pros and cons on types of ice shelters

[mrpike1973]

hi i have now a eskimo hub 2 man i like it so far its small and packs well. however are the flip overs better or the older mankato styles better i have a mid sized car and dont know how well these would work. i mostly fish tip ups and sit in the house what would you suggest i hate to buy a trailer just to pull my house what are your thoughts thanks

[Steve Foss]

Given your style of fishing and transportation, the hub sounds like just the ticket.

[slurpie]

FLip overs are great you have a shelter and a sled to pull stuff. If you wanted a flip over a smaller model could possibly fit in the trunk of your car. Dont know weight of them you would have to lift it in there though, and the option of a second person would be out of the question.

[mww24]

even the smallest sled types would be hard to get in the trunk. search the companies websites. they have packed dimensions and weight. Maybe just get a small sled to pull everything out in. i have a 2 man clam guide. it weighs 80 pounds and i have to fold the backseat down to get it in my station wagon. Its 60 inches long. the one mans are still around 50 inches long i think.

[servocam]

I have a '10 Nissan Maxima and before that, I had a '07 Ford Edge. I wanted a flip-over, but it would not fit in the Edge unless i folded down the seat. Once I folded down the seat, I had no way to bring my son or dog with.

This led me to buying a hub / pop-up. I can get all my gear in my Maxima, including the small Otter sled I tow the stuff on to the lake with.

Being that you are doing tip-ups and want a shelter to hang out in, I suggest a hub as well. I don't think you will find a flip-over to fit in your trunk. Maybe roof-rack or trailer rack.

I have the Clam 6x12 Command Post

[shizzy]

I can see the use of both hub and flip over style. I bought a Quick Fish 3 a few years ago when I had a compact car. A flip over was NOT an option. however, now that I have a truck I would love to have a small 1 man for when I want to run and gun and its on the colder side. The hub is great, but not quite as portable as a 1 man flipover would be. I walk out and refuse to drive on the ice so weight is an issue for me but the 1 man would still pull by hand fine.

[mww24]

I just bought a hub thermal for bringing my family. but if its me or me and a buddy it will still be my sled type. They have there advantages. If you have the money burnin a hole in your pocket why not by a sled one. Just make sure it will fit in your vehicle.

[jigginjim]

You need to look at your mode of transportation to the lake. Everyone talks portable, but 60-75% of the guys will set-up in 1 spot and not move for 2-3hrs. Portable would be better said, if a person was hole hopping, 10-20 minutes over a pair of holes, then move 15-25 yards to another set of holes. If you are fishing with young kids move hole to hole is really hard. Use the hub as a warming hut, stand outside and walk spot to spot. I have 3 fishing shelters a 1man proscout, a quik fish 2, and a 4x7 suit case shack, canvas and poles. I use the pro-scout for 90% of my fishing. But looking to buy the thermal command post by clam. Will add extra reflex insultion to do over night outing. Plus use for guide trips.

The hub shelter may be better then you think.

[MinnGuy]

I watched 3 guys having a heck of a time setting up a hub style house in the wind Saturday morning. Once up all was good. I didn't see them taking it down though.

[HandySpence]

I have the Hub by clam the first year it came out and keep it in my car during the work week with limited supplies in case i get the itch to go out. I also use the hub for spearing because it is easy to set up and has no floor so it is quieter. It seems to be sturdier than my quickflip 3 and my 6800 on very windy days. I found a cheap truck online to fit my 6800, then runnin and gunnin was too difficult with 3 people so I got the quickflip 3 for convenience. Movability is quickest with the sled, but everyone has different uses for their houses.

[DarthBaiter]

Does anyone have an Eskimo eskape 350? That looks like a sweet flip over.

[mrpike1973]

i think a one man would be nice but like jiggin jim said most people set up then dont move much. being i tip up fish i can use it more for warming up i just feel like i'm not a "real run and gun fisherman" if you just sit in one spot all day hee hee. plus trying to get something in a car that just doesnt fit good can be a real pain.

[Ed Carlson]

hi i have now a eskimo hub 2 man i like it so far its small and packs well. however are the flip overs better or the older mankato styles better i have a mid sized car and dont know how well these would work. i mostly fish tip ups and sit in the house what would you suggest i hate to buy a trailer just to pull my house what are your thoughts thanks

From what I'm reading, I think the Hub class of shelter is ideal for your needs.

Another economic floored 1-2 man option is the Frabill Refuge, and should fit in your vehicle along with gear. The Refuge can be dragged in and out with gear on top in most snow conditions, but it will be a pain in deep soft snow.

A lightweight sled would be very helpful on either model.

[gatorslayer]

I've speared the last ten years out of portables,I have a fish trap "yukon" now...not as sturdy as an eskimo.