I was wondering if anyone uses tip ups for crappie. I have always used tip downs, and would jump around hole to hole while those soaked, but last year I ended up catching a few crappie off of my tip ups when walleye fishing. One advantage I could see using tip ups is being able to cover the hole to keep the light out. Thoughts?

Never tried but sounds like fun.

I never use tip ups for crappie. Their bite can be light you'll miss a lot of strikes. I use a flasher and an ultra-light jig rod. You need and ultra sensitive spring bobber. I try to find 30-40 of water. If using a flasher look for suspended fish. They are usually feeding. If using bait be a couple feet off bottom. Crappie look up and will hit the bait from below it. If using a jig, pound it off the bottom and then real up a couple of feet. They can be finicky so presentation is key. Keep your jig or plastics moving at all times.

I know of some patterns where the only way to catch the BIG ones are with tip-ups. Set the trap, walk away, and wait! I've experienced some bites where we would use 3-5" shiner minnows under a tip-up, usually after dark, and set those in shallow feeding areas. Seems to be the most common in current systems where noise is vitally important...

Around here many guys and gals use these to great success. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi_ydWN7d_QAhXHllQKHR3MDlsQFgiMATAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tipdown.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNHVQbPMo3G9IMjYMc8pvBZfkXzaSw&sig2=9-gJY3f5miiw7jsJB3_oxg I have a couple and they are great.

Sorry they are called Innovated Tip Downs. A simple google search will turn them up.