them use jack traps.  I use cheapo older than dirt tag sale traps.  I tell you, the first time out I have some envy about those nicely stained with shiny bits jack traps.  Then as it turns out I catch just as many fish as any of those using jack traps on my ratty tilts so I stop worrying about it :D
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Sandcountrylivin on Nov 29, 2018, 02:33 PM
My tip ups are $5 ht Polars when I see a sale, $5 frabill thermals when I see them on Craigslist. From my experience they are plent smooth and as long as I'm not fishing 200' of water the spools hold plenty of line.
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: UFCreel on Dec 01, 2018, 06:29 AM
My two original Beaver Dams cost $13.89 each. But that was 37 years ago when i was 18. I have been able to pick up several more over the years. All old school Beaver Dams. All under $20.00 a piece. I wont pay what they want for the new ones. Especially since my old ones work well.
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: diehardiceman on Dec 01, 2018, 12:23 PM
Perhaps tryout those tipups before you buy them; buy them off-the-shelf, instead of off the internet.
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Iceassin on Dec 01, 2018, 12:39 PM
They didn't... HT ETU-10's are still around $12 - 15. Very simple set up and bullet proof. Been using them for years.
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: NateD on Dec 17, 2018, 03:55 PM
I was just looking  To pick up some more  Jack traps for my boys.  They are 52 - 81 dollars now Before adding any modifications.  They are a good looking trap but I'm starting to wonder if it would be better to just buy some unfinished heritage Lakers and just  Stain and poly them myself....

My dad did the same for me, and I'll never need to buy a tip up again.  I'm sure they were cheaper when he bought them 15-18 years ago though.
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Mancaveburnett on Dec 17, 2018, 04:00 PM
Seems like ice fishing has gained in popularity. All the vendors that sell merchandise caught on to the profitability chain. All those bright colors and nice packaging now come with a premium price tag. Yes I support them greatly and buy way too much 
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Chute82 on Dec 17, 2018, 05:47 PM
If you calculate inflation for the $15 beaverdam in 1980 to the price of 2018 , you were paying pretty close to the same amount.  Unfortunately everything goes up in price as the dollar devaluation happens...


U.S. Inflation Rate, $1 in 1980 to 2018
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index, prices in 2018 are 205.87% higher than prices in 1980. The dollar experienced an average inflation rate of 2.99% per year during this period.

In other words, $1 in 1980 is equivalent in purchasing power to $3.06 in 2018, a difference of $2.06 over 38 years.

Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Doeslayer on Dec 18, 2018, 05:24 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/nMhR86n4/Screenshot-2018-12-18-06-22-43.png) (https://postimg.cc/nMhR86n4)
I picked these up for 30 a set.... Never freeze up keeps the hole unfrozen unless its silly cold and windy.... Damn near indestructible and they catch fish just like any other tipup
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: mee2gofishing on Dec 18, 2018, 10:40 AM
You're shopping for them at the wrong time.  You can find them on the shelves with line, hook and sinker for less than $35 each if you are looking in the spring.  Of course, you lose your choice of colors.  I picked up a kit of 5 original 26" Jack Traps a few years back with a woven main backpack basket, liner bag and jig stick for less than $100. It came with line, swivel, 4' of leader, split shot and hooks  Great tip ups -- easy to set up and take down, lite and  smooth trigger, never had a wind flag and will pass down to the next 2 generations. I had been using home made tip ups that had been passed down to me, but once I got on big water with big spreads  and 60' plus depths, the old home made traps started to create problems.  I graduated to the the Heritage laker tip ups, which I think I got in neon pink for $20-25 each 10-12 years ago.  These have been great.  The pink, wasn't my first choice, but I got a good price on them line and it turns out these are very easy to see, and stick up a several more inches than the jack traps.  The Heritage also have a crude drag system for big baits, but they do get a bit worse for wear over time.  I have had nuts come loose and actually had a reel or two come off.  Still these are easy to set up and put away and have been good year in and year out.
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: musky8it on Jan 12, 2019, 01:32 PM
DIY a hookset tipup, they're cheap and easy to make and you use your rod/reel to bring in the fish.

I have a thread on the one I just made, its called "DIY Auto Bite Hookset for rod/reel using mousetrap as trigger ". Here's a photo of it.

(http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1616/6738613/24686089/414084856.jpg)

Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: river_scum on Jan 13, 2019, 07:11 AM
unfortunately there are people out there that will over pay for anything.  so that leaves everyone else with higher prices too.  I blame the 80s for most of it. lol

I will second the DIY "steelie slammer" type like musky made.  lots of them on youtube and they work great.

polars would still get my vote.  mine are from the 80s and still work great.  I think they were 6-8 bucks back then? hell the original Dacron is still on one of them I think. lol
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: musky8it on Jan 14, 2019, 12:32 AM
Like riverscum I bought my good tipups 10-15 yrs ago and they was between $5-10. Not sure the name but they're orange and round, they cover the hole and help keep the water from freezing. The others I have are the normal type, long and narrow Polar and the wood Cross type. Don't use them anymore to many freezeups.

OP your best bet is to buy used ones if you're cheap like I am. Lots of times you can buy 3 or more in one ebay auction pretty cheap. Right now I see one auction for 6 of the oldschool cross wood type for BIN $10 +$11 S&H, another with 5 wood old school type for BIN $10.50 + $10 S&H.
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Jkoht on Jan 14, 2019, 05:25 AM
Brand new tip up on sale for $9.99, complete with a 500' spool.
https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/ht-enterprises-inc-polar-tip-up/0000000006288?bc=10417|10440|10445
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Gamalot on Feb 16, 2019, 07:08 AM
Equipment in general is a matter of personal taste and your own personal financial shape. Fishing the hardwater for well over 50 years and I have had about every style and make of tip up that came along. I now have 4 complete sets for when friends and family come along. My set are Jack Traps and I love them, all 7 of them. I have Heritage lakers and 2 sets of HT Polar therm extremes that I also love. The brand of tip up and the quality has absolutely nothing to do with how many fish they catch. My set of high quality Jack Traps only make me feel good that I have good equipment and that I will never have to replace them if I care for them as I do. They are lifetime traps worthy of being handed down when I can no longer go ice fishing.
Buy what you can afford without breaking the bank but just make sure they are decent quality that work flawlessly so you don't lose fish when using them. For shallow water lakes I like the disc type with the antenna extension flags so you can see them easy. I sold all of my original Beaver Dams for twice what I paid for them after 15 years of hard use. Just hated the short flags on them but never had a complaint about their quality or function. To each his own and the tip up you use is NOT a status symbol of any kind. My Jacks are very pretty in well sealed, high gloss solid oak wood with all stainless fittings and aluminum reels but they don't catch fish any better than the cheapest traps you can find. I like them and that's all that really matters. No one cares if you make some sort of fashion statement out on the ice but as I have grown older I have upgraded just about all of my equipment to be as comfortable as possible out there. The fish below can't see any of my cool gear and more often than not I get skunked just like the rest of us.

Gam
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Kevin23 on Feb 16, 2019, 11:48 AM
The best way to get tipups is to buy them at garage sales, or fishing flea markets/swap meets if you have any around you. Lots of people buy them and then never use them and eventually just want to get rid of them. I bought two original Polar tipups (not HT), one brand new and the other barely used for $5 total at a swap meet.
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Kevin in maine on Mar 02, 2019, 08:04 AM
Everything gets expensive when you buy quality gear from a professional. Can't expect someone to give their time and talent away. Do you?
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Gamalot on Mar 02, 2019, 08:51 AM
I was a cabinetmaker with a shop full of tools and lots of nice woods left over from various projects I had done. I set out to make myself a high quality set of tip ups out of some gorgeous Teak wood from a previous job. Those who know woods know that Teak is a standard around the marine environment and also know that Teak is extremely expensive. I fashioned my traps on the basic Heritage Laker style and bought all the best metal parts and aluminum reels I could find. The trip mechanism was the most important part after the reels and flag spring steel was sourced. I also used all stainless nuts, bolts and hardware. I bet I spent most of a full week cutting, sanding and preparing the wood. Also spent a lot of time mounting the hardware and getting them ready to fish. In the end I had well over $100 in just the hardware and the wood itself was in some way free since it was left over from other jobs. It probably would have cost me close to $100 if I had to go find and buy it specifically for this project. I also had to make some of the metal parts myself. Once finished I had some very nice tip ups that worked perfect and I used them for a couple seasons.
One day out on the ice I ran into a fellow who had a set of Jack Trap cross jack tip ups and was able to examine them and match them along side of my home made tip ups. I immediately wanted a full set of Jack Traps simply because they were of much better quality than the ones I made myself and actually cheaper if you figure in the time and expense I put into my set. One of my buddies had always admired my home made tip ups and was hounding me to make him a set. I saw an add and special deal from Jack Traps after that season, this was about 10 years ago, but he offered a set of 5 tip ups for $150 plus shipping. These were ready to fish with line and all and I bought the set in high gloss Oak. That is around $35 each and I felt a great deal. I have used them every year since and my buddy bought the set I made and still loves them. NY changed the fishing rules and now allows us to use 7 tip ups or any combination of rods and traps to equal 7 lines. I recently contacted Jack Traps up in Maine to see if I could get 2 more to match the set of 5 I already have. It took some time but the fellow at Jack Traps called me back with great news, he found just enough of the Oak wood to make me 2 more to match my set but they had stopped making the Oak ones a few years back. I paid $55 each for the new ones to complete my set of 7 tip ups. I have fished with my set for 2 seasons now and what I do find very interesting is how well these tip ups handle the rough use we put them through. I can't tell or see any difference from the ones I have used for 12 years or the 2 new ones that only are 2 seasons old. The high gloss finish on the 12 year old ones is still as nice as the new ones and they will all last for as many seasons as I have left and be passed down to my nephews when I can't fish any more. As long as these traps are properly cared for they will be a multi generation set of tip ups for many years and should never need replacing. I have never had a wind flag with a Jack Trap or any other screw up on the ice with them. They did a very fine job just yesterday and are drying out by the wood stove right now.

Gam 
(https://i.postimg.cc/v4Q8hqst/Trout-March-1-19.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/v4Q8hqst)
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: musky8it on Mar 02, 2019, 03:56 PM
Buy them used on ebay in the off season is the cheapest way. Allot of times you can get 2-3-4 or more in a single auction.

The sellers selling them probably bought them CHEAP at an estate auction so they sell them CHEAP on ebay. I should know I've sold on ebay since 2002 and bought allot of good fishing stuff at estate auction.

If you can't wait till the off season the used one still sell pretty cheap on ebay in the winter. Besure to use the zoom option to get a closeup look for inspection.

Also checkout Craigslist
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: chilly-willy on Mar 02, 2019, 07:05 PM
You fishing lakers with those heritage traps?? 

What about a windlass type or a tip down type trap?  I use schoolly type rods I put my own guides on and ballance them.  so rod tip stay up when fish takes.. thd fish  it pulls so the  flag of tip down butt up..  the butt up is the flag.. the butt I paint orange or tape orange. Or use reflective mail box tape or combo of two..  then just got to devise a folding set up  that works like a heritage trap to support the rod .   I also use ht ice blue rods some time for trout steel head.. use same method they cost $5 to $10  if you buy blanks janns net craft has those white and florecent colored blanks cheap i think 1.99 to 3.49 each .  Look in rod building section of this sight.. a guy called  argonomist used aluminum tube for rod handles  wich could work??  or even buy the schoolly type handles for i think $3 or so? And assemble them.. as for spinning reels cost $10 to $20 I try picking up while on sale! good quality fresh water reels threw out year..  at every place I can keep eye on..  like cabelas bargin cave.  Fish usa when they give the 15%off on spinning reels etc.. places.. keep eye on your email too for sales this is all I can suggest...

By the way I like using mono for trout I have more hook up with it over the black braided pike line..



 if it's just pike your after get some cheap frabill classic tip ups..  I think there 20 a piece and cost 10 some times on sale??  there similar to beaver damn tip ups just about same quality but not fancy painted like jolly Rodgers etc..  if you want thermal get sone of those rubber floor mats cut circles or squares that fit over whole your  fishing out of..  the frabill are darn good tip ups for the price..
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: aquarium234 on Mar 02, 2019, 09:17 PM
Thats funny i love heritage traps dont see the apeail in Jack traps buddy fishes with them not overly impressed with them
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: chilly-willy on Mar 02, 2019, 09:58 PM
If your useing hearitage lakers cause of the big flag why not build your own with one of these??

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/outdoor-living/sporting-goods/bicycle-parts-and-accessories/8465619?x429=true&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIya7LzInl4AIVloxpCh3-6gbaEAQYECABEgIs9PD_BwE (https://www.acehardware.com/departments/outdoor-living/sporting-goods/bicycle-parts-and-accessories/8465619?x429=true&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIya7LzInl4AIVloxpCh3-6gbaEAQYECABEgIs9PD_BwE)

I got a idea how to build a tip down with this bike saftey flag .. ask away if you want?

Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: chilly-willy on Mar 02, 2019, 10:05 PM
These are like heritage lakers but a little cheaper..


https://40uptackle.com (https://40uptackle.com)


Some guys fish huge snow drifts and can't see there flags is why I asked last question..
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Buckshots on Mar 02, 2019, 10:16 PM
About 6 or 8 years ago, idk it’s been a while, I got some of the black insulated frabills for 20 a piece new from Scheels. That wasn’t a sale price, that was just the retail price. They came with the black Dacron line, a depth finder, and a tip up light. I see they are now 30 dollars with no line, depth finder, or light. Crazy what stuff cost these days. 4-5 bucks for a pound of propane? Unreal.
Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: chilly-willy on Mar 02, 2019, 10:45 PM
Jack traps are runnimg 100 on the high end models

Stumbled accross this brand whiLe poking around

http://www.blackmagictipups.com/store/index.html (http://www.blackmagictipups.com/store/index.html)


Could copy this and makes some cool tip downs?

https://sullivantipdown.com (https://sullivantipdown.com)

Title: Re: When did tip ups get so Expensive
Post by: Gamalot on Mar 03, 2019, 06:02 AM
Thats funny i love heritage traps dont see the apeail in Jack traps buddy fishes with them not overly impressed with them

I had and still do have a set of Heritage traps. I had to fix them after one of the reels fell off. The fix was easy and instead of the press fit reel stud post I used stainless screws and nuts that went fully through the shaft. What was happening is when the wood swells it made the reels tighter. When it dried out it made the stud press fit loose. Easy fix and now the Heritage traps are as worthy as my Jacks but still not as nice looking. What ever works for your style of fishing is fine by me. On small shallow water lakes I use my 2 sets of HT Polar Therm Extreme disc types with the extension antenna flags and like them just fine.
We have been discussing tip ups here for a lot of years and it all comes down to what you like, what you have faith in, how much you are willing to spend and what type of fishing you do. I think it is a real blast to catch a large fish on a jig rod and it actually takes more skill to get a big one in by hand over hand off a tip up when the fish sees the light through the hole and takes a massive run. Fishing with light leaders for big trout your hands must be the drag system and the line has to be able to allow for the run or the leader will break. A 6 pound fish fighting for it's life on a 6 pound leader and coming through a 7 inch hole in 18 inches of ice is a thrill for sure and why we love ice fishing. If you are happy and satisfied with what ever rig you have and use then just go fishing and catch the big one. Big water and big fish and maybe deep snow and I want a large tip up with a high flag that is not prone to wind flags. There are a number of good quality tip ups out there but they are all getting more expensive over the years just like everything else. Buy the ones you like but do look toward the higher quality that will last the longest so you need not be replacing them all the time. The fish don't know squat about the tip up you have and honestly don't care. Other guys fishing with you don't care what equipment you have either so the only one you have to please is you. I fish with buddies who have a hodge podge of different and mostly inexpensive tip ups and they catch fish to. Most of the failures I see come more from poor maintenance or the lack of knowledge when using their equipment. I see guys using steel leaders fishing for trout and complaining they never get a flag on their tip ups and do much better jigging with their rods and lighter mono line, wonder why? Pickerel and Pike will take a bait fish tied to a rope while trout will look and laugh. There are lots of discussions and lots of good advice and techniques posted in these threads and those who know the tricks are the ones who have the most action and success. Go take a look at some of the equipment our forefathers used for ice fishing. They caught fish to but things sure have changed over the last 100 years and will continue to change every year with new and better designs and all sorts of fancy gear that is sure to catch more fisherman than fish.

Gam