What is your ice fishing bucket/seat look like?

[rosencra38]

Hi, I've got ideas in my head to build an ice fishing seat before next winter (I won't have any time yet this year). I was wondering what other people have done to make a practical/comfortable place to sit on the ice. Pictures will help immensely. Thanks in advance.

[jpollman]

Well I don't do the ice thing anymore so I sold this a couple years ago. But here's one that I made that set right down inside my Frabill Ultralight. It worked well because it gave me storage and a nice place to sit.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/539/1200box6.jpg

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/539/1200box5.jpg

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/539/1200box2.jpg

It's probably more than you're looking for though. But this is what I used to use.

John

[rosencra38]

Yeah, thats a little more than I am looking for but its a great idea though and I'm sure someone else here might want to try it. Thanks for the pics.

[wally-eye]

I use one of the camo fold up chairs from Sams club........the ones with the drink holders in the arms............only $24 or so. Come all folded up in a camo sleeve. Throw it right in my jet sled no problem..........works in my Shappell or just sitting on the ice. LOT more comfortable than a bucket.

[Bucky]

Well I don't do the ice thing anymore so I sold this a couple years ago. But here's one that I made that set right down inside my Frabill Ultralight. It worked well because it gave me storage and a nice place to sit.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/539/1200box6.jpg

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/539/1200box5.jpg

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/539/1200box2.jpg

It's probably more than you're looking for though. But this is what I used to use.

John

Ive just bought a frabill recon which is just like a remake of the ultra lite and i have thinking what i could use for a seat and that looks perfect. If you could tell me how you did it all please pm me.

[jpollman]

Will do Bucky.

I've got a few things to do this afternoon. But when I'm done I'll send you a PM with how I did it. I had some materials left over after making some drawers and I just started engineering, cutting, and assembling. I pretty much just shot from the hip and made it up as I went along and you can see the results. I'll think about it a little bit and send you a PM.

Take care

John

[Bucky]

Thank you i really appreciate it ;)

[jpollman]

I figured instead of just PM'ing Bucky that I'd post what I did in case anyone else might want to make one.

As I said, I had a Frabill Ultralight shanty. I wanted some place to sit and some storage as well. I had some nice 1/2" and some 1/4" Baltic Birch plywood left over from a job. It's nice multi-ply stuff so I figured that I'd just make a couple of stackable boxes with dividers. I just measured the inside dimensions of the tub part of the shanty. I then just made the sides of the box and cut a slot about 1/4" up from the bottom of the box walls to accept the 1/4" bottom. I then cut some slots vertically in the sides to accept the dividers that I wanted to use. Then I just assembled the boxes and slid the bottom in and finished the assembly. I made the dividers with slots in each half way through so that you slid the long one in place then the short ones slid into their own slots and down over the slot cut in the long piece. This locked them together nicely but were still removable if you needed to. Then on the bottom box I cut some small blocks of wood and attached them to the under side. They were sized to fit inside some depressions that were molded into the tub. This kept the box from sliding around. Then on the top edge of the bottom box I just attached some cleats to allow the top box to stack on top of it and hold it in place. After this was done I decided that I wanted a drawer in the top section so although it was a little more difficult because I'd already fabricated the main box it wasn't that hard. I then built the drawer and installed it in the box. That way you can keep your current assortment of jigs and even some bait containers in there and they're easy to access without getting up. When that was all working I just made a 1/4" plywood top and put some cleats on it to make it stay in place. This was as far as I'd intended on going but then figured some padding would be nice. So I went to the fabric store and bought some 4" thick high density foam and some nice vinyl to cover it with. I then upholstered the top and it worked well. Then I made the back rest because I had enough material left. I just used 1/2" conduit for the back support posts. I bent them slightly to give it a little angle. I just used some 1/2" conduit clamps attached to the back of each box and the poles slid down inside the clamps and it was done.

It worked pretty well and was a fun project. But a couple years ago I decided that the ice just wasn't for me anymore and I sold it with the shanty.

If you'd like to try to build one for yourself but have any other questions just give me a shout and I'll do what I can to help you out.

Take care.

John

EDIT:

Oh yeah, for a finish I just put a thin coat of Boiled Linseed Oil on all of the exposed wood and let it soak in for about 10-15 minutes. Then just wiped off any excess and let it dry until the next day. Then a light coat of paste finishing wax and it looked great. It protected the wood from moisture and would't crack like a hard urethane finish would have eventually. If it ever needed more, just hit it with another coat of oil and wax and it should be good to go.

[The Whale]

I'm sure I told you it before, but very nice fab work there, John.
I love doing little things like that. Nice. ;)

[jpollman]

I'm sure I told you it before, but very nice fab work there, John.
I love doing little things like that. Nice. ;)
Thanks!

I like doing stuff like that too. Part of it is because I enjoy it. The other part is due to necessity. I just can't AFFORD a lot of the "must have" gadgets and gizmos. So I make my own. :)

John

[icefishermanmark]

A nice round white bucket:lol::lol:

[Arin]

http://image.sportsmansguide.com/image/6/60346.JPG
The Frabill Strato-Seat Bucket Insert
http://www.frabill.com/frabill/images/skus/1655/1655_medium.png
Frabill Pail Pack
:fish:

[Duck-Hunter]

http://www.capcityequipment.com/miscinventorypics/0082-bucket5gal.JPG

there she is. I picked up 2 5 gal. buckets at gander for like 3.99

[Slick fishing]

Now thats what I call a sexy lookin bucket, check out them curves:lol: :lol: Cya Slick

http://www.capcityequipment.com/miscinventorypics/0082-bucket5gal.JPG

there she is. I picked up 2 5 gal. buckets at gander for like 3.99

[tstu2]

The last time I saw my bucket, it was traveling across the ice on Hamlin Lake at about 30 miles an hour. That was about 20 years ago...

[Houghton laker]

Now thats what I call a sexy lookin bucket, check out them curves:lol: :lol: Cya Slick



:lol: :lol: :lol: :help:

[sfw1960]

Now thats what I call a sexy lookin bucket, check out them curves:lol: :lol: Cya Slick

sCHwEET!
That looks a LOT like mine - but I have SIX Gallon units- gotta have that extra capacity for my big fad@zz !!!!

:evilsmile

[GoneFishin]

http://www.frabill.com/frabill/images/skus/1655/1655_medium.png

I've put the apron and seat/storage unit shown above on a 6 gallon bucket (a little higher and easier on the knees than a 5 gal). This bucket goes with me everywhere on the ice even when I have the shanty or Trap, I use it for storage and a seat when jumpin' holes. Nestled in the bottom are 2 or 3 paint buckets for puttin' fish in and rod holders they keep the spinnin' reels outta the snow (reel in the bucket rod across the bucket).

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/529/1175Quack_Fishin.jpg

[Slick fishing]

Now thats what I call a sexy lookin bucket, check out them curves:lol: :lol: Cya Slick


Guys do ya think cabin fever is setting in at my house:yikes: Cya Slick

[sfw1960]

Guys do ya think cabin fever is setting in at my house:yikes: Cya Slick

setting ?
setting ??
setting ???
Setting ????
ya think ??
How's about .........
:dizzy: :dizzy: :dizzy:
Already g o n e ......
:lol:

[Slick fishing]

setting ?
setting ??
setting ???
Setting ????
ya think ??
How's about .........
:dizzy: :dizzy: :dizzy:
Already g o n e ......
:lol:

I have been trying to keep myself busy by tieing harnesses and put a few up for sale in the classifieds and making them for guys at work just to make the time go by:dizzy:..

I also buy new toys for the boat over the winter but not like the new toy Hougton laker got for his boat:lol: , when I grow up I wanna be just like him:lol: Cya Slick

PS..Sorry guys I did not mean to high jack your thread

[MGV]

The last time I saw my bucket, it was traveling across the ice on Hamlin Lake at about 30 miles an hour. That was about 20 years ago...

There's a sight. was the shanty behind it.....

[Houghton laker]

I also buy new toys for the boat over the winter but not like the new toy Hougton laker got for his boat:lol: , when I grow up I wanna be just like him:lol: Cya Slick





:lol: :lol: ;) :shhh: That will be my new secret weapon slick!!

[byronbaitskimmer]

heres the seat/sled that i made a few years back 3/8 plywood for sides and top with some uhmw plastic for the bottom. slides over snow and ice like nothing ive ever pulled.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/medium/PICT0120.JPG

the inside has two compartments the left has my rods and tackle and the right has room for my marcum, underwater camera, and fish if i get any

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/medium/PICT0122.JPG

the holes for the rod butts are bored to fit tight so i don't have any rods falling around. i also screwed some foam to the side to hold my loose teardrops. the seats are big enough for me and one of my kids to sit down and fish.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/529/medium/PICT0121.JPG

hope some of these ideas inspire you in your creation

[byronbaitskimmer]

since the sled doesn't fit well in my shapell 3000dx i came up with a seat that uses a bucket. after coming home from smelt fishing one weekend my lower back was killing me and the fold up chairs don't leave me much room to move ( i am a bigger guy). this little outfit provides the back support and i just lift the seat to put my smelt in, works great! i have seen that cabelas sells something called the splash bucket buddy. the same thing in pricipal but made from cloth.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/medium/PICT0123.JPG

heres the inside

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/medium/PICT0124.jpg

[jpollman]

I just remembered that I have this one that belonged to my grandfather. It's pretty nice and works very well.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/539/icepal1.jpg

John

[MiketheElder]

I use a 6 gallon bucket inside my Fish Trap Pro. Took out the seat assembly. Too Heavy. Put some of that blue house foam in the bottom, cut out a hole to the side for the bucket. Went to Wal-Mart and bought a stadium seat. Just two padded cushions sewn together with straps on the side to support the back. Weighs ounces. I walk and pull my rig so I try to save a pound here and there.

[JimDandy]

My dad made his outta old pop crates--you know the wooden ones. He would attach (2) 1x2's under it for skis and cover half the box with a board that he threw his hot seat on. the open part held all his rods andlunch etc.;)