Anchoring tips for pop-up style fish houses?

[sausageman]

I bought a Clam Expedition last year from Thorne Bros. Great two to three man portable, however on Saturday, I tried to using the Ice Anchors that came with the portable. To say they stink would be an understatement. I managed to get one in about 1/2 inch and gave up.

Are there any tricks to using them, or any other methods that work better?? I saw that they have an attachment that can be used with a cordless drill, but I'm not to keen on bringing my drill with me fishing. Thanks in advance.

[harvey lee]

If you have the clam style that has the loop on top of the threaded bolt, maybe a long screwdriver would help to run the anchor into the ice.

I would go out and get a set of Digger Ice Angels if you continue to have issues with your's. I have never used that type so I can be of zero help.

I rarely have to use mine as I have the wheeler hitched to the house or sled. If I have to use some, then the Diggers come out. Years ago when the ice was less than a ft thick, I would take 2 pieces of rope and 2-12" wood dowels. I drill a hole through the wood dowel in the center and then run a piece of the rope through and wrap it around the dowel and then tie it off. Now, cut your hole, slide the dowel down the hole and tire the other end to your sled. I put eye bolts on the back side of my tub so it was easier to tie onto the portable. This method worked great but one will get his hands wet for a few seconds. It does not let go and the house stays in place.

[Mike Stark]

Eskimo ice screws are very nice as well.

Go slow and use a lot of down pressure to get the threads started in the ice.

[20lbSloughShark]

I just bought the HT ice screws and like them. Just hold it as straight as possible and push down hard. I can do all four sides pretty quick.

[1johntimm]

Clams ice anchors are useless. Eskimos go in like gravy compared to Clams. I just purchased Eskimo's anchors for my Clam and they go in and out of the ice with ease and no tools required.

[Bluka]

Eskimo anchors are the way to go.They have more experience in ice anchors,those anchors are the Bomb! I dont even use a an eskimo brand portable but I know enough from buddies that have used non eskimo style anchors are more displeased than when they made the switch.

[Bluka]

correction More pleased with Eskimos perfomance

[dan z]

I use 1/4" rope and a couple 2x4's like HL said works great when I yse them. I drill almost all the way through the ice just so water starts to come through the bottom and set the blocks in the hole and pack the ice back on top of them, its tough to get them out if its really ciold old however. i would suggest pouring new water to loosen the frozen in blocks.

p.s my blocks barely fit in the hole and that is the key to this tip.

[tsande00]

I drill a hole through the ice and then take an item longer then the hole is widen such as a piece of wood, tie a piece of rope to it and stuff it down the hole. I attach the other end of the rope to my shack. Works great. Getting the log/2x4/minnow scoop back out of the hole can be tricky if you don't have a piece of string tied to the end. I usually just dunk my arm down the hole and grab it but a string would work better if a guy didn't want to get his arm wet when it's time to go home.

Windy days though when I'm fishing alone this keep my flip over shack from blowing across the lake when I'm trying to setup. This method will hold anything the rope will hold.

[Korynta]

Clam makes a ice anchor installation tool for a drill that may help. It doesnt work on eskimo anchors but it may help you with your clams. Its about $15.

[magnum mike]

The right tool makes every job easier. Get the adapter for your cordless. Install and removal are a piece of cake.

[tunrevir]

I installed small grommets on the skirt of my portys and then I use 2-4 inch drywall screws and a 18v screw gun and screw the skirt to the ice. Depending on the temp you may need longer screws but it is cheap and works well and I'm not paying 15-20 bucks to buy a fancy ice anchor. The nice thing is if you have a Craftsman 12v screw gun you can also buy a great flashlight/fishhouse light to use after dark when your out fishing and tearing down in the dark

Tunrevir~

[Huey]

I like the sheet rock screw idea with the bonus light.

I have both the clam and eskimo ice anchors. The eskimo are much better, but the clam work too. I carry a small rubber mallet and give the ice anchors a good whack to help get them started in the ice. Usually works well. I've also pre-drilled the hole with a cordless drill and an auger bit.

[NKLCOLT1911]

i have the same problem with my clam anchors i was thinking about getting to install tool, is it not needed with the eskimo anchors?

[faunch]

My Eskimo anchors are pretty good...I think I've bent one or two of them a little bit over the last couple years.

[1johntimm]

I just purchased the Eskimo ice anchors this year for my Clam house. They need nothing but a little pressure and turn them and they go into the ice easily. 2 of them cost around $11. You can use them to start pilot holes for the Clam anchors, then the useless Clam anchors will work.

[Vlasin]

Eskimo ice screws are very nice as well.

Go slow and use a lot of down pressure to get the threads started in the ice.

+1 ...no issues with Eskimo ice screws. I own 2 eskimo houses

[mn_al]

I also have an eskimo and the anchors are superb.

[Desperado]

Ultimate Ice Anchor

hands down, the best ice screws being marketed to the icefishing industry

they are designed just like the screws that ice-climbers use, except they are made of aluminum instead of titanium (and are therefor half the price of a ice climber's screw)

these easily go into the ice BY HAND; the last thing I want to have to pack with me on the ice is a cordless drill (one more thing to remember, adds weight, takes up space, and worst of all its one more battery to have to ensure is charged up every time you go)

[h8go4s]

I use deck screws for ice anchors. In my bucket of miscellaneous ice fishing gear, I have (among other things) a cheap (menards) 18-V cordless drill with mating flashlight. The bucket stays in the back seat of my truck when I'm not fishing. I have a 100-amp inverter plugged into the truck's cigarette lighter, which is powered only when the truck is running. The drill charger stays plugged into the inverter, so whenever I'm driving, the battery is charging. When I unload the truck at the lake, I just take the battery out of the charger, plug it into the drill, grab the bucket and go. Works for me.

I also take this rig on boat-in camping trips to VNP, more for the flashlight than the drill. And I've thought of getting a hammer drill to take on our annual Manitoba pike trip, where the tent pads are limestone and getting tent pegs in is a chore.

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

When I drive my truck onto the ice I run over the tow rope on my flip over with the truck. Hasn't blown away yet!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ride_Red]

I just leave my clam x2 hooked up to the polaris ranger, wind hasnt pulled the ranger away yet