Opinion Needed Buying an Ice Hut

[wneb.fisher]

I told my self last year that I was going to buy myself an Ice Hut for this season after almost getting blowed off a lake. Well the time has come and I don't know what to get. I have it narrowed down, but would like to get a few helpful suggestions from you guys. This is what I am looking at:
Cabela's -- Frabill Commando Flip-Over Portable Ice Shelter

I think this would be pretty good, but I am not sure if I would like one quite that small. Also, I have a friend that has an older Frabill that locks halfway flipped so it is more of a wind blocker. Does anyone know if this a trait on all Frabill huts?? I know Clam does not do this.

This is the other shelter I am looking at:
Clam Nanook Two-Person Ice Shelter

Cabela's has one pretty much like this, only instead of two boat seats it has a padded bench seat. I also think they have it listed as 349.99. It is also not available on the net, but I can order it through the store.

My next problem is I am pretty much committed to purchasing from Cabela's because I have 100.00 gift cert. that I want to use on this. Will Cabela's honor a proven lower price from another store?? Prime example would be the shelter from Bass Pro at 299.99. If any of you that work at Cabela's could help me out on this I would appreciate it.

Opinions are welcome from everyone. Usually it is just me or one other person on the ice so I don't need the big 3 and 4 man huts.

Thanks for taking the time to mull this over!!

Seth

[esoxjunkie]

The Nanook is an upgraded version of the shack that I own and love. Plenty of room inside for me and too much gear, or it fishes 2 guys pretty well too. It's light enough that I can get it in and out of the back of my truck easily. I've been very happy with mine to say the least.

I haven't fished out of any of the frabil flip-overs, but I have some experience with other frabil models and in my opinion the build quality and attention to detail is nowhere near as good as the Fishtrap/Clam products.

Just my .02

[Glenfiddich]

We match only exact items whether it is in an ad or their website.

[Pike Hunter]

I have the 1 man Frabill Ultra-Lite (older model), weighs 32lbs. Been a great hut. I also have the 2 man Frabill Trekker. I have never used a Clam, so I cannot speak to that. I can say I am happy with both of my Frabills.

My 2 man came with stabilizer bars to lock half way. I have also used those on my 1 man to lock it as well. As long as you have those bars, I believe all the Frabills will lock. Those are nice to have!

[TheDude]

For what it's worth, I am very partial to huts that provide a barrier between my feet and the ice. This can be wood or plastic. It seems to me that my feet get cold before the rest of me. But, this can of course be prevented by good boots as well. Just my twin pennies.

[Fish On]

Our Voyager (Clam) can be set up as just a wind break. I think most flip over styles can be.

Dude, we bought some cheap floor mats at Menards for about $4 that once the sled is set up we put down to keep feet off the ice.

[esoxjunkie]

Dude, I would agree that when buying a flip-over type shack one should also add to the cost a pair of warm pac boots. I put foot warmers in mine when I go out in severe cold.

Having your feet on the ice may be the downside, but for me the upside of being able to cut holes wherever I want, and however many I want far outweighs the issue of having to wear toe heaters. The few times I've been out with friends that have shacks with floors in them watching them line up the holes, move the shack, cut the holes, then move the shack back in place convinced me that the flip-over was the way to go for me.

Now I believe I've added .04!

[Eryk]

Cabela's does not carry the Clam Nanook at this time.
The Frabill Commando is a good 1 man shelter, you won't be able to fish anyone else in it.
I prefer the flip over style shack (I fish out of a Yukon) because you can put your gear in the sled and off you go. Also because you can cut as many holes as you want and put them where you want them. I wear heavy boots with warm socks and I've thrown carpet samples down too when it gets really cold. Using a heater is always a good option too.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by esoxjunkie

watching them line up the holes, move the shack, cut the holes, then move the shack back in place convinced me that the flip-over was the way to go for me.

Now I believe I've added .04!

I will agree with you on this one, the limitation of placement and number of holes can be a huge P.I.T.A.

[Sandbilly]

Originally Posted by Fish On

Our Voyager (Clam) can be set up as just a wind break. I think most flip over styles can be.

If you buy the Nanook and doesn't come with the shelter brace for making a wind break, let me know. I have a couple braces I don't use. Lot of great portables on the market any more. Sure beats the dogsled and plywood box we packed around for years.

The cure for cold feet.

Cabela's Trans-Alaska™ III Pac Boot

Extreme Cold Temperature Boots, Unissued Extreme Cold Temperature Boots, Unissued [080101]

IceArmor Arctic Boot by Clam Corporation


dc

[duckhuntr]

Look on Craigslist in Rapid City. I was lucky and found a clam 2000 this year for 60 bucks. It is worth at least 3 times that much but I just lucked out.

[cabbry]

I have owned 5 or 6 different types and sizes over the years. Each has pro's and con's. Here are some hard lessons learned over the years that I hope will help in your choice.

1. Have been around Frabil. Clam and Otter. I prefer Clam, Otter then Frabil and others in that order. All are nice, but the devil is in the details and for fabric, weight and detail I am a Clam guy. Buy what you think is the best quality for your money you will probably be happy.
2. There are a lot of things outside the actual shelter that impact what you buy. Here are some of those things other than eye candy that you need to know and how they impact the shelter you buy.

Everything is 10 times harder in the wind and below 20 degrees.

Everything is much harder to pull in the snow, up hill and when pulled by hand as opposed to by ATV or Snowmobile.

Lots of tackle means lots of room and lots of weight. I am a power auger and flasher guy with tip-ups, rods and heater. Lots of weight multiplies effort to pull and load.

I do have a point so bear with me please.......

If you fish alone, always with a partner, or part-time makes a difference.

If you are fit or older and less fit are critical considerations to easy to load, unload, setup and easy to pull or can become a life threatening workout. If you are older every pound extra on the ice feels like 50# in blowing cold and deep snow.

If you like to be extremly mobile or sit on a spot. Probably the biggest factor of all. All that being said here have been my experiences with different shelters.

1. Cabin Shelters like Clam 2000 and Frabil Speed Shack are best suited to keeping you cozy and warmer but more time in set up. You also have to furnish seating, usually much less comfortable and harder on the back than the swivel or bench seats in flip style shelters. Cabin shelters that are over 60# are like pulling a brick accross the ice and a pain in the keister in deep snow, must be staked in heavy winds, manuevered over holes and are not suited to lots of gear on the inside or on top when pulling. I Pull a gear / auger sled and drag a clam 2000 behind works great in all but the worst conditions.

2. Medium size 2 man Flip style shelters are more mobile, when the gear is in need anchoring less likely, have built-in sit-over-your-gear storage and in my opinion generally easier to negotiate moving and windy conditions better than cabin styles. Drawback is usually less head room and colder feet as you are on the ice, they have more drafts. Being Mobile and Easy to use in the bitter winds are however huge, huge factors in their favor. I have had a single flip style, too small for me when I bring a guest, and a Clam Yukon, too heavy for me when I fish alone 90% of the time with my gear.

3. Regarding the Clam Yukon and the larger flip style shelters; they are mostly designed for pulling behind ATV or Smowmobile. They have heavier sleds pushing their weight well over 100# empty, they pull like a couch in the snow when loaded full of gear and their dimensions and weight for truck bed, loading and going up and down banks is a challenge best left for active defensive linemen. They take up a lot of room in the truck and in the garage. They are really great however for not having to stake down even in heavy wind and for having fishing hole room, ability to stand up, elbow room, stow lots of gear (weight) and no need to be precise on drill holes.

4. The Clam Nanook you are looking at, like the Clam Guide before it, is a great all around choice. It's smaller than the heavy flip shacks and well below the 100# mark and with a reasonable amount of gear will be a good choice for fishing 1 or 2 if you don't need to stand up as a priority. If I need to stand up I go check some holes anyway. It will be pretty easy to pull even in snow, easy to sit up when it's bitter cold and in the wind. A really good choice if you only fish part time with two or just want the extra room for one. If you fish with a partner, keep you gear sled and give them some weight to pull separate from the sled and you will be extremely mobile. Buy the travel cover to keep your gear dry..

Hope this helps in your choice.

[Sandbilly]

Originally Posted by cabbry

They have heavier sleds pushing their weight well over 100# empty, they pull like a couch in the snow when loaded full of gear and their dimensions and weight for truck bed, loading and going up and down banks is a challenge best left for active defensive linemen.

Great post cabbry.

dc

[wneb.fisher]

Wow! Thanks everyone and especially cabbry. That was an excellent post and a lot of helpful information.

[Sorny]

I have a clam Yukon, it is THE Cadillac of 2 man flip overs.

[billbert]

AMEN Sorny, I have a Yukon & its the best shelter I have ever used!!

[Fish On]

It looks like Clam quit with the traplinks, has anyone used them? Looked like a neat feature if someone had a compatable shelter.

[cabbry]

Originally Posted by Sorny

I have a clam Yukon, it is THE Cadillac of 2 man flip overs.

I just sold my Yukon and I may kick myself before the season is out. I agree with you guys it is a really cool shelter and it served me well except it seemed to be getting harder for me to pull through the deep snow the last couple of years. If I get tired of the 2000 I may go for the similar but lighter Nanook at seasons end if I can catch a buy.

[drcarplove]

I owned and lost an old fishtrap, so old the sled read cozy-calf (bungee broke, it flipped up and flew out, backtracked and could not find it) loved it. Bought my dad a newer one with smaller sled (easier to pull) and a bench seat it is lighter and pulls easier, then i replaced the cozy calf with the fish trap scout it is heavier (pulls harder), but has a better seat for old back. love the one persons, for lightness and mobility, but if u stack them in pickup use rope not bunjee cords for tiedowns, (new beds less than 8 ft will not hold 2 without stacking or leaning. Drawbacks in wind more leakage 30 mph winds will necessitate holding flip cover down with weight or leg. Advantages solo shak more mobile, better concentration and heats easily. I had before the fish traps a clam shell type shelter, harder to set up, but not much. It had spring button locks so thin or no gloves needed to set up, in wind needs anchoring
advantages fits in car trunk very light to pull, but i seemed to like to sit one spot more in it acct lining up holes etc. i will say a shelter is necessary you need to be out of the wind to properly concentrate on rod, line, spring bobber etc., and keep hole cleaner. If new to ice fishing buying priorties should be 1. hand auger and tackle, 2. shelter, 3. flasher, 4. Small heater, 5. power auger, 6. atv or snowmobile and trailer. I have achieved only the first 4 items (I am cheap)
here in nebraska any power auger is nice but not needed, especially if you scout and triangulate or gps spots during open season.
Buy what fits your needs and vehicle
have fun
Frank

[ydoc]

Well... I'm not into ice-fishing, but this "Ice Hut" looks nice and cozy!
Google Image Result for http://www.allkayakfishing.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=236&stc=1&d=1180816102