http://www.landmsupply.com/departme...e-fishing/fish-houses/eskimo-fatfish-949i-insulated-pop-up-portable-ice-shelter

$10 cheaper anyways. I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on this shanty myself.

 

Don't think you are going to find it much cheaper than that. Cheapest that I found was $299.

 

I purchased one from l and m supply last year. Completely happy with the order and product !! The fatfish is awesome!! I know only one season on it so far.... but it was a long one! no problems what so ever.

 

L & M Fleet Supply has the Eskimo Fatfish FF949I Shelter for $259.99 if you use Promo code "CYBERWEEKEND" ($10 off) with free shipping and no sales tax. That's the best deal going that I've come across. I know they have them in stock because I just bought mine....

 

From a rookie,... regarding size... just curious, is this unit small enough to fish and drag on a sled by yourself? (or on your back like a backpack?) or better to go for a 2 man size for portability? I got about a 2-2.5mile hike. Unless I find a shorter path or a neighbor that doesn't mind me cutting through then maybe a 1mile or so on foot..

I will be fishing by myself and on the rare occasion with a buddy or my 8yr old, I'm pretty stocky and don't want to be too constrained on space but portability is important on foot.

 

From a rookie,... regarding size... just curious, is this unit small enough to fish and drag on a sled by yourself? (or on your back like a backpack?) or better to go for a 2 man size for portability? I got about a 2-2.5mile hike. Unless I find a shorter path or a neighbor that doesn't mind me cutting through then maybe a 1mile or so on foot..

I will be fishing by myself and on the rare occasion with a buddy or my 8yr old, I'm pretty stocky and don't want to be too constrained on space but portability is important on foot.

These shelters fit in a carrying bag. They have a strap to where you can carry them like a backpack. They come in different sizes and fabric thickness. You have 300D, 600D, and thermal or insulated. If you can find one set up in a store I would check it out. If the store sells heaters, ice rods, flashers I would bring those in the shelter and this would give you an idea of how much room you need. I would check out the the following geteskimo.com frabill.com clamoutdoors.com shappell.com killzonehunting.com

 

I own one, it is WAY to big inside for one person unless you want to take a lazy-boy, a small couch and mini fridge with you. It measures 8' X 8' and it has enough room for 3 men and a lot of gear.

It fold up in a back pack and can be carried easily, but it is around 55lbs if you get the thermal like I have. You will want a small sled to drag it on if you have to walk that far.

What's nice is I am almost 6'3" and I can stand up and my hat just hits the roof.

 

Thanks...
As far as the eskimo, how much would you value the "i" version, with unsulation?
The 2man does not have the "i" option. The 3 man, it is more like 5.9 ft x 5.9 ft. (34sq ft fishing area). I'm thinking it would work very well for 2, definitely more than needed for just me.
I always bring too much gear but the walk should force me to pack light. Will still have rods/tackle/seat/bucket/graph&bag/heater/auger, maybe an ice skimmer and small shovel or chisel. No live minnows for me. If its a bit hot its always nice to shed a layer and set it somewhere.

I don't like fussy, and I'd rather have something quick to setup; I don't know which ones are quick to setup (if I did I might consider a used one)... but it seems like the Eskimo Quickfish is pretty painless, so I'll probably buy new so I know what I'm getting.

Thinking the Quickfish 3i might be a good option. Also has an 80" height.... I'm only 5'10 but its always nice not to hit the roof when setting the hook!

28lbs on the back doesn't seem too bad on the insulated version, but after the 1 mile mark I'd probably be wishing it were lighter (given the other gear I'll also be carrying).

I can get it down to 22 lbs with no insulation;

if I drop down to the 2 man, (no insulation) the Quickfish 2 is only 18 lbs. My perception is that this size would feel a little tight with the 5x5ft area and shorter ceiling (5ft6");

Depending on your thoughts on the insulation I may just go with the extra 4 lbs on the quickfish 3, and skip the insulation weight.

I'm not sure about leaving it on the ice overnight, leaving my holes covered,and just carrying the gear back and forth, my buddy did that up north all the time with his name/address/phone number on the shanty. Not sure that would work in oakland co. it would make it simpler for just carrying tackle out each day (if fishing back to back days). I will be fishing on a private lake but not sure how private it really is in the winter time when anybody can walk out there. It might grow legs when I don't have a direct line of site on it.

any thoughts? thanks for the tips..

 

I wouldn't have an uninsulated one unless you like condensation dripping on your head all day and then it freezing when you put it back in the bag at night.

The QuickfishII is at gander mountain for $199.00 insulated. It's plenty big for 2 people or one man with a LOT of gear. My issue with it, it is way to short for me being 6'3"

MY fatfish 949I is way to heavy to walk carrying it as far as you have too walk.

With no major wind, I can have mine out of the bag and up in under 1 minute by myself, they are super easy. Unless I lived on the water and set it up in my backyard, I wouldn't leave anything on the ice over night. That's just me though, I see to many bad things that could happen with my expensive gear.

I bought my kids an old Honda ATC110 3 wheeler a few years ago. Paid like $300.00 and it fires on the first pull every time. Darn thing will run 35 in low gear and 55 in high gear. In low with chains it will haul you and all of your gear where every you want to go in no time. You should find one, they are always on craigslist for cheap and they are bullet proof.

 

I fished by myself out of the 949 non-insulated as well as a JM5000 thermal which was way big. I drug the JM on a sled but the 949 was carry-able as long as you don't mind it smacking your legs as you walk. A few mile hike might not be so fun though.

I just ordered the 949i and I plan to fish out of it by myself most of the time as well.

Also the 949i is not 55 pounds, eskimo puts it at 34 lbs and the non-insulated version is 28. That is a big difference from 55. The JM5000 thermal I had was 58 pounds and there was no way I would carry it on my back but the 949 non-insulated was cake to walk with.

 

I wouldn't have an uninsulated one unless you like condensation dripping on your head all day and then it freezing when you put it back in the bag at night.

The QuickfishII is at gander mountain for $199.00 insulated. It's plenty big for 2 people or one man with a LOT of gear. My issue with it, it is way to short for me being 6'3"

MY fatfish 949I is way to heavy to walk carrying it as far as you have too walk.

With no major wind, I can have mine out of the bag and up in under 1 minute by myself, they are super easy. Unless I lived on the water and set it up in my backyard, I wouldn't leave anything on the ice over night. That's just me though, I see to many bad things that could happen with my expensive gear.

I bought my kids an old Honda ATC110 3 wheeler a few years ago. Paid like $300.00 and it fires on the first pull every time. Darn thing will run 35 in low gear and 55 in high gear. In low with chains it will haul you and all of your gear where every you want to go in no time. You should find one, they are always on craigslist for cheap and they are bullet proof.

Nice pic with Shanty and lights...

I can see this transforming into use of a light plastic snow sled I pull behind me with some gear on it, but I still think I would prefer the option to have the shanty as a backpack for the hike (instead of a clam-style shanty plowing snow).

Thanks for the info on the insulation, that helps alot, I'm sure some of the moisture can be combated with a heater, but I'm going with an insulated version to avoid the frost and indoor rain!

I'm going ot try to avoid the ATV but thanks for the tip (trying to conserve garage space, and need a little walking anyway).

I have a question....
How did you find out the Gander Mountain store has an insulated version? did you see it in the store? I may just give them a call...

Reason I ask is that the Eskimo web site they do not show an insulated version of the quickfish 2. (no 2i option)

Gander is showing two of them on their website, one is 149 the other 199, but the description does not state anything about the insulation.

Thanks for the info on the weights Endoracing...

Edit: / in case this is helpful for someone else, GM chat support (web site) stated that the more expensive one is actually a quickfish 2i, therefore it must be an all new model with insulation. perfect for me!

 

Sports man warehouse $139, free shipping..I decided on no insulation and light shanty...hope I am nt sorry. Just piulled trigger today. Big enough tall enough lt enough and I read Eskimo is a good na,e

 

GM has the QuickfishII insulated in stock for $199.00 Smaller than the fatfish bot more than enough room for 2 people or one with a lot of gear.

 

The UPS bill on my Fatfish 949I said 55 lbs. It was double boxed but I don't think those boxs are that heavy. Website does say 34 lbs but it sure feels a lot heavier than that to me....

 

Nice pic with Shanty and lights...

Those aren't lights, that's the camera flash reflecting on the stitching and boning on the shelter. Shows you how well it will reflect if a snow mobile comes at you during the night!!!!

 

Not sure if anyone else got the same response but L&M has not received their shipment of shanties and currently doesn't know when they will be able to ship.

Hopefully they get the situation sorted out before the ice hits again.

 

Bummer, I got mine in 2 days.....

 

Apparently there are some issues at the LA port which is slowing down a lot of imported items. They have a bunch on their way apparently just depends when they show up.

 

The email I received yesterday from L and M said there was a delay at a Washington port and that they would be including a free Eskimo ice anchor driver attachment for my drill. I'm not complaining.

 

Ah yeah, Washington port. I saw there were issues in LA and made the assumption... the free anchor tool is nice and since we don't have ice yet I'm not complaining unless it drags out longer than they are hoping.

 

I made my own tool. I cut a groove in an old impact socket that slides right onto the anchors. My Snap On cordless impact will bottom it out on ice in an instant. I already tried it on my swimming pool :O)

 

The eskimo anchors don't need a tool, they screw in like cake. The clam anchors I have were another story.

Either way its free for the inconvenience of waiting so no biggie.

 

I have carpul tunnel and have had surgery for it, any twisting motion for me is brutal. Using the impact makes it quick and doesn't effect my wrists, especially if I decide to move around a lot and have to set the hub up again 4 or 5 times in one day.

I hope you get it soon and it's good L&M is making the best of it. I really like dealing with them, they are Google certified for a good reason.

 

I have carpul tunnel and have had surgery for it, any twisting motion for me is brutal. Using the impact makes it quick and doesn't effect my wrists, especially if I decide to move around a lot and have to set the hub up again 4 or 5 times in one day.

I hope you get it soon and it's good L&M is making the best of it. I really like dealing with them, they are Google certified for a good reason.

Oh I'm not saying I won't use the adapter Yeah L&M has been good so far, I do wish I would have bought it from Thorne Bros when it was on sale for the weekend. I've had good luck with them in the past and it looks like they have them in stock. Was only 10 bucks more than L&M.

I still have hope they will get them out before the freeze.

 

The email I received yesterday from L and M said there was a delay at a Washington port and that they would be including a free Eskimo ice anchor driver attachment for my drill. I'm not complaining.

Unfortunately; I received the same E-mail. I just hope it shows up before the Christmas break. If the weather holds out it looks like we made be doing some early ice fishing....

I heard the ship/dunnage containers were too full of illegal aliens wanting to take advantage of Obama's free immigration pass - the word has gotten out.....