Choosing a good hub shelter

[bmaher287]

I need to buy a new shelter since my clam 2000 severely dissapointed me. I think I am most interested in getting a hub shelter, as they are more compact and offer more room. The only drawback I can see with the hub shelters is the lack of a floor, which is why I am interested in the Arctic Shield models as they come with a ground covering. I know its not that nice of a floor but anything is better than nothing to keep gear and myself from getting too wet. Has anyone used the Arctic Shield hubs? How were they? What other hub recommendations or tips do you have? Thanks for any help

[adkRoy]

I have the shappell 5000 and 6000. the 5000 is good if you are a solo fisher. The 6000 is good for 2-3 people. I really don't care if they don't have a floor.  They are roomy, easy to set up, take down, and pack away well.

[bmaher287]

I usually fish with just one other person or I fish alone so I wouldn't need a very big hub.

[SD Joe]

I don't have experience with any other, but I absolutely love my Quickfish 3.  It goes up and down so easily. Much more so than my hub-style turkey blind, which is an absolute nightmare to take down.  I'm so happy with my QF3 that I am thinking about using it turkey hunting, but the turkeys might see the red color

[perchpounder97]

What's your budget

[bmaher287]

I dont think I would spend more than about 350

[perchpounder97]

I would get a trekker flip over then or the nanook.....ya they pull harder but the fishability is so worth it in return. Seriously give them a shot it's worth every penny.

[jethro]

This year is my first year with a hub. I had a Clam suitcase with a hard floor and I was worried I would miss the floor. What I have found is that I don't miss it at all. Actually had planned on making some sort of floor, but after using it, no need.

[harrops26]

The shappell 6000 is great. I love the room. Customer service is great as well. I emailed them about a broken pole and they responded with in minutes and were happy to send  me a replacement pole free of charge.

[nitram]

 I have fished out of the 1 man quick fish, the quick fish 3 and the new fatfish 3, I like them all wind can be an issue, One guy fishing in a 3 man is great amount of space. But my flip over is much faster and more moblie.

[marquette]

i bought a Fatfish 949 this year as my 1st hub.  i looked at all the brands and like most things it came down to which had the most of the features i wanted.  none of them had all of them.  now having fished out of it a bit here is what i have learned are good and bad features.  eskimo anchors are so easy to put in a tool isn't necessary.  the net basket to put your coat in is worthless because the condensation on the roof gets your coat wet.  no floor is not an issue.  a big buddy heater is the equilvilant of a person in the house as far as space goes.  eskimo's indoor tie downs are too far back in the corner to be practical.  Clam and Shapell have a better system.  set up and take down is as easy as they make it look.  getting a cold house back in the bag in the dark is a joke.  there is no practical way to dry a hub with out setting it up. if you don't have a truck or suv look at the size of the box before you buy because they are long to fit in a vehicle.   at 10-15 degrees a big buddy keeps the house warm enough on med power (i think med power on a BB is the same as high power on a reg buddy heater)  to not need bibs,coats or gloves.  the zippers need to be lubricated to work nicely.  the more you set it up it seems things loosen up and work better.   fishing 2 holes apiece, 2 people, heater, and gear fill a 8x8 house comfortably.  if 50% of the time you will be fishing 2 people i would get the 8x8 vs 6x6 if weight is not an issue. 
         i don't know if they still have them but Thorne Bros had the 949 Fatfish for $199 with free shipping. 

[jethro]

there is no practical way to dry a hub with out setting it up. 

I dry mine out in the bathtub. Just set it in there and then sort of pull the hub corners out a bit. I usually move the fabric around once or twice during the process and it's usually dry in less than 12 hours. Works great.

[lakerman]

I just cannot bring my self to get a shanty with no floor, if i put a heater in it, will it not be just a big puddle of water ? I do not want to sit in a puddle all day ! I need a floor, guess a piece of rug or something may work , but not sure .

[bigbuckmiddaugh]

i like shappell.  6500  if i was going to buy a hub.   
Water: its not like you think! Unless your really anal about it!!
  IF you keep it really warm, you will get a little water,but its not a lot.
It doesn't say on your location, but i'm in michigan and the term water with ice fishing...is when you get warm days and rain, you have 10 inches of ice with 2-3 inches of water!!!  Thats water!   I'd say most your going to get  is just a thin coat, its not a slush mess.  Most choose floor because there feet get cold (like mine) which i don't have a floor,but do bring along something to put my feet on. 
granted, yes...its a little more slippery....i would say that is only downfall (lmao...down fall)

[beeverfishingscatch]

I just cannot bring my self to get a shanty with no floor, if i put a heater in it, will it not be just a big puddle of water ? I do not want to sit in a puddle all day ! I need a floor, guess a piece of rug or something may work , but not sure .

how about those foam snap-to-fit blocks that kids get they are like 12"x12" if not bigger light and fairly cheap....just a thought

[jethro]

I just cannot bring my self to get a shanty with no floor, if i put a heater in it, will it not be just a big puddle of water ? I do not want to sit in a puddle all day ! I need a floor, guess a piece of rug or something may work , but not sure .

I thought the same thing... truth is if you raise the heater off the floor its dry. I was really skeptical,  but you have your creepers and boots on anyways. I actually like it better now that I am used to it. If you use a carpet, just be aware you will have to anchor it down or it will slide all over the place.

[neveruminda]

I picked up a QF3 and it's more than enough me, my gear, 3x holes, buddy heater, lantern etc
Cut out a 1/4" rubber 2x2 mat for the feet-picked up a larger section from TSC
I'd look at the Shappell Hub if I was buying new   

[wetboots]

I picked up a QF3 and it's more than enough me, my gear, 3x holes, buddy heater, lantern etc
Cut out a 1/4" rubber 2x2 mat for the feet-picked up a larger section from TSC
I'd look at the Shappell Hub if I was buying new

Just ordered  A QF4 Are the shapells  better than the QFs inIYOP?

[marquette]

i had a shappell WH6500 in the cart and got talked into the fatfish 949 because of the better ice anchors.  i think they are a horse apiece.  i think you can go back and forth between the 2 and not make a bad choice.  both have excellent customer service and a good product.  features are a trade-off.  to me i wanted Clam's inside tie down and hub system, Eskimo's anchors and colors, Shappell's door and wider bottom draft flap.  Unfortunately you can't get everything all in one hub. 

[beeverfishingscatch]

"Unfortunately you can't get everything all in one hub."

marquette....maybe you should design one with all of those featurs and who knows maybe one of the companies will want it... 

[dbike988]

Floors are annoying.  You have to perfectly lay out your holes when cutting them.  Just get a fatfish of some kind.  They are really large and even the uninsulated 949 heats up nicely.  I actually use some closed cell foam pads to put my feet on while fishing.  It helps quite a bit.