Portable ice fishing shelters have revolutionized the way we fish. From early models that served a single purpose – often just one angler – to larger models that can now be used for many additional purposes, such as ice camping or hunting, there are many reasons to own one.
Avid anglers also enjoy hole fishing (I am one of that group), and when wind or cool makes it complex to effectively present bait to fish waiting below, there is nothing better than the convenience of a portable unit that allows you to remain mobile and comfortable with a stationary one. The ability to drop miniature baits to panfish in 10-degree weather or winds greater than 10 miles per hour makes owning any type of portable device worth the money.
If you’re looking for a portable home, there’s only one large fork in the road. You can choose a hub-shaped shelter, which has a hard-wearing exterior, often insulated, on a collapsible frame of semi-flexible posts that connect at several “hubs.” You can also opt for a foldable shelter, which is based on a sled and a series of strenuous metal poles that, when packed or unfolded, retract or expand to form the framework of the shelter.
Each has its advantages when it comes to getting around the ice, and sometimes it’s even nice to have both, depending on what type of fishing you’re doing.
Here’s a rundown of the best of each.
Center style
Once used only for hunting blinds and a rarity on frozen lakes, centers have taken the ice fishing scene by storm and are now the standard portable shelter for many. And not without reason, because there is something to love.
First and foremost, there really is no other way to get as much heated, fishable space for the money as you can with a center shelter, with even the larger and more steep models costing just over $500. This translates into a relatively simple purchase even for not-so-serious ice anglers who just want a break from the wind.
Of course, there is also the mobility factor, especially if you are towing by hand or even driving your truck onto ice. It’s usually simple to pull the hub bag out of the back of the truck and set up a shelter or drag a miniature sled containing a fairly lightweight hub system through the snow.
Both instances are prime hubs for anyone looking to have a portable fish house while still being agile.
There is also the spatial factor. The gigantic hub will accommodate the entire family much better than a foldable shelter.
However, this does not mean that hubs are merely shelters for “beginners”, as today’s hubs have many features that make them both functional and enjoyable. Look for entry doors that extend right down to the ice to prevent tripping when entering and exiting. Also look for custom storage solutions like tackle pockets, rod holders, and even a propane hose port to keep it unthreatening from snowy messes. Oversized carry bags that can easily accommodate a frozen shelter and a secure ice anchoring system are things you should expect from the highest-end hubs available on the market.
Flip style
Call them the original portable devices available on the market and designed for multiple applications. They continue to be a major asset to ice fishermen everywhere.
Almost without a doubt, if transportation on the ice is by snowmobile or ATV, flip shelters are by far the best choice. With options to reduce sled wear, such as hy-fax guides, and heavy-duty hitch systems rotomolded into the sled frame, there is simply no more stringent shelter that can withstand the elements when towing on open ice. Some of that durability comes with a bit more weight, mostly due to the sled. The advantage is unthreatening storage, which allows you to transport everything in an independent device to and from the site. This will keep your touring vehicle free for other accessories or riders and allow you to travel across the ice much faster.
More than just a thinner sled or even clip-on hub covers, the foldable house with a surrounding travel cover makes it simple to transport. For anglers fishing gigantic waters or remote areas, these systems are simply the best choice. Not to mention, these shelters also have a lot of great features.
Although most flip-style shelters originally had a main entrance door, most now have this option plus a handy side door. The heater goes out onto the ice in front of the anglers, and they can enter or exit from their individual site without fear of burning their wetsuits or shelter. This is a useful feature in itself.
Which one to choose?
For many anglers, the choice of a portable ice fishing shelter is circumscribed to towing by hand or truck (wind-style) or towing ATVs and snowmobiles (flip-style). But a few more intriguing employ cases emerge.
Especially for mobile home owners, portable shelters provide great value because they allow you to expand your fishing space when additional guests arrive or employ them as a portable, slide-out bathroom. Hubs can be an simple and affordable way to add some fun when you need extra space to spotless fish, prepare a buffet of food, or even send the kids out when they need a change of scenery.
The same can be said for anglers who want all of their equipment to be self-sufficient. With the assist of a friend, a propane sled/shed, electronics, augers, fishing rods, and tackle can be easily hauled onto the ice, set up, and ready to fish in just a few minutes. If you have a truck or SUV and there is room for this device, many anglers prefer to drive to a location, sit down and fish without having to fold or collect a pile of items sloshing around on a sled.
Ultimately, it’s strenuous to make a bad choice, and the market for used portable shelters is forceful if you want to explore other options later.
When purchasing a shelter, consider the four S’s, from top to bottom: 1) Shell – a premium fabric with high insulating properties. 2) Construction – Aluminum poles on the flip sled that are square will prevent twisting and binding in high winds. 3) Seat – a bench or bucket seat that is lightweight and comfortable. 4) Sleds – If you are purchasing a flip style sled, a rotomolded sled is a premium option.
