Lantern Box

[chicken doodle]

Hey guys. I am new to ice fishing. This will be my first season. I have been gathering up some gear. I came across this box at my local bait shop this summer. I bought it because I like the design and it came with some poles and other gear. I plan on building a larger box from this design. I prefer the taller lanterns that screw onto a propane cylinder.
Aybody else using these? I have no shanty yet, so this seems warmer than sitting on a bucket. Any pics of other boxes would be appreciated. Trying to finalize my design.

[fishinfiend]

I have the same box, mine is only four years old though.  I love sitting over the lantern when it is blowin cold out there.  A propane lantern should fit in there.  Welcome to the ice world, best damn addiction in the world!!

[rjflynn]

i built one two years ago but then i bought a shanty and dont use it anymore. it sits above my garage collecting dust

[AlgaeKilla]

I used to have two similar ones. I just destroyed one a week ago, because its taken up room in the garage for too long. The other one I've had since I was ten and I just couldn't do it. To be honest, they are a little warmer, but they travel like a stubborn mule. I suggest a small sled to throw your gear in if you don't have or don't want to pull a shanty.

[imsoawesome]

AlgaeKilla, Ur sure right about them traveling like a stubborn mule. many times as I'm heading out it just falls over, it got to the point where i said EFF it and just kept pulling with the thing laying over...the good old days...as algae said, get a small cheap sled to put everything in...it will pay off "trust me" but u can always just pull that box and end up irate by the time u get where ur going. 

PS- if u need anything or would like some company for ur first season don't be afraid to ask, my friends and i are more then willing to help.

[gaudetskie]

I've never seen those before. That's a really cool idea! AlgaeKilla, how do they keep a guy warm?
Nick.

[fishinfiend]

I am thinkin about getting a piece of aluminum that will fit the bottom of the box, so it should pull easier.  The box helps with warmth by having a lantern going inside so you can sit over it when you are fishing. 

[danakaiggy]

I have the exact same thing.  I used it all the time. Still do in nice (warmer) days just be-careful of the glass if a fish flicks water on the hot glass bamm you have a mess of broken glass on the ice which is real nasty. My wife just said it works good and also keeps her coffee Hot on the ice.  We lined ours with tinfoil to help reflect more heat and light.

[wax_worm]

I have had 3 of these for about 20 years.  I don't use them much any more as I am a bucket butt now days.  I can pull more gear in a sled than I can in the boxes.  The ones I have are light enough that I carry mine and don't pull it unless it is bare ice.

[blueultra2]

I have a really nice aluminum box that collects dust in my garage. I'm like wax_worm, I use a sled and bucket. Then you just throw the shanty and buddy heater in there and your ready to fish.

[gillcommander]

that thing looks flippin awesome...but yea i bet it is tough to move it around on the ice!!!

 

[rico]

I havent fished off one of those things in 15 years!  I got a shanty but I still use a bucket as well.  I bought a single mantle for propane several years back.  My bucket is 7.5 gallon.  I can fit my vex, 3 jig boxes, lantern head, 2 propane cylinders, 6 pack of beer, and still have room for 15 gills!!!!!!!

[rcjim]

I had the exact box shown above, I took a jig saw and cut it right behind the lantern box, removing the seat and storage parts. It's now just a lantern box and works fantastic. Lanterns just don't get real hot in a bucket. It fits easily into a small sled with a couple buckets and is a great hand warmer while sitting on a bucket and casts a nice light on your hole after dark.

[djsublime]

I had the exact box shown above, I took a jig saw and cut it right behind the lantern box, removing the seat and storage parts. It's now just a lantern box and works fantastic. Lanterns just don't get real hot in a bucket. It fits easily into a small sled with a couple buckets and is a great hand warmer while sitting on a bucket and casts a nice light on your hole after dark.

I have two of these sitting in the garage and wasnt quite sure if i would ever put them to use but this may be just what i need to do

[hounds]

I bought one Last year and I love it, it does tip in deep snow but you can carry it if you need to.  I upholstered the seat to add to the comfort.  I have a two man shanty, but would rather use the Lantern box so I can move and find the fish.   Saw a neat  model at a Bait Shop in Halls, Michigan made from Aluminum that had a built in Carrier for the Ice Auger.  There are other models out there, I do not like the middle storage compartment it is a little difficult getting things in and out of there.

[FishingNewEngland]

I wish I could find one up my way. Other than here, I've never seen one.

[Edge]

This isn't the best picture of mine.  It's metal and has a hinge in front where the lantern sits.  It's nice cause I can easily adjust how much heat is coming out by moving the lid one way or the other.  There is a separate compartment under the wooden seat.  No idea how old it is, Dad bought it off of a guy who was going to scrap it for the aluminum.  I like the box, but it doesn't pull well which is why a use a sled.  Great on a cold day.  However I have burnt my line a time or two that metal heats up pretty good. 

[hounds]

About ten years ago one of my wrestlers made one in shop class, I can check if the shop teacher still has the plans for one and you can build one.  I would think you'd use a shanty on real thick ice in Mass.  We are at southern end of the Ice Range, we get ice here almost every year, but sometines only a couple weeks.  South of here in Indianapolis they hardley ever get enough safe Ice.  So we have to go light when we go.

[princecraft]

Chicken Noodle,........That is exactly like one that I have.  Haven't used it in over 20 years though.  I became a bucket man.  I modified my box though.  I put 2 windows on the sides up front.  That way you can see better if you are fishing 2 holes side by side after dark.  I also put ski's on it.

[fishinfiend]

Chicken Noodle,........That is exactly like one that I have.  Haven't used it in over 20 years though.  I became a bucket man.  I modified my box though.  I put 2 windows on the sides up front.  That way you can see better if you are fishing 2 holes side by side after dark.  I also put ski's on it.

Did the skis help pulling the box through deep snow?

[princecraft]

It sure did

[rjflynn]

Here is my first and last attempt at making an ice box

[hounds]

Nice job!  Did you design your own or use plans?

[rjflynn]

Nice job!  Did you design your own or use plans?

i designed my own. just took ideas from what i have seen around

[gaudetskie]

What did you use as a liner on the lantern area?
Nick.

[walleyeboater]

fishinfiend, put flashing on the bottom of your box, sorta like the old wooden tobaggon sleds, when your finished of course. You know, kinda curls up in the front over ski ends.

[rjflynn]

What did you use as a liner on the lantern area?
Nick.

white bead board . it reflects the light really well

[bluegill1004]

USED TO USE ONE. DOES'NT WORK GOOD IN HEAVY SNOW. I USE A FISH TRAP IF CLOSE AND A SLED IF A LOT OF DISTANCE INVOVLED.

[rjflynn]

USED TO USE ONE. DOES'NT WORK GOOD IN HEAVY SNOW. I USE A FISH TRAP IF CLOSE AND A SLED IF A LOT OF DISTANCE INVOVLED.

i dont use mine anymore either. just sitting in attic right now

[TeacherPreacher]

Go to Vermont ice fishing. Look up "Homemade Ice Fishing Box." I just posted pictures of my box for a guy. Check out the aluminum rod handle. I can lift up the front of box if snow is deep and the way I have it fastened on box, it never tips over. When at my fishing spot, handle pushes down along sides of box and handle piece becomes ron holder.
My stepson and I each just completed new ones yesterday. Made mine couple inches taller and longer. Use balsa wood and Elmers Glueall for framing.Keeps weight down. Get it from a local model airplane factory. A 3'x3' box for $2.00.
I still use mine every year. Will be 72 day before Christmas. If temp is below 20, I watch TV. Have caught tons of fish using lantern boxes.