Portable fish house?

[walleyemaster08]

what kind sled/2 man portable fish house is recommenned?

[tsande00]

what kind sled/2 man portable fish house is recommenned?

Whichever kind I own.

"I" being whoever responds to this thread.

What is your budget?

[Rippinlip]

Clam, Otter, Frabill, Eskimo......

Like posted above what's your budget?

Are you pulling it behind a wheeler/snowmobile?

Hauling it in a truck/car?

Are you looking to a run-n-gunner or set-up and fish for long periods of time?

You really can't go wrong with any of the above mentioned houses.

Some are better made, some more budget minded.

All will hold heat and keep you out of the elements.

I am sure every kind of house has seen fish caught inside of it....

[Get'n Jiggy]

I studied this subject for quite a while and bought a Canvas Craft insulated flipover. They have an extensive thread in the sponsers area on this HSOforum. Good price, good people, "Made in MN" works for me! I've had a few different portables but wouldn't be without an insulated porty

after fishing one.

[tsande00]

My first portable that I owned was a $130 Menards "special". Fished two people OK, one person comfortably. Only weighed 35#. Very low quality. sled was brittle in cold elements, zippers worked intermittently, bolts would come loose from frame causing support brackets to fall off. Lasted 2 seasons...could have lasted more with better care and maint. That sled was not meant for pulling behind an ATV...learned that the hard way.

My current house is a Eskimo QF3. Probably mid to lower end of flip over houses but the price was right and it suits my needs well. Going on my third season.

I decided I didn't need a top of the line $800+ shack to keep me comfortable. I think I spent $300 and have been very satisfied.

I guess what I'm getting at is weigh your options, budget, etc and go to a few big box stores to check them out in person. Sit in them, feel the fabric, quality of windows, quality of sled, comfort of seats/bench, etc. You really need to check them out in order to get a feel for what you'll be buying.

Check them out in person so you can directly compare quality to price, vise/versa.

[walleyemaster08]

how much it takes to have a nice portable . pull behind sled and wheeler

[tsande00]

how much it takes to have a nice portable . pull behind sled and wheeler

You can get into a pretty decent flip over style portable for a few hundred bucks and up. If you plan to pull with sled and wheeler I would go the route of a flip over style. If you plan to pull a lot I would pay close attention to the quality of the sleds/tubs. Some are much more Rigid than others. For instance my Eskimo sled is fairly flimsy. It's fine for towing some, but if I was going to tow exclusively I would look for a tougher sled like my Otter. The Otter is twice as thick (but also twice as heavy).

Seriously though, if you live near a Gander, Cabelas, Sheels, etc go take a walk around and see what they offer. There are so many different brands and types. You can get a pretty good feel by sitting in them and examining in person.

[Chris Barlage]

Its all about what the pocket book can handle. Personally I like otters. Nice stong sled. Maybe the best ones out there. I see a lot of clams crack up after awhile. I had a clam and the sled broke pritty easy. Going to be running an otter lodge myself. Otter has a great canvis and the sled to match to hold up to a lot of abuse and cold weather. They are very roomie. They are not the cheapest out there though. So it all depends on the checkbook. They all will keep you out of the cold it just depends on the features and durability you want and how ofen you use itwill tell you how much to spend on one.

[Northlander]

Its all about how you fish. If you walk out and pull the house by hand a lot go with a small light house. If you pull with any motorized unit get the best quality and most roomy you can afford.

Im a Otter guy as well. Best tubs on the market and the 900 denier canvas doesnt let air in and the windows stay flexible even in sub zero weather. Zippers, seats etc. all of the best quality.

If you dont want to spend the $ on the Pro Series you can go with the Wild Series wich is a great unit at a bit easier price to swallow.

I suggest you go to the Ice Show or a retailer with a bunch of houses to choose from and compare and price shop. Get what fits your needs and wallet.

[palisade1kid]

I couldn not have said it any better Northlander....

plus they are made right here in Mn....not China!

[walleyemaster08]

Yeah i was lookin at the otters. Very nice houses

[Acemac]

if right now you dont have a house... anything is better.

[Nordern]

Like Acemac said anything is better than nothing. I currently am fishing out of an Otter Lodge II which IMO is great for 2 guys with more than enough space and lots of head room. Of course I went through about 5 other less expensive and lower quality shacks before I arrived at the Otter. Regardless I caught fish and had fun. Get what you can afford and hit the ice.

[muc33]

As you stated, if you are pulling it, NOTHING beats an OTTER! My Otter sleds are tried and true proven durability! Nothing can beat them. I pull mine on all of my LOTW, Rainy, Red and other big trips and have yet to encounter a tub problem! The canvas is tough and keeps out all elements and you may never have to buy another.... till you want more!!!

[bopper4]

I own a fish trap that has put up with alot of abuse over the years. Just bought an otter last year and love it. Both great houses but I didnt care for the lay out of the new fish traps so I went with the otter

[Borch]

A have a few others and have used several others. I keep coming back to the Otter houses. Their canvas and sleds just can't be beat. It you haul it behind a sled or atv thier tow bar is rock solid and the best in the industry as far and I'm concerned. You'll be hard pressed to wear it out.