Old Homemade trap

[Mainedog]

A friend at work brought this in today.  He said he built it about 50 years ago.  I guess it qualifies as an antique then!  Note, there is no spool.  The line was laid out on the ice after the trap was set.  There is a hand cast lead weight at the top of the lever arm.  He said he would spud a small hole next to his fishing hole, and then freeze the base the trap into it.  It looks like he's due to replace the flag.

[BeautifulMamaLacy]

So crazy how things like that have changed over the years.

Really neat to see old things like that though.

[Mainedog]

So crazy how things like that have changed over the years.

Really neat to see old things like that though.

Agreed.  Just the concept of a trap without complicated trip wires, spools, springs etc.
I'm sure this one had it's disadvantages (line getting tangled, freezing to ice, getting cut by ice skaters, being of fairly limited length), but to hear the owner talk about spudding his holes, setting up these traps, and then tending them, and catching fish, it sort or reminds me that you don't have to have tons of gear to have fun or catch fish.

Cheers,
MD

[rude the dude]

Looks like you should add it to the kindling pile. 8)

[Webbicefisher]

Ya we got it pretty nice now with JACK TRAPS!

[Yukon Steve]

Ya we got it pretty nice now with JACK TRAPS!

Now you did it, woke up a sleeping giant!!!!! Wait for Smeltslayers response, should be very entertaining

[Webbicefisher]

haha ya i figured that as i was writing it

[skully]

life was nice and simple then!sweet trap

[MikeMunn]

Agreed.  Just the concept of a trap without complicated trip wires, spools, springs etc.
I'm sure this one had it's disadvantages (line getting tangled, freezing to ice, getting cut by ice skaters, being of fairly limited length), but to hear the owner talk about spudding his holes, setting up these traps, and then tending them, and catching fish, it sort or reminds me that you don't have to have tons of gear to have fun or catch fish.Cheers,
MD

You leaving your Marcum, Shappel, Mr Buddy, etc home when you go to Moosehead?   

[gamefisher]

This post brings back some great memories MD.  My first time ice fishing ever was on a pickerel pond, 2' of ice, and a chisel.....ah, the good ole days   For "traps", all we had was some squidding line wrapped on a small piece of wood.  Went to shore and cut some alder switches and notched the ends to attach the line.  We just called them "wiggle poles", caught fish and had a lot of fun in the process. 

[smeltslayer]

Ya we got it pretty nice now with JACK TRAPS!

jackcrap trap you mean. Lets see, the last couple weeks those jackcrap traps are full of wind flags,need an oil change to use. Pieces of junk those jackcrap traps. These trap posted by mainedog look better than a jackcrap trap.

[Downeaster]

I remember those types of traps.  Our biggest problem using them was the fishing line freezing in the hole
prior to a fish strike. However when the weather was good, they worked very well.  I have seen a modification to
that type of trap, with a larger center pendulum that had a painted red head to it, that would kind of bob
up and down when a fish hit.  Another modification, the trap had a larger piece at the top, and a small
eyebolt in it where, when the wind blew, it would jig your bait.  That trap is in very good condition.

[Mainedog]

You leaving your Marcum, Shappel, Mr Buddy, etc home when you go to Moosehead?   

I never said I was leaving my tons of gear at home!  I just said that you don't have to have tons of gear.  One could always watch others who had that stuff and then sort of "fish close by." , or struggle with their spud until some kind soul came over with their Jiffy, offered a chance to warm up in their portable Shappel, or offered a ride off the lake on their sled/ATV. 

[jayswimmer09]

sweet old tip up

[blueFLAG]

i saw a guy fishing north gorham pond last year with similar traps. his did not have the lead but it was the same basic design only it had a ice spool on the side of the base peice and the strike of the fish would be just enough to topple the flag over and stand up. kinda neat and easy to make. i drew a small pic of them because i liked the idea and they would be sweet for fishing very shallow for brookies because theres no spool under the ice right next to your bait.

[pooley]

those are cool! kind of like tip-downs.

[Webbicefisher]

NEVER had an issue with my jacks!

[MikeMunn]

I never said I was leaving my tons of gear at home!  I just said that you don't have to have tons of gear.  One could always watch others who had that stuff and then sort of "fish close by." , or struggle with their spud until some kind sole came over with their Jiffy, offered a chance to warm up in their portable Shappel, or offered a ride off the lake on their sled/ATV.