TIP DOWN ?

[shantysitter]

I made my own tipdowns using the schooley style reels. The reel has a little pin that acts as a stop that can be taken out.My question is should I leave the pin in or let the reel freespool? With the pin acting as a stop,when a fish runs, does it  have enough force to set the hook or should I do it like a tip up and set the hook when I feel the fish? I usually fish the tipdowns for perch or crappies and use circle hooks. Any thoughts?

[bart]

I use my tip downs basically for Crappies. I use the pins, they hit them and set the hook themselves. I use aberdeen hooks, they work well. I used the schooley reels also.

[crappyfisherman]

nice tip down, all PVC?, whats your base look like, couldn't see it in the pic?

[Whopper Stopper]

Good looking Tip-Down bart. Very nice 

             WS

[bart]

Thanks, here's a couple of more pics.

[nice ice]

I have made numerous tip downs from wood using those same style reels, but have chosen to discard all the pins. Normally the metal nut on the reel can hold the reel from free spooling on pan fish even while setting the hook with a lifting action. Occasionally we have had pike, bass, and pickerel take minnows on these tip downs and if the reels were pinned, they would surely break off the light monofilament line that we use for panfish.
Have fun.

[bigbucks13606]

where could i get plans for these bad boys i like the looks of them thank you

[HUNTnFISHSD]

 Those are one of the best things for crappies under the ice.

[crappyfisherman]

thanks for the pics, very nice