shanties/ice fishing shelters

[fishon]

In the market for a new shanty, any suggestions? Want one the will set two with no problem and enough room to stand and must be portable. I currently have the minute man built for 3 which means only 2 in comfort. But its two heavy to get around it has a wood bottom with retractable skies and is hard to pull through deep snow. I was looking into the type with a plastic bottom and carpet inside and also the ice fishing shelter Cableas has its like a tent and only weighs 11 lbs. Its 6x6 and stands 6-1/2 ft high. Anyone know any info on this one? Want to know how easy it is to break down and put up. Any info is great.

Russ

[Steve]

fishon, have you considered some of the hunting blinds out there? The Ameristep penthouse blind was reviewed here and while reviewing it I though, you could use this for a fishing shanty too. Lots of room easy to set up, etc. Disclosure: I have no affiliation with Ameristep.

[This message has been edited by Steve (edited 02-07-2000).]

[fishon]

I do have one of the blinds you mentioned and thought about using it but I couldn't see any good way to secure it to the ice. Plus it has no bottom, I would like a floor of some sort to keep things and my feet off the ice. Thanks for the suggestion.

Russ

[Steve]

Yes, you would have to use the stakes and secure it to the ice. And no floor could be a problem.

[Gordie B]

I have used a 2 man Shappel for 4 years and it has been great. It has a molded plastic floor w/ carpet inside. It goes up quick, is light weight and only costs about $185. I've had 3 men in it, but real comfortable w/ 2 (68.5" high). The only issue I have w/ it is it's tough to pull like a sled w/ your gear on it in heavy snow. With a couple inches, no problem. I spray the bottom w/ PAM, which helps.

Good Luck!

[Captain Wayne]

If you can afford it the Senco is the one that i own and it is as good as I have seen

[SalmonSlayer]

What about using the aforementioned blind on a piece of 1/2 inch plywood with a hole cut in the center to fish through. Instead of staking it to the ice, attach some eye bolts to the plywood and tie the blind to those. Walah! a portable, yet lightweight shanty.

Just an idea. ben

[fishon]

Thanks for the replys, I ended up getting the Polar Ice Shelter from Cabelas. I think its perfect. Its actually more like a tent with holes cut out in the bottom. Really big light weight and sets up and takes down in seconds. It weighs 11 lbs and is 6x6x6-1/2, worked out great last night. The nerves were a little shot listening to all the ice crack all night, finally about midnight and a huge crack that sent water through our holes we decided to leave. The ice was plenty safe I think the cracks were from the it re-freezing presure cracks. Still un-settleing.