Which One Man?

[DRH1175]

I currently have a Fishtrap Voyager which works great for 2 guys. I fish 95% of the time alone and would like something smaller that I can lift in my truck. Frabill has the Commando and thermo pro. Clam has the pro, and the scout. Any recomendations?

[anderson_dc]

How big of a guy are you.

How do you normally fish (mobile or set fishermen).

How will you transport the shack on the ice (foot vs quad/sled).

Do you generally fish with the necessities or do you bring everything with you on the ice.

Price range you're looking to spend.

Health issues/back problems.

[muc33]

I would also ask what your primary type of fish you target. If Walleye is primary I would rule out the scout and focus more on the Pro, also consider the Otter cottage in either a pro or wild series.

[Mike Stark]

I have a Frabill Commando. It is a nice one man shelter. I like the fact that I can fish longer rods inside the shelter.

[SP180]

I have 2 scouts. Love them. The first is about 4 years old. The second is one year old and has more room then the older one. No poles to extend! Fits in most vehicles and is easy to lift. I also have the Yukon. I had the guide at one time but got ride of that one.

[FisH_SLaYer24]

If you're looking to pull out the sled by hand and you are a very mobile fisherman, then I think the Clam Scout is the house for you. If you like to make a couple moves throughout the day, but enjoy fishing comfortably then go with the extra elbow room of the Clam Pro. Both houses are very lightweight and offer comfortable fishing setups.

[aanderud]

I haven't looked strongly at any one-man shelters because I rarely fish alone. If I was looking though, I'd be sure to give the eskimo "wide 1" a look.

The reason is I always fish two holes if I can, for two reasons. First, sometimes the fish will come in to the jigged rod, then bite the one under the bobber. Second, I've found that if there's a school of fish under me, and I reel up a fish on the jigged rod, the school is more likely to 'stick around' if there is something else to keep their attention while I'm unhooking/releasing/rebaiting/dropping my jig rod. So even if they aren't biting that second hook under the bobber, it seems to help keep the fish there long enough for me to get my other line down.

Anyway that was a long story about why I like fishing 2 lines, but the reason it ties in here is that most of the one man flip-overs I've seen have been narrow -- ideal for one rod, and tight with 2 lines. This wider base seems much more two-hole-friendly.

[gunmunky]

I'm also looking for the perfect 1 man flip over. I was all set to get the Jason Mitchel but I didn't like I couldn't stand up. The perfect house for me is a thermal with a bench seat w/back and at least 70in tall. I needs to fit in the back of my Outback. I don't think anyone makes just what I,m looking for. If I can stand up the sled seems to be too long. Guess I will just keep looking.

[JuanArellano]

Fish trap pro Tc... best on the market for the price.

[FisH_SLaYer24]

I'm also looking for the perfect 1 man flip over. I was all set to get the Jason Mitchel but I didn't like I couldn't stand up. The perfect house for me is a thermal with a bench seat w/back and at least 70in tall. I needs to fit in the back of my Outback. I don't think anyone makes just what I,m looking for. If I can stand up the sled seems to be too long. Guess I will just keep looking.

I am not sure if the Otter Wild Cottage will fit in the back of your vehicle, but those fit your specs pretty close...

[JSK76]

I had the pro tc and sold it for the Jason Mitchell the same size. I will never own another portable with a black interior I don't even care that its insulate but more so the light interior. I really like how much light comes in during the day and how nice and bright it gets at night.

[gunmunky]

Thanks for the suggestion. I think Fleet Farm carries those so I will have to make a trip up there and take a look.

[Brad B]

I'm also looking for the perfect 1 man flip over. I was all set to get the Jason Mitchel but I didn't like I couldn't stand up. The perfect house for me is a thermal with a bench seat w/back and at least 70in tall. I needs to fit in the back of my Outback. I don't think anyone makes just what I,m looking for. If I can stand up the sled seems to be too long. Guess I will just keep looking.

the closest you will come to this would be with a otter wild cottage or cabin. both have the bench seat. these would only have thermal tops. to get full thermal you need to go to the pro line then you don't get the bench seat with it but that can be purchased seperately so you could add it.

Cottage :

collapsed size : 54" L X 32" W X 15" H

setup : 54"L X 79"D X 65"H (5" shorter then the 70" you are looking for)

80 Lbs

Cabin :

collapsed : 64"L X 32"W X 17"H

setup : 64"L X 84"D X 72.5"H

95 Lbs

[Fishin4fun_MN]

If you can make it to the St. Paul Ice Show next weekend, try them out first. All the manufacturers will be on hand with their houses/ shelters. You can also ask the reps questions and maybe even fins a great deal while your at it.

[aanderud]

+1 to that ^^^

Nothing beats sitting in the house, if possible with a rod in hand. You can usually sit in any of them all you want at a gander mountain or cabelas, too. Be sure you fold them up, lift them, etc. Pretend you're actually fishin while you're sitting in it -- if you use a heater, imagine it, plus your sonar, plus your hole (or two holes) sitting on the floor of that house as you 'fish', and see what you like.

[Jim Uran]

Otters are heavy! Don't forget that, great shacks but if you are by yourself I would look at a Scout TC or the Pro, both from Clam. Solid shacks and easier to move around by yourself than an Otter. I was in the same scenario as you before the season and I went with a Scout TC. I fish alone 95% of the time also.

[DRH1175]

I have been looking at the Frabill commando, the clam kodiak and the JM pro. I like the length of the Commando and Kodiak. and the width of the pro. I can't figure out which is better. I do a lot of moving from hole to hole. And usually only fish 1 hole in the house. If I want a second It will usually be a tip up outside. I want something I can lift in and out of my truck by myself. My Voyager is great for 2 people and I can hook it up to my Atv and go. But I just am sick of the near Hearnia when I put it in my truck alone.

[going4it]

With the smaller sled does anyone have trouble getting all of the other stuff in there (heater, auger, propane, etc,) that is my biggest hold up on purchasing a solo right now.

[that_guy]

I fish out of the smallest sled you can get with a flipover. It's not necessarily easy to do, but I fit a regular buddy heater, power auger, bucket, lx-5 and my tackle bag in there. It's kind of like tetris, but so long as you think small with your gear it all fits.

This year I'm working on figuring out a new way to organize everything so it all fits "better"

[TallPaull]

I fish with a Scout because I walk all the time. I only fish one hole because I am usually moving around between holes but this year I am going to add a tip up. I was having an issue with having to much stuff in my sled so I did a small modifcation (added very little weight) to organize everything and limit the non-essential stuff I used to bring.

[broman]

TallPaull, is your seat on a hinge?

[TallPaull]

Nope my seat just slides back and forth on the rails (front to back). It does fold down (it is a boat seat that you can buy at F Farm). The platform that I made is attached to the top of the tub and the seat still slides front to back.

[Boker001]

I"m thinking about picking up the new thermal otter wild one man. It's almost big enough to squeeze 2 people in but that might not work. Each person fishing one hole with tip-ups should work. The only drawback I see is weight and a bit on the pricey side. They seem much more durable and better built than clams though.

[Northlander]

I would also say that the Otter Wild Cottage should work for you. Built Otter tuff and the bench is the best on the market. Its what makes the shelter heavy because its built to last.

I recomend you hit the St. Paul Show and come look me up at the Otter booth and you can check them out or hit any big box store that carries a lot of shelters so you can compare apples to apples.

Its all about what fits your needs the best and gives you the most bang for your $.

[RainyEye]

Just sold my Yukon and downsized to a Frabill Commando, it's half the weight, will heat better and still has plenty of room for 1 guy.