Location Flag

[Hunter2005]

I am looking for ideas for a tip-up location tool...Currently I have a 3 foot wood stick I place in a separate hole next to my tip-ups...I use it to check them at night...I have also had a time or two when I left gear out over night only to find it covered in snow the next day...The set up I have now works okay but the sticks are hard to chip out when its time to leave and durability can be an issue...Any ideas for an alternate solution?

[pikeaddict]

I use a 1-1/2 to 2 foot piece of 3/8 or 1/2in wood dowel rod with a strip of reflector tape on the top.  When I drill the hole for the tip up, I take the shavings/slush and make a small mound next to the hole, and stick the dowel rod in it.  Works well fishing at night for walleyes and keeps snowmobiles from running my tip ups over.  Pulls right out when I am done, with nothing to chip out.

[Hunter2005]

How does the dowel hold up to windy conditions?

[williev18]

Ive never used a locater flag, but these came to mind when I read your post. They come in 4' and 6' and have reflective tape on them.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/hillman-orange-reflective-staff-48-in-l

[Hunter2005]

We have a tractor supply right down the road...I will have to check those out...

[dangle]

I use plastic orange cones. You can get them at walmart in the sporting section ( soccer area) Cost about $4.00 for four. Can see them well, and can place them on a pile of snow if you need to locate easier.

[mike1]

I've seen guys use driveway markers

[pikeaddict]

How does the dowel hold up to windy conditions?

Wind isn't an issue.  I apply the reflector tape tight to the dowel, just like the reflective staff williev18 posted.

[Dinga LING]

I just use some about 3 foot twigs or branches from trees along the shore.  Break em off when done.

[zhunter72]

This year ill be using a black piece of 2" PVC tubing cut to 2' length with reflective tape on it. I'm sick of having my tip ups run over, and close calls.

[Hunter2005]

I got 6 of the Hillman Staffs from williev18's post...I will report back how they work...I decided to go this route because I couldn't find anything I could build that was any cheaper...

[Hunter2005]

I just wanted to report back that I picked up 6 Hilman Reflective Staffs from my local Tractor Supply...They cost me $2.50 each...I drilled my fishing hole and I drilled a second hole right next to it that didn't quite break thru the ice...I used the slush from both holes to stand the staff up...They worked great...We fished 2 very warm days and one cold morning...The wind blew constantly the entire time we were there but I never had a problem...the reflective tape at the top of these was easy to see at night...We could spot them from over 200 yards away using only a flash light...The last morning the snow had covered tip-ups all over the lake but mine were a snap to find...This was a good solution for those looking for something to keep track of tip-ups...
Thanks

[thomasthepikehunter]

You don't need slush to hold it up. Mine are 18" long 1/2" dowel. I drill a pilot hole through the dowel and into the tip up about an inch. I used a regular wood screw and used a neoprene washer between the dowel and tip up. I just tightened it a bit, and the stick stays where you put it.

[jchunter]

You don't need slush to hold it up. Mine are 18" long 1/2" dowel. I drill a pilot hole through the dowel and into the tip up about an inch. I used a regular wood screw and used a neoprene washer between the dowel and tip up. I just tightened it a bit, and the stick stays where you put it.

This looks like a good idea. I might give something like this a try. I normally use cones or 2' long pieces of wood with reflective tape but I like your idea.

[SDfisher]

You don't need slush to hold it up. Mine are 18" long 1/2" dowel. I drill a pilot hole through the dowel and into the tip up about an inch. I used a regular wood screw and used a neoprene washer between the dowel and tip up. I just tightened it a bit, and the stick stays where you put it.

Awesome idea man, I have always used the wooden dowel next to the tip up but never thought of attaching it. Any issues during transport or break offs?

Possibly one of the best tricks I will have picked up this year.

[thomasthepikehunter]

I've never had one break off. I got the idea from a tip up called a visual mark. I can't find any info on google, its like they never existed, but I still have the tip up. Its not that hard to put on a new dowel if it does break. Things to consider is you want it either bright or dark colored to contrast the snow. You do not want it the color of your flag, or you'll go nuts. I would rather use red or green reflective tape. You can see white at night fine, but in the day it is hard to see.

[tuiflies]

Awesome idea man, I have always used the wooden dowel next to the tip up but never thought of attaching it. Any issues during transport or break offs?

Make one the same length as your tip-up then add another (same length) attached with one bolt so it can pivot to be folded down or extended up.  There will be nothing sticking out to get caught or break off.