Ice Fishing Tip-up

With some simple stuff found in your home and a frozen lake you can have a fish dinner tonight.

Use a light saw to make cuts to make cane like fishing rod and a shorter dowel to be used as the pivot dowel.

Drill Hole in end of cane like rod. Behind the hole make a loop with a rubber band. On the end of the rod make a knob with another rubber band. Using the hole tie on fishing line and spool on about 20 ft.

With a rubber band attach perpendicularly the small rod to make the pivot dowel at mid point. To make the bite more sensitive move pivot dowel toward the cane end. Less sensitive move toward line. On end of line tie a hook appropriate for target fish. Ice fishing is a light bite so a small washer adds the perfect amount of weight.

First make sure the ice is safe--my rule is at least 6 inches. Cut a hole with ice auger. An axe or ice chisel will also work. Make sure the hole is not larger than the pivot dowel.

Hook on bait to attract target fish. Lower bait to where the fish are and use rubber band loop to secure line at desired depth.

When the fish takes the bait the cane end will point up indicating fish on. Grab the tip-up and give it a good yank to set the hook. Then pull up the line up--do not reel it up.

Once the fish is landed and removed from the hook you can re-bait and lower the hook back to the depth where you know there are fish.

Good Fishing!!!