Fish House Features

[Bernie Keefe]

I like the command post when I have a group of people and we do not plan on moving much, but the X2 is going to be my go to hut. I have an older one and a voyager. I just cant beat the X2 IMO. They are built tough and very easy to put up and take down. They also pull very well across big slush puddles.

Bernie Keefe

www.iceteam.com

[DaSwede]

Or rod holder slots

Where did you get the rod holders? I've tried a bunch, and to be honest, I don't like any of them, but these just might be the ticket!

[Iambjm]

I started out with a used Otter Lodge (the purple one) that had holes everywhere and a busted zipper. Then I bought this one at the Clam garage sale a few years ago. It was a prototype that never hit the market. I liked it, but it was like a sailboat and any wind caused it to slide all over. It was lightweight and fit in the back of my Ford Escape. Then I got a Clam Thermal hub, I couldn't set it up alone, and my knees are too bad to get down on the ice to put the anchors in. I also have a Yetti Wheelhouse I got last year. For mobility this year I have ordered a Kenai, small enough to fit in my car and lightweight for this old lady. Then when the hubby starts to annoy me in the Yetti I can take the Kenai and go run and gun.

I do still have the Otter Lodge might patch it up and just use it on my lake. I do love all the room in it's tub.

[TyGuy02]

I am currently in the portable shopping OCD phase and I appreciate this thread very much. I have had a Genz pop-up suitcase style. I hated it because there was no storage due to the suitcase. So next I had a Clam flipover (can't remember the model but a basic 2-man). I loved it! The only problem was that eventually the L poles bent and broke and I have multiple holes in fabric and sled. So I was going to build a semi-portable house that was large enough to fish 2 people with a bench seat, and had storage for ALL the gear (which seems to be more and more every year!) But my wife ordered me to just buy a new house. In doing research I am "turned on" by the new hub style houses. I was thinking of the Clam Bigfoot XL4000T. My only question is regarding the previous poster Lambjm, and just how difficult it is to assemble in the wind? My first assumption would be that you could put the anchors in before doing anything (at least on one side inside and out), maybe even attach straps to the anchors before opening the hub. Does this work? How difficult can it be? I normally fish by myself, but could also have another 1-2 people with me. Weight is not a factor--9/10 times I just drive out with my pickup. I would be reusing my older sled on skids and plywood base to hold gear (and for the bench).

I was also looking at the clam 6-pack but the 6 sides/anchor spots kinda scared me and it's not available in thermal.

So I guess to give an answer to the thread question, my priorities are durability, size, storage. Weight isn't much of an issue (i'm still young), and neither is portablility for the most part.

[magicstix]

#1: I'd like to see lighter or easier to pull portables. A 50-60lb 1-man or a 100lb 2 man isn't suitable for pulling hand. If I was 20 y/o it might be a different story.

#2: In a solo a seat is fine but in the 2 man I feel the bench is a better choice.

#3: Use aluminim instead of steel.

#4: I prefer canvas over some of the other materails that make excessive noise in the wind.

Maybe the manufacturs could make a seperate line of lightweight pull type and the other line could have a hitch type or heavier duty. I know it costs money to do that.

Charlie Mason: Great idea or use of those style holders. Hope you don't mind if I use your idea.

I own: Otter cabin 1998, Otter Cabin 2001, Otter Den 2001, Clam Twin hub. The 98 is showing some wear but still in great shape considering its age and useage but I also take care of my equipment.

[T_C]

The scout is by far my favorite shack out there. I had a guide for a while, but noticed I didn't use it that much. I then bought a scout and I bet it is safe to say that I used it twice as much in the first year, than I used the guide in the previous 4 years. Since then, I also got a Yukon, but we use that mostly as a base camp, and to cook out of. I know I will use it much more, once my kids are old enough to go with.

[Chumba]

Well I bought the Eskimo fat fish last year. I liked the price, size and weight, I don't have a truck so it was ideal for my car. What I don't like, it's hard to set up in the wind. Any wind. And there is always wind on the lake, since you know there are no trees or anything else blocking wind on a frozen lake. Even staking down the one side was a hassle. I don't know if others carry a drill to anchor in the stakes, but by hand is not the easiest thing in the world. In the end, once set up I don't want to move the thing. Add in the lack of sled to carry gear and sitting on a bucket, it got old fast. This year I picked up a 2 man frabill off of the list. It's on the smaller size for a 2 man, which is what I was looking for since I will be pulling it by hand. My only issue is that it won't fit in a trunk, even with the seats folded down, it's just too tall. I think a light weight model perhaps made to squeeze into a trunk would be a interesting add to a companies line of shelters.

[JuanArellano]

for all you guy that like the otter the X2 is going to give them a run for there money. the new sled the clam has for this year is unbelievable, and the pole's are sweet to. It is going to turn some heads.

[zac_gerhardt]

for all you guy that like the otter the X2 is going to give them a run for there money. the new sled the clam has for this year is unbelievable, and the pole's are sweet to. It is going to turn some heads.

What is the x2? I have been looking at buying a portable for the last 2 weeks. Yet to see the x2 you are talking about.

[Rod Woten]

What is the x2? I have been looking at buying a portable for the last 2 weeks. Yet to see the x2 you are talking about.

Fish Trap X2

[Guest]

SUBJ1