Catch Cover Sleeves..

[Kylersk]

I was thinking on buying them this year, but have a few questions.

If my house sits 3" off the bottom of my trailer, do I cut them down to 3"? I'd guess I'd need them a bit longer because of snow cover and such. I checked out some of them at GM and they are tappered and the only way they seal up the hole is if they sit flush with the top of the hole. This doesnt seem right to me?

Anyways, those that have the catch covers and sleeves, what are your thoughts?

[Mike L]

I have the covers but have passed on the sleeves. A good banking job eliminates the need.

[ice_it_06]

Kylersk:

I like have had various houses with the covers and no sleeves.

If there was no snow to bank or the frame would not drop level on the ice I used cut down 5-gal pails. But to be honest I rarely had to use them. They would fit inside the cover and around the hole. I would leave the shavings around the hole and drive the sleeve in to the slush.

I was under the impression the actual sleeves were "tapered" to slide inside the holes inside diameter.

Hopefully people with them will chime in.

[fishinalot]

You would need the shorter ones. I love using them for a few reasons....

They not only keep the wind off your hole, they keep them open with no ice forming.

When using rattle reels and the extra line you give a fish before setting the hook never gets caught under the fish house (in between the house and the hole) on rough edged ice.

Snow or no snow I use mine all the time, they help keep a clean and open hole under all conditions.. Wind, no wind, snow to bank or no snow to bank.

No reason to cut them off! You won't trip over them if they stick up off the floor a few inches.. they only collect more heat to keep the holes open and if they freeze in, you have something to boot to pop them loose.

They are a good investment!

[beer batter]

5 gallon buckets for several reasons:

1) The price is right

2) You get a 1" lip/ridge on the top to stop all those little objects trying to sneak down the hole.

3) If you decide you don't want to use them, pull them out and you're not out anything.

I just keep mine stacked up underneath a bunk when not in use. As soon as the holes are drilled, slide those buckets in there and they snug up close down to the ice. You'd be surprised at how many places are happy to give away free buckets.

[nytelyter]

drill your holes with the house slightly raised and then set it down on the ice shaveings. with a few splashes of water, they will seal up and your golden. ... paul

[SomethingFishy*]

I purchased 8 of the shorter ones, I bought mine in white so that it will brighten up the holes a little more. I have not used them yet but I think I will like them from the test fit in the driveway. In most cases I think they will be a little longer than needed but I figure we have a curious little dog that is good with visible boundaries and the added height lip will be nice for those oops moments and hopefully save things from being donated to the lake.

[fishinalot]

I did the 5 gallon buckets for a couple of years.

Hard to find enough in one location that match.

Took me a couple hours to get them, a few hours to clean them up, a few hours to try to cut them strait and with the gas money?

I would have been better off working a few extra hours

overtime and bought the catch cover sleeves back then!