Did I reinvent the wheel?

[krispcritter]

As anyone that has a HT Windlass tip up knows they are a PITA to set up. I've been trying to come up with a simpler solution. Still in the R&D stage but I think I'm getting close. Anyone have a better design?
Had a video but it won't upload so here's a still.

[Iceassin]

Maybe it's just me but not sure what you did. Details please.

[krispcritter]

I originally modified a standard cross stick to the Michigan Sportsman jigging tip up but was having a problem with the balance point to get it to rock in a breeze, so I ditched that arm and put a short arm on the vertical stick and added a "wind catcher, paddle, sail" whatever you want to call it with an eye at the bottom to hold the line. When it swings from a breeze, the line moves with it. Has a bit of up and down and swing motion.
Slightly better pic

[hardwater diehard]

Not sure the HT Windless are a PITA to set up ...keeping the line from freezing into an kabob of of ice is another story . Best way to upload a video is via YouTube ...start a channel  and then upload your video ...then provided the YouTube link .

[stripernut]

The sail looks a little big, if the wind comes up it looks like it would lift the whole trap out and send it across the lake... I could be wrong.

[krispcritter]

The sail looks a little big, if the wind comes up it looks like it would lift the whole trap out and send it across the lake... I could be wrong.

I've had it sitting on a 5 gallon pail most of the day. My weather station recorded gusts of 6.6 mph and it stayed in place. Only the sail swings, everything else stays stationary. I just need a better line guide. Thinking eyelets from fabric store. They use them on many of the spring bobbers as a guide eye.

[stripernut]

When I first looked at it, I thought you would be using a clip, like a downrigger clip. Once it "pops" off the "sail" the fish is just on the spool... That might be easier than more guides?
When it came to the wind I was thinking more like 20-30 gusts...

[FishGut]

Yeah, what Striper said. In Nebraska, a normal day has 15-20 mph winds, with gusts hitting 30-plus. My flapjaw fishing partner can put out a 7 mph breeze himself.

[Ronnie D]

I was looking at the spool setup. It looks like it stays above the ice?
One rewind and it'll freeze up.