Ice anchors & seating

[MNCPRGUY]

I believe I have narrowed down my search for a hub shelter and will be purchasing a Clam Bigfoot 4000 unless someone can convince me otherwise between now and the ice show.

I'm starting to think about other items I want/need for this set-up and have two questions...

1) What are people using for ice anchors? I know Clam makes a drill attachment but I really don't want to drag along a cordless drill. I thought I saw something pretty slick at the ice show last year, but didn't pay much attention as I wasn't in the market at the time.

2) How about some seating ideas? The bucket is fine for a short amount of time, but a backrest would be nice (and some cushion under the tush). Are the tripod seats any good? Trying to keep weight down but have some comfort that will support my 300 lb frame.

[that_guy]

I can only comment on the ice anchors, but I'd recommend using The Digger ice anchor system. Quick google search will bring it up. Pick them up at Fleet Farm for cheap, and they use a partially drilled auger hole to attach.

Slick as slick can be.

[MNCPRGUY]

Not sure I like the idea of partially drilled holes. Seems like one more thing for me to trip in when I'm taking down a house after dark.

Has anyone used "Ultimate Ice Anchors" that are made here in MN? I think that might have been what I saw at the ice show last year. They seem pretty spendy, but far be it from me to blow money on ice fishing!

The wife gets coach purses and I get ice fishing gear. Seems like a fair trade to me!

[picksbigwagon]

I am considering going the thermal route with the big foot, only 5 pounds more and insulated would be really nice. as far as chairs go, use the quad/camp chairs, you will still have a ton of room in that house

[skippie]

the ice anchors you said were at the ice show are ice screws used for ice climbing. those at the show are ny far the cheaper versions but you can get them in many differant lengths and even with a fold out crank handle. I do have a card from them a couple years ago if ya want the info.

[DLD24]

I have an Eskimo hub style house and I just use the Eskimo ice anchors that come with it never had a problem with them...and I just use a small gold out chair from L&M

[DTro]

Ultimate anchor is the one you are thinking about. I'm following this thread with interest as I have the same questions. I've never tried a hub style house and might give it a shot this year for those times I want to fish 4 or 5 guys in the same house.

I'd like to not have to drag along a cordless drill if I don't have to.

[cavalierowner]

I use the tripod seats in my portable. They are fine as long as you aren't sitting for a long period of time. After about 4 or 5 hours, my a$$ starts getting really tired. Maybe if I had a smaller a$$... But I have to say that I haven't seen anything better and it's small and light enough that I use it when I'm deer hunting for walking and stopping.

[NCLaker]

I have an Eskimo hub style house and I just use the Eskimo ice anchors that come with it never had a problem with them...and I just use a small gold out chair from L&M

+1 on Eskimo's. Go in very easy and fast .... you do not need a drill, worse case you may have to give them a couple taps with something if the ice is real hard.

For chairs, probably depends on how compact/portable you want it to be. Definitely stay awasy from standard camp chairs, in cold conditions it does not take much for those plastic parts to break.

[NKLCOLT1911]

i have a clam base camp and i just use the anchors that came with it, they are kind of a pain but not to bad, i also only use two as i angle the corner of the house into the wind so it acts like a v front, and once there is snow on the ice i dont use the anchors at all unless its really windy. oh and far as chairs i use the folding clam ones that have a small cooler on the bottom of them, they work great and dont take up much room.

[dmpalm]

I'm not certain this helps answer your question, but I've had a couple different hubs in the last several years and rarely use ice anchors. I find if I bank the house well I don't really need them. Occasionally in a strong wind one of the hubs will want to cave in from the wind. If I have driven out I just park the truck in front of that side and strap it to the truck...takes about 5 seconds and has worked well for me. Early or late ice I'll have to use an ice anchor and then I just use the ones that came with the house which go in fairly easily with downward pressure. Looks like there are some other good anchors out there but I just haven't found that I need them.

For chairs, I'm not a fan of the tripods myself...the seats are too small and arent comfortable. The ones I like have fold up and have a pouch you can put stuff in underneath the seat. They are smaller than a camping chair which is nice for space and I like that they have 4 legs instead of bars on the bottom as they seem to slide around a lot less. I got mine at Fleet Frm

[MNCPRGUY]

great info! Thanks for the responses.

[shizzy]

I've got an eskimo hub and use the eskimo anchors with no issues.

I just drag along an old lawn chair. The aluminum with plastic webbing kind.

[NKLCOLT1911]

this is the chair i use so far im happy with them.

http://clamoutdoors.com/ice_fishing/fishing-acc/chairs/folding-cooler-chair-new.html

[TyGuy02]

I just bought a bigfoot 4000t and I'm planning on using some heavy duty lawn chairs, not the aluminum but the 4 leg type. I really like the look of this hub! I've never used or had a hub before so I don't know what to expect, but I have 3 or 4 of those chairs sitting in the garage, and I use one for deer hunting all day, so why not ice fishing.

On the ice anchor question, I can't help you yet. But if you go on the clam site, there is a good video on the procedure using a cordless drill. It does seem pretty slick, and they only did it on the windward side inside and out.

On a separate question, I don't know what other people do for mods on these hubs, but I took and built a fold up floor (6'x8' with 2x2s and 7/16 plywood), leaving a foot on two sides for the holes since the shelter is 8x8.

Another thing you need to consider going to the hub is transport space (couldn't think of a better term), but basically unless you plan on keeping everything in the back of your pickup, you'll probably need a sled. I'm stripping down my old flipover with mods to the sled to work as my storage area for auger, shelter when not in use, propane tank, rod case, flasher, gear, and everything else in between. Because there is nothing worse than having big $$$ in all this gear and no designated "home".

[DTro]

I'll be giving the Bigfoot a shot this year as well. Also a hub style newbie and not sure what to expect. Always fun to try new stuff.

What I'm mostly looking forward to is being able to fish 3-5 guys in the same house. Hard to do that with any flipover. Sure you lose mobility, but personally I usually don't set up in a house unless I'm committed to sitting around for a while. I have enough warm gear to fish outside most of the time.

[fishinggeek]

I use tree screw steps. I've never had an issue with them starting or freezing in. they work great for me. just my 2 cents.

[NKLCOLT1911]

i think you will like it i love my base camp and thats only half the size of a big foot, im curious to hear a review, i may have to add one to the garage.

I'll be giving the Bigfoot a shot this year as well. Also a hub style newbie and not sure what to expect. Always fun to try new stuff.

What I'm mostly looking forward to is being able to fish 3-5 guys in the same house. Hard to do that with any flipover. Sure you lose mobility, but personally I usually don't set up in a house unless I'm committed to sitting around for a while. I have enough warm gear to fish outside most of the time.