Fish Slap - Automatic Ice Fishing Hook Setter

Over-engineered. On purpose.

Overview

Fish Slap is an intentionally over-engineered automatic ice fishing hook setter, with a name inspired by the Monty Python Fish-Slap Dance—because when a fish politely nibbles, the mechanical response should be swift, decisive, and completely unnecessary.

Behind the joke name is a serious mechanical design built for cold weather, reliability, and safety. Fish Slap uses a true three-part trigger mechanism, steel hardware throughout, short trigger travel, and a fully captured rod loop to deliver fast, repeatable hook sets without relying on plastic pins, friction tabs, or long cam-over motions.

This is not a novelty clicker—it’s a mechanically disciplined tool designed to work on real ice.

Key Features

⚙️ True Three-Part Trigger System

• Separate Trigger, Sear, and Release Arm
• Sear carries the load, not the trigger
• Clean, predictable release instead of friction-based designs

⚡ Fast Break Trigger

• ~7–10° of trigger movement to fire
• Compared to 30°+ travel common in many printed hook setters
• Faster response to light bites with minimal line disturbance
• Adjustable Trigger Tension

🔩 No Plastic Pins

• All pivots use stainless steel pins
• No printed axles, no plastic shear points
• Improved durability, repeatability, and cold-weather reliability

🧷 Fully Captured Rod Loop (Safety Feature)

• When cocked, the hook-setting rod loop is fully enclosed inside the release
• No exposed loaded rod
• Cannot slip off due to bumps, vibration, or handling
• Rod is only released after deliberate sear disengagement

       Cocked = contained = safe

🧼 Detachable Trigger / Release Module

• Trigger and release mechanism is removable for cleaning
• Allows easy drying, inspection, and maintenance
• Prevents grit, slush, and refrozen meltwater from degrading performance

💧 Integrated Drain Holes

• Drain holes at the bottom of the release housing
• Prevents water and ice buildup around moving parts
• Maintains consistent trigger feel through freeze/thaw cycles

🧊 Cold-Weather Focused Materials

• Designed specifically for sub-zero use
• No reliance on brittle plastics or tight friction fits

📦 Fold-Flat Storage

• Legs rotate inward and lock in place for transport
• Compact, rigid storage configuration
• Trigger protected during transport
• Easy to carry in a sled, bucket, or pack

Materials & Build Recommendations

Printed Parts

• Recommended material: PETG
• Tested material: PETG (Matte Orange)

Why PETG:

• Tough and impact-resistant in cold temperatures
• Less brittle than PLA in sub-zero conditions
• Good moisture resistance for ice and slush
• Slight flex absorbs shock without cracking

Bright PETG colors also improve visibility on ice and snow.

PLA / PLA+ are not recommended due to cold brittleness.

Structural Rails

• Material: Standard 1″ plastic electrical conduit (grey)
• Used in place of aluminum square channel

Why conduit instead of aluminum:

• Readily available at any hardware store
• No corrosion
• No cold-soak shock transfer
• Lightweight and easy to replace
• Cheap

Required Hardware (Non-Printed)

Pins & Springs

• 4 × 5 mm × 30 mm stainless steel pins
  • Trigger pivot
  • Sear pivot
  • Release arm pivot
  • Release rod retention (captures rod inside release)
• 1 × 5 mm × 30 mm compression spring
  • Sear bias (engagement tension only)
• 1 × 1/4″ clevis pin
  • Hook-setting rod attachment

Fasteners

• Metric machine screws
• Stainless steel recommended for wet environments
• 2 part Epoxy to Glue the printed parts to the electrical conduit

Field Use

• Deploys flat over the ice hole using cross-bar geometry
• Stable without stakes or anchors
• Rod alignment minimizes line drag and false activation
• Bright components remain visible in snow and slush

Safety Notes

• Always de-arm before handling
• Keep hands clear of the release path
• The captured rod loop and short trigger travel are intentional safety features, not toys

Final Thoughts

Fish Slap is deliberately over-engineered—but not over-complicated.

It prioritizes:

• Mechanical safety
• Cold-weather reliability
• Serviceability
• Repeatable performance

If you want a hook setter that looks simple but hides real mechanical thinking inside, this is it.

Tight lines—and nobody expects the Fish Slap.

As always I encourage you to share pictures of your printed items… Additionally helpful feedback is always welcomed!

Check out my other models and feel free to like and follow me for future projects! If you have any requests I can see what else I can create for you.

🚫 Please Note:
Sharing, re-uploading, or selling my digital files without commercial licencing is strictly prohibited.
All designs are protected under digital licensing, and legal action will be taken in cases of unauthorized use.