Choosing the Right Tip-Up for the Right Situation
By Rob Manthei - January 1, 2013Styles of Tip-Ups
Tip-ups have evolved a long way since the first willow stick was stuck into the snow with a line wrapped over the tip. By the way, this method is still used in Canada by lots of locals.I often get asked what my favorite style of tip-up is. My reply is Beaver Dam first off, but with two models available, I choose my weapon according to the weather and conditions of the lake. Beaver Dam Ice Fishing manufactures both standard rail (or flat) style tip-ups as well as the all new round tip-ups that have the same quality components as traditional Beaver Dams plus a few even more advanced features.
Choosing the Right Tip-Up Style
When the weather is warm and ice forming in the hole isn't an issue, I will opt for paddle style tip-up first. This design has proven itself for over 50 years, why fight what works? I also like this style when the snow gets deep. With a large flag and plenty of length on the flag shaft, "flags" are easily seen by the fishermen. The spring is plenty strong to support a variety of tip up lights, unlike some of the competition. This is very important when the bite turns on after dark.When Mother Nature gets ugly and the temperatures dip well below freezing, I prefer to use the all new round Beaver Dam tip-up. The most important feature that really sets these guys apart from the rest of the round tip-up competition is the size of the platform. I target trophy fish so I need a large hole to get them on the ice. Beaver Dam round tip-ups are the only tip-ups on the market which actually cover and insulate a ten inch hole. Each features an insulated slip-proof bottom, long extendible flag, and the frictionless spin characteristic of all Beaver Dams.
Beaver Dam round tip-ups allow me put out a large spread in single digit weather without the aggravation of continually cleaning ice from holes. The round tip-ups also fold up very easily and store in a convenient, compact fashion.