Hub Popup questions

[DTro]

Not only have I never owned a hub style house, I’ve never fished out of one. I see more and more every year so I know there are a few experts reading this that have used them quite a bit. I decided to take the plunge with a Clam Bigfoot Thermal and really looking forward to getting it out on the ice.

I’ve always had a flipover and a pretty set in my ways in how I transported it (both on my trailer and across the ice) and setting it up.

be a whole new experience for me. Anyone have some tips that might make my life a little easier this year.

The wind thing really freaks me out, not that I’m afraid, but more that I’ll be disappointed in the PITA factor.

I see Clam has a Ton of accessories and I’ll probably pick up a light/fan combo and some hanger hooks. Any other goodies I might consider?

What about a sled to transport across the ice and what are some good seating ideas. I want to be comfortable without dragging out a lazy boy.

Do you drill your holes and clean out a spot first then set your house over that area, or set up the house then drill you holes inside?

How about anchors? Anyone tried the Clam drill attachment? Any aftermarket ideas? The digger anchors look nice.

I’d appreciate any tips!

Thanks

[creepworm]

I don't own one but I talked to an ice team pro-staffer this weekend about setting them up in the wind. The first thing he said was to practice setting it up as much as possible before going out on the ice. Also, before setting up, expose one of the anchor loops and tie it off to your snowmobile or vehicle or anchor it in some way. He claimed he can set up a hub style shelter by himself in 30 mph winds easier than a flip over.

[fishwater]

Do you drill your holes and clean out a spot first then set your house over that area, or set up the house then drill you holes inside?

How about anchors? Anyone tried the Clam drill attachment? Any aftermarket ideas? The digger anchors look nice.

[NKLCOLT1911]

im not good at guessing so i set up the hub and mark my holes then just slide it over, the fan light combo is a great idea, also look at the clam cooler chairs those are the ones i use cause they fold up nice and are pretty comfy, as far as transportation i can fit everything in a medium sized otter sled, oh you may also want to look at the hub wall shelf.

[pikestabber]

im not good at guessing so i set up the hub and mark my holes then just slide it over

+1. This is the best way, IMO, because you can get the holes exactly where you want them and maximize square footage. No sense having all that room if you are going to limit it by guesswork (plus setting up and then drilling inside shoots water/ice all over the inside which is no good). As far as set-up and take down, it's an absolute breeze. You won't be quite as mobile as you were with your flip-over, but it really isn't bad.

To set up in the wind, just anchor a couple corners on the wind side plus one outrigger line on the wind side and set it up. Nothing to it. There are many days when I just put in one corner anchor (cold days w/out wind) and that's it. I do bank my house with snow which helps with keeping warmth in and keeps it stationary. I added some custom cut indoor/outdoor carpet and that has been a terrific help for keeping my feet warm and overall better traction. You will love fishing out of this thing!

As for the clam drill attachment, I have never used it, but I have heard it is a very good investment.

[dunnym]

i fished out of the eskimo QF3 for a couple seasons. some times seemed easier than others to set up. make sure you get a anchor in before you start set up. i learned that the hard way. I would figure something out for a floor. I just used a thin rubberized rug. seemed to help pretty good with the melting snow. not sure about the clam hub cases, but the eskimo backpack case seemed to be to tight. always a pain to fit the shelter back in the case.

[NKLCOLT1911]

not sure about the clam hub cases, but the eskimo backpack case seemed to be to tight. always a pain to fit the shelter back in the case.

thats the one thing ill give clam at least with my base camp my carry bag is way bigger than it needs to be its a breeze to pack away, where did you find the carpet you use? i have been looking for some, Dtro if you were to use some sort of carpet that would work great as a template for drilling holes.

[MNCPRGUY]

I am in the same boat as DTro and watching this thread closely. While I haven't made any of my purchases yet (waiting for the ice show), I have a pretty good idea of what I am planning to buy.

As far as "necessary" accesories go, I am thinking the coat hooks are a must. I am also planning to add the round Clam table as it would be nice to set a few things up off the ice.

Still not sure on seating, but I'm leaning towards just using a couple of cheap chairs that I take to ball games in the summer. I haven't heard great things about the tripod chairs to make them worth the money.

[NKLCOLT1911]

Still not sure on seating, but I'm leaning towards just using a couple of cheap chairs that I take to ball games in the summer. I haven't heard great things about the tripod chairs to make them worth the money.

check out the clam cooler chairs they have a small foot print but are also pretty darn comfy.

[OnAFly]

I'm going to sell my Clam Denali II and get one of those insulated Bigfoots. The Denali was not mobile at all and heavy as he!!. I figure at least this way I have more room and the option of sleeping in the hub if I want. I will probably use it more as a basecamp than a shelter I move constantly to find fish.

[NKLCOLT1911]

darren ill have my stuff home in the next few days if you want to check those chairs out.

[dunnym]

i think i found the rubberized rug at menards. cant remember what it was called. I sold it with my hub. A thing that worked good for me for storage was a closet shoe holder that i stole from the old lady. It has to velcro straps to attach to any pole, then it has a bunch of compartments the size of a shoe. collapses down to the size of a small book when it is time to leave. worked great for me

[Mike Stark]

Not sure about clam's ice screws this year but there was quite a bit of talk last year that eskimo's ice screws worked better. i have used eskimo's ice screws and they are easy to install. you can buy them in 2 packs. its no fun fumbling with an ice screw when the wind is blowing 20mph.

[pushbutton]

Great advice all around so far. Yep, practice ahead of time to learn how to unfold it for the best order to pull the hubs. If fishing alone and/or windy definitely put one anchor in first. Related, drilling and sliding over is ideal, most often possible, but not always. If you can bank do it, the fabric blowing will drive nuts if you don't....thermal will help though. A roll of light carpet or puzzle mats are nice for flooring, space is more of and issue than weight, similarly, whatever seating option should compact and light as well. Sometimes I will not even bother trying to get it in the bag on the ice, just tie it up and go and let the ice melt off of it later in the garage before storing it back in the bag. My Clam bag is plenty big though. I have the attachment for the anchors and would recommend it. The extra equipment and one more thing to charge is a hassel, but unless they have recently changed them, the anchors that come with the house are not that suitable to hard ice, sometimes a starter bit is nice as well. At first, all of this may seem like a pain, but after doing it a few times and figure out whatever way works best for you, think you will really like the extra space and Clam does make a nice house.

[buzbunni]

I have owned a couple of Frabill Hub Style shelters and I like them quite a bit. I upsized to the Headquarters from the Outpost last year, and may now upgrade to the Thermal Headquarters if I can find someone to purchase my Uninsulated Headquarters.

I find that I use my hub shelter mostly for "vehicle" hardwater angling. That is to say, when I am able to drive my truck on the ice, I load up the hub shelter and accessories and off I go. Due to the fact that the Headquarters is a bit larger than my Magnum Canvas Craft, it may see a bit more duty than the Outpost. Never-the-less, if I'm walking, sledding, or ATVing on the ice, I'm generally going to bring the flip-over.

Why?

Well, ya gotta get your gear out on the ice somehow, and I've found it an extra hassle to load a hub shelter on my back or on a sled, and then have to load my gear (chairs too!) on a sled and drag it out there as well. Isn't that why flip-overs where created in the 1st place? Put all of your gear inside and bring it along.

Each type of shelter has it's place.

One other reason I purchased the hub style was so that I didn't have to unload my truck to hit the hardwater. My truck is full of cages (I own a nuisance wildlife control business in the metro), tools, etc., and If I wanted to head out on the ice with my flip-over, I had to completely empty my truck bed to load my (friggin heavy) shelter and gear in the back.

Unload.

Load.

Fish.

Unload.

Load.

It's a pain.

With the Hub style shelter, I just throw the shelter in my access cab (fits easy), put my fishing gear in back on top of my work gear, and off I go. Again, this is why I use my hub shelter most when the ice thickness is adequate for trucks/cars.

Best lesson I learned in regards to setting up hub style shelters was: Top up 1st, and top down last. Seems to work well enough for me. And yes, on windy days you will want to anchor at least one corner down before attempting to open the shelter.

Don't love the Digger Anchor. Tried it, but prefer a good ice screw. Ice screws are smaller as well. The ice anchor screws that come with most shelters are generally ok (they have gotten better), but short of something like a Black Diamond Turbo Ice Screw (awesome btw!...and spendy), the best anchor that I have found is The Ultimate Ice Anchor. This still may seem spendy to some, but it's a great anchor and will screw into glare ice with no problem.

As far as drilling the hole pattern, I like to do it all before the shelter is set up. I have learned how to pace-out the spots for the holes and can do it with no problems. If I am off a step, I can always move the shelter a bit to compensate.

I like the drill attachment for the ice screws. Very handy. When do you REALLY need to get anchor purchase with a hub shelter? When there is virtually no snow to bank in, i.e., glare ice. When is it MOST difficult to gain purchase when using ice screws? On glare ice. Just another reason I like the Turbo or Ultimate Ice Anchor style of ice screw.

Finally, in regards to the guy lines, I would recommend clipping NiteIze Figure-9 small carabiners to afforded loops on the hub junctions on the outside of the tent. These make for easy attachment and tensioning of guy lines on those windy days.

[Jim Uran]

Wow, good info guys! I may still make the splurge on a Clam sixpack... This is a great thread with a ton of good info!

[Hoffer]

Buz

Question on your comments about using the flipover when walking vs. the hub.

I thought the nice thing about the hub was its lighter weight?

Wouldnt it fit inside a medium sized Otter sled?

I was visualizing buying one and placing my heater, fishing equipment and auger inside the sled - and placing the Hub on top of everything last. Then just carting it all out.

I dont own a flipover style now. I do own a small light Clam one man and a medium sized Otter.

I usually load up the otter and then have to drag 2 things out on the ice...the Otter and the small clam. I figured buying a hub would reduce things down to 1.

So, the question is...why not a flipover with everything loaded in like you mentioned vs. packing the Otter with everything?

Weight.

I figured the packed otter would overall have less weight?

Maybe I am wrong...so wanted to know thoughts here.

When its time to drive I dont have the restrictions you do with space....I can load pretty much anything I need to fish out of in the vehicle.

So my main concern is walking and weight. Also figured it would be easier weight wise packing and unpacking the otter because the weight can be broken down easier than having to lift a flipover in and out. (By the way...if I go flipover its going to be a 2 man).

Last...with the hubs...do you HAVE to shovel the snow away - or can you just place it right over the snow and set it up. if you have to shovel snow away and we have a foot of snow on the ice - that means also having to bring along a pretty decent sized shovel...just one more thing to haul.

just trying to weigh all the factors each way...

Thanks-

Hoffer

[DTro]

Good stuff guys! I appreciate it. Keep em coming!

I’m happy to see some suggestions from Pushbutton and Buz. I know they have spent a lot of time on the ice and respect their recommendations. The one thing I was wondering and maybe Buz can answer this. To get maximum bang for my buck is it a better explosion with a good bank job and tight seal at the bottom or should I have some venting for the boom to breath?

[buzbunni]

To get maximum bang for my buck is it a better explosion with a good bank job and tight seal at the bottom or should I have some venting for the boom to breath?

Had a feeling this would come up.

Always vent after the explosion, unless you enjoy the smell of burned beard.

Also, both shelter style types are adequated for explosive manueuvers in the dark.

[Hardyboy]

Good stuff guys! I appreciate it. Keep em coming!

I’m happy to see some suggestions from Pushbutton and Buz. I know they have spent a lot of time on the ice and respect their recommendations. The one thing I was wondering and maybe Buz can answer this. To get maximum bang for my buck is it a better explosion with a good bank job and tight seal at the bottom or should I have some venting for the boom to breath?

i have used a few of the hubs and currently use the eskimo fatfish insulated which yes im happy with. as far as banking i make a tight seal at the base and use the doors to make my cross venting for fresh air. you dont want air coming underneath as it will lift the house somewhat and youll be tinkering with it instead of fishing. in wind anchor before popping (critical). The eskimo anchors have a real good bite and once started they bite right in quickly. I do predrill my holes before setup to use the shavings to help bank if theres little or no snow. for light i zip tied some led lights to one of the cross members with speaker wire running down to attach to the battery. this folds right up with the house so theres nothing to tear down or setup. for chairs i use just a small fold up camp chair with a small rug to sit it on (feet sink in the snow if you dont). this all being said if im the only one going fishing i reach for my flip over everytime but if i have a buddy or know there will be more than me fishing ill bring the hub. The hub has a definite purpose and a home in my fishing arsenal.

[buzbunni]

Buz

Question....

A hub shelter may pack a little "long" for a medium Otter sled, but you could make it work.

Your small clam one man is a flip-over, no? And the Otter? Do you mean Otter sled (only), or an Otter flip-over fish shelter (complete package)?

All things considered, I suppose a hub shelter, plus sled, plus gear, etc. may be a bit lighter that the equivalent sized flip-over shelter, but I don't think by much, and for me (again, for walking, sleds, atv, etc.) it's not worth the hassle. But then, I have the option to use either, and some may not have that in their budget.

In my case, any extra weight in my flipover comes from the steel poles that Canvas Craft uses, and from the NorPac2 (thermal) insulating material that is the shelter. Other than that, it's just a Magnum Otter sled with all the gear that I would haul along anyway. And in this case, the seats are "built" in.

I have walked out with the hub shelter a few times and ended up using 2 sleds. I probably could have packed it all in a larger magnum sled, or worn the cased shelter on my back (don't like to to that), but if I'm gonna go to all of that "trouble" I might as well bring my flip-over.

Hubs are easy to set up, but I think flip-overs are still quicker from "on the spot" to wetting a line (again, if you're dragging, not unloading). Why? Once you get to spot "x" with the flip-over, you drill a few holes, flip-over ( if you want; if it's nice out maybe not) and it's game on. With the hub shelter you have to mark holes, pop up shelter, anchor shelter (you may have to anchor a flip-over as well, but since it is heavier, and you are sitting "on" the sled, it isn't necessary as often as it is with a hub shelter) bring in chairs/gear/etc., and then you can wet a line. Admittedly the time/hassle difference is minimal, but since we are splitting hairs here....well...there ya go.

Another thing that is nice about the flip-overs is that you have all of your gear in the shelter, right behind (or below) you, and off of the snow/water. Not a big deal, and you can get shelves/tables for the hub style (or flip-over for that matter) shelter, but I like to keep my stuff clean and secure, and I find a flip-over accomodates that better. I do like installing multiple hanger/hook attachments in both styles of shelters. Very helpful.

As far as snow removal goes, I generally just drill the holes and set up the shelter. No need to remove snow in my opinion. The snow will help with the traction inside the shelter as well

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Great info guys!

Eskimo gifted me with an Eskimo Fatfish 949 hub style house this spring when I assisted them in one of their sales commercials in early March on Lake Vermilion and I have not even opened the box yet so I need all of the pointers that I can get!

The experts set up the hubs and packed them away in record time and made it look very easy! Also, it was windy that day and they made sure that at least one anchor was installed before anything else was done!

Cliff

[buzbunni]

I see Clam has a Ton of accessories and I’ll probably pick up a light/fan combo...what are some good seating ideas. I want to be comfortable without dragging out a lazy boy.

I'd definitely recommend a seat with a backrest Darren. I like the small aluminum fold-up type with the zipped storage area below the seat. The storage area is nice for securing loose items that you don't want on the ice (or down the hole. DOH!), and they are small, lightweight, and the back isn't so stiff that you can't lean back a bit and "recline" if you want to. I don't care for the collapsible quad chairs that you see all over the place. They are nice for the backyard or for camping, but (at least the ones I have tried) are too low and deep for comfortable hardwater angling. Also, in cold weather, the plastic parts on these chairs is prone to breakage. No worries on the aluminum fold up chair in this regard.

My favorite shelter light is the Frabill Super Bright Shelter Light. (This is the single light unit; not the shelter light bar). I have 4 of these and move them around as needed. LED with decent output (70 lumens), mounts easily with attached velcro strap, directional beam, uses 3AA batteries (I like using AA batteries on all electrical items [headlamp, gps, etc.] if possible. Keeps it simple when brining out extra juice), and does not need to be removed from he shelter when folded/collapsed.

[hooked79]

i picked up a eskimo fat fish 949 last yr

the floor space is 8x8 i gotta say i like it

we just tie it to a 4wheeler or what ever we brought out that day

but it is still a pain in the wind it will turn into a kite

but the more you use it the more you will find ways to work with the wind

one thing i did for the floor is i used a floor from a clam 8x8 sleeper i had got for free the canvas was shot

the fat fish 949 fits perfict insode the floor works awsome

the 1st few times i drilled my holes inside the house but after you do it a few times you will be able to drill them out side

and just kinda know were to do it

i also have a qf3 and i would say for 2 ppl that is they way to go but for 3-4 my hub house is the way to go

[shizzy]

I pack my Eskimo hub in a medium sled along with my auger, buddy heater, 5 gallon pail with a few rods and tackle in it,flasher, a collapsible shovel , a chunk of I/O carpet and a folding lawn chair. I use an old aluminum one with the plastic webbing. It's a snug fit in the sled, but it all works.

Drags across the lake by hand just dandy. I love all the room the hub gives me I can stand up and walk around a bit if I like.