What Are The Best Ice Fishing Tip Ups?

Great, now you got yourself a hole in the ice. Now what?

You might be tempted to start fishing that hole, but with a fishing tip up, you can fish more holes. More ice fishing holes means more fish and more fish makes us happy. Now the question is, which ones are the best ones?

In this post, we are going to discuss what are the best ice fishing tip ups so that you will catch more fish. The following models have been selected based on 3 criteria; affordability, durability, and visibility. After all, what good is a tip up if you can’t tell if you have a fish or not.

What are the best ice fishing tip ups?

Here is a quick preview of our favorite models.

• Polar Therm Extreme
• Frabill Blackhawk Assault
• Frabill Stick
• Frabill Arctic Fire
• RodMaster Ice Fishing

To have an in-depth closer look at each model, please keep reading.

The first to add to our list of the best ice fishing tip-ups is the Polar Therm Extreme Tip-Up Orange. The reason we chose this tip up is because of the lid. This lid goes over your fishing over very nicely keeping it insulating and preventing the hole from getting ice build up.

One of the best features to this device, as you can see, is the visibility. It is bright orange equipped with a 22 inch flag, making it extremely easy to see against a white snowy backdrop. There will be no doubts whether you have a fish on or not. It is also equipped with a freeze proof trip mechanism. No more losing fish because the tip up fails to go off.

Lastly, they are easy to store and transport. You can stack up to 5 in a 6 gallon bucket. This makes them easy to get onto the ice, but also easy to store when not ice fishing.

The next ice fishing tip up we are going to take a closer look at is the Frabill Blackhawk Assault Tip-Up.

I know what you are thinking, it is just a simple tip up what makes it so special? The fact that it is a simple design is what sets it apart from its competition and the reason why we have included it here on our list. Sometimes companies over complicate things that just don’t need to be. This can also be true with ice fishing gear. Remember we are going to be fishing in very cold weather. Sometimes the more complicated things are, the easier they can break or stop working. When it is cold, simple just works.

This particular model is very straightforward and easy to use. It has a durable bottom making sure it will last you many more ice fishing seasons to come. It does come prelubed with a sub-zero temperature grease to ensure that it will go off every time. However, I would recommend checking the lube before going out on the ice. Also, keep in mind to check the lube, you may only need to re-lubricate it every ice fishing season depending on the usage.

Are you planning on fishing in deep snow and need a really long flag to get your attention? If so, the Frabill Stick Tip-Up might just be the answer for you. This model is made out of wood designed to sit on top of the ice fishing hole.

While the previous 2 models would fall under the more expensive category, this one would fall under a more affordable ice fishing tip-up. So if you are more of a casual ice fisherman and only hit the ice once in a while, this might be the perfect option. On the other hand, if you are on the ice every weekend, you may want to choose something that is more durable and will last longer.

As you can see from the picture, the design of this tip up is a little different from the previous two, however, what we like most is the flag. It is equipped with a 32-inch flag. Yes, you read that correctly 32 inches. It works great when fishing in deep snow.

It nicely collapses making it easy to store and transport.

Are you trying to convince your wife or girlfriend to go ice fishing? Get her a pink ice fishing tip up, such as the Frabill Arctic Fire Pink Tip-Up. Tell her you bought it for her and she just might join you.

While this device is much like the Frabill Blackhawk what I like about it, strangely enough, is the unique color. But it is pink! Let’s back up here, I didn’t say I liked the color, I said I liked that it is a unique color. Yes, it is pink, but that is what makes it unique.

This is what you want especially when fishing with your buddies. Having a hard time telling your tip-ups from your buddies? Then get a pink one. There will be no doubt which one is yours. Let’s talk about the specs.

Much like the blackhawk, it comes with a durable base. It also has a decent flag. The flag is 17 1/2 inches. It does come pre lubed but as we mentioned earlier always check it before going out on the ice.

The last model on the list of the best ice fishing fish tip ups is probably one of the most unique ones on our list. It is the RodMaster Ice Fishing Tip Up.

While most tips up have a spool attached to the bottom. What this means is that when you catch a fish you have to use your hands to land him. There is nothing wrong with that approach, but there has got to be a simpler way to do it. That is what I like about the rodmaster’s approach. What I like about this particular model is that you can use your favorite rod and favorite ice reel. Simply connect them to the device and it will let you know when there is a fish on.

Another great feature is that it has a spot for two ice fishing rods, this will allow you to fish two ice fishing holes at the same time. You no longer need to buy two tip ups when you can just by the RodMaster Ice Fishing Tip Up.

Learn more about how this system works in the following video:

Final Thoughts…

There you have it! Our list of the best ice fishing tip ups. We would love to hear your thoughts. Please share with us what you think in the comment section below.