Author Topic: Keeping holes open (Read 3074 times)

xxxbeer247 · « **on:** Feb 21, 2021, 10:51 AM »

Other than constantly making the rounds on a frigid day does anyone have any “organic” techniques that they use to keep their holes from freezing over when it’s super cold out?

adkRoy · « **Reply #1 on:** Feb 21, 2021, 11:06 AM »

I use hole covers.

butch76 · « **Reply #2 on:** Feb 21, 2021, 11:36 AM »

I had some leftover foil like bubble wrap insulation and cut a hole/slot in them for the tip ups. They are thin and work good as a hole cover.

trapper2000 · « **Reply #3 on:** Feb 21, 2021, 11:36 AM »

hole covers

Rebelss · « **Reply #4 on:** Feb 21, 2021, 11:38 AM »

Old timers way: Coffee can with a charcoal briquette in it.

perch chacer · « **Reply #5 on:** Feb 21, 2021, 11:52 AM »

Take a 5 gallon bucket and cut the bottom off and remove the handle. You now have a cylinder about 16 or 18"' high. Now if your using tip-ups with cross sticks, slot the side of the bottomless bucket at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock down to about 2" from the bottom edge. The cross sticks slide down into the side slots and the bucket cylinder keeps the snow out and helps keep the hole open.

ActiveTrapChecker · « **Reply #6 on:** Feb 21, 2021, 12:57 PM »

filetandrelease · « **Reply #7 on:** Feb 21, 2021, 03:34 PM »

http:// https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwiBuYzs9vvuAhURr8gKHWyyAvwYABAEGgJxdQ&ae=2&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAASEuRoyfJcr-c3E4Yu5p6k8VUXWA&sig=AOD64_24-iXyF4QWZsxXsfPQ6DCN1Kp73g&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjYioTs9vvuAhUYEVkFHSJJAaYQwg96BAgHEB4&adurl=

hardwaterhonkey · « **Reply #8 on:** Feb 22, 2021, 05:36 AM »

2” foam board insulation cut perfectly to fit snug in your hole 6” 8” 10” what ever key is so they squeeze in tight put a little tab or pull cord to get it out when you get a flag and your holes are open and dark all day

pieman1998 · « **Reply #9 on:** Feb 22, 2021, 06:05 AM »

i use rubber roofing

BeenPerchin315 · « **Reply #10 on:** Feb 22, 2021, 06:11 AM »

Keep fishing. That’s how I keep them open.

Glug · « **Reply #11 on:** Feb 22, 2021, 01:23 PM »

Switched to Frabill thermal tipups. Seem to work decent

Uppervalley Kid · « **Reply #12 on:** Feb 22, 2021, 01:27 PM »

Hole covers made from a cheap foam camping mat.

TheManInBlack · « **Reply #13 on:** Feb 22, 2021, 03:45 PM »

I have thought about these for a while, but I had to draw the line somewhere. I remember years ago when I would just go out with a small sled, single bucket, a few poles, and an auger. Now I got so much gear, I can barely fit in in my Jet Sled (the normal size, not the small one).

Its a fine balancing act, I guess, between what is necessary and what is not.

greensider · « **Reply #14 on:** Feb 22, 2021, 03:53 PM »

I have heard people use vegetable oil just a couple drops

xxxbeer247 · « **Reply #15 on:** Feb 22, 2021, 04:51 PM »

Quote from: greensider on Feb 22, 2021, 03:53 PM

I have heard people use vegetable oil just a couple drops

I was also told to try squirting some rubbing alcohol in there too. I think I will try these both first before investing into other methods. I do appreciate all the suggestions from everyone who replied.

greensider · « **Reply #16 on:** Feb 22, 2021, 04:57 PM »

I have also heard of using other liquids but won’t condone them

adkRoy · « **Reply #17 on:** Feb 22, 2021, 05:05 PM »

use hole covers, liquids in the hole not only pollute the lake, but they also will attach to your tip-up.

Prchmike · « **Reply #18 on:** Feb 22, 2021, 05:38 PM »

Wait till May they won’t freeze over

badger132 · « **Reply #19 on:** Feb 22, 2021, 06:02 PM »

http://www.boxtipups.com

Charcoal is organic.

PikeKing23 · « **Reply #20 on:** Feb 22, 2021, 06:14 PM »

Hole covers for tip ups and Frabil baby bubbles for deadsticks.

trapper2000 · « **Reply #21 on:** Feb 22, 2021, 06:44 PM »

ya get spotted squirting oil or alcohol down a fishing hole by the DEC you won't have to worry about your hole freezing closed for awhile

hot tuna · « **Reply #22 on:** Feb 22, 2021, 06:53 PM »

Quote from: ActiveTrapChecker on Feb 21, 2021, 12:57 PM

This

I did this. Obviously, black is a color that attracts heat in any sun.
They still do freeze in really extreme situations but the biggest key is they keep snow from filling your hole.
I've also bought polar round tip ups but abandoned them quickly as they freeze IN solid much faster and a real pain trying to get them out than just a cover

BeenPerchin315 · « **Reply #23 on:** Feb 23, 2021, 01:10 PM »

Quote from: trapper2000 on Feb 22, 2021, 06:44 PM

ya get spotted squirting oil or alcohol down a fishing hole by the DEC you won't have to worry about your hole freezing closed for awhile

Any form of veg oil would be fine. Anything else would bring the heat if caught.
Either way oil and alcohol and other liquids would hinder the fish activity anyway. Foreign stuff don’t do good underwater.

ActiveTrapChecker · « **Reply #24 on:** Feb 23, 2021, 01:23 PM »

Quote from: BeenPerchin315 on Feb 23, 2021, 01:10 PM

Any form of veg oil would be fine. Anything else would bring the heat if caught.
Either way oil and alcohol and other liquids would hinder the fish activity anyway. Foreign stuff don’t do good underwater.

I just don’t know why your would want your line to smell like Wesson. Just make your rounds clearing the holes.

Plenty of time for oil after a date with Mr. Filet Knife

perch chacer · « **Reply #25 on:** Feb 23, 2021, 05:07 PM »

Quote from: badger132 on Feb 22, 2021, 06:02 PM

http://www.boxtipups.com

Charcoal is organic.

With these metal boxes you will need 2 jet sleds to get your gear out. Com'on

JOHNI18428 · « **Reply #26 on:** Feb 23, 2021, 05:36 PM »

I'm not a huge gadget guy but this caught my attention. Seems small enough not to interfere with fishing and attaches to transducer cable so would get out of the way easy enough. A little spendy but...

outfisherman1 · « **Reply #27 on:** Feb 23, 2021, 08:54 PM »

I saw this kid put a rubber ducky in the hole. Looked funny as hell but it kept the hole pretty open.

SirCranksalot · « **Reply #28 on:** Feb 24, 2021, 07:41 AM »

If the sun is out it is better to have a black mat or similar with very little insulation. You want to transmit the sun's heat down into the water.

fisherkrol · « **Reply #29 on:** Feb 24, 2021, 08:48 AM »

Bought 5 of these for 1.78 each and simply cut a 1 inch slice out from the middle to the edge...works great and never had one blow away yet...works better on a sunnier day but still slows freezing even on a cloudy day.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/United-Solutions-5-gal-Bucket-Lid-in-Black-PN0113/300233679

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Author Topic: Keeping holes open (Read 3074 times)