LOTW Bombardier's and Float Vans

[Matches]

How compfortable does everyone feel riding in these things? I've been up there a few times and I hate getting into a Bomardier. I look at the little hole in the roof, and think man, if this thing goes down, how are we all going to get out?? You here about that every so often, though I understand it would be extremely rare.

[Kaz]

Matches: I don't like them at all!!! I take the roads, at least I can control my own destiny. Check out where you are planning to fish and call ahead, or ask the resort you are staying at if a road accesses the lake at their resort. Adrians resort at Wheelers plows there, and I know Zipple, and Arneson's at rocky do too. Best you drive out your self if you are concerned. Good luck Fishing....Kaz

[THUMPER]

I've been out in them and feel the same way. Everyone in the vehicle is stairing at the hatch. The only ones who were not worried were the guys lit up on beer and wine.

[Paul]

Fill me in what are you talking about?

[curt quesnell]

they are talking about the track vehicles used by the resorts
to haul people to and from their fishhouses...they use their
own trails (not the roads) to get where they are going..

they are rough riding and noisy...much like a small airplanes.
some look like long vw beetles and are bright yellow and some
are full sized vans on caterpiller tracks..

there are not many quick ways out of the beetle looking units.
if one should break thru the ice it would be bleak, they sink
real quick..


curty

curt quesnell

[mmillelacs]

as of this year, i believe 90 percent of the resorts in the baudette and long point area have flotation devices installed. I believe most of these incorporate CO2 fired canisters and flotaion devices around the base of the bombadiers. If I recall correctly, Sportsmens Lodge gave a demonstration on one of these a couple of years ago, and intentionally drove onto the ice where they knew they would break through and the system worked perfectly, allowing the bombadier to sink only to the bottom of the doors of the rig, allowing for and easy exit

[Kaz]

Youall: There is another advantage to driving yourself out to the fishing grounds, you are not STUCK out there until they decide to come and get you. Yes, they are now safer than a couple of years ago when some unfortunate souls lost their lives when one of the older ones went thru the ice. But I still don't like them. I like to be able to come and go when I want to. Unless you want to fish in one place from morning to night, it's better to be mobile. Shallow in the 7AM to 10AM, and 3PM to 6PM for walleyes, and deeper inbetween for saugar. Some resorts check on you and bring bait, or move you, not all though. So if you need to go in for something else, you are not stuck until they get you. Good luck BEING MOBILE....Kaz

[Backwater Eddy]

Don't take me wrong Kaz I like mobility too but on a lake like LOTW if you do not know the lake and that particular seasons ice faults very well are you not taking a bigger risk wondering around with your own rig?

The regional outfitters have a greater amount of experience then most ice anglers so they should know what is more likely or not to be dangerous areas in comparison to a non-local group headed out in a Suburban with a trailer full of sleds searching for last summers GPS waypoints.

How many SUV's have CO2 floatation systems installed, air bags do not count.

[curt quesnell]

my other post might have sounded like i was rippin the bombers.
yes they are loud and rough riding but they do the job. the
resorters are very mindful of safety. the bombers are the
charter boats of winter, the best way to haul groups around the
lake.

yes every once in while (a great while) one will drop thru the ice.

overall, you are very safe in a track vehicle, you are with a guide
who knowsw the lake and the trail and is aware of day to day conditions.


curt quesnell

[Kaz]

Eddie: I agree that the operators for the most part are much more knowledgeable about the ice conditions and certainly wouldn't suggest to fill a suburban full gear and guys and take off across the ice. But I have also seen a bombardier take off after dropping you off, not to be seen until 5:00 PM. I just feel if you have your own rig, and I fly IFR (I Follow Roads), you can be more free to move around if the fish are not hitting at the depth you are at. I think most of the good bays on the south half of LOTW have roads plowed 7 to 10 miles out. You can jump off a half a block or so off the road and find a spot to fish. Can't wait for the ICE. Going to try on the Dec 15, hope we can get out. LOTW is the best chance I think. Come on COLD....Kaz

[The Great Guide]

I've taken lots of trips in the ice buggies. I've thought about them breaking through the ice, but then again I always think about the plane crashing whenever I fly. I think the resorts take great care when it comes to safety. They follow the road and I've never seen them bushwack new ice with passengers. I think that more concern should be given to safety on the drive to LOTW because we stand a much greater chance of getting killed or injured when riding in a car or truck.

I just wish the water would freeze.

TGG

[curt quesnell]

true oh great one...the trip to the lake is more dangerous than
the trip out on the ice in a bomber....

and in response to kaz.....most resorts will check on you a
couple of times and will move you if fishin sucks to the point
of showing no promise. if they dont check on you...use a different
resort next time.

curt quesnell