Starting from scratch.... What should I get.

[reddog]

Ive always been a bucket fisherman, never in a shelter.

Im looking to buy a shelter (small 2 person) and auger. (8 or 10")

I have all the rods,and am going to set up a Humminbird 788 into an ice box for a locater. (also have a vex)

Of those 2 items listed, what should I be looking at?

[dfeste]

Start with a price point for each. There are tons of options in each category so if you could narrow it down by price that would help weed out tons.

[TyGuy02]

Not to start a debate over auger size, but I run mostly in a small 2 man shelter and I wish I had a smaller auger. Sometimes it's pretty dicey side-stepping holes, especially when it's dark, slippery, and 4 holes to maneuveur around. About the shelter, I have a suitcase style and a sled flipover style. I will take the sled flipover anyday over the suitcase. Suitcase has no sled for gear and is always a pain finding a place inside for gear, buckets to sit and the heater. The flipover is just much much more efficient. Hope that helps. Seems your on the right track with electronics

[B-man715]

If you are just getting in, I would suggest buying used. There is tons of gear on C r a i g s list for well below retail.

Do you have a car or truck? Some small flip-overs fit into a car, but a pop up may be your best bet, along with a $20 black sled. If you are a hunter too, buy a nice camo blind that will double as an ice shack.

For an auger, if it runs good and has sharp blades it will work just fine. Though nice, a brand new Strikemaster, Nils or Jiffy would be great, but not necessary. Plenty of good used ones out there!

Good luck and welcome to the great sport of Ice Fishing!!! It is very addicting and gear orientated sport; in a few years I'll probally see you on the ice pulling a great big wheelhouse

[mww24]

I would find a 8 inch auger. I'm not really brand loyal. they all have there hits and misses. money is no object i would be a larger otter or canvas craft full thermal sled flip over. They are heavy and big though. Price points would help. You can spend 300 on a two man or 800. Augers are all similar in price except the nils is fairly expensive.

[Bullhead_busteR]

I have a quick flip 2 and run it with 8 inch holes and love it I run mine as a single man shelter (I have had two people in there it works but a little tight) if you plan on having 2 persons in your shelter I would say the quick flip 3 just for elbow room, and for a size comparison i am 5'11'' @ 250lbs

[ClownColor]

Auger

Go with a power auger and buy used. It's always a fun battle on here on what people would choose between, flasher or power auger...boy, I would hate to be without either to be honest but one thing is for sure, I'll never be hand augering through 2 foot of ice ever again! MANY MANY great used augers for less then half. Any and all brands will do just fine, just get a good deal. 8" is more then enough for all species but get what ever you prefer.What you get in extra fishing space in one, you'll be draging less weight with the other.

Shelter

Love HUBS....but thats what I own so take that with a grain of salt. But last year I had to choose and for me, the less weight and versatility of the HUB was more benficial. Yes-it will take a few more seconds (and literally, just a few more seconds) for run and gun type fishing but die hards need those extra secoonds to stay on top of their game plan. I will run and gun with flip over friends and they do wait for me but not for long. Also, HUB's are alot cheaper. Again, most brands will do BUT DON'T GET A CLAM! (I own a Glens elite and love it) I'll catch some heck for that but their quality has gone done hill and it's not getting better no matter what you hear! I'm pretty open minded when it comes to products as I'm not brand loyal...I'm quality and Customer service loyal and I've been there with Clam...

You can however find GREAT GREAT deals on suit case styles as there going away with those and there's nothing wrong with them especially the price...just a little bulky and heavy to pull but they've been used for generations and have been test agains time.

[reddog]

Sorry, Have a truck (s), and lets just say... money isnt a factor. I dont want a wheel house, I want a portable shelter. I have always been drawn to the Otter Lodge, but its bigger than I need.

I know there are Otters, Frabills and Clams.

So many options on the auger.. I dont live bait fish, so there wont be 4 holes, just two jigging holes.

Wife is retiring this spring, and says she will be joining me fishing and hunting. She already told me last week we should find out a way to buy a new Skeeter WX or MX series for this spring!

Edited to add: I'm leary of the zippered doors of the larger shelters. I cant even make a tent zipper work for a season, let alone an ice shelter zipper. Is this a problem?

[ClownColor]

Sorry, Have a truck (s), and lets just say... money isnt a factor. I dont want a wheel house, I want a portable shelter. I have always been drawn to the Otter Lodge, but its bigger than I need.

I know there are Otters, Frabills and Clams.

So many options on the auger.. I dont live bait fish, so there wont be 4 holes, just two jigging holes.

Wife is retiring this spring, and says she will be joining me fishing and hunting. She already told me last week we should find out a way to buy a new Skeeter WX or MX series for this spring!

Edited to add: I'm leary of the zippered doors of the larger shelters. I cant even make a tent zipper work for a season, let alone an ice shelter zipper. Is this a problem?

Can't go wrong with otters either. As for the zipper, I can only refrence to the HUB. Find a HUB (Glens elite) that doesn't put press on the zipper. Some HUBs are great for that while other...not so much. I though I heard those new fatfish also put some stress on the zippers but thats hear say.

If moneys no issue..then buy what ever auger you please but spend the most to keep the economy going strong!

[hamms-scooter]

Frabill makes a nice 2 man house. Look at the trekker 2 dlx. Light weight and can remove seats easily to cut more weight. Good all around house. I have a Fish trap guide 2 man and it is nice also. A roomy one man house or a little tight 2 man. If you fish with someone alot I would take a look at a yukon or the equal in the frabill line. Guardian I believe. For augers definately go with an 8". The strikemaster augers are hard to beat for reliability and performance. Many good options beyond what I listed these are the ones I have experience with. Good luck.

[mww24]

if money is no factor and your wife is retiring I gather your a bit older.get yourself a nice light auger. Nils is one of the lightest and is at the higher price range and cut fast. Strikemaster is probably the next lightest. I would go for a thermal house if the lady will be coming along. It keeps it much warmer and keeps the condensation from collecting and dripping down your neck. as for zippers. Rub some sort of wax on them. It helps them move freely. If you buy a smaller thermal two man and then get a high BTU heater it would warm up fairly fast if you flipped it over instead of using the zippered door. otters seats are very comfortable and so are frabill's. I own two clam products and probably won't buy another with what else is out there. Just my 2 cents again. I would go sit in as many as you can. thorne brothers in blaine has a lot of shelters set up. Good luck.

[dfeste]

I just purchased a Canvas Craft with the Magnum or Lodge size sled. It is very nice for 2 people as it claims to be a 2/3 person shelter. The next size down is the Cabin and that would work for 2 people but the extra room is nice. The zippers on the Canvas Craft shelters are very heavy duty. If money is not a factor I would say CC is the way to go. My shelter is setup with all Otter components(seats, rails, sled) and was only about $50 more than the standard seats.

I own a 6,8, and 10 inch auger. I do not use the ten at all and right now I'm using the 6 with good results. I however am drilling six differant holes in the shelter. For just two holes any size will work fine and leave plenty of floor space. All I will say about auger brands is that my next one will be a Nils. It's a Ford/Chevy thing. They all make a quality product.

[DuckBlind]

Get a 2 man flip shack you can afford and an 8" Jiffy.

[CrewJones]

what he said but I would go with a strikemaster, I own both

[silverbulletguy]

Check the measurements on a flip over and make sure it fits in the bed of your truck if you choose to go that route. If you get a hub you still have to buy a sled or have some way of getting your gear on the ice before you can drive your truck on the ice. An 8 inch auger is plenty big and a flasher will fit down a 10 inch hole. Look for Dtro's post on the Strikemaster he's running this year. Pretty good facts from a well respected guy on these forums. And I think I saw in one post last year he was running a Nils.

As far as order to get the items here's what I did and I have no regrets.

1. Flip over 2 man Frabill-got it as an incentive through work

2. Cheap hand auger-many times if someone sees you hand drilling they will offer to drill a few holes for you

3.Flasher-I chose Humminbird because of the bigger display and features in my price range over the Vex's and Marcum's

4.Power auger-8" Strikemaster-as local as you can get and a great product

Whatever you chose--good luck ! !

[reddog]

Thanks guys... thats exactly what I was looking for!

[Surface Tension]

I know you said you don't want that much room but if your wife is coming along she might want more room.

I've owned both Otter Cabin and Lodge.

The Cabin is small for two people but very nice for one person.

The Lodge is a very nice two man shelter and that would be comparable in size to a Clam Voyager. Once the fishing starts my neat and tidy Otter gets gear spread around and the extra room for it is nice.

Add the extra room as a comfort factor.

I believe most the flipovers now have pretty comfortable seating.

Heating your new portable I'd go with the Big Buddy.

You said money is no object.

Otter Lodge Thermal.

Nils Master 8" power auger.

MarCum LX5

Bird ICE 55

Big Buddy Heater

Big Dipper ice scoop

Fish Brite LED lighting

That should make a little dent if the fishing fund.

[dan z]

I will agree with most of the replies buy something with enough room for three if the wifey will be coming, insulation is always nice to have. I have a t600 cabin and its great for two ppeople and stays very warm when the Big buddy is on low. I also have problems with zippers and it seems to be stronger than other brands. I feel like the bench in the cabin is nice for moving around if you want to. I have a ranger XL with the old plastic chairs and it seemed like I was confined in that seat. IMO I think the otter pulls way easier than the "ranger" and its feels much lighter when loaded. the otter weighs almost thirty pounds less dry. and probably still weighs less when loaded compaired to the ranger. I have a SM and wouldnt trade it for the world once again weight is a big plus with the auger. I have an 8" and havnt had any issues pulling any szie fish through it. if your a tip up fisherman get a 10" that way when the hole starts to freeze up you still have plenty of room to hall in the fish. Good luck on your getting started purcahse...

[Zelmsdawg]

I'm personally a flip over fan and would also recommend whatever type of auger, 8" is the best size. 10" is way to big and you can step in those, and 7" can get a bit tight with your vex float.

[Moose]

I have an older voyager and a 20+ year old magIII strikemaster with the chipper blades. Wouldn't trade either for any new equipment. I like the 8" chipper because it starts in 3 pulls even at -20 and I've only replaced the blades 1 time in the 10 years I've owned it even without the cheap cover that broke and was tossed several years ago

#1 make sure the shelter fits in your truck box. I am strictly a drive on the ice fisherman so #2 should be you can load the shelter your self on glare ice it's really a bummer when you get the house lifted into the box and don't have the ability to push it in.

If money was no object there would be no question I would have a wheel house!!! Why not fish in comfort in your retirement.

as for the new equipment mine would be:

Canvas Craft Thermal flip over: Rogers/Ramsey,MN

Stike Master 8" chipper blade C R A I G S LST : Big Lake,MN

Marcum Technology, HQ, MN

Thorne Bros Rods: Blaine,MN

Still a fan of the sunflower heaters

[Love2Cabin]

Go with Frabill Guardian R2 Tec. For me it is the perfect size. Almost as much fishable room as the biggers ones but still fits in the truck with the tailgate closed. That insulated stuff is just great. Warmer quieter and not much heavier. I got a great deal on it last year in February at FF.

I also have the Treker that I use for if I am walking out but the Guardian is much nicer. Just my thoughts but I like the Frabills better then the otters and clams.

[Jarrod32]

Moose just made a good point...bigger is nicer on the shelter, but bigger also means heavier...and that combination of bigger and heavier means harder to load and unload from the truck.

I'm hearing a lot of good comments and good suggestions on shelters. Frabill Trekker, Otter Cabin (or Lodge), Eskimo Quickflip 2 or 3. Take a look at the Clam Denali...this is the one that flips over both ways making for a very roomy shelter. I run Eskimo shelters and love 'em, but the Otters are probably the best product going right now in terms of shelters.

I also would strongly suggest an 8" auger...no need for a 10". Strikemaster, Jiffy, Eskimo, Nils...they all make good augers. The only big variant here would be if you were to consider the propane powered auger by Jiffy...otherwise, any of the above listed augers will get the job done for you.

[muc33]

Reddog, Surface Tension has a very nice list there. I own all of that except I like you didn't think I needed a lodge so I have the thermal cabin. If you want to test any of that out, shoot me a message. We can fish and talk sprint cars.....