Ice Anchors

[NCP]

Does anyone know of a faster/easier ice anchor? I just purchased the 949i and setting it up Saturday was a little tricky with the wind. Does anyone make a anchor that hooks up to a drill?

[LightningBG]

If you were to predrill a hole with a regular drill bit I would imagine the anchor would go in pretty easily/quickly, but that's just a guess.

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

Check out the strikemaster ones. Clips install on your shack then just drill an extra hole and it folds out and locks in.. works awesome.

[Mike Stark]

Does anyone know of a faster/easier ice anchor? I just purchased the 949i and setting it up Saturday was a little tricky with the wind. Does anyone make a anchor that hooks up to a drill?

Eskimo makes one of the best if not the best ice anchor on the market. Use a lot of down pressure and go slow until the ice screw grabs the ice. Once the threads get into the ice they go in very easy.

You can also check out Digger Ice Angles. A lot of folks like them.

[Pooh]

If u wanna use a drill, why not a couple of 4-5 inch lag bolts. The gold deck type with a T30 head. The threads are about the same as my ice anchors

[TruthWalleyes]

The anchors that came with my Eskimo QF3 are awesome. As stated above. Firm pressure at first (Starting is the hardest part) then twist into the ice..Typically there is no need to drive them all the way into the ice.

[NCP]

I think the hardest part was starting them as the wind was blowing the house away... Next time I might try placing the anchors before poping the house up???

[Mike Stark]

I think the hardest part was starting them as the wind was blowing the house away... Next time I might try placing the anchors before poping the house up???

If the wind is blowing and I am setting up the house alone I will put at least one anchor in before popping up the shelter. These hub shelters will take off in a gust of wind if not anchored to the ice.

It will be easy to put the ice anchors in once you get the hang of it.

[PaulZ]

I Keep a heavy chain in the trunk.If it is windy, after I pop up my shack I lay it over the flaps on the windy side then screw in my anchors and tie it down works great when alone.

[IamZombie]

What do you do if there's snow on the ice?

Do you have to clear an area the size of your shelter?

[Korynta]

Clam makes one for your drill. its a ice anchor installation tool for $14.99 at scheels.

[Chaws]

There was a guy on the top floor at the ice show that had some really sweet anchors. they were hallow tubes with threads on the outside of them. He had some solid blocks of ice there and they went in by hand without a ton of effort.

[CaptSpike]

I use Black Diamond ice screws. The kind climbers use. They are pricy but go in with zero effort and hold great. Also come out with zero effort. Best type anchor you can get for holding your house in place. Again these aren't cheap but are well worth the $$$. I found my first two used and was so impressed I bought a third brand new. Three is plenty for my application and most times I only use two, but it is nice to have a back up.

For options look for the ones that have a small handle on the top, it spins which makes inserting them even easier.

Spike

[Mike Stark]

What do you do if there's snow on the ice?

Do you have to clear an area the size of your shelter?

[Mike Stark]

I use Black Diamond ice screws. The kind climbers use. They are pricy but go in with zero effort and hold great. Also come out with zero effort. Best type anchor you can get for holding your house in place. Again these aren't cheap but are well worth the $$$. I found my first two used and was so impressed I bought a third brand new. Three is plenty for my application and most times I only use two, but it is nice to have a back up.

For options look for the ones that have a small handle on the top, it spins which makes inserting them even easier.

Spike

The only issue I have with ice climbing ice screws is that you have to clear the ice out of the screw when your done. If you move a lot on the ice you will have to deal with clearing the ice out of the screw multiple times.

[1johntimm]

If anyonr thinks the Eskimo ice anchors are a challenge, you haven't tried Clams ice anchors.......they are junk!

[traveler]

Cordless 18 v drill, 3 or 4 inch deck screws, and conduit hangers. I can anchor my popup on all 4 corners and a couple guy tie-outs before my buddy can get 2 of his screw in anchors in!

[schweady]

I have tried 3 different screws and thrown them all away, including the drill attachment monstrosity.

No wind tonight, but thought I'd test out my new Ice Angels purchase. Seems that I've finally found an anchor that works. The ice was only 5-1/2 inches thick and since they suggest stopping before breaking through to the water, there was only a hole depth of about 4 in. max to work with. This meant fewer teeth to bite into the hole's sidewalls, but still worked well. (Turning the Angel so its body is in line with the rope -- 90º from what's pictured -- helped.)

[ditchpickle6996]

I think the eskimo ice anchors are great! I thought about trying the ice climbing screws but "if it ain't broke,,,,,,"

[NCLaker]

There was a guy on the top floor at the ice show that had some really sweet anchors. they were hallow tubes with threads on the outside of them. He had some solid blocks of ice there and they went in by hand without a ton of effort.

These anchors and the ice angles are nice, but if you are using it for a pop-up style shack - these would not work for inserting through the grommet in the straps used to fasten the base part of the shack.

[IamZombie]

These anchors and the ice angles are nice, but if you are using it for a pop-up style shack - these would not work for inserting through the grommet in the straps used to fasten the base part of the shack.

Nothing a cheap carabiner or a bit of rope can't solve.

[MidCoast]

I have never used ice anchors before. However, I just recently purchased an Eskimo 6 ice shelter. My question is, how hard is it to take out the ice anchors once it is in the ice? Will it be hard to unscrew those anchors out after a long day of fishing?

[schweady]

These anchors and the ice angles are nice, but if you are using it for a pop-up style shack - these would not work for inserting through the grommet in the straps used to fasten the base part of the shack.

Yeah, like Matt S said. All that is provided in the box for the Ice Angels is the metal part. Rig up whatever ropes and clips work for you.

[1johntimm]

From what I've seen the ice anchors come out easy. Easier than they go in!

[CaptSpike]

Quote:

The only issue I have with ice climbing ice screws is that you have to clear the ice out of the screw when your done. If you move a lot on the ice you will have to deal with clearing the ice out of the screw multiple times.

I have never had a problem, The ice in the middle falls right out.

Spike