Fish House Features

[Jim Hudson]

Of course, we all are different, and we all fish different waters. But, am curious to see what folks want in their fish house designs? What makes you want to or has in the past cause you to purchase a certain shelter?

Is it comfort? Because it is light weight? Price point? Because it had a lot of options?

For me personally, the shelter has to meet how I like to fish. Fast and efficent. Lightweight is the ultimate key for this to happen. Reason I prefer a Scout TC or the new Big Mouth.

But, on a guiding aspect, ruggedness is key as I am pulling these shetlers on long hauls across big sheets of jagged ice most days. From the sled to the poles to the fabric. Reason number 1 I am very excited the X2 is back.

So, for you? And please, do not worry about shelter brands in the thread. Just want to hear others opinions on why they choose the shelter they do. Can be good to help those who are on the fence about what they want to purchase this season.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

I'll bite. I have the Scout. I like it because it is light weight. I can get all my gear in the sled and easily load it in my truck or put it on the rear rack of a four wheeler. I also like the fact that I don't have to mess with extending poles or having to "set-up" anything. I get to my spot and start fishing. A lot of my friends have the Scout so we can spread out and fish as a group.

[Kevan Paul]

When I'm on the ice and spending time with the Family we fish out of a Command Post. We will all fish on one end and if my 3 and 4 yr old decide that playing with the minnows is more fun then they will have a big 6x8 area all to themselves. This play area will also keep your kids feet from dropping in a hole. LOL Yes I learned hard way We prefer a Big Buddy to heat it.

[anderson_dc]

I started out with a Yukon and I love it when fishing with another guy. Plenty of room, very comfortable, but was not fun to pull by hand when there is powdery snow on the ground.

My next shack was the Pro. Plenty of elbow room, light weight, and much easier to pull by hand. Very comfortable to sit in for long periods of time as well.

I purchased a Scout TC last winter as my shack for fishing tournaments. Sets up quickly, enough room to fish, and light weight. Very easy to pull as well. The seats aren't as comfortable as the ones in the Yukon or Pro though.

Each of those shacks has their pluses and minuses, but overall have treated me very well.

[Jim Uran]

Durability, storage space, and being light weight are always a factor for me. I'm constantly moving, drilling and searching out new areas if they fish aren't cooperating. I want to function as a sled and a shelter.

[pushbutton]

And please, do not worry about shelter brands in the thread. Just want to hear others opinions on why they choose the shelter they do. Can be good to help those who are on the fence about what they want to purchase this season.

Agreed Jim! While this is Clam's forum, no reason it for it not to be like the rest of the ones on HSO that are filled with good natured info sharing.

Am one of the newer "hybrid" ice guys, in that I mainly set up and base out of a permanent for prime times, and will then branch out from there with a portable. Since many of the lakes i fish have extensive road systems, this can obviously be done on foot and often, even the car. So what drives me is compact, lightweight, and easily set up. Also, since jr. is often tagging along, need some space. Really like the idea of the Command Post, that baby had the space i wanted, The Summit also fit the bill, and both had thermal options, but ended up going with the Twin "Tent". It only weighs 15 lbs, easily fits in the car, has two hubs which can be set up solo in strong winds, and has plenty of space to put things to occupy the kid let. Related, the two access doors was also a huge selling point, as it allows easier layout designs with him going in and out....in and out.....in and out.

So just a warning to all you tourney pros back here, next time you show up and see an old volvo packed to the hilt with ice gear, dvd cartoons, and every type of corn syrup snack on the planet spilling out as the doors open.....don't laugh......he's jacked up and gunning for ya

[picksbigwagon]

we started out with a suitcase style Kit house from the Big C, that lasted 6 years before I moved to a 6800 clam, that lasted 1 season and I moved to a Voyager so I could use it as a ginormous one man. I got tired of loading and unloading the voyager by myself after 4 years and bought an otter solo house, the older small sled style. my son and I could sit in that if needed and I could walk anywhere with it, I also bought the Clam Summit the year before the thermals came out.

I love the summit, it takes me less than 90 seconds to get it setup and with the ice angel anchors, it is really easy to secure it down. My fishing buddy was amazed at the room we had up on Mille lacs last March and was even more impressed with the ease it broke down and was stored and moved.

the one thing I miss about my voyager is the back door. I used to heat my voyager with a buddy heater, not the big buddy either, and keep the propane bulk tank behind the house and sit the heater between the seats on a shelf in the tub.

I might have to upgrade to a thermal pop up this year or maybe a bigger "solo" house, my 9 year old and I just don't fit in it as well as we did when he was 6

[Jim Uran]

Good info! With the hub style houses, primarily the uninsulated versions, does the condensation become a problem when it's a little cooler and time to take the shelter down and pack it away. Also, do the bags they come in actually work as storage devices for them.

Or is it a pain to pack them back in the bag?

[Borch]

The house features I look for really depends on the style of fishing I'll be doing on that particular outing. My wife, Wanda frequently fishes with me especially when chasing slab crappies. On these outings I like a roomy 2 person flip style fish house built for comfort. Don't get me wrong, I'm a runner and gunner. We've had many outings where we never even set up the house but used it for gear storage as we hole hopped to stay on fish. Once we have fish dialed in then we'll set up.

When I'm by myself I like a little bigger one man flip style house that is still light. Then it's tearing up the ice until I settle in on the fish or run out of time.

One thing I do with all my fishouses is rig them with LED lights so once it gets dark it good to go in a few minutes.

[Kevan Paul]

You will find some condensation with a non thermal but you gotta remember the roof on a hub is slanted so you will not get any dripping on your head. The bags are plenty big so packing away is not an issue. If you go thermal there is no issues with condensation and again the bags are plenty big. I love fishing out of a hub mainly because of all the extra room. They are my go to shelters!

[Jim Uran]

Good to know Kevan. My only concern was the size of the bags they come in lol!

I fished out of a couple of them and was amazed on the room and ease of set up! Didn't stick around for the take down part though. Gosh I can't wait for the darn ice to get here now

[dan z]

loved my ranger xl for it being my 1st portable house. It lasted long enough to say I got my moneys worth. I have learned a few things that I took into consideration on my new house. After doing some looking and pricing I emptied my wallet on a Otter cabin with a thermal top, cant say enough about this house I love it!

[Eric Wettschreck]

Is it comfort? Because it is light weight? Price point? Because it had a lot of options?

Good questions.

None of them are cheap and therefore I'm not buying the newest latest greatest shelter every year. I need my stuff to last. I'm mostly alone or with one other person dragging the shelter and all my stuff by hand, so it needs to be durable and lightweight.

This is why I do most of my fishing out of an Otter Cabin.

[Lawrence Luoma]

Jim, the biggest thing I miss in the Scout TC is the rod hammock.

[Jim Hudson]

The storage of the hammock was nice, I agree. But, I hated putting my rods in it, as hooks always seemed to find the mesh. For storage, am excited about the new cargo netting option from Clam. Been around the boat world for years and glad to see it here for our Fish Traps now!! Again, I probably wouldnt store my rods in there, same reason as the old hammock.

[Eric_Kruger]

The storage of the hammock was nice, I agree. But, I hated putting my rods in it, as hooks always seemed to find the mesh. For storage, am excited about the new cargo netting option from Clam. Been around the boat world for years and glad to see it here for our Fish Traps now!! Again, I probably wouldnt store my rods in there, same reason as the old hammock.

Im gonna add these toa ll my shacks this winter! Saw them on the clam site the other day and immediately thought of about 10 things I could use them for!

[Mike Walerak]

One thing that really turned me to the Nanook was that I can fit it in the trunk of my Chevy Impala if I just strap the trunk shut. I did have to disconect the seats and set them in the back seat but the car get's 3 times the mileage of the pickup. This is a great option when gas is $4.00 a gallon and my five year never seems to kick in for gas.

ANother thing I ike about the Nanook Thermal is it is easy to pull for one person but I can easily put a second person or kid in with me.

Most of the areas I fish are in refuges so no atv's,have parking very close or thin ice that doesn't allow vehicles so we are loading everything in the sled and hauling it to where we fish. The sled puling harness is an absolute must. Heck I even set my 3 year old on the sled and pull her to the spot.

[frankrizzo]

Was a clam guy for years. I still have my Scout for my 9 year old. I went with otter for the sled and the poles. I had a guide that was nice but the sled flexed bad with two guys in it. I also have a clam Sleeper that I love when the "boys" want to head up north for a boys weekend. The sled on the guide just turned me to Otter because people all over these forums say the sled is the best.

[Mike Walerak]

I had Otters for years and loved them. My last one was the Ice Camo Cabin. Very nice and heavy duty but the downside was weight. It seemed like loading it in the pickup was a 2 man operation each time. If I ran a snowmobile and made long runs routinly I would consider Otter again.

mw

[Charlie Mason]

can/cup holder

[Charlie Mason]

Or rod holder slots

[lundguy]

I have two hub style houses one is 6X6 the other is 6X12 both fit into the bags well with the help of a strap to hold it together. The condensation has not been an issue as it all freezes as soon as I start taking it down. The only problem I have is they don't supply enough anchors with the kit.

[that_guy]

can/cup holder

I see a price tag...is that what the fish house is going for? I'll gladly pay you $3.49+tax for that fish house! Heck, I might even give you $5 for it and you can keep the change!

[Charlie Mason]

think that came off of a six pack of pop things were cheaper back in 2002

[JoePalermo]

When fishing tournaments i like my old Xtrap its a little heavy but it has plenty of room for what i need , when im out with a buddy we take the Nanook , that is a great shack , lite weight and offers all the comforts.

With the family or even at our scheduled ice events i put out 3-4 clam command posts and they make great Warming tents with just a buddy heater inside.

Cant go wrong with clam , clam is designed for Ice fisherman By Ice fisherman..