Fish Trap vs. Frabill

[P.I.K.E.]

After 14+ years my fish trap has finally worn through the bottom of the sled and I'm in the market for a new flip over shelter. Except this time I'm gonna get a two man. My 9 year old son goes allot with me now and it would be nice to have the extra room. While I was completely satisfied with my fish trap I'm looking into the frabill models. I have two shacks narrowed down, the Frabill Ranger XLTwin or the Fishtrap Yukon. I am leaning more to the Frabill because of the module seating system and it's 20 pound lighter than the Yukon. Not to mention it's $50 cheaper. But price isn't my main concern here. First though I want to get to our local Gander Mountain and sit in each to see how they feel.

But I was wondering what everyones opinoins/pros and cons of these shelters are.

[bushbunny]

I have a Frabill Ranger, that I have only installed 2 seats in.  What a shack!!!  Lots of room for everything.  Compared to an Otter, I would take the Frabill anyday.  I put "puckboard" on the sled bottom and found that it was a breeze to pull, and did not stick to the snow or wear.  I guess, in the end though, it is the preference of the guy who buys the unit, and feels comfortable with it.

[jacksmelt71]

 i have a 3 man frabil venture i got at the guide' for $180 and i love it! not as fancy as the flip over designs but very comfortable to fish in. well made too.

[ohiowoody]

i have a frabill also and it pulls pretty hard in the snow. what is this puckboard?

[bushbunny]

"Puckboard" is the strip of polycarbonate that they use at the bottom of the boards in a hockey rink.  It is usually available for free from the neighbourhood rink, as they replace it every few years.  It comes in 8' joints and is easily cut into strips on a tablesaw, drilled, countersunk and attached to the bottom of the sled.  Snow & ice do not stick to it, as it is slippier than snot on a doorknob.

[Icenutter]

I think you answered your own question already.  "My trap has lasted me 14 years"  Clam has great products and their customer service is outstanding.  I believe that their fabric is alot stronger and thicker than the frabill.  Don't foget you get what you pay for.  Spend the extra money and go with the Clam.   

[AugustWest]

Clam Corp. has awesome customer satisfaction. Great people.

[FishDaddy09]

The only way to decide is go and sit in each model you are considering. Pull each one closed think about how the seat will feel after a few hours of sitting in it, check out the thickness of the tub material and how heavy duty the cloth of the cover is. Is it easy to flip over or do you need to mess around with the tubes to set it up is it dark inside? Is there a cover avalible for it you will want one of those if you pull it behind a atv or sled. Don't buy until your happy with what you see.

[BUCKSKI]

Been in both and really like the frabill. Did talk to the owner of the bait shop and he stated that it was heavier than others?? Do not have the stats but I believe em.
The Frabill twin is big enough for three if you had to, me and the guy i fish with are both 6'2 and 250 lbs and we have room for 2 vexs heater and a hand rod and dead stick.
Plenty of room, gets me thinking of pulling crappies out one after the other.......
Plenty of room to keep the fish in, not to draw attention.
Also like the fabric, seemed to hold up well for 20 plus trips out.

[dldeadstick]

My brother and I jointly have the following:
Fishtrap Scout
Fishtrap Pro
Fishtrap Guide
Fishtrap Voyager
Frabil XLTWIN
Frabil Triplex

Personally, I would go with the Fishtrap if the prices were EXACTLY the same.  If not, go with the one that's cheaper - they're both great - durable, etc...  The weight of the new fishtraps is a bit better because our XLTWIN has a metal bar going across for the seat mount that has added weight, whereas the new Voyager allows you to just take the seat you're not using out (no mounting bar) to lighten it up if you're using it for just 1 person.

I like the fact that you can take the tarp off the Frabill for storage (can put the sled in an outbuilding or something and not worry about mice chewing into it - can put the tarp somewhere "safer" and it doesn't take up much room).  However, we have had to do some work to those hooks that hold the tarp to the sled in the back and it's not as tight of a fit after 5 years because of this (durability vs. convenience).  Conversely, the cover on the Fishtraps is on better and won't leak air, but you can't pull it off to store it - it stays on the sled forever as it is screwed on.  So the edge goes to the Clam houses if you have plenty of room for storage, to the Frabill if you (like me) have a lot of shelters and like to take the tarps off so you don't have to fill your garage.

We've had the XLTWIN for 4 years, and all of the Fishtraps (except the Voyager - new last year) for 6+ years.  No problems with any of them.

[tucker]

i have the frabill voyager then got a fishtrap guide.  The frabill is in storage.  So much easier pulling the guide. the guide acts like a sled while the voyager was a snow plow.  Easier setup and take down.

[P.I.K.E.]

I think you answered your own question already.  "My trap has lasted me 14 years" 

I knew someone was gonna say this. When I bought me first fish trap they were new to the market. I never even saw anyone else with one for a couple of years. Now that there is competiton with different flip top shelters there could always be a better one. That's why I want some different opinoins.

In all honesty I think the fabric they used when I bought my first one is much thicker than what they use now.

[Traxion]

As far as the Trap cover removal, I never have screwed mine down.  The plastic strip holds on just fine, and in the summer I pull it off, unvelcro, and take the cover off.  Love my Trap Guide, but have no experience witht he Frabill.  Good Luck!!!!

[Polar]

First though I want to get to our local Gander Mountain and sit in each to see how they feel.

But I was wondering what everyones opinoins/pros and cons of these shelters are.

You have the right idea.Go to your local store and give them a test drive. I favor the clams.They have great customer service too.

[icechipper]

i have the frabill ultralight and i love it. a buddy of mine has a two man trap and he loves it. the only differences that i can see is weight and quality of cover. the frabills seem to be lighter but the traps have way better cover material. if weight is a concern i say frabill but the material is a little thin and loud in the wind. the material covering on the traps is way better in my opinion and not as noisy in the wind. just my 2 cents.
         
                                              chip

[P.I.K.E.]

i have the frabill ultralight and i love it. a buddy of mine has a two man trap and he loves it. the only differences that i can see is weight and quality of cover. the frabills seem to be lighter but the traps have way better cover material. if weight is a concern i say frabill but the material is a little thin and loud in the wind. the material covering on the traps is way better in my opinion and not as noisy in the wind. just my 2 cents.
         
                                              chip

A few of you have said the cover quality is better with the fish traps. I think my opinoin is starting to sway.

[Icejigs]

 We havent got a lot of choice in my area, but looking on the net. I kinda like the looks of a frabill when its made into a wind break, hasnt got the bar and cover to trip over when running for a flag.