If you are looking for a reliable and durable tip-up for ice fishing, you may want to consider the Frabill 1674 Blackhawk Assault Tip-Up. This tip-up is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and provide smooth performance on the ice. In this article, we will review the features, benefits, and drawbacks of this tip-up, as well as compare it with some similar products on the market. We will also share some customer reviews and a purchase link for your convenience.
Product Details
The Frabill 1674 Blackhawk Assault Tip-Up is a polar-style tip-up that features a molded base, a bait clip, a shaft-in-shaft design, a pre-lubricated spool, dual trip settings, and a removable spool shaft. Here are some details of these features:
– The molded base is made of extra durable polypropylene that can resist cracking and breaking in cold temperatures. It also has a large footprint that prevents the tip-up from falling into the hole.
– The bait clip is a handy feature that allows you to adjust the tension of the line and prevent false trips. You can also use it to secure the hook when not in use.
– The shaft-in-shaft design enables you to re-grease the spool easily by removing the inner shaft. This ensures smooth operation and prevents freezing.
– The spool is pre-lubricated with Sub-Zero low-temperature lubricant that can withstand extreme cold and reduce friction. The spool can hold up to 200 feet of 20-pound test line.
– The dual trip settings let you choose between light and heavy settings depending on the size and sensitivity of your target fish. You can adjust the trip bar by loosening or tightening the wing nut.
– The removable spool shaft allows you to change the spool quickly and easily without tools. You can also use different spools with different line types or colors.
Product Benefits
The Frabill 1674 Blackhawk Assault Tip-Up offers several benefits for ice anglers who want a simple and effective tip-up. Some of these benefits are:
– It is easy to set up and use. You just need to spread the crossbeams, insert the spool shaft, attach the flag, and drop the line through the hole. The tip-up is ready to fish in minutes.
– It is visible and audible. The flag is bright orange and stands out against the snow. The spool makes a clicking sound when it spins, alerting you of a bite.
– It is versatile and adaptable. You can use it for different fish species, such as pike, walleye, trout, perch, and crappie. You can also use it in different ice conditions, such as clear, cloudy, or slushy ice.
– It is sturdy and dependable. The tip-up can withstand strong winds, heavy snow, and low temperatures without breaking or malfunctioning. It can also handle big fish without bending or snapping.
Product Drawbacks
The Frabill 1674 Blackhawk Assault Tip-Up is not without some drawbacks that you should be aware of before buying it. Some of these drawbacks are:
– It is bulky and heavy. The tip-up weighs 12 ounces and measures 23 x 3 x 3 inches when folded. It may take up a lot of space in your ice fishing gear bag or sled.
– It is not insulated or covered. The tip-up does not have any insulation or cover to prevent the hole from freezing over or getting filled with snow or slush. You may need to clear the hole frequently or use an ice skimmer or heater to keep it open.
– It is not very sensitive or adjustable. The tip-up has only two trip settings that may not suit all fish sizes or preferences. You may also have difficulty detecting light bites or setting the hook properly.
Product Comparison
To help you decide if the Frabill 1674 Blackhawk Assault Tip-Up is right for you, we have compared it with three other popular tip-ups on the market: the HT Polar Therm Extreme Tip-Up, the Beaver Dam Original Tip-Up, and the iFish Pro Ice Fishing Tip-Up. Here is a table that summarizes their main features and differences:
| Feature | Rod Holder | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Material | Polypropylene | Polyethylene | Hardwood | Plastic |
| Spool Material | Stainless Steel | Plastic | Aluminum | N/A |
| Spool Capacity | 200 ft / 20 lb | 200 ft / 20 lb | 150 ft / 36 lb | N/A |
| Spool Lubricant | Sub-Zero | Therma-Lube | N/A | N/A |
| Spool Shaft | Removable | Fixed | Removable | N/A |
| Bait Clip | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Trip Settings | Dual | Dual | Single | N/A |
| Flag Color | Orange | Red | Red | N/A |
| Flag Height | 17.5 inches | 17.5 inches | 17.5 inches | N/A |
| Hole Cover | No | Yes | No | No |
| Weight | 12 oz | 19 oz | 18 oz | 16 oz |
| Dimensions (Folded) | 23 x 3 x 3 inches | 23 x 3 x 3 inches | 23 x 3 x 1.5 inches | 24 x 4 x 4 inches |
| Price (MSRP) | $16.99 | $19.99 | $54.99 | $59.99 |
As you can see, the Frabill 1674 Blackhawk Assault Tip-Up is the most affordable and lightweight option among the four tip-ups. It also has some unique features, such as the shaft-in-shaft design, the bait clip, and the removable spool shaft. However, it also lacks some features that the other tip-ups have, such as an insulated hole cover, a more sensitive trip mechanism, and a rod holder option.
Product Reviews
To give you a better idea of what other customers think of the Frabill 1674 Blackhawk Assault Tip-Up, we have selected some representative reviews from Amazon and summarized them below:
– Positive Review: “I bought two of these tip-ups and they work great. They are easy to set up and adjust, and they don’t freeze up in cold weather. The flag is very visible and the spool clicks loudly when a fish bites. I caught several nice pike and walleye with them and they handled them well. I would recommend these tip-ups to anyone looking for a simple and reliable ice fishing tool.”
– Negative Review: “I was disappointed with these tip-ups. They are cheaply made and poorly designed. The base is flimsy and unstable, the spool is hard to turn and noisy, and the flag is too stiff and hard to release. The trip bar is also too loose and prone to false trips. I had several instances where the flag went up but there was no fish on the line. I would not buy these tip-ups again.”
– Neutral Review: “These tip-ups are decent for the price, but they have some flaws that need improvement. The base is sturdy enough, but it could be wider to prevent tipping over. The spool is smooth enough, but it could be quieter to avoid spooking fish. The flag is bright enough, but it could be more flexible to allow easier setting. The trip bar is fine, but it could be more adjustable to suit different fish sizes. These tip-ups are good for beginners or casual ice anglers, but not for serious or experienced ones.”
Purchase Link
If you are interested in buying the Frabill 1674 Blackhawk Assault Tip-Up, you can click on this [link] to go to the Amazon product page. There you can find more information, customer reviews, and current prices.
Conclusion
The Frabill 1674 Blackhawk Assault Tip-Up is a budget-friendly and user-friendly tip-up that can help you catch more fish on the ice. It has some advantages over other tip-ups, such as its lightweight design, its bait clip feature, and its removable spool shaft. However, it also has some drawbacks that may affect its performance, such as its lack of insulation, its limited sensitivity, and its low adjustability.
If you are looking for a simple and effective tip-up that won’t break the bank, you may want to give the Frabill 1674 Blackhawk Assault Tip-Up a try. However, if you are looking for a more advanced and versatile tip-up that can handle different ice conditions and fish species, you may want to look for other options.
We hope this article has helped you learn more about the Frabill 1674 Blackhawk Assault Tip-Up and decide if it is right for you. Happy ice fishing!
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