Otter Den vs. fishtrap pro

[blacksheep]

which one would you choose and why?

- thanks b.s.

[Captain B.R.K]

Blacksheep,

I have a Fishtrap Pro that I bought 4 years ago and love it to death. I also own a Otter Cabin as well.

Fishtrap Pro

What I like about the Fishtrap Pro it is that it is light (a little over 50 pounds *doesn't feel that heavy though), it is made with some of the best material on the market (IceArmor), comes with a padded seat, mesh vents/pockets and windows.

They have made a few refinements over the years with a front door that allows you to zip out ( D door) , reflector tape on the front and back of the house, mesh vents, rotating cushioned seat and a removalable accessory tray.

Set up size is: 78” Long X 43” Wide; center height 60”.

*All of the above comes in one cost and you put together.

The Otter Den is actually sold in two parts: the fish house and the sled.

The Sled

Is actually a little larger than a Fishtrap Pro at 54" L x 26" W x 10" H and weights in at 16 pounds. It also can act alone for when you have things to haul around in the yard or use it as a storage bin. Otter also touts it sled as tough as nails- lot more stronger than the Fishtrap Pro tub.

The House

What's nice with the house is you can put it on/take it off whenever you'd like. When you add the house to the sled, your total weight is now 43lbs. Set up size is: 56"L x 69"W x 62"H. The house will be about the same in size as a Fishtrap Pro. You have a choice of green or purple colors in the house and the material is quality too-very durable.

* There is no seat with this house so house, tub and seat will need to be bought seperately and you put together.

Just depends on what you are looking for in a house. Each has it's positive's and negative's. I can't tell you one or the other because I own a house from each company and am happy with both

Just giving you some insight on each one....Good Luck!!

[blacksheep]

the flimsy sled on the pro is the ONLY reason i'm not sure about the purchase. i have seen plenty of trap's with holes in the bottoms. but the handy features of the pro make it really tough to decide.

[Matt Johnson]

The durability of the Otter sled is tough to beat. The Fishtrap Pro is most definitely a nice portable (I used one for a couple seasons), but if I'm looking for a portable fish house that is going to withstand the abuse and tough conditions we face (and year after year), then I'm going with an Otter. That's just one of the reasons I switched to an Otter, but it was a big part of that decision.

Right now I fish out of the Otter Small Cottage when going solo. It's a little larger than the Small Den. It's very roomy and I can use any size ice rod while fishing inside with it flipped over. Whether I'm aggressively jigging for pike or lakers, I still have room without worrying about my rod hitting the canvas. There is also a lot of room in the sled for all my gear.

Chris Hanson (hanson here on FM) uses the Otter Small Den, and I don't want to speak for him, but I think it would be safe to say he likes his Otter For anyone who has seen the modifications he's added to it, then they'll know what I mean. I think it very well could be one of his most priceless possessions He's put that fish house through some pretty hardcore conditions, yet it still performs like new and has held up through all the abuse just fine.

Otter has really prided themselves on making a very durable product. I know a lot of people who have been using Otter's for years, and they are still on their first sled and the canvas is still in incredible condition. These are people who hit the ice 4-5 times per week, sometimes more.

You get what you pay for when you buy an Otter, and you WILL get your money's worth...

[Captain B.R.K]

Blacksheep,

I understand your concern about the tub not being durable vs. the Otter sled. However if you buy the ski's/runners to put on the bottom of the sled, your sled will last a very long time.

I put the ski's/runners on the bottom of my Fishtrap Pro and have not had a problem with the tub getting any holes.

[hanson]

Quote:

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Chris Hanson (hanson here on FM) uses the Otter Small Den, and I don't want to speak for him, but I think it would be safe to say he likes his Otter

---

Do I ever!! My little Otter Den is bulletproof. That is until I set my auger on the folded up canvas of the sled and melted the zipper shut with the hot exhaust pipe on the auger. Doh!

The skin is at Canvas Craft right now getting a new zipper put in.

Alot of the time, I don't even flip the house over. I just pull it around to haul some gear and have a chair to sit on.

Here's a photo of my shack with a few modifications to it.

[Dan Brelje]

WOW!!! That is quite the rig you got there hanson.

However, i would like to give my 2 cents on the fishtraps. I have the guide and i love it, it is perfect for a one man and you can fit two in it if you need too. The reason i like the fishtrap series is because of what you get for the price. You might not get the same amount of ruggedness as the otter but you get a bunch of things you don't with the otter. first, you can get the seats in most of the packages for the fishtraps(padded and they swivel). Secondly they have two mess pouches and accessory holders.

I was in the same predicament as you last year but it was between the small den and the guide, i choose the guide for the above reasons. Now all i need is the runners for the bottom of the sled i will be 100% satisfied with my choice.

If you have the money to spend on the otter do that, but if you want a cheaper house with a little less quality, a fishtrap is a great choice.

[norteastern]

Dan, just put on a set of runners on my guide last week. Had to cut back 6" on them with the kit I bought. It is a good sturdy runner and should keep the bottom of the sled off the ground. Just need some ice to get going here.

[troutman]

I've had an Otter Den for several years and when it was new,I took it to Mille Lacs one weekend and while towing it behind an ATV,the canvas shell slipped down on the sled to the point where it was being dragged across whatever surface we happened to be on at the time.The shell was ruined.When I got home,I contacted Otter and told them what had happened.They sent me a new shell,free of charge.They have since remedied the design flaw(as have I)that caused the problem.The way they stood behind their product was enough to make me a loyal Otter user but,as others have said,it has also been a very enjoyable,useful and durable portable for me.

[Gus]

They are both fine houses and each have high points and low points. I think the biggest question to help influence your decision will be what type of fishing do you plan on doing with it? Will you be pulling it behind an ATV or snowmobile for distances? Or will you be dropping it out of a vehicle and pulling it around by hand? The Otter takes the cake for sled durablity so if you plan to pull it around behind ATV/Sled then I would go with the Otter. If you will be pulling by hand or just fishing out of a vehicle and dropping it on the ice to pull around I would go with the Clam. I think the clam has more "ammenities" and a better value price that includes nice comfy seats, storage pouches, lightweight, vents, extra windows, and as good of customer service as Otter. So to me it kind of breaks down like this. Otter is a no fluff tough fish house, and the clam is a great house with lots of neat extras but lacks a bit of durablity. Hyfax runners can help the clam, but the sled on the Otters are still the best.

I have a clam Fishtrap Pro and am very happy with it.

[Dan Brelje]

norteastern, i see you are from the wyoming area. Im from the chisago area, we should meet up some time this winter for a day out on the ice. Ill be home from school from dec-16 till jan 10.

[missedoneagain]

I have to agree with Dan. I have a guide and have removed one of the seets and moved the other closer to the center. This makes an excellant one man house. Even though it is a little small for a two man, all I have to do is move the chair and attach the other and I can fish with a friend.

Weight is another big plus of this shack. I am not a very big man, and I can still lift the shack, loaded, into the back of my jeep. Also, if I am going to pull it across the lake I don't have a heart attach. (Like my friend with a Frabil)

I know the guide wasn't on your list, but you may want to check it out.

[blacksheep]

thanks for the input guys, after going to cabela's and sitting in both several times, i decided to go with the pro. it just has more of what i need.

- b.s.

[Captain B.R.K]

Glad we were able to help steer you in the right direction Blacksheep. I know you'll be happy with your Fishtrap Pro!

Now all you, I mean WE need is some ice!!!

I feel the change in the wind says I

[Huskiedevle]

I have used and owned a one man Fishtrap for about ten years now.My first one had the original high back sled, which is a heavier sled than the ones used now.I bought a two man 'Trap about 4 years ago, and have used that one quite alot,too. I really don't know where you folks get this stuff about seeing lots of holes in the sleds of the Fishtraps, because mine are not even close to having any holes. Maybe I am not as hard on my houses as some are, or use them quite as much as others do, but my houses are not new ,or barely used.I do have to say that the cloth cover of the Otters is nicer than the 'Traps, and understand that I have 3 'Traps. Having the Otter sled for other uses would be handy because it is detachable from the top.At the time I went with the Fishtraps mainly because of price, and I am satisfied with them. Nothing wrong with an Otter, either. Flip a coin is what I say.