Hub versus "Clam" style

[Swimbait2009]

Hey guys!

Not sure if "Clam" style is the right way to put it, but what are the advantages of the ones that fold into the sled, versus the hub style? The hub styles are A LOT cheaper then the others, and look like they'd have more room once setup (I haven't been to look at them close up yet). Any opinions and information is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Seth

[TiNK3R]

I just ordered a hub style myself. Sold my fishtrap I bought last year. My problem is... I pull everything on the ice by hand. I hardly drive on.

Pulling a flipover can be a pain. The hub style and a big tub is what fits me the best. Plus... I like the idea of bringing a cot and spending the night ;P

[Swimbait2009]

I'll probably be driving on. Anyone have any hubs that they prefer over another? I'm looking at the Clam Base Camp.

[riverrat56]

I've fished out on both styles, flip over houses much more but spent a few days in a hub style.

Flipover wins hands down in my opinion, upfront cost might seem greater but you'll still need a sled and chairs in the hub style house so the cost evens out. With a flip over your set to go in most cases. Also there is no "dry area" in a hub style house, everything is on the ice, in a flip over house you have the sled to put things in that shouldn't be on the ice such as a camera or your rod bag. Whn you go to move a flip over, you do just that flip it over, grap the rope (or hop on wheeler or in vehical if you have a tow hitch, not an option on a hub style house) an go. Dragging a hub style might be an option on glare ice but otherwise you'll be folding it down.

There are a few pluses to the the hub style houses though, they are lighter weight and easier to load by yourself, also they do offer much larger houses and less cost, but the real big ones would be difficult to manage in the wind. Another benefit would be that your able to spear out of one easier and can set up your holes like you want and there would be room for a table of some sort in the larger models.

So theres my opinion

[tonkapat]

I have an eskimo quickfish 3(hub style). Love the thing. I have two tub syle shacks also. Tubs just take up to much space in the truck. Can haul many hub style houses in one car. With my sled, eskimo, heater and gear I weigh less altogether than a small tub style house alone. Makes pulling tenfold easier than any tub. If u pull by hand or don't have the room in your vehicle get the hub style.

[Swimbait2009]

Thanks for the tips guys!

At this point, price is probably one of my main concerns. I can't spend much this year, and want to be able to fit a couple friends in too. So, unless there are some glaring deficiencies in a hub style, that's probably the direction I'll go.

[shizzy]

as already stated they each serve a purpose. I also dont drive on so the light weight hub style seemed right. I also like to take along a friend or two so the hub style fit me as well. I was under a tight budget so a hub style worked for me.I only had a small car so a hub style worked for me. as far as the fllor and seating, I have a beat up old folding chair and a chunk of old I/O carpet I toss in the tub as well.

However,now that I drive a truck I sure would like a small one man flipover style when its just me and I want to run and gun.

[jigging-matt]

I had a hub style for a few years and switched to the flip over a few years ago. With a wheeler, and trying to be mobile, the flip style is the way to go. can cover a lot more ground with a lot less set up and tear down time. also nice to leave stuff where you want it and not move it in and out.

[winniewalleye777]

I had a clam hub style house for about 3 years and switched to a flipover style yukon last year. I love it. The biggest problem I had with the hub style was the wind. I head up north a couple times a year and fish Winnie, LOTW, and Mille Lacs... I always left these lakes with a few bent poles in my house from setting up/tearing down. It seems to me that the flipover style handles the wind much better, and is ten times easier to set up in the wind. I also hated having to mark the holes before I drilled.

[fishwater]

Seth, I would wait until you can poke around them in the stores. I got a deal on one at the St. Paul ice show last year, maybe wait and see what comes up.

[Swimbait2009]

I had a clam hub style house for about 3 years and switched to a flipover style yukon last year. I love it. The biggest problem I had with the hub style was the wind. I head up north a couple times a year and fish Winnie, LOTW, and Mille Lacs... I always left these lakes with a few bent poles in my house from setting up/tearing down. It seems to me that the flipover style handles the wind much better, and is ten times easier to set up in the wind. I also hated having to mark the holes before I drilled.

why do u have to mark the holes?

[fishwater]

Seth, I believe winniewalleye is confusing the newer HUB houses with the older suitcase style. With the suitcase you have prescribed holes in a plastic floor that need to match up, with HUB houses you just need a general hole layout that you like.

[munchy71]

....With the suitcase you have prescribed holes in a plastic floor that need to match up, with HUB houses you just need a general hole layout that you like.

Actually, that may no longer be completely true. Several of Clam's new offerings in hub-style houses are available WITH a floor, just like their older suitcase style houses.

-Munchy

[Spearing Machine]

Here is my weekly rant about the hub houses....not to sound mean but if people look back more than one page they might be able to answer many if not all their questions

I too have the quick-fish III. I will be going on my fourth winter with it and I am not talking one time use per winter. I record every outing and early this winter I will be topping the 200 outing mark with this house. I use it for everything from early ice crappies, to spearing and just as a place to warm up when fishing tip ups. I have put this house through some ultimate tests and it passes with flying colors. 40mph+ on red lake, setting it up at 4:00am in January at -35f, and the constant wet and dry of the canvas. The one thing I recommend is that after each use you dry it out completely. I think this is what has really helped my preserve this house for so long. I just bring it to the basement and take it out of the bag for a few hours laying next to the wood stove and then its good to go the next day.

[shizzy]

I think thats a huge part of keeping it in good shape. I set mine up in the Dining room of my apartment after a trip out and Im always amazed how much moisture has built up on the fabric.