Preferred Static Line Presentation (tip up, tip down, i-fish pro, etc…)

Looking for some feedback….

I am thinking about getting one of the i-fish pro set ups to try and have a few questions.

This last season, all like 50+ days of it, I was using my old original beaver dams and tip downs more with some success. Thinking that from what I have seen on the i-fish pro they may work better in the wind for panfish especially?

Can you give me your thoughts on what you use for dead lines on a typical basis. I like the tip downs but in the wind they become a little bit tedious and tip ups for panfish doesn’t seem to be the best set up.

Thanks in advance.

My favorite setup is my $20 Fleet Farm Wright & McGill WMTRI28PIPF 28″ Action Power panfish rods sitting on a red bent wire rod holder. The noodle like tip allows the fish to grab the bait without detecting the rod but the backbone of the rod sets the hook as fish swim off. The whip action to the rod also keeps fish from tossing the bait as they fight the hook up so I rarely lose fish once hooked. I get the advantage of fishing with a rod, quick to deploy and pack up and I can see the orange tip of the rod from far off sitting above the snow/ice. Only disadvantage is holes freezing over on cold days. I do use hole covers at times but I’d rather make more frequent trips to the rigs to clear ice and can quickly hole hop with them. I-Fish pros look like a pain in the A to me.

After reading the ifishpro thread from a few weeks ago I decided to give a Finicky Fooler a try and ordered a couple. Been using them for a few outings now and am quite satisfied. I’ve consistently caught perch and crappies on them. I would suggest watching the instructional video to become acclimated with them if you do decide to try them. But they are quite simple to use.

I only use I-fish pros now and I love them. Wind is not an issue while using them and the raised end when placed correctly blocks a lot of snow that’s blows across the ice. I use tucr deadsticks and usually run a fuse or braided line on my reels while fishing them. Mono doesn’t behave well in wind and cold having the bail open. Unless ur using a bait runner then there is no issue. Good luck…

nblasius wrote:

I only use I-fish pros now and I love them. Wind is not an issue while using them and the raised end when placed correctly blocks a lot of snow that’s blows across the ice. I use tucr deadsticks and usually run a fuse or braided line on my reels while fishing them. Mono doesn’t behave well in wind and cold having the bail open. Unless ur using a bait runner then there is no issue. Good luck…

Agree with mono not behaving well in the wind. I really like Berkley nanofil. During windy/drifting conditions I elevate the FF’s up on small pails with a bit of slush in them for weight. Also use a foam hole cover. Although with last weeks weather none of that was necessary.

I use jack traps and have no complaints. I think I will get another 20+ years out of them. Expensive, but great traps. I still run beavers too, but the jacks always get set first and pulled last. I’m not into the plastic latest greatest gear. It’s more about presentation and location than the apparatus that sits on the ice.

jarrod holbrook wrote:

I use jack traps and have no complaints. I think I will get another 20+ years out of them. Expensive, but great traps. I still run beavers too, but the jacks always get set first and pulled last. I’m not into the plastic latest greatest gear. It’s more about presentation and location than the apparatus that sits on the ice.

Ok, so the advantage of a Jack Trap? Never heard of them. Thanks.

Gregg Pfeifer wrote:

My favorite setup is my $20 Fleet Farm Wright & McGill WMTRI28PIPF 28″ Action Power <em class=”ido-tag-em”>panfish rods sitting on a red bent wire rod holder. The noodle like tip allows the fish to grab the bait without detecting the rod but the backbone of the rod sets the hook as fish swim off. The whip action to the rod also keeps fish from tossing the bait as they fight the hook up so I rarely lose fish once hooked. I get the advantage of fishing with a rod, quick to deploy and pack up and I can see the orange tip of the rod from far off sitting above the snow/ice. Only disadvantage is holes freezing over on cold days. I do use hole covers at times but I’d rather make more frequent trips to the rigs to clear ice and can quickly hole hop with them. I-Fish pros look like a pain in the A to me.

I had a pike (?) yank my entire rod, reel, and rod holder down the hole doing this last year about the fourth time I tried doing it. I saw it happen; it took maybe 2 seconds and splash.

I’ve been using the IFP this winter and I’m pleased with it. I have a bunch of nice walleyes and a 10-lb pike.

Jack traps are a lot like heritage lakers. They are made in Maine. They fish better in the wind, deep snow, and with some reflective tape are more visible to snow mobiles. They are very well made, parts are available. They require practically no pressure for a fish to set them off. I’m more of a traditional old school guy so hand lining fish is part of the excitement. Indian Hill traps are nice and well made too, but I don’t think he built any this season. Im sure he’ll be back. These traps are very expensive, but the quality makes them a “one and done” type of purchase. Storage and transport keeps me away from all of the hype of the I fish pros etc. I try to keep the sled as light and easy as possible. Everyone has their own way. I tried the “inline” reel revolution and have gone back to spinning reels. Like all gear, sometimes the old way is still the easy way. When you spend $100 on a reel you really want it to be better. I just didn’t see the difference in catch rates. Mostly I am against Chinese plastic stuff. Jacks are made in america, by Americans, and that’s a big deal to me.
http://jacktraps.com/the-season-is-coming-new-hours-at-jack-traps/