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Lodge -vs- Village


luv2fish

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This is my first year really getting into ice fishing. I have asked many questions, and got great answers from everyone on this site. When I asked about portables, I got great answers then too. Well I settled on an Otter Lodge. I got an INCREDIBLE deal on this brand new Lodge. But a funny thing has happend since I started fishing. My family is out there with me!!!! It is awesome. Picture this on Sunday. The morning starts out with my wife getting me an Aqua Vu Scout for my birthday. Fast forward 6 hours. We are on the lake fishing.... But my Brother-in-law, my wife, my 4 year old son, and my 5 year old nephew were in my lodge fishing and watching the camera. I was outside on a bucket with my Marcum fishing alone. (I guess I am too good of a host!)

I am talking right now about trading my new Lodge for a used Village. Besides the obvious weight difference, anything else that I should worry about from the village? Keep in mind I pull everything out by hand, but usually have a family member or 2 to help pull.

Thanks in Advance!

Luv2Fish

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I guess the first thing I would ask is how often do you think that many people will be with? If its not that many, keep what you have and deal with the bucket sitting every once in a while. If you think the kids and wife will be regulars, go fo it and make it as fun as possible for them all. I can not comment on the Village, but love my Lodge. My guess is that you may need two lanterns or two of some type of lights and additional seats, rods, snacks, ......ect. Perhaps you could keep both so you can go light weight when the gang isn't with.

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Some of my post is similar to nitroant because we were typing at the same time.

It is great that they are all out there with you fishing but when the novelty wears off after a while will they still be there? Are they out there every time with you? Do you fish by yourself? I personally have a lodge as well and they are super houses. I am on my second lodge I sold my first to a buddy. Getting into the village would be a huge step. I also think for the times when you might be by yourself or with only 2 people the village would be too cumbersome. I also have a small Frabill that is a one man that I fish out of when I am by myself because the lodge is darn tough for me to load in my pickup (2500HD) when I am by myself. Not that it is heavy it is just awkward to handle. I would just think the village would be worst. So really the decision is up to you but I myself wouldn't switch. If you have to money I personally would look for a second portable to have in addition to your lodge that you have know. Might be worth looking for a used 2 man house to have for the times that you have a larger group.

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Well, I have the resort (fits the largest sled) and I am not sure if it is larger than the village or not but here are my comments. It is a superior house to any other make on the market in my opinion. The square tubing and housing fabric are very durable. I can fish 3 comfortable. I think I could fish 4 if someone sits on a pail and we all use one hole. Here are the drawbacks: It is very heavy and difficult to load by yourself. It is also difficult to pull in the snow and will require two people to pull it if you are walking out (when it is loaded up with everything). If it is just ice or hard pack, I can pull it myself. The poles are very tall when setting up because it is such a large house. I am tall so it is not a problem for me but a shorter person may find it difficult to set up. Also, it will not fit in the truck without the end gate down. However, with all of that said, I highly recommend this house, particularly if you plan to pull it behind something like a sled or ATV. Good luck!

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I just purchased the village for the same reasons you stated....more people fishing than expected...It is huge, awkward and kind of a pain to set up. I could never imagine pulling it by hand. Once it is set up it is great, tons of room. I built a wood insert and have three swivel seats on it and tons of storage underneath. You could comfortably have three adults and three kids in it. I bought it as kind of my "permanent" house. I also have a frabill xlt that is much easier to set and drag around. I would say if you need it to be real portable, don't buy it. It is a great house but not exactly portable.

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I think your family (company) will fade as the novelty of the camera, shelter wear off. It's hard enough to load the lodge, with some gear in the truck by yourself, I can't image the village, you would have to get everything out of it to load it. I don't use my lodge as much anymore, I bought a fish trap pro for solo fishing, it's easier to move aroung by myself.

Ron Lamar

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This is what I have done and would recommend to you as well. Buy another smaller fishouse for the situation of you going by yourself and just use it along with the lodge when you have a group. Pick up a one man or smaller two man house and you'll be set for nearly all situation you come across. Right now I have the Lodge and a Fishtrap Pro that my wife won at a fishing contest last year. When I fish by myself I use the FT Pro. When I fish with someone else I use the Lodge. If there are three or more of use I use them both. They will both fit in the back of a pick if you're creative and strap them down.

Good Luck and have fun!

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