I ice fishing with tip-ups because they are the most efficient way to cover lots of water simultaneously.  The acceleration of adrenaline when a flag is sprung and racing for the sky makes me sprint across the ice without fear of falling.  My only complaint about tip-ups is storage.  After experimenting with several tip-up storages solutions, I have built a custom Tip-Up Rack for my ice fishing sled.

The journey from concept to completion had several prototypes and adjustments.  The final design is surprisingly simple.  There are no moving parts and minimal space is taken up inside my ice fishing sled.  During my first ice fishing trip, the 100% water proof rack performed perfectly!

The only disadvantage of this for-life rack is the build process.  The multi-step build procedure requires several specialized power tools and knowledge of working with epoxy, fiberglass cloth, and epoxy fillets.  An alternative build procedure is to use 1/4″ PVC sheets and 1″ thick PVC boards.  This alternative is more expensive that the cut-off wood stock that I used and it will produce a heavier rack.

My first DIY Wacky O-Ring uses heat shrink tubing.  This solution works well.  However, if heat is applied too long, it can melt the Senko, which is no bueno.  I now use recycled rubber grips from spent pens.

Making Wacky O-Rings from recycled rubber pen grips has one step: cut a 1/4″ wide ring from the end of the soft rubber grip via utility knife.  I use my DIY Wacky O-Ring Rigger to secure the DIY Wacky O-Rings to my Senkos.

This second generation DIY Wacky O-Ring has several advantages.  First, it costs $0.00.  Second, it is very easy to make.  Third, it does not damage the Senko, which can happen when applying heat during to shrink the tubing on generation one.  Forth, it provides a stronger grip on the Senko than commercial O-Rings because it has a wider surface area.  And lastly, it allows the hook to be perpendicular to the Senko, which increases your hook-up ratio.