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Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Ice Shack Tips => Topic started by: spoofer on Dec 28, 2003, 03:01 PM

Title: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: spoofer on Dec 28, 2003, 03:01 PM
 A friend of mine is looking for a 2 man pullover type shanty.  He can't decside which one is the best. The fishtrap was 5 bucks more.  The frabill had more headroom.  Please help him, he spent 2 hours sitting in them and came home empty handed.
Title: Re:Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: fogcutter on Dec 28, 2003, 04:37 PM
I went thru about the same thing yesterday at Cabelas and I'm glad I purchased the fish trap.Head room is nice but I don't do alot of standing aroud in the shanty.It is also just right for the hook set! This is just my opinion. Hope it helps!
 8) FOG
Title: Re:Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: fisherman261 on Dec 28, 2003, 05:12 PM
I also had a hard time picking.  I went with the Fish Trap Guide.  The Frabill is 30 lbs. heavier and I didn't like the seats on the Frabill.  They didn't seem to have a very good base.  On the Fish Trap, the seats are very nice.  In my area the Frabill was $30 more, but the thing that turned me off the most was the weight.

Matt
Title: Re:Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: bushbunny on Dec 28, 2003, 06:10 PM
I have a Frabill, and comparing it to everything else, I am glad that I have the Frabill.  Weight is not a problem, but construction!!!!
Title: Re:Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: HEADHUNTER on Dec 28, 2003, 09:46 PM
Go with the guide! IMHO.....Frabill Shanties are way too expensive for what you get.

hdhntr
Title: Re:Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: PERCHPULLER on Dec 29, 2003, 06:23 AM
I LOOKED AT BOTH AND GOT THE FISHTRAP VERY WELL BUILT I LIKE THE CANVAS ON THE TRAP IT SEEMS HEAVIER
Title: Re:Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: gov on Dec 29, 2003, 07:40 AM
I agree with the other Fishtrap owners, more option's and a better fabric for the $$$$$$$$$$$$$. Good Luck
Title: Re:Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: HEADHUNTER on Dec 29, 2003, 09:46 AM
I like the fact that this site doesnt delete posts.  If we were at the icefishingfirst.com message board and we were posting these messages, they all would have been deleted,

  :-X  <<< me

Except for the one person that posted pro-frabill message.   Their board admin even changed the wording of one of  my posts to plug a  frabill shanty.  Its like big brother I tell you
    :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P
Title: Re:Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: BlackIce on Dec 29, 2003, 10:38 AM
that site is sponsored by Frabill.  One of the moderators is on the box of the Ultra Lite (or whatever the smallest shanty is named).  The fact that we don't have such censorship here makes this the best ice fishing site there is.
Title: Re:Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: HEADHUNTER on Dec 29, 2003, 10:46 AM
Matter of fact, it was the ultra lite we were talking about.  I saw one at Sportmart the day before I saw the post and responded by saying how expensive it was and how cheap it looked.  I thought I was being fair in my response.  Guess he didnt want the bad publicity,  makes sense as to why he deleted it, but to change my wording, he was trying to get my goat.
Title: Re:Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: emptyhanded on Dec 29, 2003, 11:53 AM
I have a fishtrap -- very pleased -- cheaper and lighter
Title: Re:Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: PERCH_INC. on Dec 29, 2003, 06:40 PM
Got the fishtrap guide last year love it!!
Title: Re:Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: HEADHUNTER on Dec 29, 2003, 06:50 PM
Perch Inc,

Do you like the seating better than this years?  I have heard mixed reviews but I like this years.  Easier to look down the hole.


Hdhntr
Title: Re:Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: Iceshanty on Dec 29, 2003, 10:08 PM
My policy is: If you say something to stupid or to vulgar, I just plain and simply delete it. About editing; I see this "post editing" going on, on other forums, this is wrong and will never happen at iceshanty.com.

-Scott

I like the fact that this site doesnt delete posts.  If we were at the icefishingfirst.com message board and we were posting these messages, they all would have been deleted,

  :-X  <<< me

Except for the one person that posted pro-frabill message.   Their board admin even changed the wording of one of  my posts to plug a  frabill shanty.  Its like big brother I tell you
    :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P
Title: Re:Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: HEADHUNTER on Dec 29, 2003, 10:47 PM
I Agree.  I honestly do not think I was being vulgar or stupid.  I just gave my opinion.  I think it went something like this.

"there is a saying that  you get what you pay for, however this is not the case with the ultra lite"

That post got deleted, I again posted and that is when he changed my wording.
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: bart on May 03, 2008, 09:53 AM
If there is anyone out there??? I like to get the Fish Guide, but I fish most of the time alone. I was trying to compare the Fish Pro weight and the weight of the Fish Guide with one seat removed. If the weight difference is close, the Guide would allow a second seat when my son or someone else tags along...
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: havejigwilltravel on May 03, 2008, 12:23 PM
i have 3 fishtraps. 1 fisht trap II that is semi-retired.i currenently use a pro.my wife uses a guide.the extra room in the pro is a big plus.never owned a frabill.
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: bart on May 03, 2008, 01:33 PM
havejigwilltravel, Do you have any idea how much one of the seats in the Guide weigh? I'm just wonder how much weight I could reduce the Guide by removing one seat?
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: HEADHUNTER on May 03, 2008, 06:54 PM
LOL...I havent posted to this thread since 03 and today I get an email saying there is a post!!!!!!

The seat weight I think is a non issue. It is significantly bigger though.  I have the guide and fish alone 75% of the time.  I am always inviting first timers or taking my kids now that they are 8 and 7. 
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: Bean on May 04, 2008, 10:41 AM
The seat assemblies weigh about 11 to 12 pounds each.  If you removed one of the seat assemblies it would bring the weight of the guide down to about 70 pounds. That's 17 pounds more than the pro, but you also get 16 more inches of width with that added weight.
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: bart on May 05, 2008, 06:44 AM
Bean, thanks for the info. 53lbs vs 70lbs? 16" more space? $100 more? I have a few more months to decide ???  Thanks again
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: HEADHUNTER on May 05, 2008, 06:54 AM
Bean, thanks for the info. 53lbs vs 70lbs? 16" more space? $100 more? I have a few more months to decide ???  Thanks again

Its alwyas nice to have the option to bring another along.
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: bart on May 05, 2008, 07:18 AM
HEADHUNTER, that's the way I'm leaning... ???
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: Tomhusker on May 24, 2008, 12:02 AM
 I have the Guide and removed one of the seat assemblies. I can really tell a difference in weight, but mostly it is the extra room I have. I moved the right side seat over to the left a bit, giving me more room on both sides. I can always move it back and put the other seat back in if needed. 
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: zamboni on May 24, 2008, 12:14 AM
I have a Scout, and have noticed that the seat assembly has the same swivel as standard boat seat swivels- I am definitely replacing that sad excuse for a seat with a boat seat.
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: Sven936 on May 24, 2008, 02:39 PM
I bought a Frabill Ranger Solo.  The sled was a little deeper than the traps and the seat is like a lazy boy ;D

The seat assembly however adds a lot of weight and the bottom is almost flat.  I put some delrin runners on her, it tows pretty easy now.

Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: emptyhanded on May 24, 2008, 05:56 PM
I have a guide and removed one seat -- but what I did was centered the other seat for solo action

This makes one big solo hut -- I drilled new holes in the sled and can always go back to a two man for planned trips

Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: ice dawg on Aug 23, 2008, 10:27 AM
I have a Frabill XL Twin and my ice fishing buddy has a Fishtrap Guide. His Guide has never been out of his truck as we always use my Frabill. I don't know if he doesn't like it or is afraid to put some wear on it or what. We always end up taking mine out on the ice.  :cookoo:
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: tip-uptwo on Aug 23, 2008, 11:15 AM
or is afraid to put some wear on it or what.

That's probably the reason  :D

I use the Guide as a one man. My brother tags along once in a while so the extra seat really helps. Price was never a factor when I was looking for a flip-over...If you want the best buy an Otter house or Fish-Trap  8)
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: ice dawg on Aug 24, 2008, 10:09 AM
I guess I told ya the wrong info. My buddy had a Yukon model. It may be made by Clam. I'm not sure. I have noticed one thing when I have been checking out different fishing forums. A lot of things depend on where you live when it comes to which equipment you buy. On some forums, if you don't own an Otter you ain't nothin. On others it iis Fishtrap models and other places it is Frabill. Don't for get Clam, Eskimo and a dozen others. I think they are all nice. Where I live, it is mostly small towns and you buy what the local baitshop is selling or you drive 100 miles to look at other brands. When I bought my flipover I had looked at the Frabill XLT and the Yukon and bought the one that I preferred and would make the same decision again today. Maybe I should ask my buddy why he prefers to fish out of my XLT, but I really don't care. A lot of the time when we go ice fishing we take two pickups. One pulls the dropdown shanty on wheels and the other pulls a trailer with the ATV on it. When it's time to use one of the portables, all we have to do is take one of them out of a pickup. Maybe I will have to insist that we use his one of these days and see what it is like.  :o :D 
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: flounderhead59 on Aug 25, 2008, 08:46 PM
I bought the Clam Fishtrap Guide last year.  SO far I've been the only one in it. The wife origiinally pushed me to get the Yukon but it's folded up size (and weight) turned me off.  The guide fits inside my '02 Trailblazer, The Yukon wouldn't have fit.  This summer I bought a used ATV and trailer but had no problem pulling the guide last year.  I did put some downhill skis on the bottom of my pan last year as well.  Now I need to make a draw bar to connect the shanty to the ATV.  $60.00 for Clams version... I think not.
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: miket. on Aug 25, 2008, 09:08 PM
i will have to say the clam fish trap all the way.i have the two man and it is great . nice seats and plenty of room.
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: Kilroy on Oct 14, 2008, 07:47 PM
I hate to think what my Yukon weighs when it is full and tarped, I usually have my gas auger inside as well. You dont pull that baby loaded unless there are two of you, but I sure love fishing out of it. One of these years I am going to upgrade from my 3 wheeler to a quad. I upgraded from a Shapell 3000 Dlx, would never go back to a shack that small.

Kilroy
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: walleyekelly on Oct 14, 2008, 08:06 PM
BART

I bought thie FishTrap Guide last season, already knowing I was going to be the only one fishing in it most of the time. I wanted the extra room. I would say also that each seat assembly would be about 15lbs.

When I assembled mine I left one seat out and love having the extra room for any gear I bring along. Easy to pull along.......

I have had someone tag along a few times and they either used a bucket or I could simply screw the seat back in if needed before I head out.

You will really like having the extra room and comfort with the guide. I picked mine up on an awsome sale at Gander mountain for around 240 last season. 

Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: Blue Lui on Oct 15, 2008, 12:38 PM
I purchased the clam voyager (three man) last year and I love it. It comes with three seats (which are very easy to remove) and only installed two. Lots of room and with the middle seat removed there is enough room to put a small table in between the two of us. But, along with all the room comes the extra weight. This is not a problem when you pull it behind a snowmobile, but can be a liitle heavy by hand. My advice is to go as big as possible depending on how you plan on transporting it. You can never have too much room.
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: nyiceman23 on Oct 16, 2008, 09:02 PM
I think they both make quality shanties, but I perfer Frabill.  The new 2009 Frabill's have my vote for the best currently available.  I'm trying to decide on the Commando or the Trekker DLX.  Can't wait for IIICCCEE
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: littlesturgeonguy on Oct 24, 2008, 05:15 PM
i have a frabill, i got it for a song and a dance because a guide i know is on the pro staff and is sponsored by frabill he had quite a few still in the box in his storage building.  but if i was to go to a store and buy one i don't know which brand i would have bought.
Title: Re: Frabill vs. Fishtrap
Post by: Xpressman on Oct 27, 2008, 10:03 AM
I have the Guide and removed one of the seat assemblies. I can really tell a difference in weight, but mostly it is the extra room I have. I moved the right side seat over to the left a bit, giving me more room on both sides. I can always move it back and put the other seat back in if needed. 

Must be an Iowa thing!  I did the same to mine last year!  Talk about fishing in comfort!  I'll get some pics posted up as soon as I get the boat out of the garage and into storage!