Clam Fish Trap Kenai 1 - man Icefishing Shelter Opinions

[smitty0312]

I got a chance to get this 1 man shelter, this is new for $200,  who has one and can give some input. Are they a good quality hut? Enough room to run a camera and heater + 2 lines? Any mods? Thanks.

[lefty2053]

I got a chance to get this 1 man shelter, this is new for $200,  who has one and can give some input. Are they a good quality hut? Enough room to run a camera and heater + 2 lines? Any mods? Thanks.

I haven't ever seen one but I have seen a lot of people on here saying how much they like theirs. So in short they must be pretty good.

[ship of fools]

I got a chance to get this 1 man shelter, this is new for $200,  who has one and can give some input. Are they a good quality hut? Enough room to run a camera and heater + 2 lines? Any mods? Thanks.

you'll have to build a narrower sled 

i have a 2 man so i can't help as far as how much room it has but i love mine ….  especially with no snow …..       with snow it needs to be up ….   google "smitty sled" on here and build one of those 

mine is an oldie …. but it has held up well … as did the even older one it replaced!

[smitty0312]

you'll have to build a narrower sled 

i have a 2 man so i can't help as far as how much room it has but i love mine ….  especially with no snow …..       with snow it needs to be up ….   google "smitty sled" on here and build one of those 

mine is an oldie …. but it has held up well … as did the even older one it replaced!

Well I am Smitty....so I have a "smitty sled"...lol

[BaitBucket]

I looked at the Kenai when i got my Trapper.

They are very close with the kenai having a slightly deeper tub, but had 1 less sq ft of fishing area.
The Kenai was also heavier at 50 lbs vs 35lbs

For mods, i have seen a few guy make a home made fiberglass tub insert with dividers for all their gear.

I have added a couple mods:
Lined the inside with reflectex for thermal value/condesation. Folds up nice too. I only put it in on the really cold/windy days.


I put skis on the bottom to protect the tub (A must, you will wear the tub out fast on non ice areas). The ropes and carabiners you see are anchor lines i attach to ice screws on winds days.


I also modified the bottom bar to lay flat on the ice and sewed velcro straps in to hold the tent down as well. This keeps wind from sneaking under the tent.


I also added a home made removable auger holder.


This is my storage/seating solution.

[SkiSoloII]

Well I am Smitty....so I have a "smitty sled"...lol

     That's too funny!!!!! 

[Cranked]

BB, how did you attach the Refectix?

[BaitBucket]

BB, how did you attach the Refectix?

Super velcro to the back of the tub, then just run it over the bars. Cut slits in the reflectex to slip the tent velcro straps thru to velcro to the poles.

[tomturkey]

I have a kenai. Knowing they pulled hard I built a smitty for it before I ever took it on the ice. 

A lot of guys complain about the bench seat but I have no problem with it. I do not lean back so I do not need a back rest. With the black interior I seldom run my buddy heater. there is plenty of room out toward the door to set the heater.

I drill the hole for my camera out side the shelter then line up the two holes inside. At the last part of the season I started putting the tv between my feet and moved the fishing holes out a little more.

What you will need is some clips to clip the canvas to the tub as it will catch the wind from the back and billow out the tent. I also made some of those pvc pipe things that are some where on IS to keep the canvas pushed out.

On my Smitty I put upright pieces of 2x4 on one side of the cross pieces to carry my auger, spud and the pvc pipes. I originally had them on hinges but fastened them solid as I carry the whole kit and caboodle on my hitch haul to the lake on the hitch haul as at most I drive only a mile. I had to add some 2x4s on the hitch haul to carry the gear but it works out great.

[TType86]

I owned one a few years ago. The tackle tray is very handy. I actually like bench seats so I liked the seat. Plenty of padding. The sled is deeper than most, which was also handy. My problem was it pulled like a giant piece of concrete! They all do at times, but for some reason that kenai seemed worse. I dont know maybe im crazy, I just thought it sucked to hand pull compared to most other 1 mans.

[esox_magnum]

I have one and like others say they drag like a log in mud....Rather drag my 3 man....But it is functional and since I have a quad it sits on the rack or gets towed...I dont use it alot but it's always along....

[ship of fools]

    That's too funny!!!!! 

i knew it …..   that's why i first said he needed to build a smaller sled

to anyone who has trouble pulling theirs say thanks to smitty and build one of his sleds …. they make life way easier 

[Steellord]

I have one and I love it. I have done a few mods to mine to make it my own. I added a folding boat seat and I put L.E.D. strip lights on the hoops to light the shanty when needed. And I also built a smitty sled for mine. Here is a link to pics of the shanty.

http://s174.photobucket.com/user/Steellords-Maille-Designs/library/Clam%20Kenai

A pic from last season with my rednexilar and my Big Buddy heater in the shanty with me.

[blacknoise]

I like mine a lot, only had about a half season on it last year, but i too built a smitty sled for it, and just extended that to haul my auger, only because it has a little leak and i dont like my shanty smelling like gas.  It might be a little tight for two holes fishing, i've done it, but that was before i bought my buddy heater.  I know a few people with the heaters that put it in the sled, but i'm not sure if i trust it to not melt something.  i also put one of those stadium seat rests on the bench seat, it has the snap lock things on it to fasten it down and gives you a little back rest.  still not the most comfortable thing out there, but i'm walking around checking tipups most of the time anyway.