Which shelter?

slipbobber · #1 12-25-2015, 09:01 AM

Looking to get a ice fishing shelter. Seam to come in different colors these days used to be just black. Is black the best color or do the other colors block out the sun enough to see fish down the hole. Are all brands the same quality as long as you are comparing the same priced shelters. Only want to buy once and I know you usually get what you pay for.

lromanchuk · #2 12-25-2015, 09:05 AM

I'm also looking for one. Ive done quite a bit of research, and I'm leaning towards the Eskimo Fatfish 949i .

Brock1 · #3 12-25-2015, 09:42 AM

costco has an awesome tent on for 200.00 right now. huge durable and warranty forever

marty1 · #4 12-25-2015, 10:06 AM

The biggest thing I find with the tents are not to fight with opening up the sides, if it doesn't come out easily something is hung up ( don't force it) the other thing I find is careful with packing snow on the sides along the bottom if it's wet and freezes you will end up tearing those bottom flaps when it's time to leave. The Old ice cube is the one we still site in and that thing must be????9 years old maybe? Yes we made all those mistakes that I mentioned, but I think we finally figured it out. Kinda looks and feels like your in outer space sittings in it now.Im going to purchase the Eskimo 949 I like the floor space and find that it sets up really easy compared to some of the others, but really I think their basically all the same.

EZM · #5 12-25-2015, 12:22 PM

If you are out there on the ice quite often, and don't mind spending a little more to get a quality tent - go with an Eskimo. The anchors, grommets, seams, fabric, poles and hubs are superior to any other brand I've owned, seen, or used.

I currently run a Clam 1660 primarily due to the footprint - it's a 11 1/2 foot across hexagon. If Eskimo made a large hexagon of that size my tent would be an Eskimo.

Elk Hunter17 · #6 12-25-2015, 12:38 PM

I just bought the Eskimo 6120i, I hope it works out for me and the kids.

H2hammy · #7 12-25-2015, 12:51 PM

I bought a Frabil on sale this year. Wanted A six man tent for the three of us to have room. Not very happy with it. Buy a good insulated tent the first time

ROA · #8 12-25-2015, 01:34 PM

I got the Fat Fish 949 insulated from Cabelas on sale with free shipping. Only used it once so far. It's pretty good ( better than I expected) except the poles are a bit long and bow out a bit. The bag for it is nice and big and you can actually get the thing back in there quite easily.

This one is red but the insulation helps block out the light from getting through and it is dark enough to see down the hole

deerguy · #9 12-25-2015, 02:51 PM

Get an Otter. Their hubs or flips are best on the market. Amazing shelters.

Game Hunter · #10 12-25-2015, 03:14 PM

I've had a clam for the last 4 yrs. fish a lot, not any issues yet.
Always defrost tent- treat it with care.

Battery · #11 12-25-2015, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deerguy

Get an Otter. Their hubs or flips are best on the market. Amazing shelters.

We just bought one this year, love it. Upgraded from an "Ice Cube".

deerguy · #12 12-25-2015, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battery

We just bought one this year, love it. Upgraded from an "Ice Cube".

I picked up their 1200xt lodge last year, it's great. Want to grab there 5-6 Hub sometime this season as a "base camp" type setup for nice days when you are moving around more,

zodiac dude · #13 12-25-2015, 04:29 PM

Have Quick fish 2 Eskimo keep breaking rods and replacing them. I will never use skim Eskimo product again Looking at going either Frail or Clam insulated next time

kinwahkly · #14 12-25-2015, 05:10 PM

Ive had them all and the Otter is the best for me so far.

Willowtrail · #15 12-25-2015, 07:24 PM

Eskimo is the only tent I would buy. Currently running the 9416i from last year and had the 9416 for years before that. Never had a major issue with them. Check out the fishin hole tomorrow, most Eskimo tents are on sale. Go insulated if you can

Girlsfishtoo · #16 12-25-2015, 07:28 PM

got a frabill and love it

xxclaro · #17 12-25-2015, 10:13 PM

Built my own this year. The standard pop up shelters are ok but way overpriced and none of them get your feet off the ice. If I'm paying hundreds of dollars for a shelter I don't want to be standing on the ice.

wellpastcold · #18 12-26-2015, 07:44 AM

Between myself and my buddies have seen / fished out of most of the flip type tents. Otter insulated are the best I have fished out of. I bought one last year.

Mayhem · #19 12-26-2015, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxclaro

Built my own this year. The standard pop up shelters are ok but way overpriced and none of them get your feet off the ice. If I'm paying hundreds of dollars for a shelter I don't want to be standing on the ice.

Got any pics?

OutwardBound · #20 12-26-2015, 08:49 AM

Used an Eskimo for years (quick flip 3). Never any issues. Great quality. Would highly recommend buying an Eskimo. The new Fat Fishes have a ton of room in them.

xxclaro · #21 12-26-2015, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayhem

Got any pics?

Just the one. This was my first attempt, think I could do better next time around.

Amateur Hunter · #22 12-27-2015, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock1

costco has an awesome tent on for 200.00 right now. huge durable and warranty forever

Do you know if it is any good and who makes it?
Thanks

deerguy · #23 12-27-2015, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxclaro

Just the one. This was my first attempt, think I could do better next time around.

I built one very similar to that, probably the same prints. Haaha

nast70 · #24 12-27-2015, 09:42 AM

I just picked up the costco one. Its called fish inn. Briht orange outside. Set it up in the living room to test it out a bit. Very easy to set up, and more importantly it came down and went right back into the bag. Its my first tent so $200 was a good starting point. If i go out more than a couple times a month its fine. If i really get hooked then it will be a back up or a second when others join in and ill grab a flip over of some type. I think they are the chit.

schtann · #25 12-28-2015, 12:03 PM

Just had my NEW Eskimo Quickfish 6 out for a run in -20C temps on Dec 27 and WOW that black rubberized internal coating is coming off allot faster than I expected. Good thing I WILL take it back before the 1 year warranty expires !!

Lots of light from the sun already is starting to come in and I guess it will only get worse?

Yes- it was CHEAP on a BOXING DAY SALE just under $350.

But I guess you get what you pay for !!

Time to build one myself as I see POSTED above (from Michigan Outdoors TV a number of years ago perhaps?) and then NEVER have these mass produced "CHEAPEST and from CHINA" problems ever again ??!!

Maybe that FRABILL 3 layer wall system is allot better ? hmmmmm .......

deerguy · #26 12-28-2015, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schtann

Just had my NEW Eskimo Quickfish 6 out for a run in -20C temps on Dec 27 and WOW that black rubberized internal coating is coming off allot faster than I expected. Good thing I WILL take it back before the 1 year warranty expires !!

Lots of light from the sun already is starting to come in and I guess it will only get worse?

Yes- it was CHEAP on a BOXING DAY SALE just under $350.

But I guess you get what you pay for !!

Time to build one myself as I see POSTED above (from Michigan Outdoors TV a number of years ago perhaps?) and then NEVER have these mass produced "CHEAPEST and from CHINA" problems ever again ??!!

Maybe that FRABILL 3 layer wall system is allot better ? hmmmmm .......

Outter uses a heat welder material in Theres, not possible for it to "peel" off as it is a physical material on the shelter.

schtann · #27 12-28-2015, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deerguy

Outter uses a heat welder material in Theres, not possible for it to "peel" off as it is a physical material on the shelter.

YES- I see that now !! Thanks !! The OTTER XT series is the 3 layer insulated one to consider !!

Gilligan · #28 12-29-2015, 05:24 PM

I tried for 2 years to buy a fully insulated Large Flip Over in Canada a few years ago . They weren't fire rated for Canada at the time . I accidently found one in Hamilton . The guy at the store they said it got shipped by mistake from Frabil . I bought it over the phone and had it shipped . Fully insulated on all sides with 3m Thinsulate . Not sure if there is anything warmer out there for sale . No ice inside ..... Holds the heat and keeps out the wind . You can heat it with a bic lighter ! ( just kidding but it's the greatest thing since the power auger )
My point is ........ Regardless of what brand or style of shelter you decide on ..... Please take a long hard look at Insulated Units . There are a lot of brands that offer insulated units now .
If you have the Budget ..... It's well worth it .

See you on the ice .....

slipbobber · #29 01-02-2016, 09:48 PM

Do the red or blue colored shelters block enough sunlight to use for fishing whitefish where it is more of a sight fishing experience that feeling the bite? I would think some thing black in color would be better but what do I know.

Battery · #30 01-02-2016, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slipbobber

Do the red or blue colored shelters block enough sunlight to use for fishing whitefish where it is more of a sight fishing experience that feeling the bite? I would think some thing black in color would be better but what do I know.

Anything insulated will