Which portable shelter to buy?

[Guest]

I bought an ATV which means I can now pull a larger ice fishing shelter.

Which type (brand, model, ...) should I buy.

I am leaning towrds those shelter that seat 2 or 3 people and you just pull the top over.

Any sugestions?

[Seabass77]

Go with the otter. Most durable sled. Especially for towing. Nice houses.

[Dave]

Otter Lodge

[Gissert]

Otter is great, I love mine.

The Jigger series by Shoremaster is worth a look also.

[cliffy]

I would suggest either an Otter or Polar. I have fished out of both and found them to be excellent. I happen to have the three-person Polar with a hitch to attach it to my sled or 4-wheeler. My buddy has the same set-up in the Otter and it also works great. The sleds are heavy duty and can handle being pulled across most anything. They are also big enough to transport everthing you will need for a day on the ice.

[Guest]

Thanks guys, I will check out them out.

Do you think they would be suitable for children to fish or play games in?

I would like to get my kids out on the ice this winter, but you know how that goes.

I was thinking I could take them out there and start out fishing and when they get bored they could fire up the gameboy and they would sit in there and play while I fish.

[Dave]

Country Joe, I have two boys and do about the same. Snacks, Game Boy, maybe the small DC TV. They go outside and play, come back in to fish, go back outside, etc., etc..

[Guest]

I agree with everyone else. The Otter is the only way to go. I have the Otter Magnum and absolutely love it. Last year I bought the tow arm and Hyfax runners, so I can pull it behind the ATV. Pulls like a dream. I would suggest if you plan to pull it behind your ATV, to add the Hyfax runners or put your own runners on the bottom of the sled. These aren't needed as much if there is good snow cover on the ground, but you know what the snow conditions have been the last few years. Not that the sled can't handle the beating against the ice, but I think pulling it 30 + mph across hard ice tends to scrape the dump out of anything. Also when you pull it across the concrete (and sooner or later you will) it will save your sled. The Hyfax runners will protect your investment for the long haul. Go with the Otter I promise you won't be disappointed.

[Guest]

Thanks, I was looking on Reed's HSOforum (up in Walker) and they will sell the Otter II resort for $539. Is that a good price, and are the seats included?

Thanks again.

[Guest]

The Otter is a good choice when pulling behind an ATV. The sled is very durable and there are high quality units that hitch onto the back of the ATV. I fish out of a Fish Trap Guide but Otter is the way to go when hauling behind an ATV or snowmobile.

Good Fishin,
Matt

[Bushwacker]

That price at Reed's seems pretty good. The resort is a huge house and would be very roomy for your crew. I have the Magnum II Lodge and I absolutely love it. One of my best purchases ever. I have seen Lodges for around $450 so that price for a Resort is good. I also have a Clam 6800 (6X8 suitcase style) and had a Eskimo 2 man style flip over and the Otter is the best hands down.

[WallEYES]

Country joe
e-mail me at [email protected] I can get you to a site for a lot cheaper price and the shelter canvas is in black...not the purple or green. They also have seats and accessories. I have the otter magnum for 4 years and it's still going strong. Fish in it with my 2 boys.

[From Rick: Dave, why don't you tell him it's Canvas Craft? ]

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 08-13-2003).]

[Rick]

Before we go on a complete Otter love fest, there are a lot of good units out there today.

Does anyone else have another portable they like?

Why do you like it?

[Duffman]

I picked up a Shoremaster Voyegeur Extreme doublewide late last season. The tub isn't as hardy as the otter, but I will add some skids to it. What I really liked about it is it came fully assembeled, with travel cover for $500. Plenty of space on both sides of the tub for holes, heaters, etc...
Plus, you can stand up in it, stretch out dem legs without going out into the elements. I do need to make some seats but they are also available thru Shoremaster. Seems like quality canvas and poles, a good bang for your buck. Good luck with the search.

[iffwalleyes]

I agree with the Otter Lodge I have one and it is great. Lots of room for 2 people you could fit 3 but it would be a little tight in mine. The thing is you can only get about 4 holes in the house other wise they are too close together. But I am sold on the otters they are heavier canvas and a more solid sled which also means it is heavier but they are much more durable. I bought mine used last year for $400 this include the detachable hitch, the sled cover, a swivel seat, the sled and skin. All of this new is over $600 so keep your eyes open it might be able to save you a little coin.

------------------
Grip it and Rip it

IFFWalleyes
I Fish For Walleyes

[IcePro]

There is a new ice house that will be out this year. The name is Nordic Ice Fishing Outfitters. This house is is made by Polar Sports. This house will give any Polar or Otter a run for the money.

It is a two person house / flip over style / plenty of room / large durable sled / heavy weight canvas.

The sled has more usable space and the brackets for the seats also have a auger rack to hold your auger while be pulled.

[Seabass77]

Anywhere I can find more information about this house?

[Guest]

IcePro,
Otter is a tough act to follow... I too am very interested in seeing this house. I have long considered Otter to be #1.
Catch'n
Dave Hoggard

------------------
Fishermen are catch-n on
Catch'n Tackle
For Bass, Walleye, Pike, Lakers, Trout, Panfish
Used by FishingMN Family

[WallEYES]

O.K. DEN RICK
www.canvascraftinc.com
---------------------------------------------I want to die in my sleep, like my grandfather...not screaming and yelling like the passangers in his car!

[Note from Rick: I didn't say to post da link ya scandihoovian ya]

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 08-14-2003).]

[WallEYES]

OK den der Rick. I guess dat was not too goot a deal der den!

[Uncle Grump]

I have a Quik Flip III - by Ardisdam. Got a very good price on it at Fleet Farm (about $290). Also bought the tow arm and cover.
Its a flip-over style, and has a door and window.

Comes with seats (2) included - and they are comforatable. You can seat three in the house, plenty of head room. The seats set on a metal frame, and I've found I can bungy cord my auger to the frame for transporting it, so it doesn't bounce around in the sled.

Down side (and there always is one) is that its heavy (as are the Otters) - its a chore to pull by ones lonesome, and it has a high profile (bad on the windy days). The sled could be a little more robust (spelled thicker), but it will do. I am going to put on some hyfax runners this fall.

I looked at an Otter - and was almost ready to bite the bullet and buy one, but I can't complain about the coin$ I saved on the QF3.

UG

[brian6715]

If you are gonna have something with you and dont mine setting up, the shappells are great. They are very roomy and very warm because instead of your feet on the ice they have plastic with carpet, plus they have fold up style skiis that work out slick. They pull easy and you dont need an atv at all.
What is the best one man flip over style??
I am looking to buy one of these pretty soon, any suggestions besides the otters?
Brian

[Guest]

I think that you should buy a shelter that will fit your needs. If you fish alone alot, don't go out and buy a big ol' tent made for three people. Sure, the extra room is nice but remember-on a cold day, you have to keep all of that space heated to stay comfortable.
Another thing-if you fish alone alot, you have to be able to handle the thing by yourself too. There's alot of different manufacturers out there now. They all have their good qualities and they all have drawbacks as well. Don't just go and buy a certain brand because everyone says it's a good one or even a great one. Go shopping and buy one that you like. That's what I did and found the perfect one for me. It's a Shoremaster Jigger. It's a two person unit that's easily handled by one person alone. You get the tub and the tent and maybe on some, a seat or a seat option. (I made my own) After that, you're on your own. Get the right heater for it, put in some 12v lighting, add some rod storage and whatever else you think you need out there. Keep it all on the lighter side so you don't give yourself a hernia moving it around and loading it. As I see it, the best portable shelter is all that YOU need it to be for you. My first portable was a used Fish Trap-one of the older ones made of green canvas and it had a bulletproof tub. Dave Genz was (and is) a genius. That was a great little shelter but I just plain outgrew it. Look at all of the different flip top shantys out there now! I'm quite sure there will even be MORE to choose from this fall. So go shopping a little-you'll see the differences and be visualizing the mods you could make to it to suit all of your needs.......T

[mjhowe]

I have the Fish Trap scout and I really like it for what it is designed for. As my solo run and gun rig, I would prefer the Pro, which has the door in the front. It would be nice to be able to bank the house with snow on a windy day and just use the door to get in and out. Of course the whole idea of a run and gun is to be mobile. But if you are sitting on a hot spot, and you dont want to move then the door would be nice.

Also, on my trap, you cannot leave the canvas halfway up like on many other models. I solved this by installing clevis pins that will keep the frame in a upright position. The problem then is head clearance with it open. I am 5'8" and with the frame open I hit my head so fit is important.

Of course I solved all this with the purchase of my Frabil XLtwin!!
Definately shop around, there are huge differences in some and only subtle differences in others but you can find one that will meet all your needs without compromise. Ain't choices great!!

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Mike
Kalispell, MT
<<><<
"LOOK ALIVE, MAGGOT!"
(Not you Pal, I was talking to my bait)

[Rick]

Another thing to consider is what percentage of your ice fishing season are you going to be pulling your shelter by hand. Not everyone lives in Northern Minnesota.

If you will be pulling your shelter by hand, then you want to go as light as possible. A small Otter like the Den or a Fish Trap might work if you fish alone. If you fish with a friend give the Glacier III a good hard look. Very durable and VERY light.

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