How Do You Keep Tip Up Lines From Tangling?

[Dave S]

Was using ice fishing tip ups the last several days and seems like after winding up the lines on the small underwater spools, I always end up with "Bird nests" in the loosely wound line on the spools after taking up a tip up and resetting it in another hole. Spent more time untangling lines, pulling frozen lines, lines tangled from attached split shot then setting lines. Looking for ways to quickly wind up line and keep it from getting all tangled. Using nylon 30 lb main line and 3 foot mono leader with 2 split shot for weight.

[Lund_Dude]

I have a solution that works well for me. I use the "Polar" brand tipups. I mount an alligator clip on the tipup frame adjacent to where the spool folds in (top side). The clip is screwed into the plastic frame with a small sheetmetal screw. When I am done fishing or want to move, I wind up the line and clip the hook in the alligator clip. Next, I put a small rubber band over the spool to keep the line from unraveling (similar to Berkely mono line spools). I find that the rubber band is only needed if the tipups will be traveling a lot (ie. moving across the lake or going home as opposed to moving 100 yards to a new hole). Good Luck!

[Backwater Eddy]

Dacron takes on water and will spool loosely when wet so as it dries it contracts an becomes even more of a loose mess. Once it is dry you need to spool it off and wind up under tension to alow a tight rap and smooth wined. Winding the wet dacron as tight as possable when using it is helpfull to keep the spool tight.

Tip-up line that will not absorb water is frost free and less of a hassle, like the Teflon style Cortland.

A home made spool wrap that I like is a section of a aspirin bottle cut into 1/2 to 3/4 bands (spool width) than slit it so thay can snap on the tip-up spool as a line cover.

Use the smaller white plastic aspirin bottle's so it has a bit of tension when snapped over the spool of the tip-up. This keeps the line in place and also keeps the line clean.


BE._.._...._.._...><,,>

[Chad]

I purchased a spool tamer? not sure what actual name is. I think I got them at Wal Mart. They are exactly what BE explained. They are small yellow plastic pieces which slip over the spool and hold the line in place.

[Ice Man]

When I get ready to go icen fishing, I think about it a minute, then I dont go. No problem with lines tangling........;-)

[DDT]

>When I get ready to go
>icen fishing, I think about
>it a minute, then I
>dont go. No problem with
>lines tangling........;-)


Now thats the smartest thing I read today//

[Apel]

I've been using the Frabill round tip-ups lately. They have a cork that is glued to the bottom of the reel. All you do is wind up the line/leader being sure to keep tension on it, then plant the hook in the cork. No tangles yet! Best thing is that you can stack them right on top of one another in a bucket for easy travel.

Take care.
Apel