And a few tips I've posted here before but are likely pretty well buried...
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 id more effective and that can be accomplished by reversing it 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 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 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 locking 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!
