Clam Hub Preference

[Burly31]

I have a clam kenai and love it so I thought I would stick with them for a hub. I have buddies that want to give it shot and some others that would prefer to be in hub rather than a few different kenais. Does anyone have experience with their line? What one works best for 3+ 200 pound guys?

[32footsteps]

I have two Clam hubs. One is ten years old and the other one is two years old. I feel that the ten year old hub was better built and more durable than the newer one. Right now I wouldn’t get another Clam hub because of this, I’d go with a different brand...but that’s just me.

As far as size is concerned I have one that is advertised as a “three person” hub. Three people fishing in that thing would be possible but it would be incredibly cramped. If you want to fish three comfortably in a hub you need to go bigger than what they are advertised for.

[Burly31]

That is unfortunate to hear thank you for the reply. Do you have a different brand that you have heard better things about?

[FlamDragger]

Eskimo gets my vote.

[jimhaney08]

I think it's a sound idea in general to take every "3 man" or "4 man" with a grain of salt.  I have a Clam Bigfoot XL2000, which they rate for 4 people.  I have fished 3 and it was okay, but I wouldn't fish 4. 

Also, think about gear.  When they say 4 people, they mean 4 people - not 4 people, two folding tables, two rod cases, and four 5-Gallon buckets.

For me, I am 6'4", 220lb, and like to have room for my rod case, a heater, my depth finder, and my fold out table that's on my chair.  AKA I fish big.  I basically figure that with gear I count as two people.  I think the Bigfoot XL2000 is a great size for two people and gear. 

I would suggest that you find out the dimensions and then use tape, paint cans, or something to mark out the corners in your driveway or garage.  Then set up your chair and gear with you in the marked up area.  That will give you a feel for how much room there will be left.

[lefty2053]

I think it's a sound idea in general to take every "3 man" or "4 man" with a grain of salt.  I have a Clam Bigfoot XL2000, which they rate for 4 people.  I have fished 3 and it was okay, but I wouldn't fish 4. 

Also, think about gear.  When they say 4 people, they mean 4 people - not 4 people, two folding tables, two rod cases, and four 5-Gallon buckets.

For me, I am 6'4", 220lb, and like to have room for my rod case, a heater, my depth finder, and my fold out table that's on my chair.  AKA I fish big.  I basically figure that with gear I count as two people.  I think the Bigfoot XL2000 is a great size for two people and gear. 

I would suggest that you find out the dimensions and then use tape, paint cans, or something to mark out the corners in your driveway or garage.  Then set up your chair and gear with you in the marked up area.  That will give you a feel for how much room there will be left.

I had the Shappell Wide House 5500 which I thought was too small for the wife and I. I bought the 6500 and we still get clogged up in it. We have fished 3 people in it but never 4.

[jethro]

I absolutely love my Clam BigFoot XL4000T. It's big, 3 big guys could fish in it no problem. It's durable, I have had no problems other than the cheap zipper pulls which I improved easily. I think it's the 5th or 6th year I've had it and I can't say enough good about it. I would buy another in a heartbeat but I don't need to because mine is going great! I upgraded the anchors and I set it up differently than most do and I think it makes a huge difference in how well it lasts. I also dry mine after every use in the bathtub.

[jchunter]

Last year was my first year with my Otter lodge hub. So far I've been really happy with it. Now they have a new updated version out. It's basically a 8'X8' foot print. Two guys fishing you have tons of room. 3 guys still very doable. 4 guys and you get kinda tight. One size bigger is the Otter resort and I'm sure you could fish 4 guys in that pretty easy. I wouldn't go smaller than the lodge for fishing 3 guys.

[lynng]

I absolutely love my Clam BigFoot XL4000T. It's big, 3 big guys could fish in it no problem. It's durable, I have had no problems other than the cheap zipper pulls which I improved easily. I think it's the 5th or 6th year I've had it and I can't say enough good about it. I would buy another in a heartbeat but I don't need to because mine is going great! I upgraded the anchors and I set it up differently than most do and I think it makes a huge difference in how well it lasts. I also dry mine after every use in the bathtub.

I completely agree. I fish by myself most of the time and love the extra room in the BigFoot XL4000T. It is easy to set up and heats well with the regular 1 tank Buddy heater. It would easily fish 3 guys. I would gladly buy another.

[Drewski121]

Clam is garbage anymore,their customer service sucks and they re slow to ship, done with clam ....DD...

[Monticatgeek]

Clam is garbage anymore,their customer service sucks and they re slow to ship, done with clam ....DD...

give customer service a break. there is only 4 people that run customer service for the whole company. one of the four deals with the retailers and will help with the public when the retail side of things are slow. as for the shipping that is not controlled by customer service. the shipping department sets the shipping schedule and they try to only ship when the order is complete. they try not to ship partial orders if they can help it. also remember that the shipping department is not only pulling and shipping private orders but they are also pulling and shipping retailer orders too. each day the retail orders are pulled and shipped first then the private orders get pulled and shipped. this only changes if they can get a crew of enough temps to where they can have one group work on the retail orders and the other group work on the private orders. the whole Company is made up of about 25 full time employees and the seasonal temps that are brought it during the peak of the ice fishing season to help with orders and boxing of the different houses.


this picture is the 25 full time employees (photo from the Clam facebook page ) :

[Monticatgeek]

now to get back to the original question :

these are the ones I would recommend for 3+ guys.

Refuge FLR (this replaced the XL4000T) (this one has a add on floor you can get separate if you want it) (8' X 8', 4 sided square) :

http://stores.clamoutdoors.com/clam/shelters/pop-up-hub/refuge-ice-thermal-flr.html

Jason Mitchell 5000 (9' diameter, 5 sided) :

http://stores.clamoutdoors.com/clam/shelters/pop-up-hub/jm-5000-thermal.html

Stealth Spearfisher (9' diameter, 5 sided) :

http://stores.clamoutdoors.com/clam/shelters/pop-up-hub/stealth-spearfisher-thermal.html

Escape Ice Thermal FLR (11 feet diameter, 6 sided) (can get a optional floor for it too) :

http://stores.clamoutdoors.com/clam/shelters/pop-up-hub/escape-ice-thermal-flr.html

XL6000T Garage (6 person hub) (8'x14', four sided like a rectangle) (has big door in end that can be opened to drive a atv or snowmobile inside plus the two regular doors too) :

http://stores.clamoutdoors.com/clam/shelters/pop-up-hub/big-foottm-xl6000t-garage-6-8-person.html


I personally own and fish out of the XL6000T Garage and the Spearfisher (this is my spear house when I spear). also own and use the XL2000T house/blind hub house. also have a variety of the sled based flip overs that I fish out of too.

[kpd145]

I have a clam kenai one man pullover.  Paid around 350 for it. Full thermal.

Used it maybe 20 trips. I have had it for 2 full ice seasons, some trips I needed it, others i was just fine being outside.

One of a few knocks to the clam is the plastic they use for the tub. The plastic is thin and does not wear anywhere near as well as my 15 yr old jet sled that has been dragged over everything and anything.

I have 2 spots on the backside of tub that have worn through so I have to fix it.

I also think the angle of the tub is too steep. Wants to plow snow rather than try to go over it.

BUT, everything else is perfect. The bars are mint, the hub is only stained on the skirt, the seat is very comfortable, the fabric is still like brand new. Stitching has held up well.

But the tub seems very cheap.

[E Z turn]

give customer service a break. there is only 4 people that run customer service for the whole company. one of the four deals with the retailers and will help with the public when the retail side of things are slow. as for the shipping that is not controlled by customer service. the shipping department sets the shipping schedule and they try to only ship when the order is complete. they try not to ship partial orders if they can help it. also remember that the shipping department is not only pulling and shipping private orders but they are also pulling and shipping retailer orders too. each day the retail orders are pulled and shipped first then the private orders get pulled and shipped. this only changes if they can get a crew of enough temps to where they can have one group work on the retail orders and the other group work on the private orders. the whole Company is made up of about 25 full time employees and the seasonal temps that are brought it during the peak of the ice fishing season to help with orders and boxing of the different houses.


this picture is the 25 full time employees (photo from the Clam facebook page ) :


(Image removed from quote.)

Clam is garbage anymore,their customer service sucks and they re slow to ship, done with clam ....DD...

Clam customer service was great in helping me with my hub problem.

[Unclegillhunter]

give customer service a break. there is only 4 people that run customer service for the whole company. one of the four deals with the retailers and will help with the public when the retail side of things are slow. as for the shipping that is not controlled by customer service. the shipping department sets the shipping schedule and they try to only ship when the order is complete. they try not to ship partial orders if they can help it. also remember that the shipping department is not only pulling and shipping private orders but they are also pulling and shipping retailer orders too. each day the retail orders are pulled and shipped first then the private orders get pulled and shipped. this only changes if they can get a crew of enough temps to where they can have one group work on the retail orders and the other group work on the private orders. the whole Company is made up of about 25 full time employees and the seasonal temps that are brought it during the peak of the ice fishing season to help with orders and boxing of the different houses.


this picture is the 25 full time employees (photo from the Clam facebook page ) :


(Image removed from quote.)

Don’t know about Clam CS, have never had a problem with the products I have purchased! Any questions I have ever had have been answered by you! Having said this, a company so heavily invested in ice fishing may have issues meeting everyone’s expectations! Some folks without instant gratification get upset!
Keep it safe! JDL

[Drewski121]

give customer service a break. there is only 4 people that run customer service for the whole company. one of the four deals with the retailers and will help with the public when the retail side of things are slow. as for the shipping that is not controlled by customer service. the shipping department sets the shipping schedule and they try to only ship when the order is complete. they try not to ship partial orders if they can help it. also remember that the shipping department is not only pulling and shipping private orders but they are also pulling and shipping retailer orders too. each day the retail orders are pulled and shipped first then the private orders get pulled and shipped. this only changes if they can get a crew of enough temps to where they can have one group work on the retail orders and the other group work on the private orders. the whole Company is made up of about 25 full time employees and the seasonal temps that are brought it during the peak of the ice fishing season to help with orders and boxing of the different houses.

Maybe if they are that busy they should hire more employees,shipping time is terrible, not looking for instant gratification ,they are not cheap and should be able to ship sooner than 10 to 14 days for 1 item,sorry if my post put a bunch in your shorts ,i cant afford one of those fancy clam shirts...DD...
this picture is the 25 full time employees (photo from the Clam facebook page ) :


(Image removed from quote.)

[tm37]

I completely agree. I fish by myself most of the time and love the extra room in the BigFoot XL4000T. It is easy to set up and heats well with the regular 1 tank Buddy heater. It would easily fish 3 guys. I would gladly buy another.

I have the resort and fishing four guys is pretty good.  I have the first version and the hubs are a little wonky.  I use it two or three times a year, other wise I am in the Lodge flip, much easier set up

[Stormy1632!]

Love my clam XL6000 garage