CTFishTalk.com: ice shelter - Connecticut Ice Fishing Reports ( CT Ice Fishing Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

hookt · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 73 Location: Newtown

i was thinking of getting a shelter for those breezy days. somehow cant seem to justify the cost verses the amount of use i would get out of it. can anyone shead some light on this? do you have one? wish you had one? or just sorry you ever bought one. appriciate any feed back.

Fish On! · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 68 Location: Northeast, CT

I've been looking at them as well and having the same thoughts. I don't understand why most of them have a lack of windows. I want to be able to see my tilts easily and jigging at the same time. Maybe I'm crazy and that's not what their meant for Confused

hookt · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 73 Location: Newtown

hey fish-on, i think the reason we do this hardwater fishing is not only do we really enjoy fishing but we're not penned up in the house. the outdoors is what we seek but somedays are just a test of how bad we want to be out there. sooo, the shelter sounds like the ticket! the one thing in my research i did find out was buy one bigger than you think you need so you your buddy(s) and some gear could fit comfortably. good luck with this and let me know what you decide. Cool

SeaDog1 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 2629

Hi!

How about a wind break type shelter with a 2 man bench!
One side is wide open!
Then you can watch your traps and jig at the same time!

SeaDog1

fishinschmoe · Joined: 01 Jan 2010 Posts: 300

never owned one, but have used em. To me, around here, not worth the hassle. If you gotta get out of the wicked wind or sudden sleet storm or something, ok. but to drag it out there, spike it in, and set it up, not worth the trouble, and unless it is wood, carted out behind a snowmobile, and is heated, all you have is a tiny dome tent amidst the rest of your crap out there.

Bluegill Terminator · Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 538 Location: Plainville

I got the 2 man one and get ready for some stories. I can't remember who it is made by but its pretty light and I usualy carry it on my back like a back pack. Sets up no problem WITH NO WIND! With wind you end up with a huge kite Mad

. It has its advantages it keeps you warm, my father always falls asleep so I fish 12 tip ups and get his flags until he wakes up Laughing

. Disadvantages like I said its like a kite in wind and really can't see your traps to well out the plastic windows. The only time I really appreciated it was when my and my father fished Bantam lake on a day that was supposed to by 5 to 10 mile winds. Well in north cove in front of Point Folly the wind was 40 to 50 miles and hour. The wind was blowing so bad that me and my father had to sit on the sides of the tent as a brace so it didn't cave in on us. Also the plastic windows are not really sealed well so the wind will come howling through and when its blowing hard it sounds like a really high pitch whistle which is always fun to listen to for 6 hours Shocked

. Its worth it if you fish hardcore like me in all weather but if you fish only good days then I would save my money for gasoline and fish places in New York or Mass where its cheaper to fish with an out of state licenses than it is to fish in CT! Just my .02 cents.

SeaDog1 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 2629

Hi BT!

Wish you hadn't brought up THAT SUBJECT Exclamation

!@#$%^& Politicians doubled our hunting and fishing Lic. fees here in Ct.
Just got my combo Lic. today less the saltwater Lic. and it went up from $28.00 for the year to $56.00.
Worst of all -> All the money goes into the General Fund!

SeaDog1

Bluegill Terminator · Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 538 Location: Plainville

Yup half of my Christmas money went to buy the combo $56. I'll have to collect some cans now to buy fishing line for this year Crying or Very sad

Bass Addict · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:53 am Post subject:

i think the reason they lack windows is that the plastic becomes vary brittle in the cold and they would crack/breakdown quick when the temps gets low. I have seen plastic boat windows shatter in high winds with cold temps.

You could buy a cheap dome tent with a plastic foot print from walmart. Get one with a vestibule so you can sit it an watch your tipups. Make sure the tips ups are in front of you so you have a clear sight of them.
_________________
Sorry honey, looks like we will be late again due to motor problems.

Justin

fishinschmoe · Joined: 01 Jan 2010 Posts: 300

Dont even get me started on the cost of license in CT... Good Lord! I just bought all mine, and it costs me more to fish and hunt in CT, than it does in NH as a non-resident!! Im up to about $160, and haven't bought my deer tags yet!! Its rediculous. Lets throw in the no-hunting on Sunday rule despite the double in fees.

slimtempo · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 4

I'm in the process of developing one that is transportable and has huge windows. I use the poly clear glass that we use on boats, .040 thick. They may become brittle, but I can replace them every year.
www.thecanvasking.com

hookt · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 73 Location: Newtown

slimtempo that sounds pretty cool. are you using a tent as a base or goin from scratch?

Fish On! · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 68 Location: Northeast, CT

I think I might take my views of boat ownership and apply it to owning an ice shelter, not to own one yourself but have a friend that does

JiggyWithIt · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 58 Location: Farmington

Hate to keep this going but NY non-resident was 40 last season this season is now 70 most states have near doubled this year on licenses. But at least most other states have stocking programs they can brag about!!! I'll buy one no matter what the cost in NY. As for a shelter I'd much rather invest in some high end bibs and coat. If it was 50 MPH winds that day "YOU DAH MAN" I'll live to fish another day! Wink

Much Success