Best Pop-up Shelter

[Loos15]

Hello everyone, i need some suggestions on which type of shelter to get for ice. I finally narrowed it down to pop ups due to their ability to fit in my car. But all those brands...Clam, Eskimo, Shappell, Eastman... I'm at a new stage of confusion. If anyone have one of these Pop-Ups, please help me with a review of what you have

Thank You.

[RylFlsh85]

It all comes down to how much you are willing to spend (this is a big one), what type of accessories you have to bring, and how many people you go with. once you got those it all comes down to what looks good to you, they all are about the same, just different colors and some different fabrics.

I have been really lookin at the new clams, the insulated cover sounds like a nice feature to me. GOOD LUCK!

[NavyFishin]

I have the Shappell 2000. Quick and easy and easy on the budget. If I was to do it again I would definitely go with at least the 3000 (IMO). I was on a thin budget though. The 2000 fits like a glove in the back of my Saturn Ion and is easy to pull (light). But the added space of the 3000 (even if it is inches!) would be well worth the extra bucks. Like I said, I didnt have a lot of $ to play with and there was a sale at a fleet store so my options were limited Good luck.

[Loos15]

I'm looking for a shelter that would fit 2 people comfortably. Gear is pretty basic, rods, flasher, heater, auger. The price for these shelters are pretty much around the same range...just wndering are there issues of some that I should be aware of

[bgreen82]

the shelter i just got for xmas is an eskimo quickfish 3. havent had it on the ice yet, but set it up in the basement. seems awesome. it is made for 3 but with 2 guys there will be so much space and it's 80" high so its standable, at least for me. seems durable but then i havent had it out yet, and it only weighs like 25 lbs. inside bag. first time setup was 2 1/2 minutes without instructions. with one look at instructions, second time setting up by myself was around 1 1/2 minutes from bag to done. hope this helps. btw, never been in a different popup style, so no comparison.

[kwohl]

My parents gave me Clam's "The Hub" for Christmas.

The biggest differences are going to be the type of canvas, the windows, the door and some size difference.

I wish "The Hub" had windows that would open completely but it's not a big deal. I don't really like that the door uses two zippers that meet in the middle.

I haven't fished in it yet but it should be okay for fishing 2 people out of. The height is listed at 65" but I was almost able to stand up in the center. I'm 5'10". You could go with the "3" person models and have more room with the option to fit a third and gain more head room.

The other houses should be comparable and I don't think you'd be disappointed in any of them. Try to get to a store where they have some set up and see what you like.

[shizzy]

Try to get to a store where they have some set up and see what you like.

thats some great advice right there. I had been researching houses for weeks online and figured out what kind I wanted. I started store hopping and once I started sitting in a few different houses I ended up buying a completley different one.

I got the Eskimo QF3 and am very happy with it. weight and price was my main deciding factor. Im a small guy and dont have lots to spend so a heavy expensive unit wasnt for me. The Eskimo at 23lbs and on sale for $170 was great.

[jesse larson]

one other thing to consider is how many people will really be going with you a bunch of family told me tjhey would love to go if I had a shack so I got a 5600, early ice with my clam 5600 kinda bites loaded with all my gear I am probally pulling a little over 100# and I am only 5'5 and 130# so kinda hard. and I am almost always by myself if I would of know I would of gotten a smaller portable.

Jesse

hope this makes sense

[HondaRider07]

My wife and I use the Fish Trap X2. Great house! Kind of hard to load in the back of the truck alone(especially with all my fishing stuff in it). But with 2 people or if I'm trailering it with the wheeler it's not bad. Extra thick poles and supports, so you won't break them. Also have plenty of room in the sled to carry all my gear(auger, 30lb tank, heater, rods, etc...with a cover) Kind of pricey though.....$600.

[supercool6]

Good advice about checking them out in a store first...THEN go to [YouNeedAuthorization].com or the classifieds and see what for sale. Sometime there are some killer used deals. A lot of people buy a nice portable and then rarely use it and you can get a great deal. I bought a Eskimo Traveler for 35 bucks that maybe was used once. Not my first choice but at that price, its a winner.

[Jaypo]

My brothers each have a QF3 and after sitting in those last winter, I sold the Clam 5600 and we just got the QF6. I liked having the solid floor in the 5600, but the size, weight, and convenience of these pop-ups make it so easy that you cannot go wrong. The QF6 went up in one minute in the garage on the maiden voyage. Beer and football was involved.

[jigginjim]

Hi RUI, If a floor is not a big deal, I would go with clam hub. You could care it over your shoulder. Pull your equipment on a plastic tobogen for fish city lakes. Give me call 6142-644-7657 can help you on metro lakes.

[ChknChkn]

Wife bought me the Clam Basecamp for Christmas......figured out how to set it up without the instructions. Had to try it without the instructions the first time (being the "manly man" that I am)! Went up much easier the second time...less than 2 minutes easy.

No floor in it, but I've got the foam rubber floor tiles, so it works perfectly.

Fits the wife and I, plus our 2 kids (4 & 8), little crowded, but not too bad.

[jigginjim]

I was thinking of getting the command post for my guide service, as well as a deer hunting tent.

[Loos15]

Thanks everyone for the great advice I think i'll go store hopping Monday...now i need to decide..house first or power auger lol

decisions...decisions

[Sandmannd]

My buddy got the clam base camp, that is really nice and has lots of room.

[HuskerBen]

I got a Base Camp yesterday... It's pretty awesome. I can't wait to get it onto the ice. I was looking for a portable that I didn't need a pickup for, could set up by myself, yet have plenty of room for those rare occasions that someone wants to fish with me. I saw the Base Camp. I like the setup size vs the pack size. It weighs, like, 21 pounds. I liked the price, so I swooped on it.

[HUMMER 55]

fishtrap!! there the way to go. selectable sizes, light weight and very durable material. i have two of them. one i use for spearing and one for angling. also the new base camp pop-up tent styles are awesome. ill have one for next year !!

[willowcat]

I currently have an old HECO witch is nice when you cant use a sled type shelter. Although I am looking at buying a Frabill Preditor, they seem to be well built and comfortable.

[wheres the fish?]

I am a Clam man and thats what I swear by. I had a Clam Trap Guide but never liked that because of the open floor. Then a couple years back I picked up a used Clam 5600 which in my opinion is perfect for 2 people with gear. This year I broke down and got a new 6800 so I can bring my kids out with me. But when I go out by myself or with 1 other person I will still use my lil 5600 in a heartbeat! If you are on a tight budget and at max only fish 2 people I would go 5600!

5600 specs

Set Up Size 72" x 60"

Pack Size 32" x 60" x 9"

Center Height 78"

Weight 75 lbs.

6800 specs

Floor Size 6' X 8'

Precut Holes 6

Center Height 6' 6"

Pack Size 72" x 39" x 10"

Weight 100 lbs.

you can look arund the site at www.clamcorp.com

[MurkyWaters]

One criticism of the pop-up style portables w/o floors such as the Clam Base Camp is that they don't handle well in heavy wind. I'm kind of a fair weather ice fisherman, so I don't expect to be out in 30 mph winds anyways....How does the Clam Base Camp hold up in moderate winds like 10-20 mph? Any advice or experiences would be great.

[DoubleLunger]

Quik-flip 2 or 3.

[jigginjim]

You can get anchor hooks for the corners. That should help stop it from tumbling accross the lake.

[Esox_Magnum]

I love my Eskimo Quick Flip III. I love being able to stand and streach and love the room. It's great for the wife and I yet plenty of room for when the daughter visits.

[Sandmannd]

One criticism of the pop-up style portables w/o floors such as the Clam Base Camp is that they don't handle well in heavy wind. I'm kind of a fair weather ice fisherman, so I don't expect to be out in 30 mph winds anyways....How does the Clam Base Camp hold up in moderate winds like 10-20 mph? Any advice or experiences would be great.

Anchor it down on the four points where it pops out and you will be fine in the wind.