Hole covers (catch cover vs alt)?

[WALLEYEDUDE2001]

Looking for options of catch covers vs the "t" handle cover, other than cost, are the catch covers better? How is the "t" handle as far as holding up or strength?

[herefish101]

My buddy has the T handle style in his perm, they'v worked great and he must have installed them like five years ago. The only thing I dont like about them is they are very tight, they are hard to pull open, and you have to stomp on them to get em back on. But like i said, they have stood up to abuse for at least five years.

[eyebjim]

I have catch covers and a buddy has the t handle covers. Both hold up well. I'm not sure if the T handle covers have hole inserts like catch covers do. I really like the inserts so that would be a deal breaker for me if they had none.

I think the cover of the T handle is bigger by a inch or two. That is nice.

[usmcjsy]

I have the T handle covers, they do have hole inserts for them as well. Also thye are suppose to have a lifetime warranty. I did break one and contacted them via Email about how to get it replaced and that was about 2 weeks ago. So far no response. So I am not impressed with the customer service and doubt they are gonna replace my broken cover.

[braselce]

How are the fish hole buddy covers? And also how are there rattle reels fish hole buddy that is

[fishinalot]

Go with the Catch Cover with the sqaure handle, these are the ones made right here in MN. The fish hole buddy products with the T-handle is a copy cat version coming out of China. The handles do break, I know a few guys that have them, and they claim lifetime warranty?

It takes a lifetime to get any response from them!!

[rickl1968]

How are the fish hole buddy covers? And also how are there rattle reels fish hole buddy that is

I bought the fish hole buddy covers from a store in MN and I did buy the glow in the dark sleves too. They work awsem ...no problems with the handles yet, they are nice and tight and all I do to put them back in is give them a gentle kick.

[usmcjsy]

Ya mine are the fish hole buddy ones. The one broke and I have tried to get it replaced as they claim a lifetime warranty. Like ya said you will wait a lifetime to hear back from them. Their customer service is pretty much non exisistent. Next time I will do catch covers.

[LindellProStaf]

Please buy Made in USA stuff whenever you can or you are part of the problem.....

[CrappieNight]

Not sure if it's a big deal but I have Catch Covers in the perm and my brother has the off brand in his wheel house. My slush bucket fits tightly into the Catch Cover and is sloppy in the off brand. If there is a slush bucket made for the off brand, they won't fit the Catch Cover.

+1 on the MN support.

Steve

[usmcjsy]

Ok guys I have a update, I emailed them again and this time they did respond quickly. So they may not have recieved my 1st one or something. Anyway I had mentioned Hole Covers brand in my last Email to them and this was their response:

"I received your photo. The smaller broken hole is interesting. Holes, as shown in your photo, are actually more difficult and usually the result of a concentrated high energy impact.

As this is a unique break I would like to receive the product back with any information you care to share. This will help us investigate and we will share with the material supplier as well. In the meantime, please reply with your address and we will send a replacement hole cover.

Here’s a little history you. Ice Castle Fish House and myself were the first to design and develop the Hole Cover. Initially they were made from wood and included a recessed pull handle. Later this was made with plastic instead of wood and was called the “&%#@*) Cover”. The relationship soured after we helped then refine and design the plastic hole cover and they raised the cost from $8 to $20 because the guy wanted to retire. In response we came out with the Fish Hole Buddy Hole Cover! Our goals were simple – larger diameter, easier to open, and priced so that the average guy / girl or family can buy then for their home made shack as well. Do they break when you hit them with a 10# sledge hammer or a stomp on then with a 300 pound uncle, of course. What doesn’t? Last year we improved the strength further by adding additional ribs to support heavier loads such as ATV’s and snow mobiles. These changes can be seen on the underside and have increased the strength. We did this without increasing the price to you. Again, we do guarantee the Fish Hole Buddy Hole Covers will not break during normal use.

Thank you again for your business. We wish you the best of luck this ice fishing season.

Best Regards,

- Your Friends at Fish Hole Buddy Products"

[fishinalot]

Here is a little history!!

The Catch Cover was designed and developed in Hutchinson Mn 8 years ago by a guy that sold them to Ice Castle for 5 years! This was the 1st hole cover idea and then obviously Ice Castle went over to China and duplicated the cover ( junk) as far as most of us in concerned and copied it.

That is the real truth!

If it was there idea... how come they don't have the patent on this cover???

[usmcjsy]

I dont know, that was the Email I got from [email protected] I am in no position to say what the history is. I am just glad they are going to replace my cover. I just figured I would post their response in here to be fair and they gave me their permission to post it so I did. I dont think they would give me permission to post a flat out lie on a public forum however there is always 2 sides to every story.

[0332]

Actually their are 3 sides. My side, your side, and the truth I bought the Buddy's. Hope they work out well. Let's keep this in perspective, we are talking about frickin' ice hole covers so let's relax. I drive a GM but the thing is half made across the border and it's half owned by the government. I have seen catch covers break too and if you don't install them loose the cover flange will bend as well. They are molded pieces of plastic, not cold rolled hinge pins (which I have seen break as well) Happy fishing all.