hub houses

[Pooh]

who has one? who likes theirs? what brand and model is it? do you like it?

Im looking to get rid of my headache of a permanent house, and get a hub, i see clams have had problems with the poles and hubs breaking. the one im looking at is made by AP outdoors.

[atguucauuucucau]

I have a Cabelas 6x6 hub which is actually made by clam. Zero problems so far, absolutely love it. Only regret is that I wish I would have gotten a 6x8. Only other drawback is that they can get a little unruly when it's windy. They provide anchors but you almost need a drill to put them in easily. Only need them when it is windy though. Can't beat the price either. I picked mine up on sale at cabelas for 129$ a month or so ago.

[tonkapat]

Eskimo has the best Ice screws, removable/replaceable windows, and is what all the other brands have tried to copy. They are also the least expensive and the most reliable.

[TooTallTom]

I have the Command Post from Clam (6'x12') and it's two years old or so. I really like the house, it's fairly compact when collapsed and provides a ton of room out of the wind when set up. As has been mentioned this style of house can have troubles when the wind is more than just light, and the ice anchors don't set themselves. (I don't think they're too bad, though, and there are solutions to the problem.) Also, don't forget about seating--these houses require you to bring something seperate along, unlike flipovers. All-in-all (cost, convenience, space in use and stowed) I think it's a real good solution for more than one fisherman. I will say, though, that based on what I've read recently, I wouldn't buy a new or year-old Clam hub style. I think I'd go up to Grand Rapids and buy one from Glen.

I have been thinking of buying a flipover for early and late ice, and when I'm by myself. I don't think that my particular hub is a particularly good solution for either of those situations.

[ditchpickle6996]

I love my Eskimo QF3! Very durable, roomy, and light. The only downfall is the storage bag, which I dont' use except to store it during the summer. I would never go back to a sled.

[TruthWalleyes]

I love my quick fish 3 by eskimo. Best ice anchors i've ever used also. Only needed the wall anchors once, and generally if you anchor one wall it is enough.

They can be difficult to set up if you let them get full of ice and snow over a few days use without thawing it out.

Velcro windows are a good addition- giving your 4 extra vents if needed. Good pair of boots will keep you from using any kind of a temporary floor too.

[ditchpickle6996]

and I almost forgot, if you do it right the QF3 sets up easily in the wind and takes the wind very nice once set up. Ive been in 25 mph winds no problem. I paid $139 on sale.

[Swimmer]

I've had the Eskimo Quick Fish III for 3 years now. I do like it for its portability and efficiency (has to have the best space to weight/fold down size). With the sled I use, I'm able to hold everything: storage container (holds tip ups, flasher, radio, ect), rod bags, bug buddy, Lazer Mag Express, QF III -- easily in the back of a Jeep Liberty.

I admit that I have broken two hub poles but that was due to operator error and low temps making for a too hasty takedown. I now have the proceedure down and don't expect to break any more poles.

I have no problem turning the ice anchors into the ice by hand; and if you bank it well, you will only need the anchors in a pretty severe wind.

For two, this model is ideal. I like the space to fish multiple holes and hold the big buddy, rod bags, minnow bucket, chairs, beer, ect. That IS a feature I like about a hub style...the ability to use your own COMFORTABLE chairs.

All in all I would definitely buy one again. Even when I'm solo, I find myself going with the QF III instead of the Clam Pro flipover. But maybe that's because it's already packed with my stuff in the sled.

[cold one sd]

I have an Eskimo Quickfish 4. It is 6 1/2'x7 1/2', has two doors and 8 windows held in by velcro. No complaints so far. The storage bag is a pretty tight fit, but we used larger popup tents at work and when the tents got ripped up and discarded we kept the storage bags. I got one from a buddy and it has plenty of room for my shelter. Too bad these bags aren't easier to find.

[tonkapat]

Use a strap or 2 to cinch the house up before you put it in the bag and it will slide right in.

[Slabasaurus]

I have a Cabelas 6x6 hub which is actually made by clam. Zero problems so far, absolutely love it. Only regret is that I wish I would have gotten a 6x8. Only other drawback is that they can get a little unruly when it's windy. They provide anchors but you almost need a drill to put them in easily. Only need them when it is windy though. Can't beat the price either. I picked mine up on sale at cabelas for 129$ a month or so ago.

Could not have said it better myself. Rubber mallet works well with the ice anchors... btw.

[blue21]

went to buy the black ice pop up but when I got to the store the salesman talked me out of it because he said that everyone that they had sold had been returned due to the coating on the inside peeling off so I ended up with the quickfish 3. Not trying to bad mouth black ice but that is what I told at the store. Maybe someone has had this trouble?

[Fazerfish]

Bought a QuickFish 4 (6x8), had a smaller 5x5 hub before that was a pain to take down for some reason. This QF is so easy, like 2 minutes and its in my trunk(without anchors), and the ice anchors are a peice of cake to screw in. All the windows are great....So far I really like the QF....

PS..bought from Glens, ordered online on a Tues. and it was at my door on Thurs..very quick..

[paceman]

Interesting Blue21; My salesman said the exact same thing about the black ice pop-up. However They didn't have any other brand in the store and I couldn't find any other pop up in town so I went back and bought it anyways. A friend has one and has been pretty happy with it. I figure if it falls apart then I will buy a better one next year. They are still pretty cheap.

[uffdapete]

I've had a QF3 for 3 years and like it for the most part. It's compact, easy to set up and take down, very stable in wind and easy to heat.

Doing it over I'd opt for 6x8 and go insulated. There's a lot of condensation when it's cold with the uninsulated one. The 3 is perfect for 1 person, but gets cramped for 2 and I don't know who at Eskimo ever thought you could fish 3 out of it. It's usually a challenge locating the heater so it's not too close to something or somebody if 2 people are fishing.

My ice anchors went missing after a Canada trip and a friend gave me some long torx screws with a large washer type head. He uses his cordless drill to put them in and I have an old hand drill that I use and both work very well.

Also the storage bag is a joke! It fits when it's 60 degrees but attempting to get back in there when it's below 0 - forget it. I bought a 6x8 canvas, wrap it in that with a bunge cord around each end and that works far better.

[TubaDr]

I have the Cabalas 6X6. Love it, easy to set up with my 12 year old son. Havent needed the anchors yet. Ive just parked the truck on the windward side and banked well. condensation was a problem the first time out but a picked up a tent fan and that took care of that. My only issue with the whole thing is the bag, it is big and roomy but it is the same color as the shelter so when setting up ~ taking down in low light it can be a pain bacause I keep grabing the bag and not the shelter. I havent figured out a fix yet short of a can of spray paint on the bag. Next year or mabey if I find one on clearance I think I'll get the 6X8 or the 6X12.

[Maverick]

I hope some manufacturers are reading this. I have had hub type houses for a number of years, my first being the Ice Cube by Eastman. It has performed great and the price was really good. I needed more room so I bought a Cabelas 6X12 that is made by clam. I have used it alot and have no complaints on setting up and taking down. With the big house you do need to be careful to not let the hubs get tangled. I have to keep telling my buddies to just slow down on the set up and take down and I suggest that to anyone who has one. It is easty to get anxious and make mistakes.

Now for the message to manufacturers. Stop putting zippers on these houses and go with velcro and put the doors on the inside. The zippers are always a pain if you have the house set too tight. You don't want to have the house that tight anyway. My 6X12 has window covers that close with velcro and it works great. I think velcro doors would solve lots of issues with these houses. Might make them cheaper, also. One last suggestion. instead of the cloth straps holding to the ice anchors I use bungee cords. This allows for more give on the zippers and is easier to set up in the cold. I got cords with carabiners from Northern and they work great.

[TooTallTom]

Maverick1951,

I agree with both of your ideas, and I'd love to see them on the next "new" models. Velcro doors (provided enough velcro is used, say a 2" wide strip with a 4-6" long gap in the middle to get your hand in when opening from the "off" side) on the inside would be awesome, and far more durable.

Bungee cords with carabiners for the guy lines is a great idea. I've been trying to come up with something easier/ more flexible, and had thought of the carabiners but not the bungees.

[Swimmer]

And if you do break a hub pole, they are cheap and easy to replace. With the Eskimo pole just make sure the metal "T" that fits in the hub is oriented correctly. There is kind of a hook to the ends that is meant go either up or down -- look at the existing pole "T"s to get the orientation right. I put a new one in and noticed that it didn't snap out with as much power (didn't hold shape well), so I took the hub apart again and noticed the subtle orientation issue. Then all good.

[TruthWalleyes]

I wouldn't be impressed with a velcro door...but a high quality zipper - that i would purchase. No plastic zippers.

I like the bungie idea - Will throw a couple in truck for a windy day instead of the ropes.

As far as fitting in the bag - my QF3 fits in with plenty of space to spare...It's all in how you fold it up. I just take one flap and wrap it around the QF3 nice and snug, and it slides right in the bag. No bungies, or other junk.

-Insulated would be a plus to get rid of some condensation. In my QF3 if the condensation is really bad it will leak right into your zipper and now you gotta squeeze out the door. I think steel zipper would also solve this. Or a flap over the door so the water drips over the zipper instead of flowing right into it.

[fishwacker1]

I purchased a quick fish 3 from Glens. They accidentally sent a Glens 6X6. Of course I had to set it up and check it out. The two doors and extra mesh pockets on inside are a plus. Quality seems very good and features are thought out so I decided to keep it. Only have used it twice this winter because of work schedule but have been pleased.

[lungdeflator]

We have a Clam Basecamp. Only used about 4 times the past two years tho so havnt had time to encounter problems yet. I can see the first problem would be the zipper as it is extremely tight. the ice screws with it work fine, its an ice screw dont expect it to be in the ice in 5 seconds. We had it up on Red last Sunday in the winds and it was fine with one screw. Setting it up in the wind like that would be almot impossible by yourself though, but I would assume that would go for any pop up

[TooTallTom]

If you're setting up in the wind, get the windward side anchored before you begin popping up the shelter. It can be kind of a hassle, but if the alternative is no more house I'll take hassle every time.

[Pooh]

has anyone ever looked at the hubs made by AP outdoors? they seem to be the best bang for your buck, or are they cheaply made. they have heavier material than the frabill and shapell, same as the clams, although i havent found the weight of the eskimos im gonna guess its the same.

[cylinder]

After searching for info about the Clam popups, I found a bunch of complaints about the hubs breaking. People say Clam is good about sending replacement parts though.

It sounds like the poles can get tangled when folding up and when forced, the breakage occurs. Clam's manual says " Do NOT force the shelter when folding! Watch for entanglement of poles ".

I'm guessing that problems with wind, impatience, and maybe too much antifreeze can be a factor in the breakage.