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Clam vs. Otter vs. Frabil vs. Eskimo


Fishpondc

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I've gravitated to Otter Lodge complete with hyfax a tow bar,rod holders.

They are super stable in high winds and have a quality fabric...windows too.The zippers are heavy duty and to be honest I just love the roomieness.

Outside of quality customer service can't be beat.

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1+ what jwhjr said.

Go to the store and see what fits you best. Then look for the accesories that you would want for it and make sure they are available. Whatever you get, put hyfax on it and you will be ready for the long haul.

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Yeah nowadays everyone of the mentioned companies has its own Pros and Cons, and all are quality portables. It's like buying a new goose call, you just have to get out and check them out in person. Pictures a specs can only tell you so much, each portable can be the best one for an individual person depending on how you are going to use it.

If you want some more in depth advice tell us how you plan on using it. I.E. do you walk out or drive with a truck or pull behind a ATV or snowmobile? Do you have a small storage space or plenty of room? Do you move around a lot when fishing or like to sit on the same holes for a few hours at a time? Stuff like that...

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1+ what jwhjr said.

You'll likely rule out a number of the options pretty quick, then work through your pro's/con's with your narrowed down list of makes/models.

In a few weeks (Dec 4-6), the St. Paul Ice show will have all the different vendors displaying their stuff. Plenty of people with opinions on pro/con's - Might want to hit the show before finalizing your decision ... given our recent above average temps, we may not be able to get out on the ice until then anyway.

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Go give em' all a whirl at a big store or the sports show. Thats what I did and I couldn't be happier with my decision. Things to think about when looking.

-How will you be moving it, weight (walking, atv, vehicle?)

-How much room is enough (how often will you be fishing solo, two?)

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In my opinion the Otter is the highest quality sled, but all of those units are very very nice. I agree with everyone else, go check em out and don't forget to have mods in mind when looking at them because that is half the fun of a porty. Eskimo's are nice for a price point fish house, but the sled is a little tougher to mod IMO. Have fun, you'll love whatever you get.

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Im a big Otter fan. I really like the room of the Mag Lodge when Im going on long trips with the snowmachine. I fish out of a Cabin when Im alone and on smaller local trips. The new seats are awesome and the pole design makes setting up and taking down easy. The canvas is nice and thick and the windows stay plyable in the coldest weather. Seat design makes getting gear in and out a breeze. Of course the sleds are the best out there. If you tow with a sled or wheeler Otter is the way to go. Get the hyfax on any sled you buy. Will add years to it.

No matter what house you decide on shop around and make sure you get what you like and fits your needs not what everyone else says you should buy.

If you fish alone a lot but will have a partner every once in a while I would go with the Cabin. If you fish 2 guys a lot go Mag Lodge.

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I've been kinda looking at a two person flip as well. I like the Clam nanook for the price. Their whole line seems pretty good. Though, if I had the money, I'd probably go with an Otter.

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Last year up on LOW for the laker opener we fit 4 guys in the otter lodge at times to eat lunch and warm up from fishing outside in the -25 degree weather. Granted there were only 2 lines down but we still got 4 guys in there. The mr. heater cooker kept it plenty warm for the 4 of us even in weather that cold.

It's definitely a roomy portable, I've never had any problems fishing 2 guys out of my otter cabin.

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I bought a fish trap yukon last year and really like it. I just bought a snowmobile to pull it around so I put runners on it. It should work good, but when I bought the house I didn't think I would ever be getting a snowmobile. If I did I probably would have got a otter. tuffest sled out there. I have fished out of a couple eskimos and wasn't impressed. good price on them though. a big thing for me is the seats. the seats in my yukon are very comfy. I can't stand bench seats in an ice house. uncomfy and every time your fishing partner moves you feel it.

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Was a clam man for the last 13 years but I am about to pull the trigger on a new otter lodge. I primarily fish myfelf but once in a while will fish with a partner. However, I figured an extra 100 bucks for a bigger house was worth it. I have researched and looked at all of this years houses and narrowed my choices down. Again like everyone else has said find what suits you. I have changed my mind and bounced back and forth over the decision for the last month or so.

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bopper4,

If you primarily fish by yourself, I would get the otter cabin. I've got the lodge and it's a brute to handle solo. A few years after I got it, I picked up an otter 1 man for the times I was by myself. If I had to do it over again, I'd just get the cabin. The lodge is very nice and roomy though for 2 anglers. I am a big fan of otter houses.

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I just bought a the Team Wild 1 by otter at fleet farm for $270. The price is cheaper but the quality is still very good. It is advertised as a one man but it is big enough for me and my brother in-law, and we are not small guys. So if your fishing by your self it is a big one man or a little tight but do able for two.

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I should restate that. I primarily fish out of the house myself but most 99 percent of the time I am with a group up north. I do really like being able to stand up and stretch out in the lodge. Plus I found an awesome price on it.

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I have fished out of an Eskimo Qwick Flip III now for 3 seasons and love it. Lots of room for 2 and plenty of room for a 3rd. Nice being able to stand up and streach if you need. If you have the bench it works great for storing rods under,poles fit in the backrest under the straps except the 2 front braces. I did add plywood under the seat to keep it from sagging, thats the only issue I have had with mine. I use it 30-40 times a year and it's held up great.

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