Guest RedHead Report post Posted February 3, 2011 Hi, Are these legal to use? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MNR Report post Posted February 3, 2011 I have received several inquiries regarding the legality (use and possession) of several ice fishing tip ups. One is called the automatic ice fisherman and can be found at: http://www.automaticicefisherman.com/index.html If you view the video on the web site you will see that the Tip up holds the rod in such a way that the rod is tensioned similar to a downrigger rod, when the fish takes the bait a release mechanism is activated and the rod is released indicating a bite, the angler can then grab the rod and set the hook. This type of set up does not meet the definition of a spring gaff - "spring gaff means a spring-operated device for impaling or hooking a fish and includes sping-loaded hooks that are triggered when a fish bites the bait" and therefore is legal for use and possession within 30 meters of any water. A second piece of ice fishing equipment is called the Hook Set Tip Up and can be viewed at http://hooksettipup.com/ If you view the video on this site you will see that this tip up contains a spring that is "loaded" when set. When the fish hits the bait and triggers the release the spring mechanism sets the hook, and a flag is released. This set up falls within the definition of a spring gaff as noted above, and is therefore not legal for use or possesion within 30 meters of any waters. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites