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I'm looking for some info on ice tents. I rarely use shelters as they seem to diminish mobility and you often have to move to find fish. However, I will not be working much after the new year starts and expect to spend a lot more time on the ice. A shelter will become a necessity, unless this global warming thing screws up the season. So, I'm specifically looking at portable, namely, the Eastman 4 person Ice Cube and the Eskimo Quickfish 3. I know they are basically the same tent and the same size. I'm also aware that there have been some issues with the fiberglass poles splintering in sub-zero temperatures. There is quite a range in price out there too. So, what are your your opinions on differences in materials, workmanship and features? How about customer service between Ardisam and Eastman? Any other info would also be helpful.
thanks
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I have the quickfish three and love it. I have never had a problem with it; however, I have never used the ice cube, so I can't really compare them.
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I was at Sportsman's in Midvale last week and they already have the full array of ice fishing gear up. You might take a quick peak at their gear and see if anything catches your eye.
Strawberry usually has safe ice by New Years day and Scofield a few weeks earlier. And some of the smaller reservoirs (electic?) usually are the first to freeze. So in other words, you still have a few weeks to select you house.
Then I would recommend a snow machine or 4 wheeler to pull it!!!
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Unless you have a snowmobile, it will be nothing but an anchor to you unless you fish the same hole all day and you are close to your vehicle.
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I have an Eastman Ice Cube and it is no problem putting it in my Jet Sled and pull my sled (by hand) around on the ice from one location to another location. That certainly wasn't the case when I owned the suit-case style of shack. That was a royal pain to drag around on the ice.
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I cant imagine why (and correct me if I'm wrong) a tent that has a sled for a base that will move already setup or simply fold backwards on top of the seld halfway set up (like the the one I saw at Sportsmans'...drooling) would be a hassle to pull around while searching for fish. I'm no expert as I only go a couple times a year but I had a two man tent that was claimed to be a two man but I seem to have alot of stuff that I bring along with me and there just wasn't enough room. The one I saw at Sportsmans' the other day was packed in a sled and had two really comfortable seats in it. You could fish it as a tent or pull it back and have 'half a tent' for those sunshine days. I can't remember the name but I'm sure someone knows what I'm trying to explain.
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Maybe I'm kind of an "extreme" ice fisherman but I go places that are a little off the beaten path. I trudge straight up dam faces or up and down some pretty steep hills just to get to the lake and then sometimes walk a mile or more just to the first hole. (Fontinelle) It's hard enough just dragging a little jet-sled with power auger and gear let alone an ice tent. Those Ice cubes might be O.K. if you can just put them in your sled. As for me, I move too much and actively jig so I don't even take a chair.
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I own the quickfish 3 and love it. I ice fish every weekend and like to move a lot to try and locate fish. I can take the tent down and have it packed in the sled in less than a minute. It is actually very light weight compared to other ice tents.
BMURR
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i also have an ice cube. i love it. its easy to put up and take down. put it in my tub with the rest of my gear and away we go. i've had the eastman 2 maner and i've had a quick flip 2, but the cube is the best for me. [cool]
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I saw one of the Ice Cube's on KSL.com...brand new in the box, I think he was selling it for $150.
I didn't want to pull it around, as I tend to move a lot also, so it's still out there for someone. I think it's a good deal, don't they go for a lot higher price?
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i bought mine at sam's wholesale for 129.00 last year.
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He had it for $100 and eventually lowered his price to $90 (and it is now sold). Timing is everything and had he waited a month or so before trying to sell it he undoubtedly could have easily gotten $100 for it.
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Here is why those tent/ sleds are a hassle. They weigh a ton. My buddy has one just like you described. Although it is nice to have the seats and all your gear right there, it's dry weight is around 90lbs. So once you add in all your gear your easily over 125lbs. Once it is on the ice it moves ok, but the problem is leaving the ice you need a team of mules to come up the hills. Now if you have a machine to pull it with, then go for it, they are nice!
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