Sno-Bear

[LeeMB]

anyone using one on a daily basis? I'm looking hard at one, but would like to talk to people who have used one for a while.

[walleye-on]

I just spent a day fishing with a SnoBear where the air temp was -32 and the wind was ripping into your flesh at a tune of -45 degrees. You'd never know it while fishing inside the rig. We used an electric auger and never had to leave the 70 degree interior of the machine all day. We actually shut off the propane furnace for a while (super air tight once you drop it onto the ice).

What impressed me the most was the machine started with ease and moving from spot to spot was probably as fast as folding over a portable shack, dragging it to the next spot and drilling again. I said "almost". This is not as efficient as running and gunning with 50 holes drilled and no shack in tow; although you could pre-drill a big line of holes, drive over and line up one or two of the holes before stopping the machine and lowing it to the ice, and then proceed to the next hole with no more than a minute or two if you were really hellbent for leather.

[fishncamp]

Stop in at Selkirk Park on February 21 during the marathon...Luke's will have one cruising around. Probaly will let you take it for a whirl:)

[walleye-on]

Lee, if you're living in Manitoba, the guy I've been talking about is Mike the factory rep from SnoBear who is barnstorming Western Canada testing the limits of the machine and showing it off. He just hit your province yesterday. I don't know all his stops but maybe you can cross paths with him and go try it out yourself. Mike's cell number is: 1 (847) 682-8221. Tell him Jeff that he fished with in Saskatchewan sent you.

[LeeMB]

Thanks guys I will give him a call.

Lee

[LeeMB]

Talked to the guy and set up a day where I will take him out and fish Lake Winnipeg and he can show us what it does.

thanks for the heads up.

Lee

[walleye-on]

My pleasure Lee,

Take it out and throw at it everything Lake Winnipeg can muster. Put her through the paces and then you'll see if it can do what you need it to on the big lake.

Keep us posted here as to what your opinion is after that.

[walleye-on]

I just spent a day fishing with a SnoBear where the air temp was -32 and the wind was ripping into your flesh at a tune of -45 degrees. You'd never know it while fishing inside the rig. We used an electric auger and never had to leave the 70 degree interior of the machine all day. We actually shut off the propane furnace for a while (super air tight once you drop it onto the ice).

What impressed me the most was the machine started with ease and moving from spot to spot was probably as fast as folding over a portable shack, dragging it to the next spot and drilling again. I said "almost". This is not as efficient as running and gunning with 50 holes drilled and no shack in tow; although you could pre-drill a big line of holes, drive over and line up one or two of the holes before stopping the machine and lowing it to the ice, and then proceed to the next hole with no more than a minute or two if you were really hellbent for leather.


What I failed to mention here was that if you can physically make it to the lake in your vehicle, you will be able to fish since it is virtually unnessecary to leave the SnoBear. That's what has my gears turning as a part-time icefishing guide. If I book a day with guests, we WILL be able to fish unless it is blizzarding so bad the highways are closed and we can't drive to the lake

I suppose you could drive in the ditch all the way there in the SnoBear.

[fishincat]

Could some one post a web site so I can see this thing you call snobear Thanks guys

[walleye-on]

Lee, if you're living in Manitoba, the guy I've been talking about is Mike the factory rep from SnoBear who is barnstorming Western Canada testing the limits of the machine and showing it off. He just hit your province yesterday. I don't know all his stops but maybe you can cross paths with him and go try it out yourself. Mike's cell number is: 1 (847) 682-8221. Tell him Jeff that he fished with in Saskatchewan sent you.


I should have mentioned, the SnoBear website is www.snobearuag.com (http://www.snobearuag.com) it has some good shots of the machine. Mike tells me the company is getting some professional filming done of the machine to update the site.

[Getdanet]

Does the Sno-Bear float?

[walleye-on]

Does the Sno-Bear float?

The machine is not amphibious but it will float. Best person to ask about that is Mike from SnoBear since he has stories about guys trying it amphibious style. From what I understand, they didn't get far; but niether did they drown or have their machine sink. Mike's number is 1 (847) 682-8221.

[Desperado]

Rather than "float", the more accurate word would be "buoyant".

[walleye-on]

Rather than "float", the more accurate word would be "buoyant".

I agree, "float" suggests it is like a boat and is amphibious like an argo. "Buoyant" is a better description since, while it and it's occupants will not sink and perish, I am not sure if it can get out of a hole in the ice once it's dropped through. Although I'm pretty sure it could as long as there was something sturdy for it to winch itself onto the ice from (there are reciever hitches and both ends of the machines to attach a winch).

Hopefully once the new video has been uploaded to the website: www.snobearuag.com (http://www.snobearuag.com) there will be clarification on this. Likewise, Mike Niemann whose number I have mentioned above or any of the folks at SnoBear can be called for more information at: (701) 281-8942.

[LeeMB]

Saw the sno-bear guys truck parked at Lake Winnipeg yesterday. Any idea how they did? 2 of us caught 28 walleye from 9:00-2:00. Only 2 masters, some dinkers as well. Quite a few nice 24-26" fish. It was hard to find any "keepers" for supper.

[LeeMB]

Walleye-on, your thoughts are the same as mine. If I have guys booked to come, I have to be able to get on the lake. I think with the sno-bear and a good GPS mapping unit I would be ok. Took some guys out last week and had fog issues. I couldn't get where I wanted to go. We also have problems getting to our spots because of blowing snow in our trails.
Snowmobiles are not always an option in -30* weather with guests.

I was thinking of using the sno-bear more for transportation and fishing out of my portables most times. I think only about 3 guys can fish in one at a time. I think we would have issues with drilling holes in the sno-bear.
I know they use a battery drill, but I don't think you can drill a 10" hole with one. 8" is about the minimum you can use for the size of fish we catch and using a flasher in the same hole. Also we get ice over 48" some year's.

[walleye-on]

I agree 10 inch holes may be a problem with the hand drill. It shoots through 30 inches of ice with the 6 inch auger in about 15 seconds though. I was pleasantly surprised. The drill used is a 36 volt hammer drill not the typical, household cordless.

Since I've fished in the SnoBear I've been looking at commercial electric augers like the Strike Master, Jiffy or Icegator and think it would be a good investment.

Believe it or not, if necessary, 4 people can fish comfortably inside the SnoBear. However, if given the chance, I would tow some portables to cover more water when the weather permits (that's what Mike does as well).

Mike's demo SnoBear has a GPS and antennae so he can lay down a plot trail and navigate the machine regardless of weather. I would give him a call and ask him about all these things. He loves visiting about the machine and telling fish stories.

I do not know how they've been doing out on the big lake. On that fishery I'm sure they're finding a few.

[Backwater Eddy]

A lot of Snow Bear guys I have worked with get a electric Jiffy STX Stealth auger in 8" or swap the lower out to get a 9.25 auger. So they must be able to use the 9". They said the 10" was a problem though.

Many guys also prefer the StrikeMaster Electric for use in the Snow Bear, but they only run up to 8.25". I have a friend who has a Bear and this is the system he utilizes, the StrikeMaster, he loves it.

I would love to have a Snow Bear, or a WilCraft...I'm thinking hard on one or the other right now.

They are both ideal for the type of fishing I do most.

[jro1974]

Whats the bottom dollar on one of these units. I heard $30k. Thats insane. Keep them around 12-20 and I'd be all over one. Anybody know for sure?

[walleye-on]

Whats the bottom dollar on one of these units. I heard $30k. Thats insane. Keep them around 12-20 and I'd be all over one. Anybody know for sure?

When the machine was brought to Saskatchewan in September it's price was $42,000.00 which included the custom trailer.

After ecomomic meltdown, I do not know what they are asking.

Keeping in mind this machine is built in the USA the price may be more with iron costs etc..

[LeeMB]

I think they make a cargo version that does not have the hydrolic system in it. That is cheaper.

[walleye-on]

They are supposed to be building a 90 HP model for transportation of people in harsh environments. Their current model which is described above is the 40 hp machine that has a lot of low-end torque for power but not speed. The 40 hp machine max speed is around 25 hp which is fast enough on rough lake terrain.

[LeeMB]

thanks for the info I'm looking forward to checking it out next week

[Desperado]

Whats the bottom dollar on one of these units. I heard $30k. Thats insane. Keep them around 12-20 and I'd be all over one. Anybody know for sure?

JRO
The price on a NEW Snobear is now around the 42K to 46K mark.
The other machine that Backwater Eddy mentioned (Wilcraft) is around 11K to 12K.

[LeeMB]

had a chance to try out the sno-bear onLake Winnipeg with Mike the sales manager for the company. What a awsome machine! The perfect veichle for ice fishing. I hope to have one by next year. It will be perfect for taking out guests to fish houses or fishing out of.

[walleye-on]

had a chance to try out the sno-bear onLake Winnipeg with Mike the sales manager for the company. What a awsome machine! The perfect veichle for ice fishing. I hope to have one by next year. It will be perfect for taking out guests to fish houses or fishing out of.

Glad you had a good time. What were the conditions like? Did you give the machine a good work-out on the big lake?

[LeeMB]

Conditions were normal to good on the lake. We crossed a few ice ridges and some chunk ice that had broke up and re-froze. No problem for the sno-bear. We had no slush, but Mike said it goes through it well.

The thing that was important for me was if I use it guiding I can go in most weather as long as I have a GPS and a compass. I would use it to get to permanent shacks or carry portables with us. The machine is sturdy enough to tow nice shacks to new areas. We move so much on the lake that being mobile is an important consideration. If I don't move a lot I can't keep people on fish.

The only issue I have with the sno-bear is the cost. I'm trying to figure out is I can pay for it and still make a few bucks for me.

[walleye-on]

Lee,

From the cover of the Regina LEADER POST, Feb. 9, 2009: "Now this is how you ice fish!" by Ron Petries' column.

...."the base price of $35,700 U.S. - before options, before taxes-"

This is the price quoted, given by Ron Balzer of SnoBear Canada as recent as last week.

Therefore, $52,000.00 quoted by Mike Neimann may very well be the deluxe machine in Canadian funds.

Not sure, perhaps worth calling Balzer? Hopefully will save you a grand or so! Here's his info I copied from their website.

SnoBear Canada
PO Box 3900
Regina, SK S4P 3R8
Ph: 306-781-2401
Fax: 306-781-2240
Email: sales@snobearcanada.com

Good luck!! Let us know if you find out anything interesting!

[LeeMB]

The price Mike quoted was with out negoitating with the dealer. The machine he had did have some options on it as well.

I REALLY liked the machine. Perfect for what I do. Where I live and fish we don't have people that plow roads out on the lake. I also tend to fish off the beaten path, so the sno-bear is perfect for getting people out to where the fish are.

I would like to look at the beefed up cargo version with the bigger motor.

[corny13]

Ive got a 2009 Snobear... best thing Ive ever bought. I fished in one last year with guide Jason Taggart on LOW, that seeled the deal. I even thought about selling my Ranger boat last summer to get one, and would have if I had to. In ND icefishing has been tough for everyone except me. Extreme cold, deep snow, slush, high wind etc has limited icefishing except to the few on snomobiles. With my snobear its been one of my best. I bought it in Jan and have put 40+ hrs on it already. Often 3 other friends come and jig with me. Its a little tight with 4 fisherman but do able. I just keep my jiffly out on the back, mark holes backup drill and drive back over and set down when moving. I have my Lowrance 113 from my Ranger in the front of the Bear. We set tipups out for more lines. Taking it back to Minnesota next week for walleye and eelpout on Leech lake.

[Hardwater Adventures]

LeeMB--As Corny13 previously stated it's also one of the best things I have ever bought too. I use mine for guiding and transporting people out to rental houses and it works just GREAT! We do alot of reef fishing which means we are traveling alot, 35-40 miles a day and I just cannot imagine what it would be like to NOT have a SnoBear to do that. I haven't found anything else that compares to it at all. Everything about it from the comfort of the rig to the fuel mileage etc etc is just Great! I also pull my rental units around alot with the SnoBear and have had no trouble at all. I am sure you would get alot of use out of it for your business. If you have any questions about the SnoBears, I will be glad to help you in any way I can.

Jason

[LeeMB]

It seems perfect for me too. The couple of days I used it were heaven! I just have to see If I can get enough customers topay for it.

Lee

[Hardwater Adventures]

I hear ya on the "paying for it". It is a sizeable investment for sure. I hope it works out that you can get one for sure. Let me know if you have any questions. I love talking about SnoBears!

Jason

[ndr]

They TOTALLY SUCK!!!! They allow your friends to go fishing to areas you can't get too. Then they sit and brag about how good they did. lol

[walleye-on]

They TOTALLY SUCK!!!! They allow your friends to go fishing to areas you can't get too. Then they sit and brag about how good they did. lol

An excellent point! I think the guys inside should take a 5-fish penalty! When we were out in the -46 degree weather, the guys in the SnoBear outfished us run-and-gun guys outside because they could feel their fingers, detect the deep-water, light-biting jumbo perch and hook them while we shivered outside missing bites and waiting our next turn to unthaw inside the warm machine!

[Chad711]

They should make a 1 man snobear!

[Hardwater Adventures]

You guys have alot of good points. I am heading out early tomorrow morning to chase some walleyes. Fishing has been good this past week, let's hope the bite is still on!

Good Luck to everyone fishing this weekend!!


Jason