Fishtrap vs. Otter

[PerchPounder]

Im looking to spend some of my newly found extra money from my tax return on a new one man fishhouse. I am strongly considering either a Fishtrap Pro or an Otter small den. the setup sizes are similar and the otter weighs ten pounds less but once you put a seat in there im assuming the weight will also be a wash. I know that the otter slesd is more heavy duty as I already have one. The main differences I have found are the canvas and the price. I'm not sure of current price of the trap I believe they're around mid 200 range? but otters HSOforum says the small den is 291.95. So I guess what im looking for is a comparison from people who have used one or the other or both?

[fisherking01]

For running when pan-fishing the trap is the one for me. Reason: the otter when extended and folded open to move will be off balance (if not a lot of gear in it) and tends to tip and drag on the tarp.

My observation, fished with both. Brent

[harvey lee]

I have owned both brands but the smallest I have owned is the Cottage. I am very happy with both Otters and doubt I would ever leave such a quality built house. Top to bottom the construction is the best I have seen or used.

I cannot talk of the Den as far as how they tow but I can say that the quality is there.

[efgh]

I own both, fishtrap pro and the otter small den, the better of the two, I think is the otter. I have no trouble with the otter tipping over when I move to a different spot. There is more room in the otter, the square poles don;t stick when you extend them like the fishtrap and the canvas is a little heaver and traps heat better.

[The_Duckslayer]

Hey Perch... I think that is a lot like asking which is a better stereo speaker, JBL or Bose? I happen to like the Bose myself but there are those that swear Bose are NFG. They both must be good though or one would be out of buisiness. In the end you need to get the one that you think you are going to like the best. Just my .02 Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[Dragonsm]

You can't go wrong with either one. Both are nice houses. You did mention that you already own an otter...(not sure if you own a house or just a sled) If you own a larger otter house and you already have the seats, that is one less thing to buy for the otter (not sure of price breakdown between the two)

Good luck with your decision!

[Captain B.R.K]

PerchPounder - I have owned both the Fishtrap Scout and Pro and both are great options IMO. They are the same house, just built differently on the tub. The Scout is nice because you don't ever have to snap in the rods, just flip the house over/back...makes it easy to run and gun. Fishing two lines is tight, but you can fish them. The Pro gives you a little more room (width wise).

Compare those to the Otter Den, I can't. I can tell you I own a Otter Cabin (two man) and am very happy with that sled as well. The tub is made with a strong material and the canvas is durable. Both strong selling points that you can find on the Otter Den too.

[PerchPounder]

thanks for the responses so far. I don't own the otter house just the sled for the den. I am wondering if the square tubes are all that theyre cracked up to be? and if the otter still has the plastic zipper? I did find a pro on hsolist that has a few days left but its only at $93 right now seems like a good deal so far. I am not impressed wit the seating that I have seen for both houses but the otter would be far easier to modify to my liking.

[caseymcq]

I have the Otter Small Den and I love it. I have the small cheap Otter seat and that leaves a little to be desired but other than that I like the overall quality of the Otter, the light weight, deep sled, tough canvas.

If I could have one thing in it from a different manufacturer it would be the seats from Frabil. Those are the most comfortable seats I have sat on in any portable.

[harvey lee]

I dont know if you could bend the square poles on the Otter will normal plus use. As far as the zipper goes, I couldnt say what it is made out of but can say it has worked very well for me to date.

The square poles are going to be much stronger but if you did bend one you may not be able to straighten it out. If that were to happen they do sell them pretty cheap.

My Fishtrap that I owned I always pulled around the lake with my 4 wheeler all set up and I have bent thier poles pretty bad and needed to replace them. The Otter poles have not bent to this day so far.

[hanson]

I guess my thoughts are simply this...

If you only plan to pull the house by hand, get the Trap.

If you are going to pull the house with a wheeler or sled at all (even once a year), get the Otter.

Otters really excel at towing and hauling gear. And even with a Den, you can cram a lot of gear into it. The poles are not going to give you any trouble, the canvas is heavy and durable, the zippers are quality, and you can drop a bomb on the tub and nothing will happen to it.

I've had the same Otter Den for about 4 years now. I love it! There are also photos floating around of the modifications I did to it as well.

[Dan Brelje]

I agree very much with what Hanson has said. I ended up getting the fishtrap guide because i knew i would be pulling it by hand most of the time.

[so haaad]

JBL. Definitely JBL.