how much line?

[Salmonquest]

Do you put the whole 50yards of line on the tip up? I'm wondering if I can get away with half??

[Uhazfish]

Don't cut yourself short use the 50yards or someday you'll wish you had it on there when a nice one spools you.

[esoxnepa]

If you're only fishing for perch, you can get away with less. 

Bigger fish will run right through the spool, and you'll see your tip-up bouncing. 

[Uhazfish]

If you're only fishing for perch, you can get away with less. 

Bigger fish will run right through the spool, and you'll see your tip-up bouncing.

True Stuff right there.

[RyanW]

^^^this

When you hook into a 40"+ pike, you'll wish you had 100.

[Chris338378]

I'd put all 50 yards on it.

[Kevin23]

Do you put the whole 50yards of line on the tip up? I'm wondering if I can get away with half??

On my small fish tipups (perch, crappie, bass) I have them backed with old 50# dacron and then 50 yards of 15# mason line. On my pike ones I have them backed with good 50# dacron and 50 yards of 50lb sufix tip up braid with a good sturdy knot covered in super glue.

Last year I had a 34" pike that was into backing before it stopped its first run (before I could even set the hook!).