Clam Hub Style Ice Houses

[gardn184]

Anyone have an opinion on these ice houses, to me it seems like without snow the wind would cut right under the sides of this shanty, does anyone know if the "ice anchors" actually hold or do they pop right out. I'm seriously thinking about buying one of these to spear out of since it has so much room, just don't want the thing to blow away on me while I'm sitting there.

[NeverEnough]

I'd say you could tie it to that little red truck of yours but that thing might take off on you too.

by the way, this is Ty so don't take it too personal

[gardn184]

Yeh with the addition of the topper that mazda is more shaped like a kite, possibility of flight is high, but at least then we wouldn't have to pull it out of the slush/ditch. What are your thoughts Ty, worth it or not to try this thing out

[jigginjim]

I saw some people trying to put up a 6x12 last year in the wind. Good for a real laugh, they didn't have any anchors.

I use 12" nails you can get at old hardware stores. Bring a big hammer, tie each corner down and your golden.

[Ed Carlson]

Check out a new product called the "Digger Ice Angel" ice cleats.

They will greatly simplify the process of setting up a Hub style shack and keep it pinned securely down to the ice. The ability to anchor it and draw it down with an adjustable strap from the mid point eyelets on the hubs puts added downward holding power on the hub to seal it to the ice.

No "screwing around" required, just drill a partially drilled dry ice hole, insert the Ice-Angel, the wings open and sets itself securely into the sidewalls of the dry hole. Now just hook it to the Hub Shack and tighten as required, done deal. Simple reverse the process to remove them.

[cstortz]

I had mine set up in 20+ mph winds. First suggestion is to throw away the tie down "strings" that they send with the shack. I went to a local big box hardware store and bought some carabiners and webbing straps that can actually be tightened. Second suggestion is in high winds make sure you tie down the hubs and the floor. The wind will fold the hubs back in and they pack quite a wallop.

As far as the floor I did not notice any wind coming under the flaps as long as the bottom was anchored properly.

The ice anchors do hold but are a pain to put in, this year I am going to carry a drill and go buy some lag bolts and washers and drive them in.

Overall I really like my hub style shack when I am fishing with people but I will be buying a flip over this year for fishing alone.

[gardn184]

thanks for the information guys I already have a flip over but since I'm looking to do some spearing this year I thought this might be a quick, cheap, portable, and easy to use.

[mabr]

Im thinking about one also.

Couple questions,

1. How are they taking down after snow builds up on the skirt?

2. Any issues with the poles and fabric building up with Ice from condensation.

3. Any issues with unzipping the zippers with the ice anchors. or do they really hold that good. Ilike the idea of the lag bolt, Just use a cordless impact drill. Anyone tried this?

I just started reasearching them yesterday. Stopped at GM,FF and Th Br to look at them and everyone i talked to liked them. There seams to be a ton of room and I really like the idea of a chair vs the built in ones on most houses.

[cstortz]

Let's see if I can answer your questions

1. How are they taking down after snow builds up on the skirt?

-Never had an issue with this even when I had to pry the flaps out of the ice. Because the fabric is loose all I did was shake the flaps and the ice fell off. The only issue with take down is I have left the ice without putting the shack back in the back because the material gets stiff.

2. Any issues with the poles and fabric building up with Ice from condensation.

-I am sure this is going to be like any uninsulated shack with heat you probably will see some condensation but I really did not have any issues with this.

3. Any issues with unzipping the zippers with the ice anchors. or do they really hold that good.

-The ice anchors hold great and there are no problems with the zippers that I have found.

I like the idea of the lag bolt, Just use a cordless impact drill.Anyone tried this?

-The impact driver is what I am going to try and use this year

[Ed Carlson]

If you wish to use the ice screws, Clam has a new Ice Anchor Install Tool to use for drilling in the screws with a cordless drill.

You may wish to look into that as well.

[LOTWSvirgin]

The anchors that come with the house work great no need to go buy something else unless you lose the ones that come with the house

[mabr]

Thanks everyone. Took the wife out tonight to look at them and she likes the room in the 6x8 model. Looks like thats gonna be the one i get.Unless i find a 6x6 cheap. Anyone know who has the best price around?

[jigginjim]

I have been thinking of getting the 6x8 for my winter guide trips.

[gardn184]

Thats why I was thinking of getting one, for taking out friends who don't get to fish much, a little extra room and comfort than my frabill flip over

[hitthebricks]

Northern Hyd. has the 6x6 Clam for $199 and Joes Sports has the Eskimo for $159. I bought the Eskimo to replace my Otter lodge thats to heavy to drag by hand and heave to load in the truck by myself I also thought I could give spearing a shot with this, Whats the best way to cut the hole?

HTB

[gardn184]

I just drill a 4 hole by 5 hole square, all the holes touching then use an ice spud to chip out any middle areas, seems to work ok if you have a sharp auger

[Mnfisher]

What about the insulated hub style? Are they worth the extra $$$? Do they make a big difference? How about the fact that they don't have a floor? Does that keep the house much cooler? Anyone have one with a floor? I think they are new this year. I suppose a floor could be made, but then that might defeat the purpose of having one, that is, easy set up and lightweight.