Author Topic: puzzle mats  (Read 1254 times)

Offline Wavemaster

  • Team IceShanty Regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 197
puzzle mats
« on: Nov 05, 2012, 12:33 PM »
How many of you use foam puzzle mats for your portable shelters? How well do they work and how long do they last? The ones I was looking at are 2x2 ft foam squares and come in a pack of 6. They are water resistant.

Offline fishinnut

  • Team IceShanty Regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 366
  • Ice Fishing Rulez!
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #1 on: Nov 05, 2012, 12:38 PM »
I plan on using the Gold's Gym puzzle mat from Walmart. $19.99 for 4'x6'. Should work great. Just don't wear cleats. I cut out some 12 inch discs from the material to use as hole covers for my tipups.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gold-s-Gym-6-Piece-High-Impact-Flooring/11089966
God grant me strength to catch a fish
So large that even I
When telling of it afterwards
May never need to lie.

Offline bpiatt

  • Team IceShanty Addict
  • *
  • Posts: 826
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #2 on: Nov 05, 2012, 12:43 PM »
I just picked up a 4 pack of locking mats from lowes. This will be my first year using them, I bet they will last awhile as long as you don't walk on them with cleats and you let them dry out.

Offline BLUJBURD

  • Team IceShanty Regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 473
  • Fish...Fish...Fish
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #3 on: Nov 05, 2012, 12:58 PM »
Plan on using them in the pop up just hope they don't freeze to the ice and rip up.
I have a BS in Narrative Fishing History.

Offline kasilofchrisn

  • Team IceShanty Maniac
  • **
  • Posts: 1,891
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #4 on: Nov 05, 2012, 02:04 PM »
I picked some up on sale locally at the end of last season.
I hope they work as planned.
KasilofChrisN
"I listen to the voices in my tackle box"

Offline Wavemaster

  • Team IceShanty Regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 197
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #5 on: Nov 05, 2012, 08:35 PM »
Has anyone tried them on the ice? Don't want to get any if they freeze and break up.

Offline kasilofchrisn

  • Team IceShanty Maniac
  • **
  • Posts: 1,891
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #6 on: Nov 05, 2012, 08:38 PM »
I haven't but they were recommended on here by Pikesticker a fellow Alaskan who uses them on the ice.
He seems to like them.
KasilofChrisN
"I listen to the voices in my tackle box"

Offline Fontona19

  • Team IceShanty Maniac
  • **
  • Posts: 1,113
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #7 on: Nov 05, 2012, 08:47 PM »
I made my hole covers out of them, and I have never had them freeze onto the ice. They worked well.

Offline jimyoumook

  • Team IceShanty Addict
  • *
  • Posts: 740
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #8 on: Nov 05, 2012, 09:12 PM »
i got some carpet samples from the local home improvement store a couple of years ago works great in the popup

Offline Wavemaster

  • Team IceShanty Regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 197
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #9 on: Nov 05, 2012, 09:40 PM »
Thanks guys. Will give them a try in the Quickfish 4.

Offline muskyon46

  • IceShanty Mod Team
  • Team IceShantyholic
  • *
  • Posts: 5,423
  • Wishin I was Fishin><{}:>
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #10 on: Nov 05, 2012, 09:55 PM »
I use them in my QF3 and they work great. Never have had any probs with them sticking to the ice. Cleats do mess them up a bit though  :whistle: Cheapest place i found them around here was at harbor freight. 6 will not cover the whole floor in my QF3 and leaves enough room to drill some holes on the side opposite from my door, works out good
     Wyoming & Idaho    

Offline smitty

  • Team IceShanty Maniac
  • **
  • Posts: 1,047
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #11 on: Nov 06, 2012, 05:20 AM »
I'm using them as hole covers for my tip ups but sounds like a good idea for the inside of the shanties also.

smitty :tipup:

Offline bart

  • Team IceShantyholic
  • ***
  • Posts: 5,320
  • I love you, Deb
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #12 on: Nov 06, 2012, 05:51 AM »
I picked up a 4 pack of locking mats from lowes a few years back. I used 1-1/2 as a cushion in the bottom of my Pro tub. The other have came in handy on the garage floor while working on the vehicle, mower or another project. Great outside too! Hole covers? May have to pick up some more...
"Many fish their entire lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after."-Henry David Thoreau
  Keep America Godly...

Offline HVFD14

  • Team IceShanty Regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 496
  • Don't ask...I can't tell.
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #13 on: Nov 06, 2012, 07:53 AM »
I used them last year in my QF4 during early spearing season.  They blocked more ice light, insulated a little, but kept all my stuff on the ice dry.  Didn't have any problems with them at all.  A little bulky to carry out, but nice to have.
  BE THERE!

Offline BLUJBURD

  • Team IceShanty Regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 473
  • Fish...Fish...Fish
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #14 on: Nov 06, 2012, 08:22 AM »
For those of you who used them did they seem to somewhat remedy the puddling situation?
I have a BS in Narrative Fishing History.

Offline MoreTroutPls

  • Team IceShanty Regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 319
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #15 on: Nov 06, 2012, 08:25 AM »
I use a 2x2 mat on the ice under my feet. If you do this, either set your shelter on it or tie it to your shelter or the wind will blow it away if there is no weight on it.  I also use it for hole covers and have never had it damaged when frozen to the ice.

I also have some attached to the base of my depth finder to keep it out of the slush and water.  It has never stuck to the ice or been damaged.
Everyone has to believe in something.  I believe I'll go fishing.
Member of the G.O.D.S

Offline boss j

  • Team IceShanty Addict
  • *
  • Posts: 919
  • my spoons are my passion
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #16 on: Nov 06, 2012, 08:29 AM »
sounds like a good idea. the dark color should retain a warmer temp thus not allowing them to freeze to the ice.
boss spoons, they can catch it all!!!

Offline Castaway

  • IceShanty Rookie
  • **
  • Posts: 61
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #17 on: Nov 06, 2012, 10:19 AM »
I have used them inside my portable shanty for years.  I have never had a problem with water coming up over them as they create a very nice barrier between the ice and the heated shanty.  I also have not had any problem with them sticking to the ice.

Offline eriksat1

  • Team IceShanty Maniac
  • **
  • Posts: 4,552
  • N.W. Wisconsin Goat
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #18 on: Nov 06, 2012, 10:25 AM »
Buy a good pair of boots and be done with it, just more crap to drag along.

Offline lefty2053

  • Team IceShantyholic
  • ***
  • Posts: 7,969
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #19 on: Nov 06, 2012, 11:32 AM »
Might check this ad out. I am thinking of getting a 4x6 for the Explorer cargo area. It would work in the shelter also.

http://westslope.craigslist.org/mat/3348715330.html
<===Lefty===

Offline BLUJBURD

  • Team IceShanty Regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 473
  • Fish...Fish...Fish
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #20 on: Nov 06, 2012, 12:46 PM »
I have used them inside my portable shanty for years.  I have never had a problem with water coming up over them as they create a very nice barrier between the ice and the heated shanty.  I also have not had any problem with them sticking to the ice.

Awesome thanks.
I have a BS in Narrative Fishing History.

Offline Wavemaster

  • Team IceShanty Regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 197
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #21 on: Nov 06, 2012, 05:04 PM »
Do you guys plan to cover the entire floor and cut holes to fish out of, or just cover part of the floor and fish on the ends. I am thinking it might be too much to bring out to cover my entire QF4 floor.

Offline Castaway

  • IceShanty Rookie
  • **
  • Posts: 61
Re: puzzle mats
« Reply #22 on: Nov 06, 2012, 05:24 PM »
They definitely take up a good amount of space.  Especially covering a 6x12.  That is why I only use them when doing overnight trips.  I cut out 2 holes on opposite ends for jigging or setting a tip up for when sleeping.  If anyone has a better idea for a space saving alternative I would love to hear about it, as I am definitely open to suggestions.  But those mats seem to have worked best in terms of keeping things dry, and helping stay warm.

 



Iceshanty | MyFishFinder | MyHuntingForum
Contact | Disclaimer | Privacypolicy | Sponsor
© 1996- Iceshanty.com
All Rights Reserved.