Will Little Buddy prevent hole freeze-up?

[mixxedbagg]

The Mr. Heater CO thread has me rethinking my use of the sunflower. Honestly, the darn thing is usually too warm in my little portable anyway, even set on 1. I have a really small flip portable and sometimes borrow a small 2 man with a frame you have to construct.

I honestly don't care if I'm a little chilly--it's ice fishing, we're supposed to be able to handle a LITTLE cold, right?--but I want something that will keep the space warm enough that my hole doesn't skim over, my line/guides/bobber don't ice up badly, and I'd like to fish without gloves for convenience. Will the Little Buddy cut it?

[bigwalleyeguy]

YES. Make sure you bank all sides with snow. It will keep the draft out.

[Ed Carlson]

In my opinion the new Buddy is a better bet, as it has more range of adjustment than the one above.

The Little Buddy pictured above is 3,800 all the time, nothing lower, nothing higher...while the Buddy has range up to 9,000 and down to half as needed..just $20 difference in price. They both take up about the same amount of space.

I use the new Buddy in my Frabill R2 Tec Commando, most often it is set on low, works great.

[buzbunni]

I agree with Ed, and for all the same reasons.

The Portable buddy does not take up that much more floor space, yet it is far more versatile. I use it in my Clam Scout, and if it can fit in there, it can fit in (almost) anywhere.

[Zoob]

It'll prevent hole freeze-up and bake you in it, too. I have a Clam Expedition and me and my son were fishing with our jackets off in sub-zero outside temps last year.

[mixxedbagg]

Quote:

It'll prevent hole freeze-up and bake you in it, too. I have a Clam Expedition and me and my son were fishing with our jackets off in sub-zero outside temps last year.

You still talking about the LITTLE Buddy?

[SFC]

I have the reg. buddy heater, have a clam yukon, when the temps are down to zero the holes ice up about every 20 minutes or so, this size heater isnt going to cook you out of this size shelter. Iam very happy with the buddy heater. Also not saying its the best.I cant picture the little buddy cooking anyone out of a portable, could be wrong never used it.

[Random guy]

but I want something that will keep the space warm enough that my hole doesn't skim over, my line/guides/bobber don't ice up badly,

A fan blowing the warm air back down will make a HUGE difference in keeping the holes and bobbers ice free. I started using a little battery operated fan last year and found I was able to down size my heater just from keeping the air moving.

[Ed Carlson]

Agreed, the downdraft from a small fan will help dramatically to keep the holes open.

Greatly reduces heat loss, keeps heat on the move, and in general keeps the canvas dryer.

[BartmanMN]

YES. Make sure you bank all sides with snow. It will keep the draft out.

I agree with this. Number one reason why holes freeze up is when you don't bank your porty with snow and there is a cold draft coming in right on your hole.

When banking your porty, remember to use Snow and not the Slush from opening your hole. If you use slush you run the chance of it freezing and tearing your canvas.

[mixxedbagg]

Quote:

I agree with this. Number one reason why holes freeze up is when you don't bank your porty with snow and there is a cold draft coming in right on your hole.

I've noticed that. I typically don't bank as it feels like a time waster if I'm moving around a bit.

[Duffman]

A fan blowing the warm air back down will make a HUGE difference in keeping the holes and bobbers ice free. I started using a little battery operated fan last year and found I was able to down size my heater just from keeping the air moving.

I've been using this for a few years, for just that reason. Not so much to keep me warm but to keep the holes from skimming over. My old canvas is starting to look like a screen door when the sun is out.