Ice Shelter

[Karas3434]

Looking to get into ice fishing this winter. What do you think about this one for a beginner (only need room for myself).

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3921842&clickid=cart

[stinkycat]

Not sure but looks OK. I need to see them in person to make up my mind. Two things to consider 1) make sure it is light enough for one person to load and unload from your vehicle. I would think since this is a one man shelter that should not be a problem. 2) Make sure you can set up and take down fast when its -25 outside. Since it is a flip over design should help in the set up time. Many other brands to look at also. Wait until all the retailers have all their ice fishing gear out and then go crawl around inside the different shelters. Good Luck!

[Karas3434]

Not sure but looks OK. I need to see them in person to make up my mind. Two things to consider 1) make sure it is light enough for one person to load and unload from your vehicle. I would think since this is a one man shelter that should not be a problem. 2) Make sure you can set up and take down fast when its -25 outside. Since it is a flip over design should help in the set up time. Many other brands to look at also. Wait until all the retailers have all their ice fishing gear out and then go crawl around inside the different shelters. Good Luck!


Yeah i have looked at a few different brands (clam, otter, frabill) but the more known the brand name is the more expensive the shelter gets. Doesnt get to -25 here very often, i was just looking for something lightweight and sled based. So this looks like my front runner as of now.

[Guesttoo]

HT has been selling ice fishing stuff for a long time & I'd guess they did a bit of homework before building that shelter.

That said, I live in Ohio, I'm kinda small, kinda old. in lousy shape, & drag my 1-man flip top shelter .

If your pulling a one man flip top to pull with a quad or snow machine weight is a non-issue but if you are pulling one on foot I'd look for light. Weight & runner design would be my 1st considerations. Quad guy might be more interested in whether there is a good cover available or how comfortable it is. I'd have to pack my gear better to use a cover but a quad guy might fill the sled with slush or snow every few miles in some conditions without a cover.

In some conditions, we strap the flip tops onto traditional steel runner "sled riding" sleds if we are going long distances on snow covered ice. It can result in a huge reduction in drag in some circumstances.

I'd want to know the weight, floor/runner design, price, profile/dimensions of the HT product compared against at least the least expensive Fishtrap (Scout maybe?) and maybe a few other brands.

Good Luck

[Dacotah Eye]

I am also looking for a one man shelter. Loading a two man flipover into my pickup has gotten old and so have I. I also bought a short bed pickup this spring with a tonneau cover that rolls into a cannister in the front of the box and I don't think I have room for a two man shelter. This winter I will buying a one man flipover. One thing I will be looking for is a shelter with a zip up door so I don't have to flip it up and lose all of my heat if I have to go outside. I can't tell if the one you are looking at has this feature.

[sdhusker]

I have a 6 year old Clam Fish Trap Guide that has 2 seats. I can't tell you how much I like having that extra seat, and it's not even because of the ability to fish with someone. I use the seat for tackle, gloves, hats, a radio, or even lunch. It's just handy to have a place to work and lay out my gear. I understand the weight concern, but I can lift mine in and out of the truck just by propping up one side and then lifting the other and sliding it in. I can do this with my gear inside it. It pulls fair, but up here in the Dakotas, we have enough ice to drive on by New Years most years, so I don't get much experience pulling it out.

[Backwater Eddy]

A Frabill Recon is a light weight easy to tote shack, and economical.

Another option, is the new "Hub Style" pop-up shacks. Compare the insulated and non insulated models if you go this way. The insulated ones are very nice, easy to heat, and roomy.

[Karas3434]

A Frabill Recon is a light weight easy to tote shack, and economical.

Another option, is the new "Hub Style" pop-up shacks. Compare the insulated and non insulated models if you go this way. The insulated ones are very nice, easy to heat, and roomy.

I really like the HT one in my first post but frabil has a nice one too (Recon DLX) wish i could find a place that had both models so i could compare them side by side. Anyone notice any major differences? (HT PE-1)

http://www.frabill.com/store/portable-ice-shelters/flip-over-shelters/6112.html

http://www.icefish.com/catalog/inventory.php?fam=127&cat=21

[thump55]

One of the biggest things I always tell people is to go sit in several different types. A major deciding factor should be the comfort of the seat, and they do vary a lot.

I won't mention brands because everyone has different seat preferences, but I can sit in my shack all day comfortably, but struggle in my buddy's shack after an hour because of the seat.

Also, you'll want more room than you think once you get out there with all your gear. This I promise.