How to Set a Windlass Tip-Up and Quick Strike Rig for Northern Pike

I've been fishing for Northern Pike for many years through the ice and tip up fishing is a great way to catch a lot of fish and some hogs. Here's a video on how to make your own monofilament quick strike rig, hook your bait and set an HT Windlass Tip Up. Over the years we seem to catch most of our big pike on the Windlass Tip up. The only trouble in Alberta is that using these can be tough when it is cold since the line freezes in the hole killing the action. On those warm windy days of winter though this is a go to set up!
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[@WheresTheSauce]

That's actually really smart having the anchor hook able to slide, seems no one can agree on what a quick strike rig looks like or how far to space the hooks.

[@TheFishingDoctorsAdventures]

works pretty good Actually modified my bait position from some comments here and else where. I no hook bait so head of bait is angled down at about 45 degrees. So no hook by head of bait then you don't get gut hooked pike. Usually hooked in lips.

[@mattjennings9655]

The Fishing Doctors Adventures thanks for the info. I am going to try that at spray this winter!

[@TheFishingDoctorsAdventures]

Matt Jennings I hope you have good luck!
Let me know how you do.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Check out my "Ice Fishing - Tips For Wind Tip-Ups" vid. It makes using these much easier. KPO

[@GuoSlice]

hey brandon, I tried setting up some 6in chubs I caught over the summer on the quickset rig. They appear horizontal when I have the hooks in the same position as you mentioned in this video. However, the minute i drop that bait into the water, the head dips down and the presentation of the bait is that of a "nose dive" position and no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to get it in the horizontal position under water. Any idea on how to fix this?

[@TheFishingDoctorsAdventures]

Is your bait freezer burned? That is a problem cause then the tail end will be very bouyant. The other option is to put small split shot into the abdominal cavity near the rectum to balance the bait. I sometimes have to adjust the second hook slightly more towards head of bait if not horizontal in the water. This is key though for more flags.

[@GuoSlice]

The Fishing Doctors Adventures that's interesting about the freezer burned concept. I believe they are freezer burnt since I've had them in just a regular safeway bag in the freezer since july/august. However, I thought it might have been because the chubs I use still have all the intestines (etc) including the float bladder. Not sure if your bait contains innards as well. Perhaps I could remove the insides and see if that will help. If not, I guess my only other option would be to add splitshots...

[@TheFishingDoctorsAdventures]

Yeah freezer burnt bait does not sit right, ever. Thats why it is best to always buy bait for pike and walleye fresh frozen. The stuff at superstore has the guts in it as well but it still sinks. If you think it is the air bladder take a needle and poke in through and squeeze the belly a little with the fish under the water to get the air out. I usually just squeeze the belly under the water if that is the problem and it will usually work.

[@David-mz3hj]

Do you set the tip up so wind is hitting it from the front of the back?

[@TheFishingDoctorsAdventures]

I set it up so the wind hits it from the back, they wind blows it down and the spring pulls it back up.

[@dogtoots8923]

The info was great but your kid stole the whole show lol

[@TheFishingDoctorsAdventures]

Haha thanks

[@mattjennings9655]

Would this work with smelts at spray lake for lake trout?

[@TheFishingDoctorsAdventures]

Probably if one of the bigger lake trout grabbed your smelt it would work. I don't think the little guys hang on long enough. I've seen people use these to catch big lakers at lakes other than spray. Give it a try. A better option might be a Jaw Jacker or an Automatic Fisherman. Matt Jennings

[@younggunsangling2633]

the blue fish is a mackerel

[@TheFishingDoctorsAdventures]

Could be some other type than I usually use. Meat is firmer and stays on the hook better. The other common ones in the store are much softer and more oily.

[@ingersinger]

this is wrong, the pike always swallows the bait head first, if the head of the bait is where the hook is, youre gonna hook the pike in the throat leading to a fatal wound and the hook is going to be hard to remove. Also, its much easier for the fish to see the bait when it's hanging verticle, so hook the bait on the dorsal fin and 2 inches down the body towards the tail, this way youre gonna have a better presentation for the pike to see and the pike will get hooked on the lips rather than in its throat

[@TheFishingDoctorsAdventures]

Shan Abbas please post a video of your success using the technique you suggest. I get way more hits if the presentation is horizontal in the water column like fish normally swim. Pike usually hit the bait from the side even though they swallow it head first, so if you set the hook promptly (quick strike rig) then usually the bait has not been taken deeply yet.