I saw the light!

[frozen toes]

Today I took the plunge and bought an Otter Lodge. Wow, now I truly see what all the hype was about. I brought it home around 10:30, assembled it, and was fishing by 12:30. I still cannot get over all the room inside!! I can set all my gear in there and still have a square dance party. I was going to go buy the Eskimo, but the store was sold out. I told the guy half heartedly that now I am going to have to buy an Otter. Went to the next store and there she sat, front row of the ice fishing section. After going back and forth between the Otter and the two man Trap, I kept going back to the green machine. I asked the guy to get me a total before I went up front, so I could make sure I had enough. Indeed I did, and even had enough for a burger and a drink,LOL. Now all I need is a seat system. I think I am going to go with the bench seat. Good thing X-mas was pretty good to me. All I know is it was definitely money well spent, they are strong built units.

[ChuckN]

Amen!!! They are sweet!! I'm thinking I am in need of that bench seat also....

[Gissert]

ChuckN (CD)

Before you buy that bench seat, you need to check out the Butt Bridges!

[hawkeye43]

it does not cost any more to have the best, it just takes a little longer to pay for it!!!! look back in the forums for the butt bridges, they are sweet.

[Tracker 87]

Just got my Otter Lodge also - love it. Does anyone have any experience with seats? I was also considering either the bench seat or trying to construct the Butt Bridge. Any thoughts??

[Dennis Steele]

Yup them Otters is tough.
I am sure my Otter will ast a good long time and I am tough on equipment.
I went lake hoping today and had to run through some tough terain to get from lake to lake.I was really impressed how well that thick sled took the abuse.I got here hung up on a big log sticking out of the ice that actually stopped my sno machine.I looked back expecting to see the hitch half pulled away from the sled but no damage whatsoever.
I have the bench seat and like it.Its kind of like having the couch along when fishing.THeres two places you can find me, riding the couch and fishing.Now I really feel right at home out on the ice!
You can access everything under the bench seat by either reaching behind it or under it.I leave the minnow bucket right up front under the seat so I can bait up easily.
I was originally going to make a auger mount on the bars that hold the bench but have found that when you place the auger undr the bench and twoards the back then put the travel cover over the whole works it traps that auger down and it can't move one way or the other.Even when getting bouncing through rough terrain and getting hung up on logs!

[jeff127]

I was sick of using folding chairs and bought the bench seat this year($120) and love it----it's comfortable and flips out of the way when you load and unload. The butt-bridge looks like a good option if you want to save some cash.

jeff

so many lakes..........so little time

[ChuckN]

I agree Gissert, that would be another option. I'll have to try out both and see from there!! I'll try your butt bridge next weekend??

[This message has been edited by ChuckN (edited 12-27-2003).]