What kind of tip up to buy?

[Chub58]

I'm going to buy some tip ups and wondering what kind to buy.Ive seen the round ones that fit over hole do they keep it from freezing.What # line to use (targeting pike)and do u use leaders.

[Scooby31]

I use the frabill stick style doesn't do anything from keeping the hole freezing over but they work great and set up easy.  Far as line goes I use 50 lb suffix tip up line and for a leader I use deep sea fishing leader material it's a mono but it stays straight and doesn't coil up

[1moslab]

I think this site is great to get info on ice fishing,and I think we all appreciate this.but I find it kinda funny that there are so many of the same questions asked over and over and over instead of just using that search bar at the top of your screen that will lead you to the answers you seek.

[Raynestorm]

The round frabill ones break fairly easy and don't remain smooth the colder it gets. I gave all the round frabills to my brother. I've tried almost every tip up and always end up coming back to Beaver Dams. If your want get serious with fishing traps, the only tip up that consistently performs during any condition, is the Beaver Dam. I have some from my grandpa that are over 30 years old, that still work flawlessly and continue to put fish on the ice. If the new ones are a bit pricey for your blood, you can pick up used ones on ebay for good prices if you keep your eye out. Also, during garage sale season, I always find beaver dams for dirt cheap!

Any 30 pound Dacron line works best, and use a quality swivel between your Dacron and leader. For northern, run 20# fluorocarbon leader, or titanium no kink leader. I prefer fluoro myself.

Ben

[bobby1772]

I personally go for the cheapest tip up and look for a nice braided tip up line

[minus 7]

I've used beaver dams for 20 years and they work great.  The only other one I'd like to try are frabills straight line tip up. 
I have tried lots of other tip ups and they just don't make them like they use to. Plastics are the worst in my opinion, you have to adjust them to fold it up and the flags usually fall off. It becomes a pain in cold weather and makes more work out of it.

[jchunter]

The round frabill ones break fairly easy and don't remain smooth the colder it gets. I gave all the round frabills to my brother. I've tried almost every tip up and always end up coming back to Beaver Dams. If your want get serious with fishing traps, the only tip up that consistently performs during any condition, is the Beaver Dam. I have some from my grandpa that are over 30 years old, that still work flawlessly and continue to put fish on the ice. If the new ones are a bit pricey for your blood, you can pick up used ones on ebay for good prices if you keep your eye out. Also, during garage sale season, I always find beaver dams for dirt cheap!

Any 30 pound Dacron line works best, and use a quality swivel between your Dacron and leader. For northern, run 20# fluorocarbon leader, or titanium no kink leader. I prefer fluoro myself.

Ben

Bingo. ^ Beaver Dam Tip ups are the way to go. As far as keeping the hole from freezing up, use hole covers too keep your holes open longer.

[Twinsfan]

I just use Frabil's Blackhawk tip ups with powerpro braided 40#. That line is so tough you will never need to replace it and you will never need to use a leader. I have done this for years catching pike and the occasional mucky and never had one break off.

[Super-ice-bird]

I got the round frabill but when they freeze in overnight they are hard to chip out! Also they break easy, since most of the parts are plastic. If and when I get new tip ups i will go for a wood platform with metal parts.

[icefishman]

Beaver Damn tipups are the way to go!!

[perchtrapper]

Chub58 You are going to get all different opinions on brands and styles. Some cheap some expensive, in the end its your decision, but I think the common thread on this subject will be stay away from plastic tip ups and get wood construction with metal parts. Good Luck

also click community at the top of the IS home page scroll down thru all the states to the bottom and there is a tip up thread with more info than you need

[Whopper Stopper]

Beaver Dams here. I have a couple that are knocking on 30 years old. I have tried many different brands and usually give them to a kid that is just starting out. I like to test the field, but when it coms timee to head north and hunt for big pike I will only use the BD's.

            WS

[Wegashanty]

Beaver dams. They make round BDs now too. I haven't had the opportunity to try them but they look well built.

[Chub58]

Sounds like I need to find some beaver dams.thanks to all for the info very helpful.

[lunkahville]

Heritage Lakers. Get some 30# line should do you good for pike

[northernfisher]

Heritage Lakers for me, wouldn't use any other!!

[Raquettedacker]

Heritage Lakers...  Yup...   

[BobWhite]

I just sold all my Heritage Lakers on a cold windy day you will love thermal tip ups. My lakers were freezing up every ten min or so and my thermals had no ice at all all day. I have two frabil USA and just got two Beaver Dams 12" the the frabils are a better bang for the buck but the new ones are China so I spent double to get USA made Beaver Dam's. I need to get one more but I'm gonna hold off to see how the Beaver Dams work out they seem really nice but $50 ouch.

[DR.SPECKLER]

beaver dams.my ht polars were freezing up/rusting and getting stiff in the weather weve been having so I dropped the coin on 3 jolly roger beaver dams.

[Baetis62]

Beaver Dam's for 40 years.  Zero regrets!

[ADKer]

Jack traps.
http://jacktraps.com/

[harrops26]

Don't get beaver dams. I have one and get a wind and snow and it will be buried in snow in minutes. Check out Jack Traps. My buddy uses them and they are amazingly well built.

[mjmeyer]

I'm no expert, but here's what I have: HT Polar Thermal, the round orange ones. Inexpensive and very durable. Two sensitivity settings and a little tackle box for spare hooks, leaders and or split shot. I use 30# Black Dacron Tip-up line, BUT I watched a video that had someone using bright orange 30#  Fly reel backing. I was impressed with the visibility.  If I were to outfit a new one, I'd look for that. Or the red Dacron I've seen. Also  a 12" steel leader or 36" 20# Fluorocarbon.
I also I use the HT Windlass Tip Ups when temps are mild. In the 20's a black foam hole cover helps keep the hole open longer. Once the line freezes in the windlass will no longer jig the bait. The windlass is infinitely adjustable with two different tension springs. Use one, the other or both. Then the slide fine tunes the adjustment dependent of the wind speed.
All that being said, I DID go to the Jack Traps website http://jacktraps.com/ and I was impressed. If I was going to but some nicely made heirlooms, I'd go there.
Mike

[MTwalleyehunter]

HT Polar II, just as good as Beaver Dams and half the price.  We use them exclusively guiding ect...here in Montana.   My personal set probably has 800 days on them. 

[Pindrifter]

Heritage Lakers all the way,  Been using them for years, Never had a false flag, When the flag goes up, Fish on, Best ever . Built like tanks.

[baginwal]

Heritage Lakers all the way,  Been using them for years, Never had a false flag, When the flag goes up, Fish on, Best ever . Built like tanks.

Like he says 

[harrops26]

Heritage Lakers all the way,  Been using them for years, Never had a false flag, When the flag goes up, Fish on, Best ever . Built like tanks.

I dislike the drag system on the heritage lakers. On sub zero days I've had the washers and wing nut freeze up after catching fish and rebaiting. No need for drag on a tip up.

[Pindrifter]

If you adjust them properly, and use a sub degree lube on the washers . That wont happen, I fish for trout with no drag, I never had that happen,  Have reel spin free.

[CHRIS 365]

i like the black hawks nothing but problems with the round tip up hole covers seem to help alot on cold days also i build a snow wall wind side to keep the snow off

[TheThinIce]

Love my Jack Trapps!