Tipup trick for large minnows

[Knife2sharp]

Have you ever had large minnnow trip your tipup?  This trick can be used for most tipups; put an un-opened pop or beer can on its side between the flag and spindle.  This puts upward pressure on the spindle and can even be used in real windy days.  Also, I would think a plastic pop/water bottle would work and they come in different sizes. 

My buddy was using this trick last weekend.  We went to check on his minnow and when we were walking away we heard, 'plink', and a northern just grabbed the minnow.  So it also doubles as an audible alert when you're close by.

[thomasthepikehunter]

I do this from time to time, a ball of snow works too. Another trick is to set the T so it has to go "up" the shaft to set it off. You can increase tension by raising the whole shaft up.

[Martian]

 I am trying to picture this, the can go under the flag arm? I always put the flag with it blowing into the spindle, but you are right,, sometimes you need more, but who carries beer cans on the ice?

[Mogi]

  but who carries beer cans on the ice?

Guilty...keeping them full is what I have trouble with

[Knife2sharp]

Yes, it goes under the flag arm between the flag pedistal and the spindle, on its side. That's why I think a used plastic bottle filled with water and the cap tightened will do the same thing.  But if you have a bunch of beer, you can use one of the lone soldiers.

[crittrgittr]

 Trimming the tail down also works.

[esox_xtm]

Here's my favorite. Been mentioned a few time over the years.....

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=266318.msg2743241#msg2743241

[mjk67]

Wrap some electrician's tape around the spindle of a BD. Creates enough friction usually.  Otherwise, a small rubber band will also do the trick.

[northernnyice]

Send them down dead, problem solved lol.

[HybridHunter]

Send them down dead, problem solved lol.

Yup. Lately I've had better results on dead bait over live.

[northernnyice]

I will be soaking some big live suckers tomorrow, but ill be in about 3 feet of water so Im not worried about keeping it down. Let him go wherever he wants, i tighten my spools on my Lakers just thr tinieat amount, keeps them from tripping. Once in a great while i will get a sucker flag.

If you really like using big livebait, clipping the fins has always helped keep them down and keep them from tripping tipups. Nothing like a big perch with all his fins cut off struggling around.