Tip-up fishing for northern pike is a time-honored tradition among ice anglers, and as the season progresses into its final stretch, the tactics evolve to target true giants. In this post, we’ll walk through a highly effective system that blends simplicity with cutting-edge materials to deliver serious results.
Efficient Rigging: Quick Strike Rigs and Snap Swivels
One of the biggest challenges with tip-up setups is managing your gear—especially when you’re transporting multiple rigs. To solve this, use a snap swivel on the end of your main line. This allows you to pre-rig multiple quick strike rigs in advance and store them neatly in the truck. When you get to the spot, it’s a matter of seconds to clip on your chosen rig and drop the bait. No tangles, no fuss.
This setup not only streamlines the process but protects your rig from unnecessary wear, ensuring you’re always ready to fish as soon as you arrive. 
The Power of Tieable Titanium Leaders
The leader material is another critical part of the system. This team uses 20-pound test tieable titanium, and it’s a game-changer. It’s incredibly durable—you can kink it, bend it, twist it—and it still maintains its integrity. This makes it perfect for dealing with the violent head shakes and rolls of large northern pike.
Whether you’re rigging for dead bait under the ice or fishing live bait for fall muskies, tieable titanium stands out for several reasons:
- High strength and flexibility
- Customizable lengths for hook spacing and leader length
- Resilient against kinks and memory
- Thin diameter offers a natural presentation
The Strategy: Big Dead Baits on the Bottom
When targeting late-season northern pike, bigger is often better. Large dead baits laid right on the bottom mimic winter-killed prey—an easy meal for hungry giants.
This isn’t delicate, finesse fishing. You don’t need to worry about ultra-sensitive triggers like when fishing for finicky walleye. Instead, let your bait soak on the bottom and wait for that unmistakable pull. When a pike commits, it’s aggressive and unmistakable.
On the Ice: Hooking Into a Monster
What happens when it all comes together? You get action that makes the cold worth it.
The team lands a huge jack—a common nickname for northern pike. After a bit of a tangle near the ice edge, they guide the fish in and get a proper look: “Look at the size of this animal… that fish is over 20 pounds.”
That moment—the weight of the fish in hand, the excitement of a successful setup—validates the effort of drilling holes, setting rigs, and braving the elements. It’s what tip-up fishing dreams are made of.
Final Thoughts
Tip-up fishing for pike isn’t just about patience—it’s about smart rigging and the right tools. Snap swivels for quick deployment, tieable titanium for durability, and big dead baits for irresistible presentation are the keys to late-season success.
With the right system, even the coldest day on the ice can produce the warmest memories—and maybe, just maybe, a 20-pound beast to boot.
