Whip-ups illegal? Plans for DIY whip-up slammers?

[TheDL]

I am wondering if whip-ups/slammer style "tip-ups" are legal in ontario?

I am thinking of buidling one out of a busted rod, anyone have plans for an easy build?  I have seen a few on here, but I'm no master-craftsman and I could use some diagrams/pictures

thanks - and tight lines!

[Dems]

got this from the regulations hope it helps

ICE FISHING
Two lines may be used for ice fishing except in a limited number of waters (see the exceptions for the Zone in which you are fishing). You must be within 60 m (197 ft.) at all times of any line or tip-up you are using when ice fishing and you must have a clear and unobstructed view of the lines being used at all times. Any spring-loaded device which sets the hook for an angler may not be possessed within 30 m (98 ft.) of any waters.

[TheDL]

Dems - good info - thanks for the quick reply, I would think that would kill my plans for a slammer - but there is actually no spring involved in the design, just the flex of the rod - anyone else want to weigh in here?

any plans for tip up/downs?

[JZ]

This came up on another board, it was about the automatic fisherman.  I thought they were illegal but I sent a note to the ministry and they said they were fine because they dont use a spring.

Hi Jon,

 

Thank you for your enquiry.

 

The 2010 Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulation Summary states:

 

 "No person shall possess a spring gaff……… for the purpose of fishing".

 

"spring gaff" means a spring-operated device for impaling or hooking a fish and includes spring-loaded hooks that are triggered when a fish bites the bait.

 

“Any spring-loaded device which sets the hook for an angler may not be possessed within 30 m (98 ft.) of any waters.”

 

Any device that has incorporated in it, a spring-loaded or spring-like automatic hooking mechanism is considered a spring gaff. A mechanism that uses the tension created by a bent fishing rod to set a hook is not considered a spring gaff.

 

The Automatic Fisherman is legal to use.

 

I hope you have found this information helpful.

 

Regards,

 

nric web reader - gh

*******************************************

Natural Resources Information Centre

PO Box 7000

Peterborough, ON K9J 8M5

1-800-667-1940

TTY: 1-866-686-6072

Fax: 705-755-1677

[email protected]

[TheDL]

JZ - thanks - I planned on contacting the MNR to ask, but they are on bankers' hours and I want to build my whip-up tonite for use tommorow.

anyone else have any input on this?

tight lines

[icejunky]

I use the automatic fisherman and was given similar info in the past, since it is the rod setting the hook and not a device there was no concnerns. That was teh info I was given a few seasons back

[Woodsman]

Here's a response from the ministry on this very subject.

Hi

I have received several inquiries regarding the legality (use and
possession) of several ice fishing tip ups.

One is called the automatic ice fisherman and can be found at:
http://www.automaticicefisherman.com/index.html
If you view the video on the web site you will see that the Tip up holds
the rod in such a way that the rod is tensioned similar to a downrigger
rod, when the fish takes the bait a release mechanism is activated and
the rod is released indicating a bite, the angler can then grab the rod
and set the hook. This type of set up does not meet the definition of a
spring gaff - "spring gaff means a spring-operated device for impaling
or hooking a fish and includes sping-loaded hooks that are triggered
when a fish bites the bait" and therefore is legal for use and
possession within 30 meters of any water.

A second piece of ice fishing equipment is called the Hook Set Tip Up
and can be viewed at http://hooksettipup.com/
If you view the video on this site you will see that this tip up
contains a spring that is "loaded" when set. When the fish hits the
bait and triggers the release the spring mechanism sets the hook, and a
flag is released. This set up falls within the definition of a spring
gaff as noted above, and is therefore not legal for use or possesion
within 30 meters of any waters.
If you have any questions regarding this gear or any other type that you
encounter please do not hesitate to contact me.

Derrick Humber
a/Enforcement Specialist
Peterborough
705-755-5186

ENFORCEMENT BRANCH MISSION: To safeguard the public interest by leading
and delivering professional regulatory protection of Ontario's natural
resources.

[TheDL]

awesome - thanks for info everyone.  Just wanted to make sure I stayed legal.  I built my whip-up last night....$5 in PVC pipe, and some 2*4" laying around the garage.  It took 20 mins to put together, works  pretty well with an old broken 6ft summer rod I have.  I will get some pics on here eventually - looks a lot like this:

tight lines...

[icerice]

Gotta build me one, couldnt really see the eyelet hook up well but can figure it out. Tight lines>

[TheDL]

icerice - you should build one!  Unfortunately I can't comment on how well it does with a fish (just built it, no action yet), but it seems like it'll work very well.

the trigger section is tricky, I found several ways to set this up, and I'm still working on fine tuning mine, but mine consists of a square hook (not a round loop) barely resting into a split ring which is attached to the side of the rod eyelet.  I will try to get some pics up soon....

[icerice]

funny i read this post 1 day after i go to bass pro and bout a frabil insul tip up with alarm, i woulda spent money on something else and made this whip up slammer. On a mission to put more on the ice. Ive have always wanted to try the automatic fisherman, later J

[TheDL]

icerice - you should build one - they're slick.  cost me $5, only bought a PVC pipe b/c I didn't have one.  Everyting else was junk from the garage and an old broken rod - works well.

pics to come soon.

tight lines..

[TheDL]

I wrote to the ministry, if just for peace of mind to know that the regulations have not changed - THESE ARE LEGAL IN ONTARIO AS OF JAN 2011 - see reply from MNR below:

Hello, Thank you for your enquiry. Provided that this apparatus only uses rod flex as its source of energyfor setting a hook it would be legal for use in Ontario. Regards, nric web reader -


cg*******************************************Natural Resources Information CentrePO Box 7000Peterborough, ON K9J 8M51-800-667-1940TTY: 1-866-686-6072Fax: [email protected]://themnrstore.mnr.gov.on.ca********************************************  -


----Original Message-----From: MNR Website Inquiry: Fishing (English) Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 12:10:20--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Message: is a slammer-style tip up legal for ice fishing in ontario? Iknow the regulation says that you can't use a spring to set a hook - theapparatus I'm referring to uses the rod flex, like a downrigger. Seethe youtube video for more detail on what I'm talking about.  thanks

   
Reply: Yes Name: Page that likely generated this feedback:http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/Publication/STEL02_163615.html

[TheDL]

testing photo posting...
still working out the kinks on trigger system.

before anyone else hassles me about bringing a crappy full size rod out onto the ice...in true DIY fashion, this was built with junk lying around the garage.  I will likely build a proper mini-rod version soon, as this "contraption" is too big for the sled.

anyone else built one like this?  let's see you designs...particularly, your trigger concept...

[spooner_jr]

For the trigger section, I just bent the second eye on the rod back a little, and put it under a cup hook. That way I'm not dealing with a split ring.

Not sure how you post pics on this board.

[TheDL]

yeah, that might be better - the split ring gets in the way sometimes....

to post pics - go to photo bucket, sign up for account,upload your pics

each pic will have a "direct link", just click it, then come here, click the "insert image" (under the I for italics), and paste the direct link in.

sounds hard, but I just figured it out, took 5 mins.

PM me if you get stuck

[tbfisherman]

Just cut your base board in half and hinge it so it folds up taking up less room.....Tweek...Tweek . Tweek. LOL. LOL.

Bob