Questions for Clam fish trap pro owners

[Lost_Peninsula]

I have been reading alot of good reports about the clam ice trap pro. This season I will be doing the majority of my ice fishing alone. I normally walk out and want to down size. I went to Cabelas today with cash in hand to purchase the trap pro and cover. They had it on display so I knocked it down to see how much room was in the sled after the canvas, pipes and seat. I normally take 2 five gallon buckets. One with my vexlar and tipup's and the other with minnows. I also normally take a lantern, heater, two ice poles and tackle. Is there enough room for all your gear in the sled of the trap pro? Do you leave the seat on or take it off when you knock down? Cabelas has the trap pro for $299 and the trap pro cover for $40. They are doing a ice fishing seminar this weekend so i'm going to head back Saturday because they are going to go over the pros and cons of their shanties.

Thanks in advance.....:fish:

[sam-ph]

I have the pro i carry two 6 gal buckets my mr heater. You would be suprized at what will fit in there. A very good shanty for someone who likes to move around. good luck Sam

[MrBluegill]

i have a pro and carry the exact same load you carry...everything fits great....;)

[icefishermanmark]

I just got mine, but I can tell you that a bucket with things sticking out of the top won't fit under the cover. I'm having problems myself, trying to figure out where to put my rod. It will break unless I get a case which is a waste of money. Anybody have any tips?

[thedude]

i don't have a cover, but you don't need it unless you're pulling it behind a snowmobile or somethin. get 2 bungees and you can strap just about anything on there. i carry an ice rod bag w/ all my tackle, rods and tipups. also my lowrance, buddy heater, spud, auger and everything but the spud and auger fit in the sled. I just toss the bungees over the auger and good to go.

[1fish]

I carry about 3-8 rods in a case, vex, aqua-view, buddy heater, bucket for fish, a minnow bucket (pending on what type of fishing), and a small tackle bag in mine. It's full, but it all fits under the cover. Best one man you can buy in my personal opinion. Also, invest in some type of runners for the bottom to save your sled. I have the actual fish trap runners and they work well, but anything that you can get on the bottom is worth the time and $$$.

[greelhappy]

6 or 7 years ago my son asked if I wanted these aluminum ski things. I had no use for them, but took them anyway. I have a tendency to take or keep anything that looks like I can use for fishing. Two years ago I bought a Guide pop up. Enter aluminum skis. $44.00 saving and they work great. Would recommend installing on tub. When I pass on to wherever, (hopefully heaven, heard there is no ice fishing in hell) my kids will go thru my stuff and wonder "what in the hell was he saving this for":lol: Like everyone says, It is amazing what you can put in those tubs. Then after you fill it up you have an excuse to purchase a machine to pull all that stuff out there.:lol: Have a good ice year, enjoy your shanty and be safe.

[olddog413]

How can a rod case be a waste of money if it keeps your rod from being damaged ? I have three of them, they were cheap compared to the cost of a custom rod, I just don't understand your logic.

[hardwaterfan]

i have the cover for cruising to the lake at 65mph. dont want my open truck bed to turn into a launch pad.

pro guys, try to get your hands on 3.5 gal. buckets. if they would work for you. same diameter as regular bucket but squatter. i have a '04 pro, theres no side to side rail for the seat. new ones look like they have another rail. get them at bakeries.

one is for the vexilar. i have a regular size minnow bucket. a 3.5 gal. bucket will fit under the bottom of the seat.

it gets pretty crowded with all the gear but ive never felt it was too bad. i mean when you walk out to spots. once you set up theres plenty of room. i always use extra care for the rods. i dont take my seat out. it doesnt come off easily.

dont take anything you dont need.

good luck, it can be done.

also, i have a very small 2gal. bucket, i cram the cover in there and leave it in the truck. saves some room, i dont need it on the lake.

[ChapstickCharlie]

You won't need anything more to travel with than your pro. I carry everything in the pro and walk with my lantern in the off hand. However in high snow conditions I am thinking about making ski runners on a bracket that sits about 5 inches up cause the Pro will drag heavy in snow even with the 'factory' skis on. Great idea about he 3.5 gal buckets, I take a 5 gal and it is cumbersome. I also downsize my minnow bucket by using a round thermos for carrying them which works great and never spills.

[GoneFishin]

Been using the stubby buckets in my Trap for years (get 'em at bakeries) They're just right for protecting them foam minnow buckets also. Go to the hardware store and buy a few paint buckets they nest inside the regular buckets and have many uses, mainly use mine for laying the rod across (reel hanging in bucket) and keeping the reel outta the snow and slush.

Have also zip tied 2 milk crates together and placed 'em in the back of the Trap for holdin' gear. Rod cases are a great way to protect your rods while traveling, if walkin' I'll leave 'em out and just lay 'em on the top of the Trap til I get to the next hole.

I have an older model Trap (about 14 yrs old) smaller than the Pro and I carry Vex, Heater, spare tanks, rods, tackle boxes, and much more. I always have some bungy cords stored in the back for securing auger, spud, and any other large objects to the top after broken down. Usually have a 6 gal bucket for movin around outside the Trap on nice days (can sit in one of the stubby buckets if not covered).

[MSUICEMAN]

i have an older pro trap with the rod sling under the seat rail. I think i'm going to change it to a solid box (its fabric now) in order to really protect my rods and reels from being banged around.

[hardwaterfan]

thats a good idea. in my sling i keep my scoop, anchor, and wires for my night lights. if they made a plastic compartment for under there that would be a cool idea. they sell a bag that straps/fastens to the back of the seat which would be pretty cool to have too. if im just taking my two little pannie rods i stick them into the rod holders that i made, they stick out over the ice.

[jlcrss]

I have the guide and decided on this after owning the pro. The guide is the same money if you get it on sale. It isn't that much heavier and you have more room for storage. I mostly fish by myself but if I want to take someone I am good to go. Just a thought.

[flinch]

I have the guide and decided on this after owning the pro. The guide is the same money if you get it on sale. It isn't that much heavier and you have more room for storage. I mostly fish by myself but if I want to take someone I am good to go. Just a thought.

I agree. Go with the guide but put one seat in the middle instead of installing both seats. You will appreciate the extra room.

[woodie slayer]

don't know if they still have them but Subway used to get pickles in the 3 1/2 gallon green buckets. i got a bunch of them.work great for the gran kids..

[Lost_Peninsula]

I appreciate all the input. I have two 2 man shanties already but I find once I go through the trouble of setting one up, drilling holes, anchoring it down, heating it up, situating buckets for sitting, bait and tackle, I end up staying in one spot even if I'm not producing just because its too much trouble to move. I know if I buy the guide I will inevitably bring more gear then I need and once again sit stationary when I should be moving. Cabelas have both shanties at the same price, $299. I was tempted to get the guide. The sled was deeper and the two seats would be nice for the rare occasion I have someone with me. The guide weighs 29 lbs. more then the Trap pro. I figure you add the additional 29 lbs. of the sled to the additional 25 lbs. of extra toys I would pack, pulling it through the deep snow would be a real chore.

Here are the dimensions from Clams web site:
Guide
Floor Size 81" Long x 60" Wide
Center Height 60”
Weight 82 lbs.

Trap pro
Setup Size 78" Long x 43" Wide
Center Height 60"
Weight 53 lbs.

[1fish]

I appreciate all the input. I have two 2 man shanties already but I find once I go through the trouble of setting one up, drilling holes, anchoring it down, heating it up, situating buckets for sitting, bait and tackle, I end up staying in one spot even if I'm not producing just because its too much trouble to move. I know if I buy the guide I will inevitably bring more gear then I need and once again sit stationary when I should be moving. Cabelas have both shanties at the same price, $299. I was tempted to get the guide. The sled was deeper and the two seats would be nice for the rare occasion I have someone with me. The guide weighs 29 lbs. more then the Trap pro. I figure you add the additional 29 lbs. of the sled to the additional 25 lbs. of extra toys I would pack, pulling it through the deep snow would be a real chore.

Here are the dimensions from Clams web site:
Guide
Floor Size 81" Long x 60" Wide
Center Height 60”
Weight 82 lbs.

Trap pro
Setup Size 78" Long x 43" Wide
Center Height 60"
Weight 53 lbs.

Yup, you presumed correctly. My brother and I bought ours at the same time, i got the pro, he got the guide. He ended up selling his guide by the end of the season and buying the Pro. 29lbs may not sound like much, but it's 150%+ more weight. It's a handful to get in and out of a truck bed by yourself and you really notice it when pulling it over anything buy smooth ice.

Don't get me wrong, there's more than a few times where I'd like to have the bigger shack, but day in day out the one man is the way to go.

[Lost_Peninsula]

Picked up my trap pro today. This weekend I'm going to assemble it and then weed through all my ice gear and hopefully organize it. Tomorrow I'm going to see if I can find some 3.5 gallon buckets.

Thanks for all the input............ :fish:

[ih772]

I don't use any buckets with my pro. I bought a rod locker and a frabil minnnow bucket with a waterproof lid that latches. Fish lay in the bottom along with the vex, mr.buddy and auger. That takes care of what I would need buckets for in the past and saves weight.