Eskimo Quickfish 2 or Clam Twin Hub?

[minnygriff]

I just started ice fishing last year, and the Eskimo power auger and Humminbird flasher were my big two additions thus far. I promised myself I would wait to buy a shelter until next season, but am going back on said promise. After some research it looks like a pop up is my best bet - I want extreme light weight, portability, and low cost - and a flip shelter is going to be too bulky.

I was set on grabbing a Clam Twin Hub I or II due to lowest price and easy set up (only 2 hubs), but could not decide between the two. I will usually be by myself or only one other person, and I really like the small size of the Hub I but am concerned with the ability to fit two people with the tent shape. The Hub II has a bigger footprint (7x7 feet) and seems more of a hassle to set up by myself - I've seen it mentioned that the Hub II is ideally set up by two people.

Recently the Eskimo Quickfish 2 has caught my eye as a good compromise. A small 5x5 footprint, with more volume than the Twin Hub. I have looked at a Quickfish 3 and really liked the shelter, but it was just much bigger than what I wanted. The Quickfish series also seem to have more structure and stability using five hubs than the Twin Hub. However, more hubs could equal more problems, and is obviously a more complicated contraption. Lastly, from what I've read Eskimo's ice anchors seem to go in easier than Clam's. Sounds irrelevant until I'm spending 10 minutes trying to screw in anchors at each stop.

I have had a hard time finding reviews for the Twin Hub series anywhere, but the few I have seen were very positive. I really like the simply set up and light wieght. Most everyone seems to love the Eskimo pop ups. I'd appreciate any insight or comments on either option. For now I will not be heating the shelter, but any reprieve from the elements will be nice.

[Mike Stark]

Clam's new hubs just came out this year so there probably won't be many reviews out there yet. Clam has had quality control issues the last couple years. Word is they have that under control now. The new hubs do seem like a good idea if you are looking for an ultra light shelter.

Eskimo was one of the first to make a hub style shelter. They make a high quality product. I have an older Quickfish II. It is nice and light and has plenty of room for one man. There is room for two you just can't bring a lot gear into the house. Eskimo's ice screws are some of the best ice screws out there. Very easy to use. The Quickfish II is very easy to set up by yourself once you get the hang of it. Just practice setting it up and taking it down a few times before you actually take it out fishing.

[slipperybob]

The twin hub looks flimsy. Nice old style tent concept

[ScottO]

I just bought a Twin Hub II. For only 1 guy or sometimes 2 the Twin Hub I would be fine. The II is huge! Easily fish 3 guys out of that thing. It sets up very easy and isn't flimsy at all. I haven't had to set it up in the wind yet, but a tip I got online was to put a single anchor in one corner before setting up. That should anchor it while setting the hubs. The Twin Hub II is plenty tall to stand in the center, but the sides do slope in. I'm not sure the I is any easier to set up than the II as they both have the same design and number of hubs. The Twin Hub is my secondary shelter for when I'm fishing with someone else. Most of the time I fish out of a 1 man flip over.

I haven't had it out on the ice yet - as there is very little around me right now. So far it has been set up in the living room and front yard. I found it on sale for $130 and for that price I think it was a very good deal.

Here is a video showing how to set up and it gives you a good idea of how big the II is:

[cichlid_baby]

The twin hub looks flimsy. Nice old style tent concept

I was out on a lake yesterday.. hole hopping of course.. and a couple of guys brought out their clam twin hub and set it up not too far from where we were at.. it was quite windy yesterday so it was funny seeing how blown over their house was even though it was anchored. The whole thing looked like it was going to take off any second even with them both inside. I don't know how it could have been comfortable fishing in that thing with the walls flapping that much and about to cave in.

I didn't bother to set up my house cause I knew I was gonna be moving around alot until I found the fishes. I had dressed very well for the elements so it didn't bother me at all to be out in the open. Had I needed to set up the Eskimo hub.. I am sure it would have faired much better as I have already experienced it in the wind many times over the past seasons. It's a way better design than the twin hub design as far as structual rigidity against wind.

Go with the Eskimo.

[uptracker]

Get the QF 3. More room and two guys can fish it. Plus, there's no dragging around a sled. The Esky's are quality too. I have a 3 man and a 6 man...not looking back.

[Hardyboy]

Go with the eskimo it tested and proven quality!

[ditchpickle6996]

Get the QF 3. More room and two guys can fish it. Plus, there's no dragging around a sled. The Esky's are quality too. I have a 3 man and a 6 man...not looking back.

Agreed 100%. QF3 is really a two man.

[V-12 Merlin]

I got the Eskimo Fatfish3 this fall and am anxious to try it out. Haven't been on the ice yet.

[Vlasin]

I have the QF2 and love it - 2-3min set up/take down and light weight. Picked it up from a-sales-site for $80 in near perfect condition. As said before, 2 guys can fit pretty easily but can't have a ton of gear in the house and really no moving around after you get set up. But, I did fish with 2 guys in the QF2 more often then not last winter. Though we are not the biggest guys in the world either- both about 5'9, 160ish.

If you're thinking about the QF3, Look at the new Fatfish from Eskimo ~$199 in price...I will be using the FatFish for the first time this weekend. Its been set up in my basement for 2 weeks and can't wait to give it a try!