He is a method I have used for a long time to check traps under ice.

The wire is what is commonly called "bell wire" about 22ga.Twist together leaveing enough to pass aroung the trap jaws. Lightly twist to form a loop around the jaws.Run the wire up above the ice.Mark your sets,frozen water pretty much all looks the same.

To check use a continuity tester or volt-ohm meter.An open circut means a trap that will need closer inspection.

This is a real time saver if you decide to try this aspect of trapping





(Edit: Title. Photos archived. -- Hal )

We have very little ice around here, but much dark mercky water. The wire method may work in the ice by attaching strong wire to a trap jaw then to a simple "flag" or float of sorts? Heavy fishing line and cheap bobbers have been my solution to the issue of wondering if the trap has been fired when it's a deep set or the water is too dark to see into. Also saves me from disturbing sets that are still waiting to work. The bobbers are easy to spot from a distance saving many steps in a days time. They are also easy to adjust w/gloves on as they can be slid up or down the line to adjust for depth of water or chnages to the set.

Try using a packing peanut wedged between the jaws and fastened above water with a light piece of fishing line or heavy thread(courtesy HS and CD).Do not use water soluble packing peanuts(courtesy CD)

Actually, here's how the packing peanut float works.



You loosely fold a piece of thin wire over the trap jaws. A piece of thread is tied to the "eye" on that wire, and the other end of the thread is tied to a non-water-soluble packing peanut which floats above the trap. When the trap fires, the wire releases, the peanut floats away, and you know you have to check the trap.

It's actually best if you tie up these rigs ahead of time. It's hard to do on the trapline with cold, stiff fingers.

Hal

Here's another way to check those under ice traps if you don't have a continuity tester.



Take two 1.5 volt battery and tape them together. Use a couple of alligator clips and a length of wire to make a holder for the bulb. That's a standard flashlight bulb. Fasten one clip to the bulb, and the other clip to the end of one wire.

Then touch the other loose wire and the center terminal of the bulb to opposite ends of the battery pack.



If the circuit is unbroken, the bulb will light.

Hal

Thats a Blue Creek Continuity Tester ®

Excellent trapline tips. The peanut one is a new one to me.

The electricity one has been around for a while. That last photo seems to be a nightmare for cold hands. A tester will save a light bulb dropped in the snow.

Some guys hook up to test their under ice snares this way to. When the snare is pulled away from the pole it's time to pull up the set.

Be careful on the ice!

Leave the light bulb attached to the alligator clip.

It's a little difficult to use, but far from nightmareish.

Hal

Wait till low tide.

Sorry I just could'nt resist

That is the bigest aa battery I ever seen.