a tipdown is neutral balanced fishing pole that is positioned on a wooden base/stand over a ice hole.the pole is on a pivot on the wood stand. put a minnow on it and when a fish takes or bits the bait the pole will fall down to the ice{ tipdown} . they work excellent for crappie fishing though the ice. google sure-strike tip downs.for a pic. it takes next to nothing to make the pole drop to the ice . google the subject people have posted plans to make your own tipdowns. mine are made out of oak wood stands. they are identical to the sure-strikes.