Ice Anchor,for securing portables

[Jig stick]

Anybody know what the best anchor is out there? Discribe how it works.

[hawgTime]

SB

I have a suitcase-style shelter and didn't drill holes in my shelter. I tied a small loop in my tow-rope (close to the sled) and just screw one of the anchors upwind of my shelter and use a beener to secure the anchor to the loop. If I need additional anchoring, I'll put the other anchor on the opposite side and secure it to the suitcase handle with another beener. With the Clam-style anchors, you don't need to drill pilot holes. they go in very easy.

hawgTime

[Seabass77]

Good tip Hawgtime, thanks.

[hawgTime]

I purchased the Clam Ice anchors last year and they work great. They look like big screw with a hand-hold on the top. You just screw them into the ice--very easy, very fast.

thinkCold

[Seabass77]

Hawgtime,
I just purchased these screw but I am skeptical about drilling holes in the floor of my sled as they instruct.

Is this was you did?

[Duffman]

I screw mine in the ice on the down wind side of my fish trap, then I align the two eyebolts on the front of the trap through the openings of the ice screws, then string a bungee between the two eyebolts. The front side of the trap is flush with the ice screws, and I only put them in the ice 2/3rds of the way to be the same height as those eyebolts. I also bring out a cordless drill for pilot holes, makes putting them in the ice much easier.

[Jig stick]

Just bought the Frabill Ice Anchor, has anybody used one before? Something new I guess.Can't hurt to try(JUST NEED SOME DAMMED ICE!) :^)

[Duffman]

Depends on the condition of the ice when it comes to me drilling pilot holes. I had a heck of a time putting the screws in some ice that had gone through the thaw/freeze cycle. The screws would just lift the first couple of milimeters of ice instead of augering down. No fun spending fifteen to twenty minutes in -20 below windchills cussing and trying to get those anchors to take hold.

[HOGEYE]

Iwas thinking about tryiny some screw in treesteps that I use with portable stands and just turning the arm across some of the poles. Anyone tried this?

[danny berg]

I just went to the local hardware store and bought a couple of ring bolts and since my portable is 5 years old and I payed less than 120 for it, I figured a couple of small holes in the floor wouldn't hurt. I carry a cordless drill, a drill bit and I bought one of those "one size fits all sockets" (I think they are called Gator), Works great.

[This message has been edited by danny berg (edited 11-12-2002).]

[Jig stick]

Terry,Thats the one I just bought.thanks for the info. Jig Stick

[bigeyes]

if you have a big house you know these are a necessity. Long lag bolts are what I use. Much cheaper than the anchors. works pretty good I keep a 1/2" driver bit and my dewalt in my ecab year round anyway. Just don't walk out on thin ice on upper red 3 miles out with glaze ice with a 20 mile an hour wind and realize the drill is in the truck oh sh#@. In these cases drilling a partial hole with the auger, leaving it in the whole and putting your tow rope around it will work, but you will look like a clown,I have heard.

[hunt4food]

I used to drill an extra hole with my auger and then attach a length of rope to a 2 foot lenght of 2x2 lumber. I would tie the rope in the middle and then shove it all the way down the hole with my dipper. The wood would float up under the ice and not be able to come back up. this obviusly held great. When done fishing I would just jimmy the 2x2 back out with the dipper pretty easily.

[Guest]

hunt4food, This exact method was mentioned last year so I gave it a try and WOW it works awesome. I currently use a Instent 7 by 7 with the poles outside so I just drill an extra hole directly under were the poles connect and it doesn't budge. What I did to dig it out of the hole when you are done is nailed an extra piece of rope on one end, and just give it a little tug and watch outit flies right out of the hole!!!!!!

Bring on the ice!!! Good luck to all!!

[the big dipper]

Here's about as low tech as it gets! a popple stick deadman.

1: Cut yourself a length of popple (1 1/2" - 2") sapling. (2'- 3' in length )

2: Buy a hank of 1/4" manila/hemp rope or sisal baler twine (cheap stuff)

3: Drill a hole for anchoring the deadman with your auger . (just when you hit water back out and fill the hole back in with slush)

4: Stick the popple stick in with 12" or so sticking out. Tie on a length of the cheap manila cordage or twine. Let it freeze in: Tie it off to your house:

When you're done fishing untie from the house and adios: If you've got a good spot all to yourself you can use it next time you're out. The hemp cord will biodegrade (all natural) so just let it rot. The popple stick is plenty strong to tie your fish house to, but if someone hits it with a s-mobile or vehicle it will snap right off. (give it a kick if you want to break it off before you leave.)

[Terry Hagstrom]

Frabill makes a great anchor. You only need to auger a shallow hole in next to your portable and it wedges in really good. Simple and easy to use. It's adjustable in length for various size holes. The rope is nylon so it wont rot of freeze in easy.

Terry
Terry's Guide Service
www.fishingmn.com/terry
Frabill Pro-staff and Product Development member