Thinking of ice fishing with friends and family this winter? Tip-ups are essential for those who love ice fishing. As reliable and effective tools, the best ice fishing tip-ups can help you catch a panfish or even a monster pike. This is true if you rig the tip-up as required.
Best Ice Fishing Tip Ups
Looking for fishing tip-ups can be a daunting task especially for the first-time. To ensure that you get to select the right fishing tip-up and make your day on the ice successful, you need to know the features of fishing tip-ups.
Want to know the features of the best fishing tip-ups as well as factors to consider when choosing one?
Keep reading.
Quick Answer: Which Is The Best Ice Fishing Tip Up?
In my opinion, HT Polar Therm Extreme Tip-Up is the best one. However, it depends on the needs and situations of each person. Here are our top Tip-Ups for 2020:
- Beaver Dam The Original Tip-Up
- HT Polar Therm Extreme Tip-Up
- HT ICM-200 Iceman Tip-Up
- Frabill Pro Thermal Original Tip-Up
- IFISH Pro 2.0 Tip-Up
- HT Enterprise Husky Deluxe Tip-Up
- Frabill Arctic Fire Pink Tip-Up
- Beaver Dam Original Tip-up Camouflage
- Beaver Dam Northern LED Lights Ice Fishing Tip-Up
- SF Ice Fishing Black Assault Tip-Up
- HT AIX 200 Arctic Ice Tip-Up
- Beaver Dam BDTP-JR Rail Tip- Ups
Comparison Table: Best ice Fishing Tip-Ups
| Tip-Up | Material | Type | Weight (Approximately) | Check On Amazon |
| Beaver Dam The Original Tip-Up | Wood | Classic | 1’8 LB | Check On Amazon |
| HT Polar Therm Extreme Tip-Up | Plastic | Polar | 1’5 LB | Check On Amazon |
| HT ICM-200 Iceman Tip-Up | Plastic | Classic | 0’625 LB | Check On Amazon |
| Frabill Pro Thermal Original Tip-Up | Plastic | Round | 0’98 LB | Check On Amazon |
| IFISH Pro 2.0 Tip-Up | Plastic | Round | Light | Check On Amazon |
| HT Enterprise Husky Deluxe Tip-Up | Wood | Classic | 1’4 LB | Check On Amazon |
| Frabill Arctic Fire Pink Tip-Up | Plastic | Classic | 0’9 LB | Check On Amazon |
| Beaver Dam Original Tip-up Camouflage | Unknown | Classic | 11’4 LB | Check On Amazon |
| Beaver Dam Northern LED Lights Ice Fishing Tip-Up | Wood | Classic | 3 LB | Check On Amazon |
| SF Ice Fishing Black Assault Tip-Up | Plastic | Classic | 1’4 LB | Check On Amazon |
| HT AIX 200 Arctic Ice Tip-Up | Unknown | V-shaped | 0’43LB | Check On Amazon |
| Beaver Dam BDTP-JR Rail Tip- Ups | Wood | Classic | 1’8 LB | Check On Amazon |
Top 12 Ice Fishing Tip-Ups Reviews
Here are the top 12 fishing tip-ups reviews.
1. Beaver Dam The Original Tip Up Review
Designed for a lifetime of use, the Beaver Dam The Original Tip-Up has a 23-inch pine base. The base provides stability, especially over wide holes. It has a seamless steel tube filled with freezeproof lubricant. This allows for fail-safe operation.
It also has aluminum tube bearings which aid in delivering smooth action. The Beaver Dam The Original Tip-Up has a 150-foot line capacity with the smoothest spool compared to other models. Soldered in place, there is no need to remove the spools for lubrication.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Freezeproof
- Windproof
- Works best even in harsh conditions
- Pre-lubricated
Cons
- Metal guide-lines have rough spots
- Spool is plastic
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2. HT Polar Therm Extreme Tip-Up
Available with a thick insulating layer of styrofoam, the HT Polar Therm Extreme Tip-Up is one of the best products for ice fishing. It comes with a round base which means it can fit in a 5 to 6-gallon pail. In fact, ice fishermen can stack up to five tip-ups in a 6-gallon pail. This is possible without the gadgets getting entangled.
Its tangle-proof design comes with a foam hook holder. This is found at the bottom of the spool. Made of space-age plastic, it can take any form of punishment while remaining lightweight and warm to the touch.
Pros
- Durable
- Built with space-age plastic
- Has a round base with a tangle-proof design
- Comes with a tackle box for convenient set-up
- Easy to operate
Cons
- Expensive compared to other models
- Single trip position
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3. HT ICM-200 Iceman Tip-Up
Weighing at 10.4 ounces, the HT ICM-200 Iceman Tip-Up features a 200-foot capacity easy flow spool with a handle. It also comes with an easy lock line guide for quick set up. The 200-foot spool can handle a very heavy line which is more than enough for pike and lake trout.
The bait clip is easy to work with. It comes with bar sport settings making it easy to adjust. The flag is well made. It’s of high quality and rises to 17 to 18 inches.
Pros
- Great flag
- Has a 200-foot capacity smooth spool
- Durable
- Easy to set up
- High quality
Cons
- None
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4. Frabill Pro Thermal Original Tip-Up
It has a round base with a removable spool shaft. Thanks to the shaft in shaft design, it’s easy to re-grease. The Frabill Round Tip-Up is capable of covering a 10-inch hole. It also fits in a 5 to 6-gallon bucket. Pre-lubricated with sub-zero low-temperature lubricant, not only is it freeze proof but windproof too.
It has dual trip settings which makes it easy to adjust. The flag can rise to 17 to 18 inches. With the flag extended, you will be able to see the Frabill Round Tip-Up towering over the snow.
Pros
- Has a shaft in shaft design which allows for re-greasing
- Can cover a 10-inch hole
- Has a removable spool shaft
- Easy to set up
- Easy to use
Cons
- Heavy at 11.2 ounces
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5. IFISH Pro 2.0 Tip-Up
I like this IFISH Pro Tip-Up 2 with its new design. It is totally insulated and made for retaining the heat of the sunlight. It is a complete tip-up as it comes with an adjustable folding rod holder.
The insulated base covers up to the ten-inch hole. The wind deflector makes it work perfectly reducing the falls flags.
Pros
- The tip-up permits us to use our rods and reels according to our needs
- It’s freeze proof
- It has great protection against the wind which does not permit falls flags
- For targeting different fishes, you only need to change the rod and reel
- It comes with 7 slip stops that permit you to jig and set the depths with ease
- Two triggers permit us different settings (light, medium or heavy)
- It does not permit snow buildup
- Easy to store
Cons
- I don’t see any problem
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6. HT Enterprise Husky Deluxe Tip-Up
HT Enterprise is one of the best brands. For the past years, the brand has been making high-quality tip-ups for ice fishermen around the world. In keeping with the tradition of producing high-quality products, HT released the HT Enterprise Husky Deluxe Tip-Up.
Available in a classic look, it comes with a metal spool that’s very smooth. This offers enough capacity for any ice angler. It has a bait clip that’s easy to work with. Not only that. It has a trip bar sports two settings for easy adjustments.
Pros
- High quality
- Durable
- Has trip bar spots two settings
- Easy to adjust
- Easy to use
Cons
- Heavy at 1.4 pounds
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7. Frabill Arctic Fire Pink Tip-Up
Designed to fish even in the toughest conditions, the Frabill Arctic Fire Pink Tip-Up is a heavy-duty tip-up. Pre-lubricated with sub-zero low temp lubricant, its freezeproof and windproof too. The tip-up comes with a large capacity metal spool. It has a counterbalanced crank providing wobble-free performance.
The Frabill Arctic Fire Pink Tip-Up also comes with trip settings. Users have the option of choosing their preferences. For example, you can choose light for panfish or heavy for game fish.
Pros
- Comes in bright and eye-catching colors
- Pre-lubricated
- Provides wobble-free performance
- Has a large capacity metal spool
- Easy to use
Cons
- Prone to wind flags
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8. Beaver Dam Original Tip-up Camouflage
Available in Realtree camouflage, the Beaver Dam Original Tip-up has been tested and met all quality standards. Thanks to the quality camo pattern, it will set you apart from the crowd. Handcrafted and assembled by skilled craftsmen, the Beaver Dam Original Tip-up is freezeproof, foolproof, and windproof.
Made in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, it’s ready for a lifetime of uses. As the tip-up that revolutionized ice fishing more than 50 years ago, it comes with a 150-foot line capacity.
Pros
- Comes with Realtree camouflage
- Easy to use
- Easy to adjust
- Handcrafted and assembled in the US
- Freezeproof and windproof
Cons
- The flag is a bit iffy
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9. Beaver Dam Northern LED Lights Ice Fishing Tip-Up
This is the all-new Beaver Dam Northern LED Lights Ice Fishing Tip-Up. Handcrafted and assembled in Wisconsin, it comes with an integrated light system. The LED lights ensure the best performance. Not only that. They allow for ease of use.
To use the tip-up, push the ON button and position the flag. When a fish bites, the Beaver Dam Northern LED Lights Ice Fishing Tip-Up will alert with an upright flag. It will also trigger the bright LED lights.
Pros
- Has an integrated LED light system
- Easy to use
- Waterproof compartment secures the batteries
- Handcrafted and assembled
- Quality wooden base
Cons
- Batteries not included
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10. SF Ice Fishing Black Assault Tip-Up
With a base made of high-quality plastic, the SF Ice Fishing Black Assault Tip-Up has flexible metal parts with a red flag. As such, you will never fail to spot the tip-up in snow. The base has a ruler that goes up to 16 inches. This makes it easy for ice fishermen to measure their catches.
Packed in a specialized box, it has string metal iron parts with a plastic pool. To use the spool, put the line through the guide ring hole and feed the fishes. Has counterbalance and crank knobs too.
Pros
- Freezeproof and windproof
- Sturdy construction
- Rustproof parts
- Large capacity spool
- Safe and reliable
Cons
- Large and not easy to store
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11. HT AIX 200 Arctic Ice Tip-Up
This tip-up with high-quality materials is a product of long research and hard work. The V-shaped design makes it different from others.
This lubricated ultra-smooth tip-up can be folded easily to store or transport.
Pros
- It is well lubricated and freezeproof
- It works flawlessly with a very smooth trip system
- It’s only 7 ounces with a V-shaped frame
- It can be stored and carried easily
- It works without false flags
Cons
- It’s very small and sometimes it’s difficult to see it
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12. Beaver Dam BDTP-JR Rail Tip- Ups
With a 23-inch pine base that provides stability over wide holes, the Beaver Dam BDTP-JR Rail Tip- Ups has aluminum tube bearings that deliver smooth action. It comes pre-lubricated with freeze-proof lubricant. This allows for fail-safe operation even in the toughest conditions.
It also comes with a spinner trigger which has tapered and straight trips. This allows for a wide range of baits. The flag stands at a height of 17.5 inches. As such, it allows for easy visibility.
Pros
- Comes with a brass spool and line guide
- Made in the USA
- Has aluminum tube bearings that deliver smooth action
- Durable
- High quality
Cons
- Lacks LED lights
Check Availability & Customer Reviews On Amazon
Best Ice Fishing Tip Ups Buying Guide
Tip-ups will enter in the list of ice fishing essentials. All tip-ups suspend a bait through the ice and into the water. When the fish takes the hook, it triggers the flag to alert the ice fishermen. Although they work the same, they come in different sizes, shapes, and features.
Here are things to consider when shopping for tip-ups.
Quality Construction
In the market, you will come across fishing tip-ups made of plastic, wood, or even metal. Those made of plastic can last long but they are prone to bending and breaking easier than wood. Fishing tip-ups made of wood and metal are excellent choices. The base is heavy and can withstand extreme weather conditions.
Smooth Operation
It is important to ensure that the spool offers smooth operation. This is absolutely critical. Why? Resistance creates friction. A smooth operating spool allows the fish to have the line with no resistance. To test if the spool has a smooth operation, tie a bit of line and pull. If it’s not smooth as silk, look for one that offers smooth operation.
High-quality Flag
The flag gets triggered when the fish take the bait. To ensure it alerts you from afar, it needs to be of high quality. That means it should be freeze proof and windproof. As such, it will not get easily torn. Also, it needs to be bright allowing you to spot it from afar.
Wide Stable Base
The wider the base of the tip-up, the more stable it is. Also, the longer the base, the more secure the tip-up. As such, it will not tip over when fish take the bait.
Trigger Bar
The best fishing tip-up must have a trigger bar. Also called a trip bar, it makes it hard for your tip-up to trip. If it lacks this feature, you will end up missing the fish. We recommend looking for a model with trip bars that have multiple settings.
Bait Keeper Clip
Also referred to as a line guide, it helps to prevent the line from unspooling. A good bait keeper clip opens and closes, allowing you to work with your line much easier.
Storage
It’s wise to shop for a compact and lightweight tip-up. Such a model is easy to transport and store. To keep your fishing tip-up in a fish-catching shape, maintain it well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a wide base fishing tip-up a great choice?
Yes, it is. The wide base provides stability making it hard for the tip-up to fall over when fish take the bait.
Should I choose a tip-up with a bright colored flag or a dull-colored flag?
A bright-colored tip-up is the best choice. The bright color is easy to spot even from a long distance. You can customize the flag but make sure it’s bright colored.
How do I set up my fishing tip-up?
Spool your tip-up with a braided line. Determine the depth of bait and measure the amount of line from the spool. Mark the spot with a line marker and lower the weighted and baited hook into the water. Fold the flag and turn spool release into a position that holds the flag down. Finally, set the tip-up over the hole.
Final Words
From the list above, you can find excellent tip-ups for your needs. When choosing for best ice fishing tip-ups, always go for metal, wood, or plastic models with smooth operating spools. This assures the best performance even in the toughest conditions.
If you are familiar with the amazing tricks and techniques of ice fishing, don’t forget to use your tip-up for the winter days.
Best of luck!
