Portable Ice Shack

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I am finally giving in and thinking about getting a portable ice shack. I really have no idea about what brands of shacks are out there, so can anybody tell me what they have for a portable ice shack and if it has worked good for you or if you like it. Thanks

[Clear_Ice]

Can you give us some stuff like your location, if you have to something to pull your gear with, and how many people you usually fish with?

All that stuff matters when buying a portable!

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I am in central Maine so weather gets cold but not brutal, usually about 10-25 degrees. I am looking for something that can be easily packed up as I would be walking with it. I like to try different lakes so would like easy set up and take down, looking for something that could hold 5-7 people. Let me know if you need anymore info.

[Pantucci]

Eskimo Quickfish 3i  is a great popup-- fits into a long bag.  Comes with awesome ice anchors, easy to screw in, sets up in under a minute (without anchoring).  Pop out the top and the sides, anchor it, and your done.  The 3i is insulated and keeps the heat in real good.  Fits 2 people comfortably.  In a high wind, you have to anchor it first before you pop it up, or the wind will take it away.  It's around 300, I believe the uninsulated one is closer to 2. 

[IFF]

One that size, you will want a sled to put it in, with the rest of your fishing gear.  couple different brands make a "6" pack, or doubles as they are called.  Google Icefishing shanties.  Most call them hubs.

[hardwater diehard]

That's a tall order for so many people ...the Frabill Headquarters or Clam 1660 ...Eskimo has a version of both ..

[adkRoy]

Shappell ice house 5000 or 6000. Both are good hub style shanties that I  use.

[3300]

there are some hubs that have two-in-one style or two hubs joined at one wall. supposed to be others that are attachable to one another, but didn't look into them.

what about having two separate hubs?

Shappell ice house 5000 or 6000. Both are good hub style shanties that I  use.

i bought the wide house 6500 (28#) in part because you said you liked it after buying their 5500 first. my buddy bought the wh5500 (24#) and likes it. can't stand up in it, but likes it.

the wh6500 is great for two, but looks like it was designed for four if you keep most of the gear out side. each person gets a wall to use is how it looks to be used and keep the ice holes against your wall, none in the middle.
how would you fish four in it?

really nice for one person, almost 9 foot square at the hubs and 7.5 feet floor space. needs a good heater tho on less than 20 degree days/nights.

[pmaloney86]

I don't have a snow mobile or anything to pull my gear and I have the Cabela's 5 sided 360 view pop up shelter.  It can comfortably hold 3 maybe 4 guys if you are all jigging, more if you are just sitting inside to stay warm.  The nice thing about this shelter is that it has windows on all sides so you can see all of your tip ups with ease.  It also has the thermal roof to absord sunlight and make it warmer inside.  The downside to this shelter is that it weighs 40-45lbs so long drags through snow can be brutal.  I have also found that the windows fog up a little but I'm sure there is a way to prevent it (someone mentioned rubbing a potato on it but I've yet to try it).  However, this is not the type of shelter your are going to be running and gunning in.  Once I setup it is usually there for the day since screwing in the ice spikes by hand takes some time.  If you got the drill attachment for putting in the spikes you could be more mobile.

[NHHARDWATER]

I was told by a CLAM rep, that all hub style pop-out shelters are made by Clam, inc. The framework is the same from brand to brand, but the fabric is the difference (also in $$).
I bought a frabill hub shack, and found that the zippers and fabric were not very durable. I am now on my 3rd season with the cabelas's ICE TEAM hub shack and its still going strong with no issues. Its not insulated, but I find it is warm enough just getting out of the wind and weather. the CLAM, ESKIMO, OTTER, etc brands have an upgraded insulated fabric, but as a consequence, they weigh more too. Mine is a 6'x8' and weighs just over 30lbs. MY Dad has the CLAM bigfoot 7'x7' and its a bit heavier due to the fabric. Just a few things to consider when weighing price vs. quality.
Hope this helps.

[eriksat1]

I have a insulated model and highly recommend getting a insulated. I have the Eskimo 949i it will seat 4 but really nice and roomy for 2. At 34 Lbs. it is about the heaviest that I would be willing to carry by hand without a sled, it has a sling you throw over your shoulder to carry. Here is a nice video of a guy carrying one out and setting it up.

[hardwater diehard]

[eriksat1]

I found that I don't like to shovel the snow off the ice, I just set it up on top of the snow it insulates from the ice and the floor doesn't get all wet. I do shovel snow all around on the bottom apron outside to keep the wind out. I also think leaving the snow on top helps make the fish less spooky than if you were to shovel it all off.

[Lavman]

I found that I don't like to shovel the snow off the ice, I just set it up on top of the snow it insulates from the ice and the floor doesn't get all wet. I do shovel snow all around on the bottom apron outside to keep the wind out. I also think leaving the snow on top helps make the fish less spooky than if you were to shovel it all off.

Same here. With all the snow on the ice right now, as soon as you drill a hole water gushes up out of it. We use our snowshoes to pack an area to set the Frabill Headquarters hub shanty then use snow to ballast the edges. When there is no wind anchors are not needed which is nice. By packing the snow we create a layer for the water to absorb into, also important to NOT swipe the slush mound away from the hole, the slush helps keep the water from gushing up and out.

[duke14]

agreed, I set up on top also,i use my auger shavings to secure the flaps,i also take a small shovel too,came in handy when the sled got stuck(stupid slush!!)