Tip up advice

[WyExGafer]

What's the consensus on setting the hook for tip ups? Hurry and get to it and set the hook if running?  If it's not moving do you wait? I'm fairly green to ice fishing and just need some advice.  Targeting walleye but catching trout 6:1.  It seems to me that you want to wait to mess with the tip up until its spinning.  This weekend I would run out to a flag and if it wasn't spinning I would wait 15 seconds or so and then pull the tip up and check for resistance on the line.  9/10 the minnow would still be there and be lively.  Using treble hooks and 3-4 inch minnows if that helps.  Fishing 1-2' off the bottom anywhere from 3-30 fow. 

[Baetis62]

It can depend on what setup you have on the business end.  Live bait on a single treble it’s common practice to wait until the fish is running.  If you have a quick strike rig I’d start tanking in line ASAP.  No rules are hard and fast cuz it’s fishing but that’s my approach.

[WyExGafer]

It can depend on what setup you have on the business end.  Live bait on a single treble it’s common practice to wait until the fish is running.  If you have a quick strike rig I’d start tanking in line ASAP.  No rules are hard and fast cuz it’s fishing but that’s my approach.

Follow up question.  Do you think running to your tip up ever spooks the fish on the line.  I've heard no but I have to ask

[mvanhank222]

Walleye tend to be more skiddish I tend to see it walk. Most of the time it’s not spinning so I wait up to 5 minutes if it moves again set after the run is over. If 5 or so minutes went by the check for fish always let line out while pulling the tip up out if the hole.

[Baetis62]

I’ve never had that impression in my 50 years on ice.   The best tip up fishing in my lifetime was growing up in WI fishing early season pike in 3’ of water.  20-30 flags per person on some days.  Those lakes in the Midwest where people drive vehicles on the ice I’d probably seek something that’s 100’ or so from the heavy traffic of the more established roadways but I don’t think foot traffic would have much impact. 

[fish/hunt4ever]

Depends on fish walleye will sometimes hit and kill the minnow then come back and eat it later. Perch will grab and go and hold it for a bit and then drop it or eat it. I usually try and get to the flags as soon as I can and check when I get there to see what is taking it. I also started carrying my jig rod with me to drop down and see if the fish is still around if I miss them. Have been at this for a little bit and have waited for it to spin but miss the fish while running because they might just be holding the minnow by the head and you will just rip the hook out and let the fish have a meal. When they are stopped they usually eat it deeper but it depends on the fish as stated earlier. Trout usually just in hail the bait and keep moving. Have seen a lot over the years and each way catches fish.

[Special]

Flag, Flag race to the flag.  Some times on the wheeler. Get there hope the pin is spinning. Even if not and hope its spinning. I take the tipup out of the hole and let the line run through my hands. Get a little resistance and set. If the pin is not spinning I take the line into my hands and put a little pressure on it. Waiting for a tug to set after a while couple of minutes I set it and real it in.  Rerig for next fish.

[duckman111]

I put a rubber band with a about 10 feet. Of line to run with before they hit the rubber band keeps them from tangling in brush or rocks as much.

[El_Stu]

Pike fishing with tip ups is the bomb.  Did a lot of it in Michigan.  I always put my tip up out here for lake trout and have never had a bite on it, lol.  I can't find bullheads in Pinedale right now, I hear that is the ticket