Entry Level Portable Shanty

[Chris391]

Guys what is a good entry level shanty? I have looked the Shappels, Frabills,Clams,etc. All seem to have models in the $200 to $300 price ranges or lower. What has worked out and held up for a few seasons, easy to set up by one person, and easy to transport.?

[Houghton laker]

fish trap scout.....cheapest but nice!

[Banditto]

Shappell is carried by some of the discount retailers like Gander Mountain and Dicks Sporting Goods, even Meijers. You can get a Shappell 3000 for $130 around April when you can find them. Usually they all go on sale at the same time and somebody will post when they find them. Last year I saw a stack of 5 of them at Meijers tagged at $125 and later that week the last one went for $100. I bought a 3000 many moons ago and it is finally showing it's age after a lot of hard use. Thought about replacing it, but we are ready for something bigger.

Don't get me wrong Shappells are really functional and good just not the nicest one on the ice.

[TrailFndr]

I used a Shappell for many years, Just switched to a FishTrap as I wanted to be more mobile on the ice, without having to pack everything up to move. Both are good units. Alot depends on what you want to do. I don't want to carry a seat, its built into the Trap, also having the sled under the Trap, all my gear stores in it while traveling, and while using. that was important to me. Add the fact that you can flip the trap up to use as a windbreak and still be outside when you desire, thats a plus to me.


Look closely at both styles, Sit in them for a few minutes, at the store, look at the different brands, and imagine using them on the ice. Remember, the Shappell style, ahas to be folded flat and everything loaded onto it to move around safely, that means alot of time loading, and unloading. However, you can put a few of them together end to end in a group.

The Trap styles don't have that drawback, everythihng stays loaded, flip it up, and drag it away, drill some holes, flip it down and fish.

[Tin Can]

I have a Glacier 3 man Angler, and Love it

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/glacier.html

2 Angler & 3 Angler Models


Sets up in less than a minute. The units feature a self-contained collapsible aluminum frame system, tough poly-sled floor for comfort, generous hook set area above holes, extra large ice area for your locator, camera, etc...and a large reinforced C-style zippered door on each end allowing you to get in and out without tripping over gear and fishing partners.

Canvas cover is constructed of rugged Arctic WallTM polyester designed for keeping out Mother Nature's harshest elements. The Arctic WallTM is sealed on the sled to keep out drafts (Black). A clear vinyl window is included with drop-down curtain for easy viewing and keeping an eye on tip-ups.

Stores flat inside sled to a mere 4" for easy towing and transport. Tow rope included.



2-Angler Model:
Set up dimensions: 58" L x 54" W x 54" H
Stored dimensions: 58" L x 30" W x 4" H
Weight: 20 Lbs.
Price: $199.99

3-Angler Model:
Set up dimensions: 68" L x 54" W x 64" H
Stored dimensions: 68" L x 30"W x 4" H
Weight: 24 Lbs.
Price: $249.99

[neil duffey]

chris as always ur welcome to join me, u got my number. we're building a large perch spearing shack for at least 4 people w/ plenty of room this season... hey goose will be opening back up saturday... after sunday when ducks done well be back in the field, and again ur welcome to slaughter w/ us as well.

[jimhx720]

I picked up an Eskimo Traveler at Cabela's 2 years ago for $149. Decent shanty. Folds up real nice and easy to pull around even loaded down with all my gear. Not the best shanty on the market, but I think it's a pretty good deal for the money. Still plan on using mine occasionally this year, even though I've got my new Clam Guide. :)

[William H Bonney]

I had a Shappell and never had any complaints other than my buckets dumping off, when going over rough terrain. I have an Otter now. Whatever brand you decide on,,, just make sure you go with the flip-style, you'll never regret it.

[Chris391]

Thanks, for the info on the shantys. Neil, sounds like a plane for some goose hunting. Late season pheasant too, my GSP has itching to get out again.

[YELLOWBELLI]

has best durability..had mine a while no complaints. flips right up hold all my stuff not too heavy..easy to use

[Southend517]

for $200 bucks check this one out it is a nice size

http://www.franksgreatoutdoors.com/item.asp?id=109829

[GWPguy]

I have the Shappell 3000. I like it alot. Tons of room to move around for 2 people. The main thing I looked at when I was shopping was I needed to be able to stand up in it. I have beaten mine up pretty good. Lots of trips down the rocks at Gino's. But overall it is still in great shape.

Oh, yeah. Make sure it fits in the vehicle you take ice fishing. My bro-in-law, forgot to factor that it when he bought his neon.

[neil duffey]

i also have the shapelle 3000... just fits into my blazer... easy to set up but defanitly not a good shanty for extream winds... as i found out one morning fishing alone when it flipped when i was in it :tdo12: needles to say i baught the anchor tie downs that night. i like the fish trap ones? i think... the clam like ones that are blue and flip forward... keeps ya real moble, i wish i baught one of those in stead... but i like the shapelle 3000 cuz i can stand in it, and it hase two huge windows so i can see all my tip ups from every angle. to be honest if i had to buy a new one id go w/ the two or three man flip one. but since im makin that shack... i may even sell the 3000.

[Radar420]

I just bought the Shappell 2000. It's shorter than the 3000 and 4000 but I'm only 5'8" so for me it's good. Plus I fish by myself a lot so it's a very roomy one-man although if one of my friend's or my dad wants to join me there's enough room for both of us to sit. There just isn't a lot of room for extra gear.

It's also pretty light so when I'm by myself I don't have to struggle too much with it. Plus it fits right into my Saturn station wagon;) I've tried to fit a 4000 back there before and it isn't the easiest thing.

[Chris391]

I think I am going to go with a fish trap. It will eiither be the Clam one man or the Eskimo. I am working down in Monroe on Friday so it looks like I may have go stop by Cabelas and check them out. Once again thanks for all of the input.

[GVSUKUSH]

fish trap scout.....cheapest but nice!

:yeahthat:
For a single person they are great. Mobile, comfy, and they don't get blown away when you leave your shanty to check a tipup :)

[Chris391]

Ok guys I was just checking out the fish trap scout one man shanty and I was wondering is there enough room for a heater, one hole or two holes, etc. I was planning on using a Coleman sportcat heater nothing that large, just enough to warm up a bit.

[lawnguy]

I have a shappell 3000 now and I would highly recomend one. However, if you plan on staying on the hard water for years to coem I would have to steer ya towards the traps form clam corp. I have my eyes on a voyager this year.

[JJ Mac]

For me personally, a one man folding style shanty simply would not be big enough. I've considered getting one as an "explorer" to fish holes that I've drilled out side of my basecamp (shappell dx 4000). But as a sole shanty, it would never cover it for most of my fishing.

I think your biggest decision has to be whether you want a flip style or traditional, folding floor style. A lot depends on if you will always be walking or if you are going out on an Atv or snowmobile. If you are almost always walking, the flip style would be hard to beat. However, I'd go with something larger than a one man. Your ice fishing partners will really appreciate it too.

My opinion is probably tilted though. I like to have some space. 4 days out of 5 I'm fishing by myself all stretched out in a DX 4000. For me, it's worth the little bit of extra effort to get it out there. The 4000 with the skis actually is pretty good for walking as well.

[Banditto]

I'm with you JJ. We usually have a minimum of 3 people maybe 6 plus kids. So the bigger the better. But I would like to get a flip style for when I am out by myself.

[TrailFndr]

I just picked up the Fish Trap Yukon, its the second largest of the trap line, but I like it because of the roominess. I fish alone quite often, but I still like to have space to move, and head room for standing up. Sure, it will be a little more work to get out on the ice without a quad, but in the long run, my fishing comfort, will increase my fishing time. Plus is when I add a person, plenty of room for two.

[ih772]

I have the FT scout and I have enough room for two holes, a lantern, a vexilar, a minnow bucket, and a mr. buddy heater. I put the heater on the seat rails behind me which keeps it out of the way a seems to keep me warmer. The vex sits between the two holes. The lantern is put up by a corner and the minnow bucket is in the other corner. I have lots of room for my feet.

[salmonslammer]

I have a shappell 2k and a 3k.... Pretty good shanty for the price. I have beaten the bejesus out of it and it keeps on going. ( Although I think I blew one of the zippers out in the 2k last year, need to check that ) I never take it down when I move, just real the lines in, shut the heater off and drag it to where ever I'm headed... I have about 25' of 3/4" rope that I hook up to it and loop it over my chest to pull it....This really saves wear and tear on the back and the arms over the short stock rope that comes with it.

I did have the problem with buckets dumping off of the stupid thing.... Finally had a brainstorm to solve that problem one day. Went and found the biggest rubbermaid tub I could (24gallon?) got the trusty dremmel out and cut holes in either side of it....Run a rachet strap through it and torque the tub to the sled...Works great. Even at 40MPH!!!

The only big drawback that I hate...Get anymore than 3" of snow on the ice and you've got yourself a snowplow!!! I have some skis that I'm going to adapt to it.....someday anyways.

The other small drawback, if you are fishing on glare ice and there is a decent wind, that sucker will take off on you. I went for about 1/2 mile ride on the pond one day in 30mph winds... I finally figured out if you open the other door and let the wind blow through, you'll stop!!!! Kindda a cool ride though, once the pucker factor fades!!!! Now I drive a couple of ice stakes to hold it in place before I set it up.

[Fishfoote]

Once you go Trap, you'll never go back :lol:

[GWPguy]

I did have the problem with buckets dumping off of the stupid thing.... Finally had a brainstorm to solve that problem one day. Went and found the biggest rubbermaid tub I could (24gallon?) got the trusty dremmel out and cut holes in either side of it....Run a rachet strap through it and torque the tub to the sled...Works great. Even at 40MPH!!!


I use a milk crate and bungee cords.