Fish Trap Pro or Otter Small Den?

[fishinalot]

Hello, I'm looking to get my son a nice one man portable for Christmas. I've narrowed it down to Otters Small Den @ 43 lbs or The Fish Trap Pro @ 53 lbs. I do have a Otter Cabin and love it, but its a little bigger then what he needs. If anyone has these units I would appreciate and info. Thanks

[schweady]

Everything you love about your Cabin, he will love about his Den.

[Gus]

Keep in mind that the otters weight is figured without a seat in it. As you know they sell them seperatley. The fish trap comes with the seat already. So I think the weight is going to be about the same. That being said, I have a fishtrap pro and really like it. But if I were you since you already have an otter I would probably stick with otter for your son. No complaints about the pro though.

[hanson]

I have an Otter Den and I love that house! My vote would be Otter!

I would highly recommend adding the Otter rod holders and getting a small Otter seat as well. Put one rod holder on each side and you are set to go! My den has been all over the state and even ended up on the highway near Red Lake (ooops!) and is still in one piece after 5 years of use.

[huntingislife]

Ditto on the Den!

[efgh]

Hands down, Otter Den.I have 2 Fish traps, Scout, Pro And Otter Small Cottage. Otters are just better made, in my opinion. If I were you I would look at the Small cottage because in my years of fishing no kid likes to fish alone and there is room for two in the cottage.

[Hotspotter]

Let me offer a slightly different opinion.....i'd go with the Otter Cottage. It's a roomier one-man that costs just a few bucks extra, and weighs in at only 7lbs heavier. You get much more room with very little extra cost, $$$ or lbs.

Joel

[Ray Esboldt]

I too have a Den. It's a perfect one man shack. Plus, the thing is tougher than nails - high quality canvas, strong-easy sliding poles, and a very durable tub. And, the thing tracks well behind a wheeler at a fairly high speed and that's without a towbar.

[JohnMickish]

If you have to purchase the seat seperatly dosen't that make the otter about $100 more than a clam? I think the otters are the best out there but there is nothing wrong with a clam either so if money is an issue get a clam. I picked up a new holdover clam pro for $200 about a month ago.

[ozzie]

i have not seen a den so i can't comment on it, but i do have a 2 year old pro and i love it. i have stated this before but i can have 2 10 inch holes vex and buddy heater all on the ice and have room for my feet. the canvas is really strong (burnt a small hole in it on one of the first uses and it hasn't grown) e-z set up and comfy chair. for a one man i love my pro....... and it fits in the trunk of my car.......i have to tie the trunk when the house is in but it fits....

[caseymcq]

I have th Otter Small Den and I love it! I use it walking out and it is perfect. It is light weight yet big enough for gear and roomy once it is set up.

[Team Otter]

Definitely the Small Den.

[fishinalot]

Thanks for the info guys!! I did go look at both of them tonight at cabelas. both are nice, but it did seem the Den had a bit more room and the quality was very good. With the seat the Den is around $150 more because the Pro Guide is on sale right now for $200 at Cabelas! But I think I'm going to go with the Den.

My Otter Cabin is one of the last ones made with the round pipe and seems to slide together much easier then the square tubing that is on the newer models of Otters. Is there any trick or lube to use so its not so hard to slide the assemblies together? Thanks again in advance!

[walleye_dog]

Just make sure to file away all burrs on the square tubes when assembling, then I used a dry teflon spray lubricant on mine. After 3 years my tubes still hit me on the head when collapsing my shack.

[hanson]

I agree with walleye_dog on getting your poles to slide better.

I rubbed mine down with steel wool and then rubbed the poles down with silicone spray. The result is easy sliding poles.

The square tubing is much better than the round. It is just a lot stiffer when set up. In fact, I've never used the intermediate support poles in my Otter Lodge with the square tubing.

[fishinalot]

Thanks guys!!!!!

[Corey Bechtold]

Both are quality houses in my opinion. However, I would buy the Fish Trap Pro if you plan on run and gunning. They are also lighter even if they aren't as durable. I currently have a Fish Trap Guide and will be getting the Pro soon!

You can't go wrong either way.

Good luck,

Corey Bechtold

[PerchJerker]

I agree with Corey. I have an Otter Lodge and love it, but I also have a Fish Trap Pro and that's the one I prefer to use. Super lightweight and easy to handle, great for running and gunning, warms up fast, etc. A guy I fish with a lot has an Otter Den and it's a nice house, nothing wrong with it at all, but for the 1-man I prefer the Fish Trap

Just sit in them both and decide which you like better, there's really no way to go wrong with either Otter or Fish Trap.

[JRFISHBAIT]

Reel Fishing and Tackle in Madison Lake stocks both models. Give us a call.507.243.3388. We will assemble all houses free of charge. Boxed or assembled, same price, your choice.

Joe and Matt

[magicstix]

I think there both great. I have Cabin[9 yrs] and bought a Den 3 yrs ago for solo and w/ small kid, Den is a liitle wider than Fish Trap Pro. Last year the Cabin got used only once, I like how light the Den is for walking and the round poles have worked great for me. Otherwise a may have bought a Fish Trap. The seat setup from Otter is too much $$ and to bulky for me, I lkke the old Trap seats.

[Vallejo]

Quote:

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Reel Fishing and Tackle in Madison Lake stocks both models. Give us a call.507.243.3388. We will assemble all houses free of charge. Boxed or assembled, same price, your choice.

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Do you match any advertised price? I am interested in Fish Trap Scout for $199.95.

[fishinalot]

I did buy the Den and I think it will work out great. I just hate installing the Hyfax guards!!!

[flyfish]

Use a hairdryer to help bend the runners when you install the tracks. Will help to make a tough job easier