Clam's New Big Mouth expandable one man

[MNPKRFAN]

Video just out today.  Pretty cool setup.

40zFA&index=1&feature=plcp

[BaitBucket]

Ouch on the $349 price tag..
They say its a scout with an expandable bottom rod. Werent the scouts only 99$?

The Shappell FX100 is basically the same thing. Except the bottom rods taper out from the base of the sled, instead of expanding.
Giving you the same fishable area as the Big Mouth, for $130 less..

http://www.shappell.com/iceshelters/fxseriesflips.html

http://www.basspro.com/Shappell-FX-100-Ice-Shelter/product/1208200914/

[filetandrelease]

i looked at all the new clams the expandable one is a cool idea but not practical wait till the zippers freeze up , , yes it gets wider at the front but that's not where you fish just do the math your only gaining very little considering the angle back to the tub  ,but some of the one man flips i think will sell very well , just a fussy ol buzzards .02

[topwaterbait]

Shappell all the way no pole's to extend either.

[icebucketjohn]

I own a Clam Nanook.  I'm happy with it. I think  the expandable model is more "gimmicky" than anything else. Not sold on it.  If you want more room, just buy a larger unit.

[Minnowhead]

Good points on the Shappell.

[BaitBucket]

From what I can gather, the Scout was replaced by the Fish Trap Trapper. Has the same dimensions as the scout.
The price tag on the Trapper is $209. So your basically paying $140 more for the Big Mouths expandable bottom rod.
Or you can pay $10 more than the Trapper and get the Shappell FX100 for $219, which is the same fishing area as the Big Mouth.
Honestly don know what they were thinking with those prices.

Shappell is also made in the USA.
Their 2man FX200 is just like the Nanook, only doesn't use extendable rods!
And is $50 cheaper than the Nanook.

[Crash1433]

I sat in one of these last night at my local gander. I have a 5 or 6 yr old scout and can definitely see the improvements. The seat is way better than the rock that I have in mine. The spreader pole that allows you to have the top at half mast is a positive as well. The expanding bottom while at first didn't seem like a big deal makes a noticable difference to me. Having that extra space for your heater or fishfinder has to be a good thing if for mothing else but not having to worry about hooking them with your jig or melting your line if it touches your heater by accident. just my .02

[BaitBucket]

I like the extra area, i just cant justify the price of $349 when u can get the FX100 for $130 less for the same 13sq ft of fishable area.

[silvercreeker]

Looked at it yesterday, it is bigger than my old scout, more space for a flasher or additional hole.  Not really critical space.  i don't think the Scout ever sold for under 100 bucks.  I think I paid 150 for my first one back in the 80's

[BaitBucket]

Looked at it yesterday, it is bigger than my old scout, more space for a flasher or additional hole.  Not really critical space.  i don't think the Scout ever sold for under 100 bucks.  I think I paid 150 for my first one back in the 80's

I have a buddy that got a Scout for $99, maybe it was on sale at the time.
Regardless tho, the scout was replaced by the Trapper, which is 209 today. The Big Mouth is $349.
Thats a $140 increase for an extension rod, lol.

[hnd]

seems like a better feature for a 2 man.  my and my buddy can always use more room in the hut.

[$ignmoney]

Taken from shappell web site   " MADE IN USA"        Im looking in to one

[mushroom_capd_1]

I'm not a Clam rep, just wanted to clarify a couple things. The Scout TC is still available for around $300. And the difference between the Trapper and Scout TC is the Trapper does not have the swivel seat or the thermal cap. As for the added cost of th Big Mouth...if I remember correctly(although I could be wrong), the Big Mouth might be available with a full thermal tent.

[BaitBucket]

I'm not a Clam rep, just wanted to clarify a couple things. The Scout TC is still available for around $300. And the difference between the Trapper and Scout TC is the Trapper does not have the swivel seat or the thermal cap. As for the added cost of th Big Mouth...if I remember correctly(although I could be wrong), the Big Mouth might be available with a full thermal tent.

There are two different big mouths. Non thermal for 349, and thermal for 399...

[BigDynamite]

Is there a back on that Shappell 100 bench seat?  This would be critical for me.  I looked at the Bigmouth yesterday and liked what I saw.  I have a hub (QF3) now and would love to get a flip for when I go alone and want to move around more easily.  I can't disagree that the $349 price tag was a little discouraging.  Like the extra space though and the 38lb weight.

[Wingthing]

I can't disagree that the $349 price tag was a little discouraging.  Like the extra space though and the 38lb weight.

I also like the 38lb weight but the $349 is a little steep. I like what I see in the Shappell FX100 for the price difference.

[BaitBucket]

Is there a back on that Shappell 100 bench seat?  This would be critical for me.  I looked at the Bigmouth yesterday and liked what I saw.  I have a hub (QF3) now and would love to get a flip for when I go alone and want to move around more easily.  I can't disagree that the $349 price tag was a little discouraging.  Like the extra space though and the 38lb weight.

The Shappell doesnt have a back to the seat, but you can buy one for about $30, and still save $100 lol..

There is no way the Big Mouth weighs 38lbs with a swivel seat.. Those seats alone weigh about 15 lbs..

The Scout Thermal, which is what the Big Mouth is with an extendable bottom rod, weights 53 lbs. &the scout TC has a swivel seat.

The Fish Trap Trapper weighs 38lbs and has a folding chair. If you add a swivel seat (15lb) you get the Scout TC weight of 53lbs.

http://clamoutdoors.com/ice_fishing/http-clamcorp-com-ice-fishing-shelters/fish-trap/trapper/scout-tc.html

[Woodguy]

I am waiting to read some real-people, un-biased opinions on the FX100. I went to our local GM here last nite and they only had a few shelters. A Nanook, Commando and a bigger one(can't recall). They also only had one flasher.........an old FL-8. Talk about no ice fishing gear! The Nanook look okay, but 80lbs empty is a pain to drag solo(we usually get alot of snow). The Commando seemed a little flimsy and didn't care for the material. Hopefully, someone will chime in pretty soon on the FX100. 

[BaitBucket]

Woodguy, you can drop the weight of the Nanook by about 40lbs if you remove the chairs and the metal framework they attach to.
Then just use 5gal buckets for seats, and you have a 40lb 2man.. Pretty slick if u ask me.

[Soozookie]

I agree with bait bucket. I removed he seats sit on a bucket and have plenty of room for the pup.

[Michaelo]

I did a lot of research in a flip over shack this fall and hands down the Shappell FX100 takes the cake. Made in the USA, 600D Fabric, Padded Bench seat, weighs 37lbs and it has the wide front for $229. The Clam Fish Trap Trapper which is clam entry model which has a 420d fabric, weighs 38lbs with a fold up chair, not made in the us and costs $209. Just saying

[BigDynamite]

The 38 lb weight for the Bigmouth comes straight off the big advertising sign from Clam that was connected to the shack itself.  I guess I should assume its correct.

[BaitBucket]

The 38 lb weight for the Bigmouth comes straight off the big advertising sign from Clam that was connected to the shack itself.  I guess I should assume its correct.

Was it the thermal or the non thermal?
Did it have the full swivel seat, bench seat, or folding chair?

[BigDynamite]

The 38 lbs was for a non-thermal with a seat that can be folded flat or sit with the back at different angles.  The thermal was 43 lbs with same seat.

[BaitBucket]

The 38 lbs was for a non-thermal with a seat that can be folded flat or sit with the back at different angles.  The thermal was 43 lbs with same seat.

If its the same seat as in the pics there is no way its only 38lbs.
Look at the Clam Trapper
Same Specs as the BigMouth, same weight, but uses a folding camp chair..
How does the BigMouth retain its 38lb weight by adding a 15lb chair, and more rods?





The thermal version has the same specs as the scout thermal. But the Scout thermal weighs 10lbs more (53lbs).
How is the BigMouth lighter when it has all the same stuff as the Scout, and more rods?





I was never good at math, but somethings not adding up..

[BigDynamite]

Baitbucket -

Can't disagree with you here.  I'm no expert on all the Clam models and how they comare, but the info. you provided does raise questions.  Is the Bigmouth 300D fabric instead of 430 D?  This would lower the weight some - but wouldn't think nearly enough.  Could the Bigmouth sled be thinner or lighter for some other reason?  Lighter poles in the Bigmouth?

I will say that I found one of the Clam hubs advertised as quite a bit heavier than it really was (so I have been told).  I guess some incorrect info. given out by Clam.  Could Clam be purposely misleading people about the weight of the Bigmouth to get more sales?  I wouldn't think so.  Anyone else have insight?

Last thing, am I correct that the Bigmouth is only sold by Gander Mtn.?

[BaitBucket]

Yah its a special only offered thru them.
I could see them stretching the weight. Maybe they arent including the seat since its removable?
All the other model have removable chairs and they didnt do that, but who knows...

[BigDynamite]

You might have hit on it with the idea that the seat weight was left out. 

[BaitBucket]

Its odd, they include the seat weight in all the other models..